If you’re feeling curious about incorporating a meditation practice into your routine— or, perhaps, you’d like to begin a practice again—studio BE's very own Adam Stonebraker is here to help.

All it takes is five simple steps to create a sustainable, life-long practice.

(Really.)

Consistency:
The most important habit for me when establishing my meditation practice was to simply be consistent. No matter what was happening in my life, I was going to meditate.

This commitment from the outset can be tough but, I assure you, it gets easier and easier as it becomes habitualized—like brushing your teeth or making the bed.  

Practice in the Morning:
I find doing my practice in the morning before beginning the day is helpful as well.
The longer we wait to practice, the more excuses we’re able to come up with to NOT practice.

Practicing in the morning sets a nice, mindful tone for the rest of the day, but there’s also a profundity in making it your first activity. The more we prioritize a practice in our lives, the more positive the effect it will have.

Create a Sacred Space:
Having a dedicated place to meditate is important. If space is at a premium in your home or office, don’t worry. You don’t need an entire room, even a dedicated corner of a bedroom or office room can work beautifully.

Begin by placing some cushions and blankets around, maybe create an altar with important objects or photographs on it.

Remember that when we sit to meditate, we want to be cozy and relaxed. Over time, your sacred space becomes a refuge that assists in the cultivation of a settled mind. If we’re constantly moving around to different spaces, the mind has to continually re-familiarize itself with the environment which can create unsettled qualities.

Find (and keep) a designated space, light a candle, and settle in.  

Don’t Overdo It:
Sometimes when we begin to meditate, we try to do too much too early on.

Be light and kind with your practice.

We don’t have to sit for hours on end to make progress. Just sit—be silent and still—for a manageable amount of time. (Try this brief meditation.)

When the practice is enjoyable, it’s easier to keep it going.

Find Support:
It’s helpful to find a teacher or a friend with whom you can talk to about your practice.

Having a dedicated resource can help clarify any confusion and bypass setbacks. Plus, it’s an enjoyable way to pass some time.

If you’re looking for a teacher, studio BE has many who specialize in meditation and would be happy to receive a message from you on the platform.  


Guest post by studio BE Senior Facilitator Adam Stonebraker, MA.
Adam began practicing meditation and yoga in 1999 and has been teaching since 2010. His emphasis is on guiding others into bringing mindful, loving awareness to all aspects of life through meditation, movement, yin yoga, and breath practice.

Black and white photo of bearded, young white man wearing glasses seated cross-legged on the floor.
Adam Stonebraker, M.A.

Feature Image by Anatoliy Karlyuk / Adobe Stock