We’ve all been there: we know we should take a break from our to-do list, sit our butts down, and center ourselves. Maybe you’re even like me and you write down “Meditate!” on your to-do list. But the second you take your position, you get antsy. Thoughts stream in, your body suddenly itches all over, and the noise outside (and inside your head) is deafening.
Let’s just admit it, sometimes sitting down to meditate is hard. Luckily, there are lots of ways to meditate while moving your body, breath, and voice. Here are just a few that I enjoy!
To gain perspective:
Go for a mindful walk – Take slow and deliberate steps. Focus deeply on each sense in turn. What do you see, hear,
smell, and feel as you walk? Walking meditations are a great way to greet a new season, acclimate to a new neighborhood, and ground yourself to the earth so you can gain (or regain) perspective.
To process strong emotions:
Dance mindfully – Blast some high intensity tunes and let your body (and voice) express any emotion you’ve been holding back through strong movements. Picture and feel the energy flowing from your hands and feet. Intuitive dance helps us run energy through our bodies and also incorporate new lessons into our physical form so that we can act on them.
To release tension:
Unwind your body – Put on some meditative music, such as a sound healing or binaural beats, and let your body move and stretch intuitively, breathing deeply. Unlike dancing, this is a slow unwinding, like allowing a thread to untangle itself. I learned this technique from a myofascial massage therapist, and I love to use it when I have a nagging pain that stretching and massage can’t conquer. It’s also good practice in listening to your body, which is where many of our intention-setting and manifestation work can get stuck.
Next time you’re struggling to meditate the “traditional” way, try bringing your body along for the ride. Let me know how it goes!