4 meditative poses perfect for beginners

Meditative exercises are just as therapeutic and beneficial for the brain just as yoga is. It cleanses your mind, body and soul. It also gives you some 'me-time' in the hustle-bustle of daily life. Regular meditation can also give you a fresher outlook on life. Hence, it's always a good idea to spend some time from your day meditating and reflecting.It also has benefits when you combine it with any other form of physical exercise.

However, when you think about meditating, the first thing that comes to mind is sitting down on the floor and engaging with your inner thoughts. But it's not as easy as it seems, especially if you are a beginner. It can take a while to figure out the one pose which actually relaxes you.

If you have been thinking of making a holistic and healthier change in your life and don't know where to start, here are four easy meditative poses for beginners you can give a try.

01/ Start with the basic sitting position

Meditating while sitting down on the ground with your legs crossed is the most basic and well-known form of meditation. It is considered to be best forms of meditation simply because sitting on the floor "grounds" us and connects us to the earth's centre of gravity, centring us as well balancing our level of focus. It also frees you from different types of distraction.

If you are just starting to meditate, using a cushion can help. Find yourself a comfortable place to sit, keep your hands resting on the lap or the knees, spine straight. Keeping your eyes close is recommended.

02/ Walking meditation

There are different forms of meditation which you can give a try. Walking meditation, or meditating while standing up is another good pose for beginners. It's just as unique as it sounds. Meditating while standing involves the use of five standing postures at once, letting go of any tension in the shoulders and muscles. Make sure to keep your spine straight up and stand tall with your feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale and exhale, as you would so that you feel the tensions and negative energy slowly exiting your body through the head. You can also try placing your palms on your belly so that you can sense the movement.

Walking meditation is also something you can give a try, but requires a little more precision. It makes you more aware and mindful with every step and breath you take. It's also a great way to combat anxiety and negative thought processes. Here is a handy guide to try walking meditation

03/ Kneeling meditation

If crossing your legs or the thought of finding a reclusive corner for yourself sounds a little baffling, you can try a variation of sitting meditation by kneeling down. Since it's comparatively easier to keep the back erect, it's a good pose for beginners to try. Just as you would meditate sitting down, place your knees on the floor. Make sure to extend weight on your hips and not entirely on the knees.

04/ Do it on a chair

For beginners, mediating on the chair or any comfortable seating space is also a good way to catch some destressing action through the day's course. Something you can try during a work break too! Sit in a position which feels comfortable. Make sure you keep your hips elevated, legs crossed. Towel, cushion or any such cloth can also be used to support your position.

If you want to take it further, there is a variation of Surya namaskar, another therapeutic yoga pose which you can try from the comfort of your chair.

from LifeStyle