Meditation is the practice of training your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts, allowing one to let go of negativity, and calm both your mind and body. Practicing meditation doesn’t require props or preparation (no candles, incense or special cushions are needed.) Meditation has many scientifically proven benefits including stress reduction, anxiety control, improving attention span, improving sleep quality, reducing age-related memory loss, decreasing blood pressure, helping to control pain as well as generating feelings of kindness and wellbeing to name only a few.

Developing your own meditation practice is not complicated, but a teacher, program or app can help you get started, particularly if you’re practicing meditation for specific health reasons. Please feel free to contact Eastern Shore Acupuncture & Healing Arts to learn more about group and individual meditation, coaching, and education.

Here are some simple steps to help you get started on your own. Set aside time, find a quiet place to stand, sit or lie down, get comfortable, then focus on your breathing. Simply observe each breath without trying to adjust it. Attune to the sensation of air moving in and out of your body and the feeling of your belly rising and falling as well as the air entering your nostrils and leaving your mouth. You may find that your mind can become distracted by thoughts or bodily sensations. That’s okay. Just notice that this is happening and gently bring your attention back to your breath.