Mindfulness Meditation hasn't always been a practice of mine, but it is now has a starring role in my wellbeing and healing toolbox. Before this time, I knew what Mindfulness was, and was convinced that practicing mindful movement (Yoga) and taking mindful walks, etc, would be enough of a nod towards the art of being mindful. However, only when I began getting deeper into the practice of Mindfulness Meditation as a stand alone practice, did I feel the much wider and deeper benefits to my life. In fact, I know I am changed because of it.
Its not just me either. In today’s fast-paced world, mindfulness meditation has become an anchor for many—a practice that can help us find calm amidst the chaos, reconnect with ourselves when we have gotten lost in doing life, and even sit with difficult times with greater ease. But what exactly is mindfulness meditation, and how could it benefit you? Let’s explore.
What Is Mindfulness Meditation?
At its core, mindfulness meditation is about being present in the moment. It’s about giving full attention to what is happening in the here and now - thoughts, emotions and sensations, all without judgement. Now our brains are often very busy! They might be planning the future, remembering the past or even imagining things that haven't happened yet. So being fully present in the here and now, can be a challenge. However, Mindfulness Meditation isn't about completely ridding your brain of all its thoughts, instead it is about learning to step back from them enough to notice them, and from there bring your attention back to the present. In fact, a moment of mindfulness happens exactly at that point when you notice your mind has gone off on some tangential thought and you bring it back to your present moment experience. When sitting for a meditation, you might have many moments of mindfulness where you bring your mind back to the here and now - I know I often do! Of course, the more you practise, the better you become at noticing your tendencies and the better you become at returning to the present moment. Over time, this practice trickles out its magic in to your every day life. One such trickle is that you become less likely to get swept away by worries about the past or future, and spend more time being in the here and now. And this has the glorious side effect of bringing a deeper sense of clarity, calm, peace, and connected self-awareness.
Important, but often overlooked aspects of Mindfulness Meditation are those of kindness & compassion. Mindfulness is not just about bringing awareness to what is happening in the here and now, it is also about the qualities we bring to that awareness. In the practice of Mindfulness Meditation, we are encouraged to guide our awareness to present moment experience, through a lens of 'kind curiosity'. We might even be guided to cultivate feelings of warmth and compassion to ourselves as we bring awareness to the present. We might be in a practice of meditation where we are noticing our feet and all the sensations around the feet. Bringing a 'kind curiosity' to our attention has a very different feel to simply being aware of the feet. In this way, Mindfulness Meditation offers us a chance to foster a more compassionate relationship with ourselves, which then often ripples out to the world around us.
What to Expect in a Mindfulness Meditation Class
A typical mindfulness meditation class is designed to guide you gently into the practice, whether you’re a beginner or have experience. Here’s what you might experience:
Settling In: The class usually begins with a welcome, a few moments of quiet or time to get set up, help you settle into the space and leave distractions behind.
Guided Meditation: Your Teacher may lead you through one or two practices depending on the length of class. In these practices you will be guided to sit, close your eyes (if comfortable) and the teacher will help guide you with verbal prompts. These guided practices could include focusing on the breath, body sensations, sounds, or even emotions. Often, each class will be focused on a specific theme and the Teacher may also share some small teaching point before or in between practices. Typically the actual meditation practices last for between 10 and 20 minutes.
Reflection and Sharing: After a practice, there’s often time for reflection or discussion, where the Teacher will ask open questions for contemplation. You can share your experiences or simply listen and absorb insights.
Takeaways: To close, there will often be a summing up of the theme of the class and you may leave the session with tools or prompts to help you integrate mindfulness into your daily life.
Classes are welcoming and adaptable to everyone, whether you’re seeking stress relief, emotional balance, or simply a moment to breathe.
The Many Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation
Why bother finding time to practice Mindfulness Meditation? Well, Mindfulness Meditation isn’t just about feeling calm in the moment—it offers a wealth of longer-term benefits for your whole health, wellbeing and experience of being human:
Reduces Effects of Stress: Regular practice helps lower cortisol levels, easing tension and anxiety.
Boosts Mood: Research shows that Mindfulness meditation can decrease symptoms associated with depression and anxiety.
Improves Emotional Well-being: It fosters greater self-awareness and emotional resilience, helping you navigate life’s ups and downs with greater steadiness.
Enhances Focus: By training your mind to stay present, mindfulness sharpens concentration, attention and can help us stay more focused on our tasks.
Supports Physical Health: Studies show mindfulness can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, support better heart health and even enhance immune function.
Promotes Self-Compassion: It encourages a kinder relationship with yourself, quieting the inner critic and cultivating acceptance.
Looks after Your Brain: Research has shown Mindfulness Meditation can also mitigate the effects of cognitive decline associated with aging and stress.
Ultimately, mindfulness meditation is a practice of coming home to yourself and to the full experience of being human—of creating a space for healing, growth, and presence in your life.
Ready to Explore?
If you’ve been curious about mindfulness meditation, why not give it a try? Whether in a class setting or using an app at home, it’s a practice that meets you where you are and grows with you over time. There are loads of resources out there to support you with this practice, and if you are a beginner, just start small or find a local class where you can learn in community with others.
Remember, mindfulness isn’t about perfection—it’s about practice. And every moment spent in presence is a step toward greater peace and connection.
Would you like to support in developing a Mindfulness Meditation Practice? Why not join me in my latest classes? Details below. I also incorporate Mindfulness Meditation in my 121 Yoga Therapy work, details of which can also be found below.
Nichola Day is an experienced Yoga & Meditation Teacher, as well as a registered Yoga Therapist.
To get in touch with here, email at nichola@nicholaday.co.uk
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