Before you Learn to Meditate – A Beginner’s Guide

So, you have finally made up your mind to start meditating!

But, do you know how to begin?

People often ask, do I have to learn to meditate?

Certainly! You must get a hold of the basics of meditation to know how to feel and what to expect from it.

Sitting in Silence – A Strange Beginning

Meditation takes the body and mind into silence. So, the first step is to sit in silence, with the innermost feelings and thoughts, and do nothing. The mind resists because it is difficult to do nothing.
To a beginner, the early day of meditation could be daunting. But, nothing to worry. As you learn to meditate, things get easier. As meditation is a 3000-year-old practice, it is believed to have tremendous mental healing properties.

Why Learn to Meditate?

Maybe you would like to learn to meditate to feel less reactive, more focused, and less stressed.
Maybe you want to use it as a development plan.

Maybe you would like to improve your relationships with the people around you.

Regardless of the reason, training your mind through meditation is a way to train awareness. Together, it can fundamentally transform the perspective of your life.

As the human existence is experienced only through the mind, the perspective of life can alter dramatically once you start meditating.

Important Tips to Meditate Right

•  Choose the right place and time to meditate. Where you sit to meditate and when is crucial for a relatively undisturbed session. It takes both discipline as well as perseverance to make meditation a habit and practice regularly.

•  Wear comfortable clothes to feel relaxed as you meditate. Loosen your belt, tie, or scarf, or any tight-fitting garments and shoes.

•  You can either sit inside or outside, on the floor, a bench, a cushion, or a chair. Beginners usually prefer to sit upright on a chair, but the floor is far more relaxing. Keep your back straight, chin tucked in, and neck relaxed.

•  How long should you meditate? It depends on your life circumstances, time available, and your mindset. When you start out, try a 10-minute session of silence. As you graduate, make it 15 to 20 minutes. It is unlikely to happen overnight. So, give yourself some time and take each session at a time.

•  Why do you want to meditate? The reason or motivation should be clear. If you have a mere nebulous idea of doing it, without motivation, you may have to struggle to practice. However, if you are clear about the practice, it would help you feel calmer, less stressed, and more focused.
There’s a whole new gamut of experiences to explore as you learn to meditate.

Learn to Meditate – A Beginner’s Guide

Meditation is an art – a transformational approach that helps unveil the secrets to improve your state of mind, exhale stress and anxiety, and breathe in glory and mindfulness. It is a powerful and effective tool to rejuvenate from the woes & worries of life, and discover the path to happiness and contentment. To learn to meditate is like training your mind for better concentration and mindfulness, which are the two key ingredients that help build confidence, self-esteem, and focus.

To beginners, it might seem daunting sitting for hours to “empty” their minds. However, the basics are straightforward. Once you master the art of meditation, it will only be joy and loveliness everywhere. Here’s a quick guide on how to get started.

1.Start by Getting Comfortable

To begin practicing meditation, find a tranquil and quite place where you can focus better. Now pick a posture that you are comfortable with. Make sure you sit straight, focusing specifically on your back. Right posture is an integral element of meditation.The objective is to maintain body-and-mind alignment without being stiff. It is only when you relax that you can concentrate better.

2. Loosen Your Body…and Mind

Once you are comfortable in your posture, see how the body feels. Gently loosen it up, focusing on any tension you are experiencing at the moment. For the eyes, you can keep them closed when you begin with. Gradually, as you learn to meditate, practice keeping the eyes half open. This aids in improved attentiveness. Next, concentrate on what you are hearing…what your thoughts or feelings are sitting there…what’s flowing through the mind and body. 

3. Practice Breathing Techniques

When you start practicing breathing, let it be natural. As you mind gets composed over time, you can better control your breathing rhythm and pace. Do not worry if your mind wanders away when you focus on breathing. The art is to gain back your attention while controlling your breath.

Cultivate Calm Yoga is your trusted abode where you can learn to meditate amidst a tranquil environment, gaining experience from passionate practitioners. Join the beginner’s meditation classes and unravel the path to a peaceful mind and body.

Learn to Meditate for Stress-Free Life

Our fast-paced lives often leave behind a cluttered mind. It leads to stress, irritation and behavioural issues. Meditation is a great way to deal with such pressures. It is an ancient approach which trains the mind to be calm and focused. As a beginner, it might look a bit clichéd. After all, who sits still for hours? But, the reality is quite different. With regular practice, you will learn to meditate and often it becomes one of the most fulfilling aspects of your life.

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation offers physical as well as psychological benefits. Let’s find out some amazing benefits experienced by people.

• Lowers Stress Levels: Regular practice reduces the release of a stress hormone, cortisol. As a result, feelings of anxiety, stress and nervousness is controlled to a large extent. It effectively lowers your stress and keeps your mind relaxed.
• Great for heart health: Meditation lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure often exerts pressure on your heart. Through meditation you can keep the heart rate and blood pressure in check.
• Makes you smarter: The brain is extremely benefitted with meditation. With increased blood flow to the brain, it improves memory, enhances self-control and increases attention span. Brain functions are hugely boosted with meditation.
• Improves Mood: Good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin are released in our body during meditation. It improves our mood and keeps depression at bay.
• Makes Life Meaningful: Meditation helps to create a sense of self-awareness which allows people to unlock greater meaning and purpose in life. As you feel less stress, your mind is activated to work better and it creates a sense of calm. But, you cannot press a button to enjoy all the goodness of meditation.

Your mind needs training first. Trying to learn meditation in Brisbane? Visit a Cultivate Calm Yoga studio and feel the difference.