Transform Your Life with These 5 Simple Meditation Techniques!
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Meditation is an ancient practice with tremendous health benefits. It can help reduce stress, improve focus, and even reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. But, for those of us who are just getting started, it can be difficult to know where to begin. That’s why I’ve put together five simple meditation techniques to get you started on your journey toward inner peace.
- Breath Meditation: This is one of the most basic and accessible forms of meditation, and it can be done by anyone, anywhere. Start by finding a comfortable seat and then close your eyes. Begin to focus on your breath. Feel each inhalation and exhalation, letting go of any thoughts that come up. Allow yourself to really be in the moment and acknowledge each breath.
- Body Scan Meditation: This is a great way to connect deeply with your body and to release any tension from your muscles. Start by lying down and closing your eyes. Begin to systematically scan each part of your body, beginning with your head and moving down your neck, shoulders, arms, and so on. Notice any tightness or discomfort and consciously allow it to release.
- Mantra Meditation: This type of meditation uses mantras – simple phrases or words – to help you focus and find inner stillness. Before you begin, pick a word or phrase that resonates with you. It could be something like “I am peace” or “I am calm.” Find a comfortable seat and close your eyes. Begin to repeat your mantra silently or aloud, focusing on the words.
- Progressive Relaxation Meditation: This practice helps you to relax your body by systematically releasing tension from your muscles. Start by lying down and bringing your attention to your body. Focus on each part of your body, tensing and then releasing the muscles. As you do this, notice any sense of relaxation that comes over you.
- Sound Meditation: This type of meditation uses sound to create a calming environment. Find a comfortable seat and begin to focus on a single sound. It could be a bell, a drum, a gong, or any other sound that you find calming. Let the sound carry you away and take note of any emotions that come up.
These five simple meditation techniques are just the beginning of your journey. With a bit of practice, you’ll find that meditation can help you tap into a sense of inner peace, calm, and focus – no matter what life throws at you.
Chitra Sukhu
Author
Some people live their Life for a Cause. And Chitra Sukhu is one such Lady. She has committed her Life in diligent Service (Seva) to enhance the Lives of so many Others. Her Cause is, “To Enrich, Empower, and Enlighten (E3) through Yoga, Ayurveda, Vedanta, and Meditation.” Her Purpose (Dharma) is, “To raise the Consciousness of the World, so that All may live Happier, Healthier Lives together as a Whole.” Chitra was born in Guyana to a Family of Indian ancestry. Although raised mostly in the United States, She also grew up in the many Sivananda Ashrams scattered around the world. Chitra’s parents, Yogi Hari and Leela Mata, joined the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Organization when She was four years old. And since the tender age of four, Chitra has practiced Yoga and Meditation daily. Such immersion in this Classical Culture, Discipline, and Celebration of Life has given Her a rather rare orientation for someone in the Western World. Reflecting Inner Wisdom She says, “Even though I come from the Sivananda lineage and respect all Teachers, I don't claim any Guru. My Guru has been Life – and through Life, I have learned My greatest Lessons.” During her University years, while continuing Her “Foundational Practice” of Yoga and Meditation, Chitra also developed an interest in “the pleasures of the material world”, and pursued a career in Modeling and Acting. And while garnering success in this area, She did not attain Fulfillment. Later on, following the 9/11 attacks, Chitra experienced a powerful Spiritual Calling. She recognized the need to provide answers to the multitude of (often disregarded) questions inside a Child’s mind – questions about Terrorism, Killing, Death, Suffering, and the many other complexities of Life. People everywhere were fearful and confused, and these young minds were hardly ever given straightforward answers. She soon realized that many more and more people find it difficult to face stressful and demanding situations, and this inability to cope could be attributed to a failure to recognize One’s Inner Self. Being a Mother, Chitra has always encouraged her Children to meditate and find Inner Peace, a state of Mind, which helps them find the answers themselves. Chitra is an experienced Yoga teacher, registered with The Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT 500 level. She has a Diploma in Ayurvedic Sciences from Kerala Ayurveda. She is also an accomplished Indian classical dancer in the ancient style of Bharata Natyam. Chitra’s Mother, Leela Mata, passed away in Oct. 2021 but was also a spiritual guru and bright light who led many to higher consciousness. She traveled the world teaching Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedanta Philosophy, and Meditation. Leela had a Spiritual Center (Leela Mata Peaceful Valley Ashram) in Pennsylvania. Her Father, Yogi Hari, a Master of Hatha, Raja, and Nada Yoga, is well known and respected around the world, has an Ashram in Florida, and has published over 20 CDs and 3 books. Chitra now continues the distinguished legacy of her Parents' LifeWork. She teaches and leads many Retreats around the world for adults and children. She has “birthed” the organization, New Age Kids Inc. -- a sincere effort to generate well-balanced individuals with a Sense of Self, from an early age. She has eleven Guided-Meditation CD’s and one CD where she sings Vedic slokas. Some of her CDs have become part of the Curriculum at schools. They have proven to reduce stress and confusion for Children, propagating healthy lifestyle, creativity, happiness, and success. She has authored an acclaimed Children’s book, “Elven Rhyme – Journey through Time”. Chitra is now a published Playwright with Her play “To My Amazement”, garnering praise from recent performances in Canada. Chitra was the first to create the Youth Yoga Teachers Training Course (YYTTC) for Youth ages 16-21, Herein, young people can come together to learn more about Higher Consciousness and the Journey of the Self, while becoming Certified Yoga Teachers. Chitra is currently working on a book - Yoga Nidra Awak{end} Sleep. When She is not traveling, she resides in Atlanta, Georgia.