Meditation

I typically start off a yoga session with meditation. It enables you to close off your mind from everyday tasks, irritations, and it focuses you on the practice ahead.

It sounds easy but more often then not those pesky thoughts just keep jumping around in my head. I practice yogic breath techniques to hear only the sound of my breath and not my thoughts but just when I think that's all I can hear suddenly I realize I'm contemplating what posture to begin with, or what I should have for lunch.

Thankfully I know that meditation is a long journey, not one to be obtained over night. I'm eager to keep on trying until finally I reach silent bliss :)

In one of the text books I'm pre-reading for the yoga teacher training I'm taking in April the yogi speaks about meditation techniques. One of the techniques that I tried this morning and enjoyed was lighting a candle and focusing only on the light. You'll find your eyes will half close and blur over. And soon there is only the light of the candle and the sound of your breath. It's really helpful! I still have quiet music playing in the background because I find I get distracted by cars driving by, or the cat chasing a bit of kibble. Hopefully this helps. If private personal practice of meditation isn't your thing you should try going to a Yoga Nidra class. It's guided group meditation. I've made a lot of progress in a Nidra class. Well happy meditating!

Namaste