Lifting The Barriers To Meditation
Updated: Jun 10, 2024
Written by Ashley Holmes, Holistic Fertility Coach
Ashley Holmes is the CEO and founder of Holistic Fertility Coach Inc., a Registered Yoga Teacher; a meditation guide; an Ayurvedic health and wellness educator; a Reiki practitioner second degree; and an international best-selling author.
I wholeheartedly believe that there is a style of meditation for everyone and that anyone can cultivate a meditation practice. It means peeling away our excuses, limiting beliefs, and time constraints to prioritize silence and stillness. In a world that values constant activity, it is imperative to get out of our own way and realize that meditation doesn’t take time; it gives time. How?
The top 10 benefits of meditation
Meditation allows you to be present, and witness your thoughts without becoming attached to them or judging them. Being mindful that you will become distracted and that your mind will drift away but the real practice is bringing it back again and again. The more we instill this in meditation the easier it is to live a meditative lifestyle where we are not so easily triggered and reactive to the same degree but can take that moment of pause before responding that is in alignment with our higher self. When we realize all of the benefits that come from meditation then it is practical to give ourselves this connection and gift to ourselves daily.
1. Stress Reduction
Meditation is known for lowering your stress hormones like cortisol and increasing your relaxation hormones.
2. Emotional Health
Enhance your emotional health by establishing a regular meditation practice to alleviate symptoms like anxiety and depression.
3. Improved Concentration
Meditation can increase your focus and attention span, which can improve productivity and cognitive function.
4. Self-Awareness Gained
Individuals develop a better understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and their emotions by meditating.
5. Creativity Increases
Creativity is stimulated by encouraging a relaxed and open state of mind that is conducive to new ideas.
6. Better Sleep
Meditation can improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing insomnia symptoms.
7. Pain Management
Meditation can help manage chronic pain by altering the perception of pain in the brain.
8. Lower Blood Pressure & Heart Rate
Deep conscious breaths allow the body and mind to return to equilibrium restoring harmony within.
9. Healthier Immune System
Meditation can boost the immune system, making the body more resilient to illness and disease.
10. Increased Happiness
Meditation can promote a sense of well-being and happiness by reducing negative thoughts and emotions.
8 different styles of meditation
There are many styles of meditation to choose from so remember to try different ones and give yourself what you are seeking in the moment and which practice resonates with you. It is your practice so make it yours – it does not have to look like how you envision “meditating” to look like, feel like, or be. Often, we get stuck in our minds questioning if we are meditating ‘right,’ which doesn’t allow us to fully sink into the practice.
1. Walking meditation
Put your shoes on and walk mindfully and intentionally as you connect with nature. Wake up your senses and leave the phone at home! See if you can find a labyrinth to walk in your area.
2. Yoga Nidra meditation
This ‘yogic sleep’ meditation cannot be done wrong and your subconscious mind will take what it needs from the meditation. It is deeply healing and relaxing for all five koshas; from your physical body to your bliss body.
3. Breathwork (Pranayama)
Focuses on deep, rhythmic breathing to calm the mind and body. Use it to center yourself and relax – for example doing box breathing or diaphragmatic breathing.
4. Mantra Meditation
This involves repeating a word, phrase, or sound (mantra) to focus the mind and increase awareness. It can be used for spiritual growth or to cultivate specific qualities like patience and gratitude.
5. Visualization (Guided Imagery)
Creating an inner sanctuary of peace and calm even if you cannot go to that physical space allows you to be able to connect to that feeling of being there whether you are or not.
6. Body Scan Meditation
Notice where you are unconsciously holding onto stress and tension within your body and actively breathing into the tight spaces and places inside of you to feel like your best self.
7. Affirmations
This involves repeating positive statements to yourself to cultivate a positive mindset and overcome negative self-talk. Use it when you need a confidence boost or when you need to reframe a negative thought.
8. Chakra Balancing Meditation
Align and balance your energy system so energy flows more freely through the body, leading to increased vitality and promoting the body’s natural healing abilities.
Conclusion
Beginning my day with meditation has been life-changing for me because I then carry that energy and vibration into the rest of my day. Waking up intentionally and prioritizing myself has been instrumental in my personal health and well-being. I encourage you to begin a daily meditation practice and notice how it positively impacts your life in every area. Listen to this Chakra Balancing Meditation here.
You can also Lighten Your Healing Journey by receiving access to this summit I was a speaker at to open the gateway to breaking free from limiting barriers and stepping into the light of your true potential. Discover techniques and modalities to apply to your own life and see what else is available to you that you haven’t tapped into yet. Begin your healing journey here today.
Ashley Holmes, Holistic Fertility Coach
Ashley Holmes is the CEO and founder of Holistic Fertility Coach Inc., a Registered Yoga Teacher; a meditation guide; an Ayurvedic health and wellness educator; a Reiki practitioner second degree; and an international best-selling author. Her passion for customizing yoga, meditation, chakras, ayurveda, and Reiki empowers women to come back into balance and alignment to heal themselves and conceive with ease. She uses this energy medicine to support women struggling with infertility to help them conceive naturally by healing their womb. She has been blessed with twins and a miracle baby and is fulfilling her passion and purpose by offering what the traditional medical world does not – mind, body and spirit.
