Meditation and Yoga: A Beginner’s Guide

Yoga is unlike any other exercise because of its meditative element.

The purpose of meditation is to unwind from the day and connect with what really matters in your life. 

While some origins of meditation date back to religious practice, meditation is available to all.

Yoga and meditation go hand in hand.

What Is the Purpose of Meditation? 

Understand more about meditation and its history before delving into the purpose of meditation. 

Then, practice meditative yoga poses to reap the benefits of meditation combined with exercise and physical health.

What Is Meditation? 

Meditation is all about being present in the moment rather than letting your mind wander to daily stressors.

Positive Psychology defines, “The word meditation stems from meditatum, a Latin term that means ‘to ponder.’ Through the practice of meditation, we can seek to find a better connection with our body in the everyday moments that we often let pass us by, and create stronger awareness for how our emotions influence our behavior.

You may already have a meditation practice that works for you, or you may be new to the concept and looking to build your knowledge and understanding of how meditation can bring value to your daily life. Either way, the history of meditation is fascinating and well worth exploring.”

How can you practice meditation and bring value to your life? 

Now is the time to start with yoga and meditation. 

History of Meditation

Learn from Cleveland Clinic: “Meditation is an ancient practice that comes in many forms and types. While meditation historically was a religious practice, you don’t have to be religious to do it and experience the benefits yourself. 

Thanks to advances in medical technology and science, experts now better understand how meditation affects your brain and body. And research shows there are many benefits — for your mind and body alike — that come with regular meditation.”

Meditation has been around since ancient times, and for good reason! 

If the purpose of meditation is to find better meaning in your day-to-day life, then you can be sure that anyone can benefit from that. 

Benefits of Meditation

There are physical and mental benefits to meditation. 

When you practice yoga meditation, you will learn how to breathe through stressful situations throughout your day without having to pause for an official session. 

Calm your mind with meditative yoga poses.

Lower your blood pressure when you intentionally release stress at the end of a long day. 

Increase heart health by learning to calm yourself during a panic attack or other trigger moment.

How Do You Meditate?

Everyone has a different way of unwinding and clearing the mind.

Yoga meditation is one way to move your body and focus your mind at the same time.

Try a Yin Yoga class to provide your body with slow and easy movements that allow you to focus on your thoughts and mental exercises.

As you learn more about meditation, you will be able to meditate without yoga. But on the flip side, yoga without meditation is not the full experience.

When Yoga and Meditation Meet

The definition of yoga includes meditative practices through breathing and centering your mind on the here and now. 

Yoga and meditation work together to create powerful experiences and ongoing practice that will benefit your life. 

Find the purpose of meditation in your life through regular yoga practice. 

What Is Yoga?

Yoga is a series of movements put together in a yoga flow that promotes flexibility, endurance, and strength.

Yoga is more than just exercise; it is a practice that focuses on a mind-body-spirit connection. This is found through meditation.

Does Yoga Always Include Meditation?

Here’s the truth – if you’re not meditating during yoga, you’re not practicing yoga.

Yes, yoga always includes meditation! Of course, you can phone it in and flow through the physical movements.

But if you are not mindful of breathing out the stress of your day and breathing in good vibes, you are missing out on the main purpose of yoga. 

What Is Yoga Meditation?

Yoga meditation is where the mind-body-spirit connection comes in. 

As your body pushes itself to the limits during a Vinyasa flow, center your mind to powerful, confident thoughts.

Believe in yourself in that moment and celebrate your small progressions through all meditative yoga poses. 

You will find your mental strength to be transformative as you increase in your yoga expertise.

Benefits of Yoga Meditation

Yoga and meditation complement each other well. They are meant to be practiced harmoniously.

Your body is as powerful as your mind allows it to be. 

How can you challenge your body and spirit during your yoga session today?

Choose a Power Hour class for a sweat session that is sure to give you a confidence boost. 

Our expert instructors will guide you through yoga meditation and help you practice breathing techniques that will enhance the overall experience. 

Yoga Meditation Techniques 

Yoga meditation can look a lot of different ways. 

Get the ultimate calorie burn during a hot yoga session while practicing mind over matter to get you through the challenging poses.

Sit still and meditate while holding yoga poses that bring you back to the basics.

Repeat mantras to help your mind stay focused and distraction-free.

“Mantras are all over religion and spirituality. And they are a yogic practice too. Some people think mantras started in yoga, although this is definitely not the case. 

Mantras are prevalent in Kundalini Yoga. So, if you are looking for ways to activate Kundalini energy, you might like to start chanting various mantras such as “Sa Ta Na Ma” and “Wahe Guru.”

Deepak Chopra [founder, The Copra Center] states that “mantras serve as a vehicle for the mind to transition from diversity to unity”. When you focus your whole mind on a mantra you achieve unification of the mind.” – The Daily Meditation

Access various yoga sessions from the comfort of your home so that you can implement yoga meditation into your daily routine. 

Powerflow On the Go has what you need.

The Benefits of Yoga Meditation

Scientific evidence supports the health benefits of yoga meditation: “After analyzing the data, the team found that engagement in the yoga and meditation practices at the retreat was associated with decreased anxiety and depression levels – as reported by the participants – as well as with an increase in their level of mindfulness.

The data also showed an increase of an anti-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-10) and a corresponding decrease in a pro-inflammatory cytokine (interleukin-12), which led to a reduction of inflammatory processes.” – Medical News Today

If you have access to all of these benefits on a daily basis, you can be healthier than ever.

Stress Relief with Meditation

What is the purpose of meditation? Stress relief is a pretty big benefit that many people need.

Learn to leave the chaos and worries of your day behind and let go of what you cannot control. 

Stress relief tools are essential to living a calm and happy life. Use meditation as one of your stress relief methods.

Mental Health Benefits 

As you battle with mental health, yoga meditation is one way to decrease anxiety and depression. 

Moving your body and centering your mind on positivity will help you cope in moments of heightened anxiety. 

While mental health is complex, it’s worth trying meditation to see if it brings peace to your life in an unexpected way. 

Give yourself grace when dealing with mental health struggles.

Lower Blood Pressure

Meditation is proven to lower blood pressure and promote heart health in the process.

Why not try a method for relaxation by practicing meditation regularly? 

Sleep Better 

Imagine falling into bed after a crazy fight with your neighbor and trying to sleep. 

It’s near impossible! Your mind replays everything you wish you had or hadn’t said. Your emotions are all fired up. 

Now think about the benefits of stopping to meditate before lying down in bed. What can you release from that stressful situation? 

Meditation provides a clean slate for your mind so that you can lie down in bed and sleep more peacefully. 

Improve Your Mood

The purpose of meditation includes a better mood as you go throughout your day. 

When you put the small things into perspective, you are less likely to get thrown off by a car that cuts you off or an empty pot of coffee.

Meditation prepares you for those situations and arms you with the power to shrug them off.

Meditative Yoga Poses for Beginners

Does your yoga practice include meditation? It’s time to do something about it if you are failing to meditate each time you practice yoga.

Here are some poses that will help you get into the mind space you need to find the purpose of meditation in your yoga practice.

If you need assistance with any yoga pose, access our PFY tutorials to learn from the best of the best! 

Thunderbolt Pose 

The Thunderbolt pose is often used during Hatha yoga practice.

It is meant to be used when people want to relax their bodies and minds. 

Kneel on a mat with your big toes close together.

Lean back and sit on your feet, keeping your toes relaxed and your feet unflexed.

Place your hands on your knees in front of you. Do not bend the arms, keep the elbows soft and relaxed.

Straighten your spine and engage your neck as you gaze forward.

Breathe in, close your eyes, and redirect your mind to a calm and meditative space.

Savasana or Corpse Pose

While many yoga classes incorporate the corpse pose, you can also do it on your own when you are looking for an easy meditative yoga pose.

Lay on your back with your arms at each side, palms facing up.

Lengthen your legs without flexing your feet. Allow space between your ankles to maximize comfort and relaxation.

Breathe in and out. Clear your mind of worries and stress.

Lotus Pose

The Lotus pose is yoga’s twist on sitting cross-legged.

First, sit down with your legs crossed. Then pull your feet up through the pretzel.

Rest your arms at each side, past your knees.

Breathe and gaze forward, focusing your mind on your inner world.

Sukhasana or Sitting

The sitting pose or Sukhasana may not seem like a yoga pose at all.

But when you are intentional about sitting still in your thoughts, you can understand why it is considered a meditative yoga pose. 

Sit with your legs crossed and your hands on your knees. 

Meditate as you keep each joint in your body still. 

Hero Pose

The Hero pose is similar to the Thunderbolt.

Kneel on a mat with your feet wide.

Lean back and sit on the mat, keeping your feet close to the sides of your body. 

Hold onto your feet and feel the stretch on your legs.

The Hero pose will help you feel empowered in your thoughts. What does your body accomplish each day? 

What do you have to celebrate? Direct your mind toward the positive and rid your thoughts of the negative.

Yoga Meditation: Perfect for All Skill Levels

It’s never too late to up your yoga meditation game. 

Yoga practice can benefit your life from all angles – physically, mentally, and spiritually. 

Tap into the purpose of meditation to be more mindful about implementing that aspect of your yoga practice. 

Our Powerflow On the Go instructors are highly experienced with the expertise they need to motivate you and guide you throughout each session. 

Increase your meditation practice as you progress in your yoga poses. Recognize benefits that you didn’t know were possible. 

See for yourself how yoga can provide stress relief! The free trial awaits you.

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