Here we are, once again—another New Year’s Eve. Where does the time go? We always ask ourselves this question as yet another year passes.
It seems the older we get, the faster time flies. But, I’ve got a little secret for you—a way to slow time so that you look at your life and say, yes, I know exactly where the time went.
Ready for the secret? It’s simple, and it’s one of the main reasons we practice the physical postures of yoga.
Can you guess? Ok, pop that bottle of champagne, and give me a drumroll! Yep, it’s the art of meditation.
Or rather, the regular practice of it. And this year is the time for you to finally devote your mornings to practice. It’s a new year, after all. And with a new and improved meditation practice to fill your days, a new you will emerge!
Let’s finally commit to the practice. This is the year to do it. And, I’m going to give you some trusty tips to show you how.
Find Your Personal Motivation and Make it a Pleasurable Experience
To create a new habit, you need to get really clear about the why behind it. Why do you want to finally create a regular meditation practice for yourself?
I can give you some examples, but at the end of the day, you need a reason that’s unique to you, which might take some self-reflection, and journaling. But, here are some of the ways I stay motivated each morning to meditate.
First, I look forward to it. It’s actually become one of the great pleasures of my morning.
I wake up, use the bathroom, swish with coconut oil (while making coffee and pouring myself a large glass of water), brush my teeth, light a candle, and then sit down for thirty minutes to meditate.
My meditation isn’t austere in any way. I drink the glass of water quickly, while the guided audio recording that I’ve been drawn to lately begins. Then, I keep my cup of coffee in my lap, and sip on it intermittently through the half-hour of quiet reflection.
With the candle emitting its soft glow, and the simple pleasure of sipping coffee while listening to a guided meditation, this little morning ritual has slowly become a practice I don’t live without.
Why? Because, I truly enjoy it.
And that’s what you need to do to finally ingrain a regular meditation practice into your day. For me, this morning routine works best.
Your motivation for practice might be to slow time, as I mentioned before. When you really take the time to witness your thoughts and your life, as you do each time we sit, you’ll see that your presence for your life becomes very real.
Without as many distractions, and without moving through the motions of your day, as if on auto-pilot, time slows. You’ll see.
Read: The Fringe Benefits of Meditation
Peace of Mind
This is another reason why I meditate. I think I see things in my life, both internal and external situations, with greater clarity and intuition through a regular meditation practice.
This has become really important for me. It gives you an ease of being that, just like the physical yoga practice, makes you feel more balanced, self-aware, and comfortable in your own skin.
Maybe you want to begin meditating for health reasons. It’s supported that meditation changes your brain—for the better. It eases stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, and supports cardiovascular health, as well as cognition. These are wonderful motivations for finally committing to your daily practice.
Take some time to get clear with yourself. This will help you commit and create a new habit.
Read: How Meditation can Help Soothe Your Stress and Anxiety
Same Time, Same Place
We are creatures of habit. To create a new and lasting habit, we need to do it at roughly the same time, and in the same place each day. This naturally helps you stay focused and aware. It's a way of making your brain go "Oh, yeah! This is what I do at this time each day, and this is where I do it." Simple!
My space isn’t luxurious. I simply sit on a pillow (to raise the hips), on top of a bed. (I move around a lot as a professional house and pet sitter, so I don’t have my own dedicated space to practice. But, lighting the candle, and doing it on whatever bed I’m sleeping on that night works for me.)
You likely have a steady home. If you do, find a dedicated space in your home for meditation. This will also signal you to go there each morning to sit and do the practice.
Read: Building the Foundation: Strengthening Your Yoga Practice Through Consistency
Reward Yourself
Meditation is one of the absolute best practices you can do for you. Seriously. You will become a new you when you commit and sit each day.
So, why not reward yourself for your efforts? Maybe at the end of the week you treat yourself to that matcha latte you’ve been eyeing at your local health food store.
Perhaps you buy yourself a little something that will enhance your practice. A beautiful beeswax or soy candle is what I make certain I have on hand. It lights up the space, and creates a spiritual ambience in which to sit.
Perhaps you purchase an array of incense, and light those during your meditation.
You know what you like. Reward yourself with a little treat each week to help keep you on track.
Read: Why You Should Try Chocolate Meditation
I want you to get excited about your new practice. It’s a new year, and a new you! Your meditation practice will enhance your life in so many beautiful ways. Be an inspiration for yourself, and for your loved ones. With time, they’ll see the new you, too!
Happy New Years!
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.