How to Meditate - What if I can't?

Meditation is among one of the simplest practices, and yet is incredibly difficult for many people to embrace.

In a culture that is fueled by productivity, measured activity and constant stimulation, carving out even a 5-minute period of stillness seems downright foreign. Usually when I mention meditation, most people list off their barriers to meditating.

It’s common to feel like you have trouble focusing or staying still, and it’s okay so long as you start to understand what inhibits you and how you can cultivate a space and time that promotes your meditation. Here are three simple tips from my own experiences that may prove valuable to you too!

Give yourself permission

Dedicate the 5, 10, 30 minutes that you have decided to meditate to yourself. Decide that there is no where to go or be, and nothing to do except this. Once you take other options off of the table and decide that you are going to take this time, sometimes it helps ease the mind and body into that frame.

Make yourself comfortable

Position your body in a way that is comfortable for you. Sitting or lying down are common. You can prop yourself with pillows or sit in a chair or against a wall for support. What’s most important is that your body is supported and you are able to focus away from how your body is positioned, and instead focused on your meditation practice.

Try a guided-meditation

If you find that meditating on your own is a challenge, practice guided meditation. There are classes, like the ones hosted at Movement Loft, that include a live instructor in a comfortable, supportive environment. Or you can try a pre-recorded meditation via a free or paid app. Do a simple search online and find a guide that inspires you.

About The Author

Ellen Hoffman

Ellen is the owner of the Movement Loft and is a dancer and yogi. She emphasizes inclusion, accessibility and joy through the practices she teaches.