About meditation and meditation apps
It may seem like ubiquitous technology makes it difficult to fully relax or cleanse our mind and body during yoga practice. However, it's worth utilizing it to ensure regular meditation or proper breathing during a meditation session. Discover the best meditation apps.
Is it possible to practice yoga without meditation? Of course, many people begin their yoga journey treating it solely as a physical exercise and a way to improve their physique. Interestingly, the longer we practice yoga, the deeper we want to delve into its nature, of which meditation is an essential element.
What does meditation give you?
Practicing yoga and meditation together allows for better exercise results and helps find inner harmony and balance. According to clinical studies, meditation has a uniquely beneficial effect on our health. It helps manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, lowers blood pressure, and slows the heart rate, preventing coronary artery disease. The state of relaxation of mind and body, release from stress, and reduced muscle tension achieved after meditation allows our bodies to regenerate and recover more quickly and efficiently, even after accidents or life crises.
How to start meditation?
For many people, the hardest part is simply starting to meditate. In today's fast-paced lifestyle, sitting still in silence, even for a few minutes, is unimaginable.
If we want to begin working on meditation, let's start modestly so as not to get discouraged too easily. Those who have never meditated before will find it helpful to focus their thoughts on one specific thing. This could be the process of breathing or mentally visualizing a beautiful, peaceful landscape. Remember, we should dedicate ourselves to meditation daily, or at least a few times a week. We will achieve the best results by meditating at the same time and in the same place every day. Our body and mind will adapt to this habit more quickly, and with each subsequent session, it will become increasingly easier to enter a state of focus.
During meditation, let's prioritize our comfort. Maintaining a proper, upright posture will be easier by sitting on properly 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 without being distracted by any pain or numbness. Meditation cushions are made of natural buckwheat husks. You can add or remove husks from the cushion as needed to achieve a perfect fit. However, if this is difficult at first, start by sitting in a chair with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground.
Meditation apps
Modern technology has become a helper in many of our daily tasks. It can also be a useful tool in meditation practice. Among the meditation apps rated highest by Android and iPhone users are:
Head Space – our favorite and regularly used app. The basic version is free, while the premium version is paid. The app guides us into a deep state of relaxation and tranquility with the soothing voice of Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk who co-created it. It features beautiful and entertaining animations illustrating specific meditation techniques and how to start practicing them in your life. Sessions are available offline, and the app also provides motivating support from a social network you can create within it.
Calm – a paid app that includes 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 recordings that help calm the mind and body; with a subscription, you can use it offline
Smiling Mind – a free app that allows you to adapt your meditation practice to different age groups, even children aged 7 and over
10% Happier – a program aimed at people who are skeptical about meditation, containing practical and easy-to-use content that allows them to work on sleeping problems or anxiety.