I have googled this before, like many others. After a few clicks, I seamlessly realized that there was no real clear answer. That was because the definition of meditation varies from one person to the next. This idea of meditation has evolved through cultures and ideals. So the true question lies in what does meditation mean to you?

I was speaking with another yoga teacher recently and she said “you’d be surprised how many people can’t meditate, they move their hands or their legs they just can’t sit still.” Now I didn’t have a response at the time, I think I may have nodded on. But that conversation keeps appearing in my thoughts. I believe her idea of meditating is finding complete stillness. Which I don’t think is wrong but I think its her own personalized definition. Which led me to ask, what do I consider my definition?

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As a yoga teacher, it is my duty to guide people into this practice. But since each person is unique, how can I provide a meditation that allows everyone to feel accomplished in this time. And yes, I used the world accomplished. Because people feel, that if they can’t sit still and not think for some minutes of class that they failed at meditating. After many conversations and brainstorm sessions with myself. I decided I have to introduce new methods in meditation. But in order to do that, I need to agree on my definition of what it means to practice meditation. Then I can figure out, how to practice meditation in consideration of all unique beings.

Here is what I’ve come up with: Meditation is a sensation, that can either be practiced or experienced in divine moments. The sensation can vary from a feeling of deep relaxation or a concentrated energy. Meditating involves the awareness of thoughts and able-ness to separate them from reality. Below I have broken down exactly what this means to me! 

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What I want you to underline from all this is that I believe meditation can happen anywhere,  even when you’re not practicing. If you recognize the feelings, you can likely start to notice what brings them on. May that be smells, picturesque landscapes, or a hot shower. If you are practicing and you need to move, don’t judge or put stress on yourself for it. Move, itch, stretch get as comfortable as you need, and welcome the feelings. You may go through many cycles of thought and attempt until you reach sensations. Just keep noticing them, everywhere you go, have fun with it!

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Now it's your turn to DEFINE what is meditation to YOU? 

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Meditation is not something you can see with the human eye. It’s something you feel inside. For example: you may feel butterflies in your stomach when you’re nervous. Similar to this meditating may make you feel tingly, warm, vibrating, calm or other ways unique to your experience.

Holding a set time for practicing by guidance or self guided. These meditations may be focused on awareness by feeling inner sensations and observing thoughts with the result being mindfulness. 

You don’t need to be in a designated closed eyes practice to feel the sensations of meditation. For example, if you are looking out into the sky and your mind falls into a completely different place, many moments pass and you come back to your normal state. The meditation portion of this is noticing the feelings and sensations that appeared in this unique moment. Sometimes all it takes is allowing your thoughts to drift away, a peaceful landscape or “happy place” to welcome these feelings in.

Not every time you have a meditational experience will it be consistent. Some practices can be intense and other times little to no feeling at all. Both are extremely valuable practices. The only thing consistent about this practice, is your ability to show up for it and ride the journey.

When meditating you have a higher awareness to emotions and sensations. You may form an inner state of serenity. After you leave this state, you may feel different from before. One of those differences is a feeling of deep comfort. Your mind less chaotic, shoulders relaxed, less in control & more in the free.

Have you ever been in a daydream and felt that intensity of focussing on something indescribable.  You may have felt feel a deep surge of connection to an invisible thought. Though your eyes may be open, you feel lost in a trance, and return to reality with energy buzzing from your body.  

Meditating involves the awareness of thoughts and able-ness to separate them from reality. Thoughts give us so much stress in our life because they feel so real, while in fact they are just moments playing from the past, future or imagination. If you notice that you are having a thought, this is an essential part of your practice. Next attempt to notice the thought without judgement and then let it go "goodbye thought" welcome back me. Remember thought's aren't real life. You have the power to take back your mind to live in the present by practicing your awareness towards them. To help try breathing techniques, essential oils, or changing your environment.