Meditation isn’t one size fits all: Explore these meditation alternatives

Written by Danny Cordova for Head + Heart

You see everyone else doing it, and you know all about the benefits of meditation, so what’s stopping you from starting and continuing to meditate on a regular basis?

The key to building and maintaining a successful meditation practice is to find one that works for you.  There is no single meditation practice that is just right for everyone. “Follow your heart,” says Rumi, “it will not lead you astray.”

Simply put: always remember that you are your own true authority on what you need.

The first step is to expose yourself to several different meditation practices. We suggest picking four to start with.  Practice with one method 3 times in a row, and then move on to the next one until you have completed all four ways to meditate. You may
know at this point which of those is right for you. If so, commit to it, set your schedule, and show up for yourself.

If none of these four ways to meditate holds a draw for you, then find a new set of four practices and go through the same process until you find the one that’s just right for you. To help you get you started, we’re sharing the following 4 practices. The rest is up to you!

1. Vipassana Meditation is one of the oldest practices, and is the tradition of popular teachers like Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg. Here is a great resource to get you started or try this guided meditation with Tara Bracht.

2. Chakra Balancing Meditation: This is a great article that explains what each of the Chakra’s are, and how to focus on balancing each one via meditation.

3. Guided Imagery Meditations are so simple, which is maybe why they are so popular in many meditation circles. This article offers a great step-by-step guide.

4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Meditation: Feeling stressed? Progressive relaxation is an interesting technique that helps you clench then relax your muscles as a way to calm and clear your mind. Check out this article for a how-to.

Looking for other wellness practices? Check out this article on breathwork, a powerful tool for personal growth and emotional release, learn about pranayama breathing, or explore embodiment practices with teacher Jeannie Zandi.

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