Eat Pray Love

Meditation for beginners can lead to a daily meditation practice is a wonderful habit to get into that calms your mind and body and can help with all aspects of your life. Meditation reduces stress, increases your focus and concentration and helps you to feel happier. Meditation can be particularly helpful for people suffering from chronic illnesses or anyone with a particularly stressful job or lifestyle.

Many people make an attempt at meditation but very few make it a daily practice perhaps because they are not sure what they are doing, feel like they aren’t doing it ‘right’ or simply start making excuses as to why they don’t have the time. The best way to start your meditation practice is find a Meditation for beginner class or program such as Jack Kornfield meditation for beginners, which gives you a guided program to follow from the beginning.

The Jack Kornfield audio book gives clear instructions for starting your meditation which is suitable for people who have never meditated before. You will be guided on how to sit, how to breathe and how to focus your attention with the aid of stories and sounds for guided meditation. He has also produced a volume titled Buddhist Meditation for Beginners which is particularly helpful for those interested in the more religious aspects of meditation.

Apart from a guided program, you will find it helpful to make meditation part of your daily routine to integrate it into your daily life. A quick search for “how to meditate for beginners” will give you lots of useful tips but the most important thing to concentrate on is just being sure to make time to meditate every day.

Try to set aside an area in your home or a spare room that you keep just for your meditation practice. You may wish to decorate this room with calming images, comfortable cushions or a meditation chair which can all help you to get into the right mind set for meditation. Many people choose to light incense and candles can also be helpful as looking at the flame will give you something to focus on.

The most important part of meditation is breathing. You do not need to follow a complicated breathing routine when you’re just starting out but be sure to breathe slowly and fully. Concentrating on your breath can help to block out distractions too. Make sure you are comfortable and can sit for a long period of time without having to readjust your body.

It is common for beginners to become frustrated or bored when they are first starting to meditate but instead of trying to ignore your feelings, just acknowledge them and let them go. It can help to focus on each part of your body in turn which will help you to concentrate and be aware of any areas of discomfort which may distract you later.

First thing in the morning is usually the best time to practice meditation when your mind is calmer and you are less likely to be disturbed – try getting up half an hour earlier to fit in your meditation practice. Many people also enjoy meditating in the evenings as it is very relaxing and can be a great sleep aid.

If you find you’re starting to become bored or frustrated with your meditation practice then it can be a good idea to buy some meditation for beginners books or DVDs. These will help you to become enthusiastic about meditation again and may provide some useful techniques to help your practice.

Anyone can begin meditation without any special equipment and certainly beginners can meditate in any comfortable space but as you become more advanced in your practice, you may want to consider a special meditation chair. The traditional position for meditation is sitting on the floor or on a cushion, with legs crossed or preferably in the lotus position and back straight and unsupported. A meditation chair can help you sit in this optimal position for longer and is particularly valuable for people with back problems.

Meditation is possible only when you are completely comfortable so that you are not distracted by niggles or aches which can cause you to change position or constantly think about how uncomfortable you are rather than focusing your mind. As you become more advanced in meditation, your back and leg muscles will become stronger and more flexible and you will find it easier to sit unsupported for long periods. In the meantime however, meditation chairs are a great way to ensure you are sitting in the optimal position for meditation and are still comfortable.

The style of a meditation chair is quite different to a regular chair. They are low to the floor and usually have a low back rest that supports only the lower back. There are many different styles and designs to choose from and the meditation chair you pick depends on your personal preferences for looks and comfort. These chairs are specially designed to align your back perfectly and provide the comfort and support you need to stay sitting for a long time. Regular chairs simply do not provide the correct kind of support for meditation.

It is always recommended that you set aside a small area of your home especially for meditation practice. This allows you to get ‘in the zone’ as soon as you sit down to meditate and programs your mind to be ready for the task ahead. Purchasing a special meditation chair can really help to set aside this space for your meditation practice in your mind which will help you to focus and concentrate on your meditation and be less distracted by outside influences.

There are many popular styles of meditation chair to choose from so it is easy to find one that will both fit in your home and match your sitting style. The Rama Warrior meditation chair is a very popular style which is both comfortable and beautiful. This seat features a cushion that provides full support to your legs and knees and an adjustable backrest which can be fitted perfectly to your spine. The chair frame is carved from Mahogany or Maple wood and comes in a range of different fabric options.

The Lotus meditation chair is another popular choice designed in an ergonomic way to promote optimal posture and breathing. This rattan meditation chair is available in three sizes with a range of different cushions. The chair aids sitting in the lotus position and looks beautiful in any home or yoga studio.

The Seagrass meditation chair is designed to allow you to comfortably place your legs on the floor by raising your hips slightly, while providing support through the backrest and cushion. It is handcrafted in Indonesia and includes washable cotton covers making it a practical choice as well as beautiful.

People looking for a meditation chair to fit into a modern styled home should check out the Ecopod meditation chair. Constructed from eco-friendly materials, this chair has a backrest that is angled forward slightly to discourage slumping. It comes in two beautiful natural finishes and with cushion covers in either cream or mocha.