These days, there's been an increased focus on wellness. More people have been turning to meditation for a safe space amidst the chaos. For good reason too, since it has been hailed to reduce stress, increase calmness and clarity, and promote happiness. It has also been linked to productivity. Singapore is home to a few notable meditation centres including the likes of Kadampa Meditation Centre and Nirvana Mind, known for their experienced teachers who will help you in your quest to achieve a state of zen. Not to mention yoga studios like House of Ascend and Yoga School Singapore, which offer mindfulness meditation classes so students can pair them with their yoga practice.
Is there a better time to start meditating? With the ever-changing rules in Singapore, we think not. For the best meditation classes in Singapore, we've curated a list here. You can meditate anytime and anywhere. If you're a beginner, we've got you covered with our basic tips and app recommendations that can help you form a daily mindful meditation habit.
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You don't need to be a certified yogi or reiki master to start meditating. Yes, you may take a bit more time to get started if you're only starting your meditation practice. If you find it difficult to silence your mind, guided meditations are a great option. Read on to find the best apps for beginners.
Be sure to set aside some time in your schedule to make meditation a priority. Some practitioners prefer starting their day with a 10-minute mindfulness meditation, while others prefer meditating at noon to allow some time to stop and slow down amidst the hectic day. A helpful tip to help you prioritise it is by locking it down in your diary and holding yourself accountable for it.
The best thing about mindfulness meditation is that you can do it anytime and anywhere. But listening to basic guided meditations can be helpful when you're getting started. There are various free apps on the Google Play store and Apple store, such as Calm, Headspace and Mindfulness. Mindfulness, for instance, has three-, five-, fifteen-, and thirty-minute guided meditations to help you find your calm.
Let's get to basics: your breathing technique. One of the most essential parts of meditation is tuning into the process of breathing. Feel the breath in your belly and centre your awareness on the ebb and flow of your breathing. By acknowledging, letting go and coming home to the breath and the present moment, you're practising mindfulness. Once you've mastered the breathing technique, it comes in handy whenever you're feeling anxious or simply need to take a breather.
Want to start a small community? Gather a group of like-minded friends and start a meditation circle, which creates a support group and helps to keep you accountable for your meditation practice. You can even incorporate other fun elements like mindful snacking, group dancing, or balloon play.
You don't need anything specific for your meditation practice. All you need to do is find a quiet spot with something comfortable to sit on, be it a chair, sofa, or cushion. If you'd like to incorporate essential oils, some good options are palo santo (promotes feelings of being grounded and calm whilst eliminating negative thoughts), ylang ylang (boasts calming and relaxing properties) and myrrh (promotes mental focus and encourages feelings of rest and tranquillity).
You don't necessarily need healing crystals for meditation. However, a lot of practitioners use them in meditation because they are believed to have healing and protection abilities. If you're looking to add one or two to your arsenal, Harmony Gem Crystals or Secret Crystals have a good selection. They are pretty, after all.
You may be thinking about what you're going to get for lunch, or what Netflix series to catch up on. That's completely normal, thinking is just as natural as breathing. When your mind starts to wander, simply notice, and then pause. Gently return your awareness to your breath and be present for each inhalation and exhalation. If your mind wanders again, repeat the process. This takes practice, so don't beat yourself up over it and just enjoy the process of learning.
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