There are three things that we have the ability to train in our lives: our craft, our body, and our mind. Every day is a chance to develop these areas and to enhance the skills that keep them working at an optimal level. We condition our physical bodies through exercise and nutrition, yet we often forget to train our thoughts and nurture our consciousness with the same level of attention and practice. Meditation is the process of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. During meditation, you aim to eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being and can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquility. When we improve the habits of our mind, we can better explore the boundaries of who we are and who we have the potential to become!

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4 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD EMBRACE A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE:

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1. REDUCES STRESS & ANXIETY

Stress Reduction is one of the most common reasons people try meditation. Research shows, mindful meditation reduces the inflammation response caused by stress and also improves symptoms of stress-related conditions, including IBS, PTSD, and fibromyalgia. Habitual meditation can also help reduce anxiety and improve stress reactivity and coping skills.

2. LENGTHENS ATTENTION SPAN

Focused-attention meditation is like weight lifting for your attention span. It helps increase the strength and endurance of your attention. Studies show, it can even reverse patterns in the brain that contribute to mind-wandering, and worrying.

3. ENHANCES SELF AWARENESS

Awareness in all its forms is the very core of meditation. Through meditation we naturally develop self-awareness over time. Through self-awareness, we see our feelings, thoughts and physical sensations more clearly and vividly. We also can also begin to notice angles of our character, behaviours and habits. When in a state of awareness, we’re able to observe the mind “like looking at the earth from the moon." Knowing yourself can be a great starting point for making other positive changes.

4. ACCESSIBLE ANYWHERE

People practice many different forms of meditation, most of which don’t require specialized equipment or space. You can practice with just a few minutes a day.

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HOW DO YOU MEDITATE?

Meditation comes in many forms and practices. Here are some pointers to get you started with your mindfulness practice.

1) Take a seat & close your eyes

Find a place to sit or lay that feels calm and quiet to you.

2) Set a time limit

If you’re just beginning, it can help to choose a short time, such as five or 10 minutes.

3) Notice Your Body & Listen to your breath

Connect to the sound and pace of your breath and try to release any unwanted tension in your body.

4) Notice when your mind has wandered

Inevitably, your attention will leave the breath and wander to other places. When you notice that your mind has wandered simply return your attention to your breath.

5) Be kind to your wandering mind

Don’t judge yourself or the thoughts you find yourself lost in. Just return to your breath.

6) Close with kindness

When you’re ready, gently lift your gaze. Take a moment and notice any sounds in the environment. Check in with how your body feels and any emotions you may be experiencing. Show gratitude to yourself and to your practice.

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We're sharing two of our favourite meditation playlists, Peaceful Meditation & Guided Meditation! We use these Spotify created playlists for our own meditation practices and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Experiment with both calming meditations and guided meditations and see which has a greater effect for you!

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