Meditation: it sounds like something from a far off land that might not have a time or place in a busy, Western society. In fact, meditation is a great way to take a few moments out of your day to breathe, clear your mind of clutter and set an intention for your day ahead. Meditation can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. But how do you get started? Where can you learn to meditate? Well luckily, there are inexpensive, simple ways you can get started in a place that you feel most comfortable! Here’s how.
1. Practice Yoga
Yoga, whether you attend a class or practice it in your own home, is a great way to be introduced to the world of yoga. Not sure if sitting still in silence is your thing? Yoga allows you to stretch and move, but introduces you to the principles of deep breathing, consciousness, setting intentions and being aware of where your mind is wandering. Community centers, schools, yoga studios and even YouTube channels are all excellent sources of beginner yoga sessions.
2. Read All About It
If you’re looking to learn more about meditation, its history, benefits and how to practice it, picking up a book that can give you a more extensive understanding might be a good place to start. Books such as this one can give you a self-guided tour through meditation, helping you applying skills in moments of stress and anxiety in your life.
3. Meditative Coloring
Remember when you were a kid and you used to color for hours? Markers, crayons, colored pencils – all of these were your own personal tools to create your own colorful world. Well, did you know that, to some extent, coloring can actually have meditative effects? Particularly when coloring complex designs, such as mandalas, our minds are able to focus on that specific activity. This helps to reduce anxiety and stress and is a degree of mindfulness that is used in meditative practices. Of course meditation itself is not really an active process so coloring has its limitations. But if you’re just starting out, finding a complex coloring project might give you a sense of what meditation and mindfulness can feel like.
4. There’s an App for That!
Another excellent way to enter the world of meditation is by downloading an app for your phone or tablet. There are many that are free or inexpensive that walk you through a step-by-step process for meditating. Some worth trying include Headspace, Omvana and Smiling Mind. Regardless of which one you choose, you will get a handy introduction that you can carry with you wherever you go.
Feature Image: Moyan_Brenn
