Wondering how to start with yoga and meditation? Read on to find out. Discover 3 easy and time-tested ways to get started. Begin today!
Yoga is a mind-body practice that promotes mental and physical well-being. It has its roots in ancient India.
Some beginners wonder how is yoga different from meditation?
Most people today relate to yoga as a physical practice, with emphasis on postures (asana). Maharishi Patanjali, the foremost propounder of yoga, has defined yoga as stilling the modulations of the mind. This suggests that yoga is actually a mental practice more than a physical practice.
In his 8-fold path of yoga, Patanjali includes postures (asana), breathwork (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) as integral parts of a yoga practice. The three support each other and make the whole practice deep and profound: Pranayama helps to relax the mind. Yoga postures help to loosen up your body. Through these, it becomes easier to sit still during meditation.
The practice of asana and breathwork itself can be so meditative that some practitioners call this yoga meditation. We will explore this in detail as we go further.
How do I start yoga and meditation?
There are several ways you can get started with yoga and meditation. But here you will learn three good ways of practicing yoga and meditation. Let’s take a look at each.
1) Moving meditation: making your asana practice meditative
A yoga asana practice actually has elements of meditation built right into it. These elements are a connection between body, mind, and breath, and an emphasis on being present on the mat.
The idea of meditation still scares a lot of people. It may seem mysterious, mystical, and even hard. To ease into a meditative practice, try doing your postures while keeping your attention turned gently inward. This shift will open the door to more meditative experiences.
The purpose of yoga is not only to keep in good physical shape but also to experience infinity and timeless expansion within. This starts happening when we do our asana practice with this awareness. When we are not so caught up in achieving a perfect pose and instead bring our awareness inside, infinity dawns.
Asana introduces us to two things that are very important in meditation. One is the power of the breath to connect your mind to the present moment. The second is how to tune in completely to the sensations in your body.
As you move from one posture to the other, take your attention from outside to inside. First, from the environment, bring your attention to the physical body. Observe any physical sensations. Then go one step deeper. Realize that even the body is the scenery and take your attention to the breath. Observe your breath. Then go one step deeper, and take your attention to your mind. Now, when you witness the thoughts that are coming to the mind, even that becomes the scenery. Go deeper. This movement is from the seen to the seer, to the one who is seeing everything. When you do your asana practice with such deep inward attention, it becomes a meditation in motion.
2) Adding seated meditation into your asana practice
Asana practice is the gateway to the next step: seated meditation.
Meditation is the skill of diving deep within, moving from the seen to the seer, and experiencing the stillness within. It is the skill to calm the mind, take deep rest, and get in touch with your inner joy.
Adding meditation to your yoga asana practice can kick-start your meditation routine. This can deliver the physical and mental benefits of both practices. To get the best results, we recommend learning a meditation practice from a qualified teacher. Until then, guided meditation is a good place to start.
This guide to meditation for beginners can help deepen your understanding of meditation. It will also help you to learn how you can begin a meditation practice of your own.
3) Including breathing meditation into your routine
SKY Breath Meditation is a technique that incorporates some pranayama and rhythmic breathing. This practice opens the door to a deeper meditative experience with a calm and clear mind. Millions of people around the world practice this science-backed practice. And many have found it very transformative at various levels. The benefits range from improving immunity to stress reduction to boosting mental resilience and more. You can add this 30-min breathwork to your yoga routine or you can do it as a solo practice.
Can’t sit still without experiencing anxious thoughts, pain, or restlessness? A meditative asana practice or SKY Breath Meditation can be a fantastic place to start.
To know more about SKY, you can check out this free online introductory session. It also includes a guided meditation!
Yoga and meditation are all about honoring your body, your breath, and your mind! Enjoy!
