Please be aware that some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support through these links helps to maintain and improve this website. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for your support!
When I was younger, I took dance from ages 9-19 and my dance teacher taught us to meditate. At the time being younger, I had no idea that is what we did. We just knew that our bodies and minds felt great when we were finished. As I got older and realized what we did, I’ve been using techniques we would do in dance class. It has grown to be more attuned to my life now and sometimes may only be bringing awareness to my center self. There is no way that I am a qualified person or trained for it, but I want to share my experience with meditating and some tips that may help you start to do it. Below are some of the benefits of meditating.
1. Reduce Stress
Meditating will help reduce your stress by bringing focus to your breath. It will help you relax your body and reduce the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, that your body is producing.
2. Improve Focus
Being able to breathe and bring awareness to your breath helps focus your mind on one thing. Over time and with practice, it will help enhance your attention span and ability to concentrate.
3. Promote Emotional Well-being
Meditation encourages self-awareness and mindfulness. I can help lead to greater emotional stability, a reduce anxiety, and increased feelings of calm and happiness.
4. Improve Sleep
Meditating before bed can help relax the body and mind and give a sense of calm to the body. Whenever we did a calming meditation at dance class, I slept so well after it.
There are many ways to meditate to help quiet your mind. You can do it before bed to help get to sleep, before a meeting at work to bring focus to your mind, or right when you wake up to start your day. Below I’ll list some ways to help you start meditating, even if you only have a few minutes.
1. Find a Quiet Place
This works best if you can be in a room with no one else there unless they will be meditating with you or are doing something quiet. You don’t want any distractions when you are first working on trying to meditate.
2. Find a Comfortable Position
The most common way to meditate is to sit on the floor, cross-legged, with your hand resting on the tops of your thighs or knees. Roll your shoulders back so you aren’t hunched over as well. This way your chest is open and you can take deep breaths. You can sit wherever you are able bedroom, kitchen, car, work desk, wherever you find comfortable will be a good spot to start. You can also lie down on your back with your arms by your sides. Whatever position you take, you should be able to hold that position for the meditation time.
3. Set a Time Limit
You want to make sure you schedule the time needed to meditate. I’m not talking about scheduling it out of your day but decide how long to meditate for. It can be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour.
4. Focus on your Breath
Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Breathe in for 6-10 counts and release for that length as well. You don’t want to feel out of breathe or like you are struggling to breathe at all.
5. Feel your Body
As you are breathing, think of a body part and focus on that spot for a few breaths. Does it hurt? Is it sore? Tight? Is the joint sore? Focus on how your body is feeling and take note if anything feels off.
6. Stillness and Silence
Get your body comfortable with not moving or having a noise going in the background. Be comfortable just being in your own presence.
7. Be Patient
This may not be something you can do right away. It may feel weird or odd to be trying meditation. That’s ok! Be patient with yourself and keep trying.
8. Transition Back to Reality
This may seem like you just open your eyes and go back to life, but it needs some extra time to get back to reality. You could start by wiggling your toes and fingers. Stretch your arms and legs out. You want to start focusing on the noises going on around you.
There are a lot of options if you don’t know where to start to begin meditating. There are guided practices that will talk you through the meditation so you don’t have to think through it. You can pick the time length you would like as well. There are videos on YouTube and Spotify that will guide you through or just play music for you to have in the background.
In conclusion, meditation is a simple yet powerful practice that can bring patience, calm, and focus to your life. For beginners, starting with just a few minutes a day, finding a comfortable space, and focusing on your breath can set you on the path to mindfulness. Remember, it’s not about being perfect but about embracing the journey and finding patience with yourself. With consistent practice, you’ll begin to notice its positive effects, both mentally and physically. So take that first step, stay committed, and enjoy the peace meditation can bring to your life.
Leave a comment. Check out more posts here.