6 Tips to Build Your Meditation Practice

Meditation is a buzz-word these days, and there is so much direction on how to meditate.  Don’t get confused, know that the simple ideal of a “one-pointed” focus is the cornerstone of building a meditation practice. If we do just that,  we give the mind a break from the racing or jumping around that happens all the time in our over-stimulated technology driven world.  Just as the constant flow of information from technology trains our minds to race with thoughts, we can also train the mind to “quiet.” Here are a few ideas to rein in your mind’s energy, andtherefore gain the advantage of allowing that focused energy to give you a more relaxed nervous system that leads to clarity and better understanding your true calling. 

1.  Decide if your meditation practice will be sitting , standing, or reclined.  People who find it hard to be still can do a walking meditation so that the body’s nervous energy can be worked off as the mind learns to quiet. 

2.  Turn your reflection inward to and give your practice an intention.  This is unique to you, every time.

3.  Decide what the one-pointed practice will be:  your breath (the most traditional way of yogis in meditation,” a mantra, a sound, a picture, ….

4.  Every time your mind wanders, don’t get frustrated.  Simply bring your focus back to the one point.  With practice, you will find progress. 

5.  Use a mudra, a hand gesture especially, to tap into the meridian energy systems of the body:  this will affect mood as well as energy.

5.  Use aromatherapy:  try a drop of an essential oil in your hands for your mudra practice, behind the ears, at the nape of the neck,  on the soles of your feet, or in a diffuser.  Experiment with aromas to recognize that your life experiences will drive the effectiveness of certain aromas but be open to the science behind using pure essential oils. Peppermint and/or citrus oils will energize,  resins such as frankincense and myrrh, and other tree oils will help quiet the nervous system, rosemary and peppermint will help with focus, and eucalyptus and peppermint will deepen breathing, thus quieting the body even more.

6.  Set a time to meditate and try to build us to a daily practice. 

Want to learn more?  Get your copy of Essential Yoga Practice book and DVD on Amazon!  Opt in to our website to receive our weekly blog and hear about upcoming events at www.essentialyogapractice.com.  And, join us for the next 2 week on-line training which starts on August 14, Essential Yoga Sangha, a fun, interactive way to learn how these two ancient practices, yoga and aromatherapy, enhance each other. 

Sign up here