Guided Meditations
Listening to a guided meditation is a great way to get (re)started with mindfulness practice. The guiding voice can be like a gentle support, offering cues, reminders, and subtle lessons toward presence.
There's no wrong way; just find a comfortable place to sit, lie down, or stand, and click play!
Body Scan Meditation
The name of the game here is body awareness. In these recordings, I guide you to mindfully notice different areas of your body. This is a great way to get "out of our heads," and into a sensory experience of feeling.
Why is it important?
Tension is stored in the body. Mindfulness can release it. Emotions are felt in the body. Mindfulness implores us to learn from them. The body is always HERE. This teaches us to be here with it too.
An added bonus:
Can be a helpful way to transition into sleep.
Mindfulness of Breathing
The object of meditation here is the bodily experience of breathing. "Ride the waves" of the breath. Gently return to it when it wanders.
Why is it important?
In general, breath meditation improves concentration. The breath calms us when we're amped up, and it reinvigorates us when we're feeling slothful. It is always fresh and new, just like this moment.
An added bonus:
It's portable, so it's an accessible way to connect to the present moment.
Heart Practice
Here, the use of intention, meaningful phrases, and images are applied to cultivate qualities of good-will toward our self and others.
Why is it important?
Challenges negative beliefs and self-talk. Increases positive emotions, such as joy, gratitude, and hope
Can be an effective antidote to fear.
An added bonus:
Promotes social connection and empathy toward others.
Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
- James Baldwin