But every time you sit down to do it, youre immediately desperate to get back up.
Itd be easy to assume meditation just isnt for you.
But not so fast!
Contrary to the popular stereotype, physical stillness isnt a prerequisite to entering a restful, meditative state.
In fact, moving your body can help calm your mind.
Experts in This Article
Claire Baum is a yoga instructor at Linden Movement Lab in Brooklyn.
Claire Baum is a yoga instructor at Linden Movement Lab in Brooklyn.
Noelani Rodriguez is a licensed creative arts therapist who specializes in dance movement therapy.
It helps you feel alive through movement, breath, and connection to whats happening around you.
It helps you feel alive through movement, breath, and connection to whats happening around you.
But a moving meditation can also be a great way to get out of the house.
I teach a lot of walking meditations, says yoga instructorClaire Baum.
Every time I step out the door to walk my dog, I could be on my phone.
Tune into your breath and how it coordinates with your footsteps.
What Would You Tell Your Younger Self?
For example, try inhaling for five steps and exhaling for five steps.
Then, try extending your breath even further.
Can you take a 10-step inhale, and a 10-step exhale?
If youre having trouble getting out of your own head, try the stoplight game.
Youre not in charge, you do not have a destination.
Its a great way to stay in the present moment.
Notice what feelings come up as youre going far away from where you started.
How does your body feel?
Also a proponent of walking meditations, Rodriguez recommends taking advantage of outdoor environments to experience different textures.
If youre at the beach, for example, take a walk down to the water.
Feel your feet in the sand, she says.
Im a yoga teacher, but my meditative practice that keeps me grounded is rock climbing, says Baum.
Im going to fall off the wall if Im not conscious and aware of my entire body.
Its all about what feels accessible and manageable to you, she says.
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