H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S : W E L L- B E I N G
FIND CALM THROUGH MEDITATION Channel inner peace with mindfulness. by SHANNON BROOKS
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he pandemic has proven to be one long endurance test when it comes to finding ways to stay sane and cultivate patience amid continued uncertainty and ever-changing, trying circumstances. As fear and anxiety levels surged, mental health experts and wellness gurus touted the benefits of getting grounded in the present moment and focusing on taking things one day at a time. So it’s no surprise that meditation and mindfulness apps saw a massive surge in users seeking tools to help them cope with this once in a generation global crisis. Meditation is the ancient practice of training the mind. The Latin word meditatum means “to ponder,” and meditative practices have been linked to many religions and cultures throughout time. Meditation is all about bringing the mind into the now and finding peace in the present moment without worrying about the past or being preoccupied with what’s going to happen in the future. According to Los Angeles-based yoga instructor and meditation guide Natalie Burtney, “Meditation is practicing awareness of your body, emotions, and thoughts with curiosity and compassion. Just like all things, it is a practice, but over time, the benefits from meditation are cumulative and show up in many ways in your life.” Meditation can actually create new neural pathways in your brain. Among its many benefits are improved cognition and emotional health, increased insight and resiliency, and heightened concentration abilities. And the coolest thing is there’s no one “right” way to meditate. Anyone can do it anytime, anywhere. These tools and resources can help you find a meditation practice that works for you. READ UP If you want to learn more about meditation before you delve into it, there’s a whole universe of books out there
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filled with research and how-tos. Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn and The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh are tried-and-true, longtime bestsellers in the space. For a fresh female perspective, LAbased spiritual coach and wellness expert Kelsey J. Patel’s recently released Burning Bright: Rituals, Reiki, & SelfCare to Heal Burnout, Anxiety, and Stress is packed with accessible advice for beginners. GUIDED MEDITATION CLASSES Guided meditations are a great starting point for beginners. Trained practitioners lead you through breathwork, oftentimes accompanied by soothing music like crystal bowls and chanting. Local meditation and yoga studios pivoted to virtual classes during the pandemic, allowing students to practice in the safety and comfort of their homes via Zoom and other streaming platforms. For example, Cultivate LA offers a regular schedule of thematic meditations like Hypnotherapy, Emotional Awareness, and Dream & Deep Rest. YOGIC SLEEP Yoga Nidra is a very unique form of guided meditation that brings you into the state between sleeping and wakefulness. Studies have shown that 20 minutes of yogic sleep can give the body the benefits of three to four hours of sleep. LA-based Certified Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra instructor Sydney Cutler says, “Yoga Nidra meditation is a wonderful way to rest deeply while cultivating presentmoment awareness. While lying down you are guided into a deeply restful state where you can safely take off your ‘armor,’ release what no longer serves you, and invite in the realization that you are perfect just as you are. And it is so easy to do—all you need to do is get into a comfortable resting position and listen.”
