May 5
With yoga, comes teachings on breathing and meditation. All wonderful foundational tools for kids.
Research shows that yoga and other contemplative practices can help kids better regulate their emotions and behaviors in healthy ways. Findings from the Kripalu Yoga in the Schools (KYIS) initiative show that students who have been exposed to these techniques are less reactive, more optimistic, and better able to focus, concentrate, and interact with their peers.
I’ve just started reading Arianna Huffington’s book Thrive. Early on in her book she talks at length about the importance of going within. I received this quote yesterday and it struck a chord, so I thought I’d share it with you.
Just as we cannot live without water, so are joy and peace essential for our inner fulfillment. We may not even be aware that we are searching for something. It manifests only in our restlessness as we move from here to there, trying out different friends, different ideas, different jobs, different countries. Whatever we attempt is a reflection of our inner thirst, which we hope to quench in all these external ways. What we are looking for lies within us, and if we gave out time and energy to an interior search, we would come across it much faster, since that is the only place where it is to be found.
—Ayya Khema, “Thirsting for Enlightenment”
If you’ve been thinking about trying meditation, but haven’t been sure how to get started, then check out this short guided meditation. This is the first, of what I hope will be many, guided meditations from Inspired Journeys.
Meditation has numerous benefits, including, stress reduction, increased focus, and better immunity. And, of course, the more you practice, the greater the benefits.
I hope this introductory video will encourage you to take up meditation as a daily habit. Try starting off small, even five minutes will make a difference, and then build up your time frames as you begin to feel more confident.
Relax and enjoy!
Need a break? Take just a few minutes to try any one of these mini meditations.
WOW. Life is good. The Chopra Center has set up a Meditation Resource Library. They have included some great free goodies. The preparation material includes a lot of information about meditation and starting out, there is an article on what is a mantra, and included is a free guided meditation.
And, of course, there are meditations to buy if you’re interested.
Three simple guided meditations for beginners. My preference is the last option, the body scan. But feel free to check them all out to see what you prefer.
Winter Feast for the Soul have just set up a page that includes all past teachers and their guided meditations. This index lets you find meditations from the Winter Feast by teacher or tradition, and links directly to all meditations under each category or teacher.
Another wonderful free resource – check it out.
More reading on meditation if you’re interested. This article also includes some app recommendations for starting meditators.
Another FREE 21 Day Meditation Challenge from Deepak & Oprah.
If you want to start meditating this is a great way to go.
Check it out.
Want to meditate but don’t know how? Try these step-by-step instructions on “loving kindness meditation” from author Barbara Fredrickson.
Inspired Journeys 