Meditation is a proven practice used to promote inner peace, clarity, and calmness, increase relaxation and develop mindfulness. Contrary to how it was in ancient times, meditation is no longer a practice reserved solely for those seeking spiritual enlightenment. It has now become a trendy, mainstream activity.

As per the latest meditation statistics, meditation is the second most popular mind and body practice in the USA. Today, the meditation industry is valued at $1 billion, comprised of meditation studios, websites, books, online courses, DVDs, apps, and supplies. The number of people turning to meditation is skyrocketing, and with so many reported benefits it’s really no wonder! In today’s stress-packed world, that people at large are using meditation to relieve stress and anxiety speaks to its effectiveness and popularity.

There are many more benefits of meditation. From relieving stress and anxiety to promoting emotional health, meditation offers a number of benefits to anyone who practices it. Many studies suggest that this mind and body practice may reduce blood pressure, relieve pain, lower the risk of anxiety and depression, and enhance overall well-being. 

The rise in the popularity of meditation apps

There is a 65% year-on-year increase in the number of yoga and meditation app searches. The fact that the users can experience calmness and peace from the comfort of their own homes propels the growth of meditation apps and also mental health apps by leaps and bounds. These are becoming an essential tool for people struggling with the intense hustle and bustle of daily life.

There are a number of meditation apps available with some amazing guided meditation tracks. My personal favorites are the Art of Living Journey app and the Sattva app. Here are 10 more expert-reviewed apps that you can choose from depending upon your need. 

But I would also like to add a friendly word of caution. The vast majority of mental wellness apps, as shown in a study by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), haven’t received professional evaluations. So we recommend that you be careful when choosing an app. You may want to get advice from a meditation specialist if needed, particularly if you’re a beginner.

Going beyond meditation apps: meditate online in a live session with an instructor

There are advantages and disadvantages to learning meditation on an app. Meditation apps are loaded with guided meditations and for a beginner that could be a good place to start to get a glimpse of the meditation experience. But ultimately you need to transition to using your own meditation practice that you learn from a trained meditation teacher. 

Meditation is primarily meant to be learned under the guidance of an expert who could start your meditation practice with your own personal technique. From time immemorial, people have been practicing meditation without using any apps. But in this digital era, there’s an app for almost everything, including meditation. Though technology brings immense benefits, it can have its limitations too when attempting to give you a grand meditation experience. Even the best app in the world can’t beat the opportunity to be with an expert teacher! For instance:

• One argument against the use of meditation apps points to the seemingly counterintuitive act of using a device that is known to cause stress and anxiety

• Cell phones and other devices can distract you and add to your feelings of loneliness, anxiety, or depression

• Meditation apps may not be able to provide you a deep experience of unguided or silent meditations

• Meditation apps can not initiate you into your own meditation practice. Basically, if you're using an app you're just getting the "general public" stuff, whereas a teacher will give you the "real" stuff that is so personal.

• They are one-sided rather than truly interactive. Apps can not give you the answers that you seek when you get stuck in your practice. You need a trained expert who can guide you and take you further in your practice

Apps may not be suitable for everyone, some people benefit from more in-person, hands-on instruction. However, guided meditation on apps can definitely help you along the way in your journey. If you aren’t yet ready for in-person meditation courses, meditation apps will be a great place to start. Another alternative is to join an online meditation course with a meditation expert. 

The Art of Living offers the most complete meditation experience through online meditation courses which are interactive in nature and with well-trained meditation teachers. It's not just an app and not just a course. It's all of that plus so much more.

Regain your calm with evidence-based practices in our online course!

The Art of Living offers SKY Breath Meditation and Sahaj Samadhi Meditation courses online. While SKY, as the name suggests, is a breath-based meditation technique, Sahaj Samadhi is an easy effortless mantra meditation technique.  

SKY, a unique yogic breathing practice, involves several types of cyclical breathing patterns, ranging from slow and calming to rapid and energizing. Here is what modern research is saying about SKY and here is how it will benefit you in so many ways. 

Learn more about SKY at Beyond Breath

Breathe in and breathe out with us and get a first-hand experience of some breathing exercises and a guided meditation by joining our free online meditation class -  Beyond Breath! Reserve your free spot now!