Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and Meditation

By Dee Williams, RYT

Meditation can be done almost anyplace. There are many techniques. "Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, whether to realize some benefit or as an end in itself.” - Wikipedia 

Learning to meditate takes time and patience. One thing that happens is the mind and body are restless if you try to sit still for meditation. This is normal because you are not used to just sitting still and “doing nothing". The highly charged world of action that we live in everyday constantly calls upon us to react and respond to all kinds of stimulus from the cell phone incoming text messages to the next scheduled appointment. The most important thing to understand when starting to meditate is be patient with yourself. Use a positive affirmation like; “may I have patience with myself as I understand the practice of meditation.”

Photo by Dee Williams

Meditation is also a form of relaxation. When practiced with yoga asanas (postures) it becomes a form of moving meditation. Yoga Nidra  is a form of mindful awareness that takes one close to a sleep state for meditation. Other forms of meditation are; chakra, mantra, light, counting, breath and mala. Walking meditation (shown in the photo) is another form of meditation in motion.

Typically meditation is performed in the early morning upon first arising or later in the evening. Some practice meditation for several hours per day. Other people have very

limited time and may only meditate for fifteen minutes at a time. Still others meditate for long periods ten days or more at a time. And many find that their meditation extends into everything they do throughout the day. Meditation is indeed unique for every individual and some times you find a group that practices together and this can be very supportive and encouraging to someone developing a new meditation practice.

Some religious practices combine meditation towards the goal of deeper devotion and higher states of awareness of or connection with the divine.The history of meditation

practices associated with a variety of religions is well recorded by scholars and lay practitioners. 

Meditation has healthy affects on the body when practiced over time including; relaxing the sympathetic nervous system and other benefits. 

Once you begin to practice meditation regularly you will find the settling of the mind and body become easier. And the length of time you are able quietly sit during your practice

increases. Yoga enables the mind and body to become steady, and then one can bring more  awareness to the breath which allows the deeper states of meditation to happen naturally.

Namaste,
Dee