How to Meditate ... Finding Comfort
Straight up, the mind is a curious creature, and at times, feels like it’s purposefully trying to throw us off our serene stream of meditation. Truth, any pain or discomfort you experience in your physical body, the itch of a clothing seam, or the cool temperature of the room can tempt you out of your focus . You can squash some of these ‘sensation distractions’ by finding comfort.
Experiment. Will you be more comfortable sitting in cross-legged pose or sitting on a chair. I don’t recommend lying down as the chances are fairly high that you may fall asleep (cue the sounds of baby bear in sweet slumber).
Dress comfortably. Wear soft, non-restrictive clothing that feels good on the skin. Have a wrap or blanket handy to drape over the shoulders or feet for warmth.
Support the back.. If you are sitting in easy pose - cross-legged pose, for minimal strain on the joints, place a cushion or folded blanket under the sitting bones and hips. Don’t sit fully on the cushion, just enough to slightly tilt the pelvis forward and bring the knees closer to the earth. This will help keep the spine in alignment during meditation, stop the rounding back and bring ease to the hip flexors. Additionally, you can sit with your back against a wall for extra support or use a ‘back-jack’ prop.
Support the legs/knees. If your knees are off the ground and you’re feeling the strain in the hip-flexors, place a folded blanket, pillow or bolster under the knees. Don’t let them hang in the air. The body will soften with the right support and you’ll actually get more release by supporting this body part.
Support the arms. Hands rare generally placed on the knees or in your lap. If you’re feeling strain in the shoulders, place a cushion under the hands or forearms
Check-in. Your shoulders should be aligned over your hips - notice if you are pitching forward and ease your way back.
Take time to experiment to see what feels best in your body. Try using a variety of props - blankets, bolsters, pillows, the wall. Most people don’t do this, but I encourage you to try it and see how each feels. Props are our friends :) and can make a world of difference. Being comfortable will only enhance your experience. You’ll be able to sit longer without distraction and feel better in your body when you’re done.
Favorite props? At my studio we use props from Halfmoon - a Canadian yoga and meditation prop company in BC. You will receive 15% off your purchase when you shop with this link, and use code MICHELLE15.
This series continues next week with Finding Focus.