It was a trip to India in 2011, that I had my first glimpse of what daily practice really offered. This was also my first true foray into meditation. We would wake up at 5am, in pitch darkness and stumble over to the practice room. Wrapped in blankets, my airplane neck pillow to sit on, and my folded mat on a concrete floor. Sitting in a circle, our teacher Anand would come and simply say: breath of fire, 3 minutes. And so, we would begin our one-hour (yes, one hour) morning meditation, figuring it out as we went along.
Dreadfully uncomfortable, legs falling asleep, minds contemplating every decision that led us to this moment where time dragged endlessly with no relief in sight. And then something strange happened on about day 5. I dropped in. Time became endless, not for the need of relief, but like it didn’t even exist. I was actually meditating.
That week was really the first time I felt the full effects of Yoga. It felt like the whole world slowed down a little bit. My mind was clear. I was present and focused and I was hooked. How incredible to feel as though you have control over that endless loop of thoughts and the emotions pinging you back and forth along with them.
While it still took me a few more years to fully establish a practice every day, it eventually got to the point that my morning routine was so set, I was on automatic pilot. No matter what was going on, how well I slept the night before, what I had to do that day, I sat on my cushion and took the time for myself and for my practice. It made me a better Yoga Teacher, and it certainly helped my mental well-being.
My practice became so ingrained in me that even in my darkest hours, I would find myself sitting on my mat. It was this commitment to my daily practice that carried me through my pain, that carried me through darkness. And maybe I only sat there and stared at the wall for five minutes during that time, but something within compelled me to keep coming back day after day.
My practice has evolved a lot since those early days. Sometimes I need a piece of music to hold my concentration. Sometimes, and often, I’ll do a short kriya set or some pranayama, and sometimes I listen to a mantra. I always light incense and a candle; the ritual is important.
Every day I sit. Some days the clarity of meditation comes easily, others more difficult, but coming back every day to the practice is what is important. The discipline and vigor to stay with it. Continually evolving. And all we need is ourselves and the commitment to set aside 10-20 minutes each day just for us.
I encourage you to pick a time that works every day, maybe right when you wake up or before going to bed. If you are looking for something to help you get started there are a number of free apps you can try such as Insight Timer. I have a few of my own there as well for you to try, https://insighttimer.com/lisagreenbaum
