What I wish I knew before I started meditation
GETTING STARTED WITH MEDITATION
Hey y’all, it’s Ashley here!
When I first heard about meditation, I thought it was some woo woo crazy stuff that was only meant for the super spiritual or highly elite. It wasn’t until I began taking yoga classes with really down to earth teachers that I learned meditation can be extremely simple and highly beneficial. Meditation doesn’t just have to be seated on a cushion in a dark room lit up with candles. It can be done while rock climbing (you have to be fully present for that sport!), while out taking a lunchtime walk, or a sweaty yoga class.
Did you know that meditation is its own teacher if you are brave enough to listen? I know it can be scary to sit with your thoughts and try to stay present. Give yourself some grace and know that beginning anything new can be scary.
Starting and keeping a mediation practice, if only for 2 minutes a day, has taught me that I hold my breath while biting my bottom lip when I am stressed and that I have full blown anxiety attacks in the middle of the night. It is always a practice, but because of meditation I have become better at responding instead of reacting to situations or to other people’s words and actions. Pretty cool, right?
The four things below are what I wish I knew before starting a meditation practice. Maybe if I had known these things sooner I wouldn’t have been so afraid to begin. I hope they help you, too, wherever you are on your meditation journey.
Thoughts are not your enemy. The goal of meditation is not to clear your mind of thoughts. It’s perfectly fine and normal that they drift in. You aren’t failing. When thoughts begin to drift in, simply notice and guide your attention back to your point of focus - your breath or a mantra.
Move around. You don’t need to sit up straight or be perfectly still. Feel free to scratch that itch if you have it, or fidget to get comfortable. Yep, you can even slump in your chair or lie down!
It’s okay to look. Your eyes can be open or closed - it’s up to you. Do what makes you most comfortable.
Emotions are a thing. Your meditations are not always going to be calm and peaceful. Sometimes negative emotions show up. That’s really, really normal. As best you can, try to stay present even when it gets hard. That is where we build resilience and learn the most about ourselves.
Let’s begin.
Enjoy this 2 minute meditation with Rooted Yoga owner, Niecia, and let’s do this thing!
