Tumblr Gym: Yoga

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If you experience stress, take note: relaxation is a skill that can be learned.

By Claudia Cummins

If attaining peace of mind were as simple as reminding ourselves to relax whenever we feel agitated, the majority of us would be blissed-out most of the time. Like any other worthwhile skill,…

Meditation is not the easiest thing to do when you’re first starting out. Lying or sitting down and thinking about absolutely NOTHING is difficult.

I know this. 

It took me two whole months to learn how to meditate properly. And it wasn’t because I didn’t know how, because I knew the ins and outs, but it came with experience. It’s one of those things that you can know how to do it all day long, but you won’t fully master it until you’ve actually practiced it—over and over and over.

So here are a few tips to help you reduce the amount of time of mastering meditation. And remember, don’t force it.

1. Hot Tea Before Meditation. You don’t want to drink a full cup, because running to the bathroom isn’t exactly what we want here. But drinking a few sips of hot tea will get you in the state of becoming relaxed. I drink peppermint tea (non-caffeine).
2. Aromatherapy. Lighting a scented candle or whatever other means you may prefer, will help ease you as well. The smell of vanilla or cocoa butter always relaxes me no matter where I am or what I am doing. So I prefer to have candles with those scents to light during meditation. This is just another means to help you ease your mind and relax alot faster.
3. Posture is key. Personally I prefer lying down while meditating because it allows me to fully relax, but the downside to this is becoming tired. If you prefer lying down, I suggest you meditate while in full-awake mode. However, if you prefer sitting in a chair, or on a mat with your legs folded, be sure to keep your back straight and your posture upright. Uncomfortable sitting could jeopardize your meditation by allowing you to realize how uncomfortable you are.
4. Follow your breath. Don’t mentally visualize your breath, because this is considered “thinking” but just follow your breath. Be aware of its movement inside of your body. This will help you initially from thinking any thoughts and it will put your mind at ease. Take really deep breaths at first, and they will gradually get smaller and smaller until they seem non-existent.
5. Focus on how you feel. Once you reach the state where your breath seems non-existent, I want you to release that thought and focus on how you feel. How your body feels. How your arms and legs may be tingling. Visualize this relaxation flowing from your head to your toes slowly, and enjoy your new found state of relaxation. Once you have reached this state and mastered it, you have successfully completed beginners meditation. Congrats!

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