So you tried meditating….
     Let’s address it.

Meditation. A wave of factual information has flooded the globe about meditation; the benefits, how to, where it meets you, studios, gurus and experts, etc. You get started, maybe even attend a class, you’re ready to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Then, you sit… and it’s terrible, not what you thought, and you contemplate giving up.
Well, don’t. Here are some things to know before you get started in your meditation practice, so you can stick to it (and feel good about it).

• Define what meditation is to YOU. Meditation means so many different things to the person that it lives within. A mother of 4 will have a different practice than a single man in college, right? What exactly is your meditation going to look like so that it correlates with your life? Are you doing a walking meditation, mindful eating exercise, guided meditation, or just a quiet sit? Define this.
• Let go of goals or achieving anything. This can be, as humans, just what we do. We see what we want, we lay a path and we are set to our destination. Well, meditation is simply that, a path. There is no destination here. If you feel as if you have to have something you are “working toward” look at setting some intentions for your practice to help you stay aligned and keep you on the right path.
• Learn that meditation is a no rule “game”. There is not a right or wrong way to practice. It is just that, always a practice. Whether you are sitting on a fancy bolster or in a chair, wearing leggings or jeans, dedicating an exact amount of time to, or whatever it may be. You cannot meditate incorrectly. However, there are some tips and pointers experienced meditators may give you for optimal comfortability, but always take those with a grain of salt, you know you. You access meditation, and it’s benefits when you want to, how you want to, it’s that simple.
• Stop fantasizing about what a meditative state feels like. Just create it. It may feel like a shock of energy to all the senses, it may not. It may feel like a tingling in your palms and soles of your feet, it may not. It may feel like the best day ever, it may not. Give meditation the permission to come as it is, and know that not everyday, or every practice will be the same. 

     MONTHLY MEDITATION

                              This month’s meditation is brought to you by:                                                                                    THE STARRY NIGHT

                                                      guided imagery

This guided imagery allows our mind to leave any worries or fears. It allows our minds to create a beautiful and peaceful place for us to find stillness, peace, and relaxation.

MEDITATION

     TEACHER OF THE MONTH

Stephanie Watson

Using her experience in psychology and yoga, Stephanie creates a nurturing class that meets the mind/body needs of her clients. A mentor for the teacher certification program at Omaha Yoga & Bodywork Center, she also assisted with MyMS Yoga, a program created especially for those with multiple sclerosis by Baron Baptiste and Dr. Elliot Frohman. Stephanie has a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology and is trained in Pulling Down the Moon’s Yoga for Fertility.

Join Steph Wednesdays for Hump Day Yoga at 5:45pm at Lakeside and (some) Saturdays at 9am for pre-natal and 10am for drop-in yoga.

*Yoga for Fertility begins September 6th (6 weeks). Learn moreHERE. Sign up HERE.*

     MONTHLY AFFIRMATION
                                                                  

A key component of self-love, self-care or self-honesty is your ability to believe in yourself and your success. If you have heard of ‘karma’ or manifesting then you know that whatever you put out into the universe you get back. If you put out negativity on yourself or other than that is what you will constantly receive back. Have you ever had one bad thing happen to you and then all of the sudden things began to snowball? First you spill your coffee on your pants while driving, then a flat tire, forgot your lunch, got stuck in a car accident on the way home and maybe forgot to pick up your kid? Wowza, that is a rough day. 9 times out of 10 it continually got worst because you kept ‘vibrating’ a bad day.

Believe in your ability to succeed, it is based, solely, on your ability to continually put out positive energy and a good mood into the world. Next time 1 bad thing happens don’t let it spiral into “the worst day ever”. Only YOU have control over your life, so take it back and watch your success unwind.

    WHATS GOING ON AT OIC?
                                                                  

• Mind Body Medicine Class begins September 12th, learn more HERE.

Sign up HERE.

• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Course begins September 18th, learn more HERE.

Sign up HERE.