Meditation is a practice, like yoga, to reduce stress, make you happier, and actually make you smarter. It allows you to think more clearly and calmly yet focused on one task, thought, movement at a time – you accomplish more in a state of calm clarity. Things seem to flow. Many people say, “I don’t know to meditate, I can’t clear my mind.” Did you know you can meditate with your eyes open while in the presence of others like in a meeting, sitting in traffic, walking, etc.? In meditation you don’t have to clear your mind, rather allow thoughts to pass through like they normally do, recognize those thoughts, and then let go of them. The way to do is to focus on your breathe. You can practice meditation anywhere, for any amount of time you choose from 1 minute (seriously), 4, 10, 20 minutes, an hour, etc.

There are many different types. Silent, guided, and moving meditation like in the Bikram Yoga practice where you are moving your body, while focusing on your breathe and staying in the moment of each pose.

Some key points on how to meditate:

Sit in a comfortable position with a straight spine, hands relaxed, close your eyes, and take 4-6 deep breathes in and 4-6 exhales through your nose. Most guided meditations have you start with concentrating on your breath and if your mind wanders bring it back to a focus on your breathing. Allow thoughts to pass through but don’t fixate on them, recognize them, and then let them go. You’ll notice a sense of calmness and clarity.