Over the past few decades, meditation has gone mainstream, with millions of Americans identifying themselves as “meditators.” But what does it mean to meditate? How do you start? And how do you know what works for you?
Just like breathing, breathing in and out helps with relaxation and health. Of course the benefits would be more if you’re doing it at the right time and in the right manner. And like any other form of exercise, you need to know how to do it well.
I used to think that if I had everything I needed – a purple cushion, an altar to the gods and an audio timer on my iPhone – I could somehow achieve the elusive peace of mind associated with sitting meditation. I even took 10 minutes every morning to try it out.
But it never worked – sitting in meditation was always difficult. With high energy levels, a talkative spirit and a mild bout of restless legs syndrome, I had to find another way to exercise.
Table of Contents
Try movement meditation at home or on the go
It was in the jungle of Costa Rica, under a bamboo hut, that I had my first experience with movement meditation. This practice, known as dynamic (or active) meditation, was totally foreign to me. And I felt great in my body.
Finally, I could move in a way that was only mine: hopping around the room with verve or crouching on the floor to protect myself. As I explored this way of expressing myself, everything came out – my feelings, my thoughts, lots of sweat. It was a total purification that created space for inner peace.
I was already doing yoga when I went on a retreat in Costa Rica, but after that trip something changed. I saw the light that indicated the silence of the Spirit – I didn’t have to sit cross-legged for it! When I returned to my mat in New York, I started doing vinyasa. Although more structured than dynamic meditation, it is based on the same idea of focusing on the movement of the body to calm the mind.
Movement meditation (like sitting meditation) is all about presence. The key is mindfulness, which you can practice anytime, anywhere. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Use your breath to guide the movement.
If you are doing yoga – let the inhalation bring you into the pose, and let the exhalation lower the body. If the breathing is slow and regular, the mind will follow.
2. Use movement to bring your mind into the present.
As you walk, let the sound of your foot hitting the ground bring your attention back to normal. Create awareness around your thoughts to see them for what they are…. just thoughts.
3. Choose activities that are familiar to you.
You can meditate while doing any activity, but it takes a certain skill. (It’s hard for the mind to settle down when you first try to ride a surfboard). Stick to your tried and true movement exercises to get your mind in the right mood.
Sitting for meditation is a versatile way to achieve peace of mind. But it’s not the only option. Those of you who are action or energy oriented can also find peace and quiet!{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is a moving meditation?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” A moving meditation is a type of meditation that uses movement to help you focus on your breath. It can be done sitting or standing, and it can be done in any position. How do I do a moving meditation? To start, find a comfortable position to sit or stand in. You can sit on the floor with your legs crossed, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides, or stand with one foot in front of the other. Next, close your eyes and focus on taking deep breaths. As you inhale through your nose, imagine that you are filling up a balloon with air. As you exhale through pursed lips, imagine that you are blowing out the balloon. Next, start to move your body in a way that feels natural. You can sway from side to side, or you can move your arms up and down as if you were swimming through water. If you are standing, try moving your arms up and down like a bird flapping its wings. If you are sitting on the floor with your legs crossed, try rocking back and forth from one leg to the other. As you move, focus on your breath. Notice how it feels as you inhale and exhale. Notice how your body feels as you move. Notice how your mind feels as you focus on your breath and movement.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What are 3 benefits of movement meditation?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” -It helps to reduce stress and anxiety. -It can help with sleep problems. -It can help with pain management.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How do you teach mindful movement?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:” The best way to teach mindful movement is to start with a simple exercise. For example, you could have students stand in a circle and take turns moving around the circle while counting their steps.”}}]}
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a moving meditation?
A moving meditation is a type of meditation that uses movement to help you focus on your breath. It can be done sitting or standing, and it can be done in any position. How do I do a moving meditation? To start, find a comfortable position to sit or stand in. You can sit on the floor with your legs crossed, stand with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides, or stand with one foot in front of the other. Next, close your eyes and focus on taking deep breaths. As you inhale through your nose, imagine that you are filling up a balloon with air. As you exhale through pursed lips, imagine that you are blowing out the balloon. Next, start to move your body in a way that feels natural. You can sway from side to side, or you can move your arms up and down as if you were swimming through water. If you are standing, try moving your arms up and down like a bird flapping its wings. If you are sitting on the floor with your legs crossed, try rocking back and forth from one leg to the other. As you move, focus on your breath. Notice how it feels as you inhale and exhale. Notice how your body feels as you move. Notice how your mind feels as you focus on your breath and movement.
What are 3 benefits of movement meditation?
-It helps to reduce stress and anxiety. -It can help with sleep problems. -It can help with pain management.
How do you teach mindful movement?
The best way to teach mindful movement is to start with a simple exercise. For example, you could have students stand in a circle and take turns moving around the circle while counting their steps.
Related Tags:
Feedback,movement meditation techniquesmovement meditation examplesmovement meditation stepsmovement meditation benefitsmovement meditation scriptmovement meditation practices,People also search for,Privacy settings,How Search works,Transcend… Meditation,Maitrī,Vipassanā,Buddhist meditation,Anapanas…,Daoist meditation,See more,movement meditation techniques,movement meditation steps,movement meditation benefits,movement meditation examples,movement meditation script,movement meditation practices,movement meditation exercises,movement meditation step by step