Yoga and meditation often go hand in hand. The benefits of these tools can have a positive effect on your mental and physical well-being. With the enormous stress and uncertainty we all face due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s never been a better time to get into meditation.
Why you should be adding meditation to your daily routine:
You might have heard people rave about the benefits of meditation, and I believe it’s with good reason. Whether you are stuck at home or an essential worker on the front line during COVID-19, meditation can help manage your anxiety to help you get through these unprecedented times.
Your meditation doesn’t need to include crystals, essential oils or incredible views of nature. If you have them, great! If not then don’t stress, meditation is really about what is happening inside you. All you need is to set aside some you time. It can be a little as 5 minutes or an hour or more. I’ve recently started guided meditation with Melissa Woodhealth on her app, which varies between 10 to 15 minutes.
Meditation can sound daunting for anyone who’s never tried it before. I personally thought that I would be falling asleep, especially if practising it first thing in the morning. But let me say – I feel far more awake and energized after a short meditation, than even a strong coffee could provide. There’s just something about those few moments of connecting your mind and body, being completely present in the moment that resets your mind.
Your body can be exposed to a lot of stress, especially if you’re in a lock-down. Whether it’s the uncertainty of having a job or having a pay cut, or the household you’re in, or even having to go to work. Do something for yourself, try meditation during COVID-19 and bring a sense of calm back in your life.
If you’re happy, everything around you will reflect it.
Types of meditations:
- Mindfulness meditation
This type of meditation is considered the most popular meditation technique in the west. It originated from Buddhist teachings to pay attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind. This type of practice can be easily practised alone.
- Spiritual meditation
Similar to prayer, this meditation type is mostly used in Eastern religions seeking a deeper connection with your God or Universe.
- Mantra meditation
Mantra meditation uses a repetitive sound to clear the mind, a popular meditation technique used in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. If you are not a fan of silence, then this technique will be great for you!
- Movement meditation
You can meditate anywhere, this type of meditation is ideal if you’re walking next to the ocean, through the woods or gardening. Movement meditation works well for people who find their peace in action.
- Focused meditation
Use any of your five senses for this type of meditation. This can be anything from a candle, counting mala beads, or listening to a sound in order to focus.
- Transcendental meditation
The most popular meditation around the world. A technique that helps you to avoid distracting thoughts and promote self-awareness.
“It’s what feels comfortable and what you feel encouraged to practice,” says Mira Dessy, a meditation author and holistic nutritionist.
Choose a type of meditation that fits best with your personality and lifestyle. It’s helpful when you’re a beginner to have someone guide you, and luckily there are thousands of apps to guide you through it.
Meditation on Bookamat:
The Australian School of Meditation and Yoga Adelaide Hills branch is offering online meditation classes through Bookamat. You can browse their session times at this link: https://bookamat.co/browse/australian-school-of-meditation-yoga-adelaide-hills
Free guided meditations:
Some apps give a 7-day free trial, and others are completely free. Have a look at these below and try out the free trials. If you’ve tried it once and still absolutely hate it, then cancel! You won’t lose anything.
- https://www.meditainment.com/
- https://www.tarabrach.com/guided-meditations/
- https://chopra.com/articles/guided-meditations
- https://www.mindful.org/audio-resources-for-mindfulness-meditation/
Below are usually paying apps, which you can try for free for 7 days!
- https://www.headspace.com/
- https://melissawoodhealth.com/
- https://insighttimer.com/
- https://www.calm.com/
Image credit: Clarisa Strack from Coco Pilates photographed by www.jamesstrack.com
