Meditation, a call for your tips!

I try to make it to the YMCA. They have the most amazing silver sneakers chair yoga class and meditation that works well for me.

Also I live very near the University of Pennsylvania college and take every chance to grab in mindfulness experience or activity.

I am always looking for like-minded people to join me

I try to make it to the YMCA. They have the most amazing silver sneakers chair yoga class and meditation that works well for me.

Also I live very near the University of Pennsylvania college and take every chance to grab in mindfulness experience or activity.

I am always looking for like-minded people to join me

Diaphragmatic breathing ("belly breathing") is the key.  (The diaphragm is a muscle at the base of the lungs that facilitates inhaling and exhaling.)  Here's a great tip:  Put your hands on top of your head.  You can only breathe from your diaphragm in this position.  (We typically breathe from our chests, which is less efficient than using the diaphragm.)  You can do this while stuck in traffic (so frustrating!) or while consciously meditating in a quiet place.  It is an instant stress reliever!

I am a Registered Nurse and Meditation Specialist.

I meditate every morning and set an intention for my day. I find it very helpful to aid me in staying centered for the day. 

I meditate every night in bed for a peaceful night sleep.  And again in the morning before getting out of bed for a positive and productive day. Using breathe control as needed throughout the day.  On days when I get off track I really notice the difference emotionally and physically. 

Peace, Nameste. 

Every morning and evening I do 10 or 15 minutes of stillness meditation. But what helps me the most is through out the day I do very short active mediation, by this I mean I take time out when I am cooking to thinking about how I am breathing and am I thinking about the food I am preparing and sending blessings for all those that worked to get it to my kitchen. When I get in my car I am mindful of how relaxed or stressed I am and adjust my breath if needed. Believe me, the way some people drives can take one breath away! I live a few miles from one of the most dangerous highways in this country. So I think everyone should be aware of their attitude, and adjust it to calming vibes if needed, before driving.

I am a caregiver and a lot of people ask me how I remain so calm and keep a smile, well most of the time, it is do to bring aware of when I need to adjust my breathing and thinking. Sometimes this is hard to do, but being stressed out is not how I want to live.

I am in the latter, but desperately want to be in the former. I am not good at doing it - I am great with guided meditation, but so very seldom, do I even take the time to set that up. I have PTSD, and I know it helps even actually keep episodes to a lesser degree, and can help when I.m having a panic attack, but it's the Last thing I think of! I need to learn to be disciplined about this discipline! 

Insight Timer is a nice phone app for simple meditations. You can set the timer with various ambient sounds as well as beginning and ending bells.

Meditation first thing in the morning, before the monkey-mind becomes active and even if for only 10-15 mins can feel like a short power-nap.  Place your feeling-sense awareness on a part of your body that holds tension and as your exhale, relax.  It's pure magic.  Think of meditation as making friends with yourself.  Become the observer of your thoughts.  No judgement. No resistance.  With practice, the stillness of space between thoughts will grow.  Your mind will then become your servant instead of your master and you will experience more peace in your life. 

Mediation is a way to slow down your brain of high stress, anxiety attack and panic attacks.  Imagine if all of a sudden you can't cope with whatever- Stop, start breathing slower, and slower, close your eyes, and think- I'm in a garden full of sweet smells, feeling light breezes flow around you, keep breathing slower, if you want you can put a fountain there, water heals your mind and body, let it flow on you, put your feet in it.  This whole scenario can last 5 minutes.  You can do it anywhere.

Also, Qigong is a beautiful movement of mind and body. When, you stand, your feet are roots.  Your body stands perfectly still and can feel energy flowing thru it. Your arms are branches and are also flowing.  Your head is closest to the heavens.  So, as you rise up with your arms, taking in the Qi, you bring it down past your shoulders, down your body, healing everything and down to your roots and beyond.

Everyday, we are bombarded by anger, frustration, anxiety, exasperation on how to deal with it.  Doctors love to give pills, it's a band-aid fix.  It causes more problems in the body. So, why not meditation? It's like rewireing you brain.  It literally makes you see something and feel something so wonderful, just for a moment or if you do it longer, then it will be longer. If you do it outside, then you will get ALL the Energy of all living things, and yes, ALL their energy.  It flows from them to you, and you will feel so different., more open and receptive. How is this possible? Because the your 3 Brains are receptive and wants more!  Give it a try, you will be surprised, even if for a moment.