Guest Contribution by Molly Woodhull
I believe that in meditation, it’s important to meet people where they are.
We all have super busy lives and a meditation practice for me might look very different than meditation practice for you. And, contrary to popular belief, meditation doesn’t have to be complicated or even take a long time. There are actually a few ways to practice informally (so to speak) in order to build a solid meditation foundation (aka: great ways to start when you have no idea what you’re doing).
Everyone wants to seek the joy of being alive, to live in the present moment, to be content and peaceful just where they are. This is where realistic self care and meditation comes into play.
Three tips to starting a meditation practice
1. Get outside
Go outside, feel the breeze, and touch the earth beneath you. Feel grounded to the earth — almost as though your body is connected to the trees and the roots that delve deep into the ground beneath you. It’s important to feel present — completely immersed in nature. Whether you are on your front stoop or out in the mountains, put your focus on your surroundings. Focus on the breath of the wind along with the natural rhythm of your own breath.
2. Micro-Meditations
If you know me, you’d know I talk about micro-meditations a lot. A micro-meditation can be just one focused breath (an inhale and exhale) or spending one minute of thoughtful breathing. This form of meditation is not only accessible, but it also helps to teach us to be present in our everyday lives — to take a moment and just be. Learning how to micro-meditate is a great foundation to a larger meditation practice. We must learn to take moments throughout the day to be aware of the breath, to ground down in the present moment, and to seek the joy of being alive.
3. Nostril intention
Our breath helps us to think clearly and to communicate effectively — our brain needs oxygen to function. Something you might not know is that as we breathe in the left nostril it ignites the right side of the brain. This side of the brain is in charge of creativity and intuition. So breathe in through the left nostril and ignite the right brain so that you can feel a new sense of creativity and inspiration.
The right nostril ignites the left side of the brain, lighting up the parts of the brain that are in charge of mathematics, facts, and logic. Inhale through the right nostril and ignite clear thinking and more efficient decision making. With this newfound knowledge you can breathe with intention through different nostrils to find the different result you seek.
Meditation is often thought to be just a practice to find peace and calm. But really, it is a practice that helps us to become better communicators and decision-makers. Meditation helps us to develop patience, mental and emotional resilience, and an ability to bounce back from hardship. Meditation and breath work also helps us to be present in the moment, seeking the joy of being alive. It can also help you let go of anxiety that is pervasive in your everyday life. And, last but not least, it helps us to set boundaries. Our mindfulness and meditation practice gives us an acute awareness of our mental and emotional landscape and this makes it easier to draw boundaries. Try one of these accessible ways to bring meditation into your busy life!
Molly Woodhull is the founder of Woodhull Wellness. Molly helps her clients achieve peace of mind while increasing productivity, accountability, and clarity in decision-making. Her method inspires positive communication through the development of a common language. As a yoga teacher, meditation guide, and wilderness immersion expert, Molly boasts a dynamic understanding of wellness. Molly has received teacher certification from Duke University The Center from Koru Mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Training, Compassion and Cultivation training from Stanford University, and a YNG + iLAB: Innovation and Disruption from Harvard University.