It might seem that ubiquitous technology makes it difficult to fully relax or clear our minds and bodies while practicing yoga. However, it is worth using it to ensure consistency in meditation or proper breathing during a meditation session. Discover the best meditation apps.
Is a yoga practice possible without meditation? Of course; many people begin their yoga journey by treating it solely as physical exercise and a way to work on their figure. Interestingly, the longer we practice yoga, the deeper we want to delve into its nature, an essential element of which is precisely meditation.
What are the benefits of meditation?
Practicing yoga and meditation simultaneously allows for better exercise results, as well as finding inner harmony and balance. According to clinical studies, meditation has an exceptionally beneficial effect on our health. It helps cope with symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, lowers blood pressure, and slows the heart rate, preventing coronary artery disease. The state of mind and body relaxation, release from stress, and reduction of muscle tension achieved after meditation allows our body to regenerate and recover faster and more efficiently, even after accidents or life crises.
How to start meditating?
For many people, the hardest part is simply starting meditation. With today's exceptionally dynamic lifestyle, sitting still in silence, even for a few minutes, is unimaginable.
If we want to start working on meditation, let's start small so as not to get discouraged too easily. For those who have never dealt with meditation before, focusing on one specific thing will help. It could be the breathing process or visualizing a beautiful, peaceful landscape in one's mind. Remember that we should dedicate ourselves to meditation daily or at least several times a week. We will achieve the best results by meditating every day at the same time and in the same place. Our body and mind will adapt to this habit faster and will enter a state of focus more easily with each subsequent session.
During meditation, first and foremost, take care of your comfort. Maintaining a proper, upright position will be easier by sitting on appropriately folded blankets, bolsters or meditation cushions. A bolster can provide support for various types of injuries or lower back problems. A cushion, on the other hand, allows us to sit comfortably for many minutes of meditation so that we are not distracted by any pain or numbness arising from the body. Meditation cushions are filled with natural buckwheat hulls. You can add or remove hulls from the inside of the cushion as you see fit to adjust it perfectly. However, if you find this difficult at the beginning, start by sitting on a chair with your back straight and feet flat on the ground.
Meditation Apps
Modern technology has become our assistant in many daily tasks. It can also be a useful tool in a meditation practice. Among the meditation apps rated highest by users of Android and iPhone operating systems are, among others:
Head Space – our favorite and regularly used app. It is available for free in the basic version, and paid in the premium version. The app introduces us to a deep state of relaxation and tranquility with the soothing voice of Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk and co-creator of the app. It contains beautiful and funny animations illustrating what specific meditation techniques are about and how to start practicing them in your life. Sessions are available offline, and the app also guarantees motivating support from the social network you can build within it.
Calm – a paid app where you will find meditation sessions lasting from 3 to 25 minutes, breathing exercises, and sounds that gently induce sleep.
Insight Timer – an app offering over 4,500 free meditation sessions and 750 music tracks conducive to calming the mind and body; by purchasing a subscription, we can use it offline.
Smiling Mind – a free app allowing you to customize your meditation practice for different age groups, even children from 7 years old.
10% Happier – a program aimed at people skeptical about meditation, containing practical and easy-to-apply content that allows you to work on sleep problems or anxiety.
