OMG, I can’t meditate to save my life!
What type of meditations have you been doing?
Regular ones, sitting in a chair, trying to make my mind be still.
Why are you torturing yourself…
SWITCH IT UP FRIEND!
Who in the world said we HAVE to meditate one way?! That’s the beauty of being able to mold a practice to fit YOU.
Spirit is not going to punish you for needing to get a walk in today in order to make space for hearing and receiving.
THANK YOU SPIRIT for the grace in us being us.
Here are a few ideas for bringing some freshness into your meditation practice:
1. Walk it out – Walking meditation is fabulous for moving through restlessness and increasing overall circulation. I advise skipping the headphones to really be aware of your environment and physical being. As you get into a nice, easy stride, take notice of your body and the movements that occur with each step. Feel into the magnificence of all that your body does for you even when you’re not paying attention to it. You may begin to feel tingling in your limbs, as your cells are being bathed and nurtured with oxygen and all the other good stuff that rides along with it.
You can also notice your immediate environment to connect with the now moment. Really looking at the elements of nature that come across on your path. Noticing the trees, the grass, flowers, the sun and how it feels. Allow your senses to be heightened and experience what Spirit has to show you.
2. Dance it out – Cue the music! Dancing is one of the best ways for us to get out of our heads when the mental chatter is overwhelming. This form of movement gets us back into the heart space. Think about all the times that your day has instantly been turned around because you heard your favorite song. Just like walking, dancing has health benefits as well, and who’s going to turn that down?
Feel the flow, get into your groove, and shake out that excess energy trying to clog up your spirit pipes. Pick a song or playlist that you can’t ignore even if you tried. Freestyle in your living space and let your body guide you. Notice what your body is asking for in the moment, and allow the body rolls, foot stomps, and fist pumps. Appreciate the now moment and say thank you for all that Spirit and your body is providing you.
3. Talk it out – Just start talking. When you go into meditation, say out loud all of the thoughts that are coming to you in that moment. Whether you’re thinking about your grocery list or stating desires for meeting your business goals, talk to your guides like friends because they are. Express yourself and let your emotions move through you, rather than sitting and stewing inside.
Use this opportunity to speak things into existence by explicitly asking for guidance in your next steps. Let your spirit team hear it. State your frustrations or whatever is burdening you, and know that you’ve released your requests to ethers.
And now that you’ve let it all out, there’s way less mental chatter and you’ve made space to listen, to receive… minus the mental struggle of ‘why can’t my mind be quiet’. Brain dump so the mind CAN settle down.
4. Breathe it out – Your breath is EVERYTHING! I get so geeked up about breathwork because it has saved my hide many many times. When I can’t place where anxious feelings are coming from, I go straight to breathing exercises rather than try to evaluate those feelings in the moment.
In mindful breathing, you focus on taking a full belly inhale, holding the breath at the top, and exhaling slowly through the nose or mouth. Exhaling through the nose or mouth is debated across disciplines, so discern for yourself what feels better. I personally do both depending on what I need in the moment. I like to exhale through the mouth for anxiety, and it’s actually become an automatic response.
Focused, slow breathing has an amazing effect on the sympathetic nervous system. It helps to dampen the fight or flight response, and shows your body that you’re not in any immediate danger. Thank you body, but we’re all good!
5. Guide it out – Sometimes you just need someone else to take the reigns for a bit and support you in your experience. Guided meditations can do just that by taking you on visual journeys or encouraging you to release attachment to your thoughts.
Those new to meditation are frequently drawn to being guided as they get a sense of the many forms of practice. Body scans and chakra scans are great refreshers and bring pointed attention to areas that we frequently forget about.
And remember, you don’t have to stick to one style. If you’re feeling adventurous, do a different one every day. Have fun as you expand your toolbox and explore what makes you feel good. When you crave silence and feel called to receive in that way, your classic meditation style will be waiting for you. 🙂
Happy Meditations!
-Tifani
How are you feeling about your practice? Which idea are you most excited to try out? Leave a comment and let me know!