I do an online yoga class every Monday night. I have been going since lockdown and it has become one of my favourite activities. My yoga teacher has been practising and teaching yoga for a long time. She mentioned there was a meditation class this week so I thought, “why not?”, and signed up.
I went to the meditation class on Friday night thinking I would need to sit crossed leg for an hour and this did have me concerned. I can do it for about 15 minutes but with tight and tense hips, I get quite sore and didn’t want this to become a big thing. The great news was when I arrived there were chairs as she had mentioned, it can be done on the floor or in the chair.
I chose to start crossed legs and knew should it hurt, I’d move to the chair and this would be acceptable. After about 15 minutes I moved, when we started the main meditation. This meditation wasn’t the drifting off whilst your mind was led through a beautiful scenic route and you were in a dreamy state. Instead, we explored mudras (hand gestures), to help feel the breath in different parts of the lungs, followed by a clearing body scan, and this was brilliant.
Sitting on the chair with my feet on the floor feeling grounded with my hands in zen mudra as we went through our body scan, I relaxed and all was calm.
I remember trying a mediation class years and years ago, long before I was into yoga and it became part of my life and I struggled as sitting still for 30 minutes was a huge challenge. I was far too fidgety. Whilst I still am that fidgety girl in many ways, I am less so, and can sit still for short periods and this class made me realise how far I had come.
Finally, we did something called Trataka. I had never heard of this and it was completely new to me. It involves staring at a single point such as a candle flame, which is what we did. You stare until you feel your eyes start to strain or the they begin to water, then you close your eyes and focus on the after image. Once this fades, you repeat the process. If your mind wanders at any point, you bring your attention back to the flame. You repeat looking at the flame and closing your eyes for about five to ten minutes. My yoga teacher explained this helps you to concentrate for longer, reduce stress and helps with strengthening eye muscles. As I have only done this once in my life, I can’t confirm the benefits but I will certainly continue to practice and will let you know.
I really enjoyed both these meditative elements. It took away the original thoughts of sitting crossed legs and concentrating for an hour. Having these different components to focus on made the whole experience feel accessible and engaging.
My mind did wander at times but I brought it back to either the teachers voice or the flame. There was no judgement, just return and continue.
Interestingly and sensibly, my yoga teacher insists we have a cup of tea (any flavour you could imagine) and a wee biscuit or cake afterwards. This helps to ground you and bring you back from the relaxation helping to let go of the zoned out feeling so you are safe to drive home. Funnily enough Scott offered to pick me up in case I was feeling sleepy which made me smile. It was reassuring this was taken seriously.
There were only three of us in this class, a few people had cancelled, but it worked out well as two of us were new, so she talked us through everything in more detail. I’ll be up to speed for the next class.
A peppermint tea, a cookie and lovely conversation at a cosy wellbeing centre was a lovely way to end the evening. I am so glad I attended.
This class is held once a month, and I will definitely be going again.
Have you ever tried meditation either at home or in a class? There are many meditations available online and likely classes near you too. If you already attend a yoga class, ask your teacher as they may run sessions.
I highly recommend giving it a try. You might be surprised as it is likely not what you are expecting, but may be exactly what you need.
Thank you for reading. Wishing you a lovely relaxing week, and as always, look after you.
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 