Author: ConcreteRoseTheMoonchild

When you think of Jamaica what is the first thing that comes to mind? Shottas or Bob Marley?Is it the beautiful resorts and white sand? I recently heard someone say, ” People Think That Jamaica is Beautiful But It Isn’t Some Real Bad Things Happen There.”

The truth is bad things happen in our own backyard often times on  our doorstep. However that doesn’t stop us from going out every week. There are “bad” areas in every city; places you should not go if you don’t know anyone in that area. For that reason alone Jamaica was a wonderful way to break in my passport. Honestly, I was excited yet nervous about being in Jamaica because I went with zero expectations and reservations. I just knew I had a list of to do’s that needed to be checked off; everything else was a bonus. We stayed in a town named Negril, Jamaica that had so much to offer. Unlike Montego Bay things are a little cheaper and less touristy. Many people stay here to get away from the shenanigans of the city. Of course people still on their hustle but after a while you either ignore it, shake your head, or they leave you alone all together.

The 2 main things that I loved about Jamaica is the food and you get Alkaline everywhere. Because the island has many natural fresh water falls the alkaline water comes straight from the source to the people. Making the process more eco and people friendly. Each day we made it a point to try out local foods away from the resort and we were successful. The entire trip I was mindful about eating strictly sea food and ital  dishes; which is not hard in Jamaica. Majority of the people are vegan which made it easy to find Ital food. Also everyone has access to different types of fish daily due to the fisherman on the island. Needless to say everything was fresh and everything we ate was made to order. A place by the name of Rasta Lemonade made a huge impression on us. The restaurant was right down the beach from us so we ate there a couple of times. Rasta Lemonade is a strictly Ital restaurant that makes your food to order; along side daily freshly made juice. The portions they give you for each platter is massive. The 2 days we ate there we were full for at least half of the day. However you can honestly find good food on accident anywhere that you go on the island. Also since everything is made fresh it is best to never be in a rush to get anywhere. On average the food can take anywhere between 5-20 minutes to make. But, you’re on vacation what’s the rush anyway RIGHT!?

While in Negril, Jamaica we blended in fairly well. It was clear we weren’t raised up on the island itself. However, many people assumed we were American Jamaican which made our stay a little less nerve wrecking. Meaning we weren’t a target for shenanigans most tourist find themselves in. Because of this we made friends with some of the locals. In Negril many people are on their hustle in a good way. Two of the people that we became acquainted with were our personal drivers. In Jamaica there are a lot of tour companies that own buses that strictly take a group of tourist around the country.  This may sound cool until you look at the prices they are charging and how crowded the buses are. Also the tour bus is often in a rush to get you to all the places people want to see. So it’s not worth it. On the other hand locals in Negril made their own Uber or Lyft system. They wait for tourist to come out of the resort and ask if they need a taxi. Having a taxi is much like having a personal driver. The cost is cheaper because it is calculated by the distance of the drive. Also because they are using their personal cars to drive you around. The drivers willingly act as your tour guide and wait for you at each stop you make.  Some may even enjoy the day with you if each part feels comfortable. Each day you are there you will most likely have the same driver. If the driver is not available they send someone else in their place for that day. The drivers we had while in Negril were Roger and Chris (yes we made it a point to know their names). They really made an impression on us because of how laid back, kindhearted and open they were. The entire time in Negril Roger was our main driver and we had the pleasure of meeting his father which was such a treat. We made it a point to genuinely ask questions about the history and culture of Jamaica; which they willingly answered. This made the trip an educational experience as well. While with Roger he went to every site with us and often times gave us a little tour of his own. He also didn’t mind having fun with us along the way; which made each of us comfortable . Chris was a little different; he was more of a talker than a hanging out type of guy. As he drove us around we made frequent historical stops; such as Columbus Landing. Turns out Columbus actually landed in Jamaica before redirecting himself to America. He also shared with us his experience growing up in the country side and how things have changed over the years. Each of the drivers really knew how to maneuver through the jungle and rain forest. Yes we went on some adventures willingly.

This may seem scary right? To just go an adventures with some men who claim they’re taxi drivers?!!

Well we also made friends with the security at the resort as well as some of the staff women. Because of this we knew where to go and who to talk to while in Negril by our second night their. So each day and night people did look out for not only us but other tourist as well. What really made the trip magical is that everyone we encountered we made a connection with. We bridged a gap that some people are too afraid to do or so self righteous. We did witness times where people were very rude to the those who are simply doing their job. It is something special when you see someones face light up because you actually came back to speak with them or to even buy something that they may have. Often times to get something free or a little extra just because of that simple moment of kindness.

Now I am not going to lie by the 6th day I was tired and ready to go back home. Only because each day we got into something. We would wake up and hit the beach running. if we weren’t on the beach all day we were in the hills going on adventures. I will say that it would be awesome to spend a week in Negril or Jamaica period then got to another island for another week. We did meet a family who spent 3 weeks in Negril. I was amazed because in a week and a half you can pretty much see the whole island if you moved around like we did. We purposely left some things untouched to have a reason to go back. However, we did everything we set out to do and a little more. Of course we had our iffy and scary moments while there. But it only lasted a few minutes because we realized we were okay. Luckily we ran across some genuine people; yet at the same time we didn’t linger long enough to get taken advantage of as well. We developed a fine line between being nice and being gullible because at the end of the day it is am island that has been raped and taken advantage for so long. Because of this everyone is trying to make it the best they know how.

Tips for Jamaica:

1. Convert some of your currency and spend before reverting back to your cash.
2. Bring a small bottle of mosquito spray. Try to find a natural brand because the smell is string.
3. Do not stay on the resorts the whole time. The resort is not Jamaica; there is so much the island has to offer. It helps you throw away the stereotypes.
4.  It is okay to say NO!!
5. Do not fall for the tricks. Sometimes people will try to talk you into buying them food or drinks.
6. Let nothing ruin your trip.

Places To Visit:

1. Ricks Cafe: The world famous Ricks Cafe is known for their cliff divers. The cafe opens around 1pm and closes around 8pm or 9pm. There is a live DJ who is really good who is accompanied by dancers who convince tourist to dance and have a good time. The drinks are really good and very strong. The food isn’t the best on the island however it is good. There is a live bad that places everyday at 7:00 but they aren’t a good act. All in all Ricks Cafe is a great places to relax and enjoy the end of your day.
2. Pelicans Bar: If you are up for an adventure and a good time Pelican Bar is right up your alley. Pelicans Bar is a bar that sits in the middle of the ocean right off of the Black River. You have to take a boat to get there which isn’t a problem because there are many boats that go back and forth to the bar. At Pelicans Bar they serve food and drinks all day. The food is freshly caught around the hour to serve the guest. And there is great music to set the mood. Sounds crazy?! Not at all. The Bar is completely solid made of bamboo and real solid wood. It offers seating inside as well as outside. If you pay close enough attention you may even be able to met the amazingly talented Rasta who built the bar himself not once but twice. As a really bad hurricane did come a few years back. Definitely a place I will always return to.
3.  Mayfield  Falls: The beautiful Mayfield Falls is a place like no other. You have to go a little ways up the forest to get there however it is worth it. The Mayfield Falls is a tour through the falls and the rain forest. You are accompanied by a tour guide who is well experienced through the rivers and water falls. The tour guide is hands on and helps you along the path and takes pictures for you. When in the falls you are free to swim and sit in the water falls. After taking the tour you are welcome to order from their kitchen and have a bite to eat. The food at Mayfield is amazing and they give you really big portions.
4. Bob Marley Mausoleum: If you are a Bob Marley fan the museum doesn’t do his justice. The Bob Marley Mausoleum resides in Nine Mile where he was raised and grew up. The Mausoleum is on the land where his family lived. There lays the tombs of his Mother, Brother, and Bob Marley himself. When you arrive you are appointed a tour guide. While on the tour you sea the home if his grandmother as well as his mother. There are areas where you are not allowed to take pictures. When walking through the mausoleums you are directed to take you shows and to not take pictures. Bob Marleys mother made her own jerk and dipping sauces while living. They are only sold at the mausoleum;during the tour you are given time to rest and listen to music while taking her sauces. There are gift shops and a restaurant where you are able to eat,drink, and indulge.

See pictures of more adventures below

Columbus Landing

Columbus Landing

Blue Hole

Rasta Lemonade

Rasta Lemondae

Rasta Lemonade

Private Garden

Garden Homemade Dish

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Negril Lighthouse

Negril Lighthouse

Negril Lighthouse

Mayfield Falls

Mayfield Falls

Legends Resort Negril

Negril Lighthouse

Negril Lighthouse

Negril Lighthouse

Mayfield Falls

Mayfield Falls

Rasta Lemonade

Rasta Lemonade

Rasta Lemondae

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Private Garden

Garden Homemade Dish

Columbus Landing

Columbus Landing

Legends Resort Negril

Blue Hole

Mayfield Falls

Negril Lighthouse

Negril Lighthouse

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Mayfield Falls

Blue Hole

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Columbus Landing

Columbus Landing

Legends Resort Negril

Negril Lighthouse

Bob Marley Mausoleum

Rasta Lemonade

Jangalee Seafood Resturant

Rasta Lemonade

Private Garden

Garden Homemade Dish

Rasta Lemondae

The Beginning

Many people ask me the question, “Why do you do yoga?” And honestly at first I couldn’t do anything but tell them it was something I liked to do( A good cool down after a lengthy dance rehearsal HELLO!!!!). For me doing yoga after a long day or  workout is something that I look forward to, some may call this positive reinforcement since I always find my self doing something ( It’s hard for me to stick to a routin). I watched random videos daily and incorporated different stretches we do in dance rehearsal. Now let’s be honest searching for videos can be time consuming and some videos are very lengthy. One thing I will say that helps me now is doing Yoga Challenges; it doesn’t matter how long it is just choose one that best fits you. They are normally no longer than 30 mins and vary from 7-30 days. And if you get lucky the person you subscribe to will have morning and night time sequences; as well as different yoga stances, breathing exercises, and a host of other How To’s that will not only make your practice easier but teach you more about the practice.

Slight History

Many people believe yoga began in India over 5,000 years ago. Although that seems to be what is in all the yoga books and when you take a yoga class that’s pretty much the typical story.  Many people to Hinduism and Buddhism solely with the misconception that it is a” feminine” practice or that it is only  for people who are a part of that religion. In reality yoga started with OUR ancestors as an Ancient Kemetic  spiritual practice. The word Yoga means Control or some may say Yoke or Bind. Kemet was the name for ancient Egypt; the people of Kemet were. Many mathematicians, architects, and much more for many years before the people of  India studied yoga. Kemetic Yoga dating back more than 10,000 years was seen as the way to reach your highest form of think and self. The purpose was the merging of an individual’s lower self and higher self striving daily to be a better you. When looking at Egyptian art you notice the correlation of yoga from the many poses our ancestors were in, the names of the poses and the way they were depicted in art form, and the philosophy of Kemetic Yoga in reference to body alignment. Self care and Knowledge of self was the key to civilization and Kemetic Yoga was seen as the outlet.

Benefits

Whether you are just looking to do yoga for the purposes of flexibility, toning,and burning calories; or to deepen your spiritual connection. Yoga is perfect for all these things, when doing yoga the key is to focus on your breathing. We all know we need air to breath, Right? Yoga focuses on that A LOT. Why? Because we forget to breath when we are doing continuous movements and when concentrating. Also breathing helps you flow through movements with ease and is beneficial when holding poses. When doing yoga of any form you often feel pressured to be the more flexible and do things with ease. Well I am here to tell you that thought should never cross your mind. Yoga is about listening to YOUR body and self love. It is always encouraged to take your time and ease  your body into the movement and BREATH. One thing I learned in my practice was patience, a very hard thing to master; When you do yoga you cannot rush through the movement you’ll end up hurting yourself. Yoga is a form of teaching you how to appreciate yourself. Physically you have balance, you’re stronger, and more energetic. Mentally you are calmer, concentration is better, and the practice has meditative qualities. Spiritually your health and well being improves, anxiety decreases , and you a have sense of peace. Emotionally you ignore negative emotions and feelings, and learn to be the truth situations demand. Through yoga you learn to accept their presence and in time negative emotions will cease to control you, as long as you continue to practice.

I do yoga to find my inner peace and to remain CONCRETE in my decisions and SPIRITUALITY!

 DO YOU YOGA?

Peace and Blessing,

My thoughts my views, share with me, vibe with me,

-Rose

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Yoga Challenge

      A lot has changed since I first started my spiritual journey. When I first started my yoga practice I was just researching ways to heal my knee as well as my spiritual and mental state of being. Early on I never knew the practice of yoga would lead to something deeper. If you have read my first blog post ” Why Yoga” and “Loose As A Goose” can see how and why I started this journey.

    I get asked the question often, “How did you get it to yoga?”. And I am always compelled to tell the story of how I popped my knee out place while in the middle of a dance performance. How*So Glad You Asked*?!!  During that time I was out of shape mentally, spiritually, and physically.  Mentally I was lacking true self love. I did not realize my value. Somehow I lost site of how influential, talented, and powerful I truly was. Being passive had become second nature causing me to lose my voice in many cases. Over time I silenced my own voice allowing views of others to guide me. I didn’t know who I was; resulting in me big unhappy. Spiritually there was something missing…… me. I was searching for something outside of self. I expecting everything to magically work itself out while I just sat and waited.  Because of this mentality I found myself crying a lot; I was not following the path set out for me. Deep inside I always knew there was a force protecting me. However, I was not connected the way I should have been. Physically I ended up putting on a little weight and I was extremely out of shape. Due to my injury these things doubled. Poor eating habits and an inconsistent working out routine does have its effects on the body. I also found myself not stretching properly before I dance which caused me to strain muscles over time. Needless to say yoga helped aid me in the realization and soothing of all my ailments. Many of you may think saying “Namaste” and burning sage doesn’t do anything. Well I assure you may be right (0.1 % accurate).  However, it is about the core principles that change your life and the lives of those around you. (We will dive into that a little later.)  Initially I started my practice at home on my front porch. I came across YOGA WITH ADRIENE  on YouTube and I was hooked. But we already know this right?……RIGHT!!

Here is the reason I decided to give you an update on Why

I realized yoga is something that has to be a part of my life. I have learned that yoga is more than doing the Asana (Poses). And it is also not just saying  “Namasta” and burning sage or incense. Yoga is a lifestyle; it consist of how you treat yourself daily as well as others. It is about being aware of why and how you feel day in and day out. Owning those feelings as well as reflecting and adjusting those emotions if they do not serve your highest good. Most importantly yoga reminds us we are always learning. WHY?! because we will never know everything. In that we learn how to tame the ego; which means getting uncomfortable. From admitting your wrongs to letting go of things that never truly resonated with our true self. I realized early on that I had a lot of things that were weighing me down spiritually. As I move in and out of yoga poses emotions come up from my past as well as present state. There have been moments where I have cried during a yoga flow or meditation because of the mental space I was in during that time. This is not a bad thing at all; being a yogi is about being. Sweating, crying, shacking, and even falling are all signs of cleansing. Yoga cleanses us of ego, negativity, and all things rooted in fear. *How is this possible?!* Daily we allow our thoughts to unconsciously control our actions. Many of us are aware and refuse to admit it may be the cause of our unhappiness. In yoga many emotions come up at once and we are guided to breath and push pass them. Once that is done we then are able to reflect on the process in peace and quiet. Allowing ourselves to breathe; reflecting on who we truly are and what we are capable of. As I continue my personal practice I give myself more and more time to sit and reflect. I realized those quite moments are important because we are able to see that the answers we sought out for had been there the whole time. Is maintaining a daily yoga practice hard? Of Course! However there is always room and time to get even the smallest of flows in. We can yoga in the car, in our beds, even in the kitchen. Just take some time to get weird and be a kid again.  It all about dedicating time to yourself to get connected.

When I dedicate myself to something I do research to see how things came to pass. When it comes to yoga you are forever a student. I love that reality because there is always something new to learn about yourself and the practice. You can always add on or take away from your practice; the same holds true to your life journey. The history of yoga runs very deep. Depending on the training you take and the books you read you will learn that yoga began in India over 5,000+ years ago. To understand the teachings of yoga we must first overstand it is a lifestyle not a religion. Yes!!! being Yogi is not a religion and is not religion specific. Many people connect yoga to Hinduism and/or Buddhism solely with the misconception that it is a religious practice or devil worship. While some believe it is a “feminine” practice that men shouldn’t do. Truth is in India men and women alike can take on the lifestyle of a Yogi starting at very early ages. Men are some of the leading gurus of the Yogis.

As we dive deeper into the truth we must look to Mother Africa for the original origins of Yoga.

An even deeper truth to this reality is that OUR ancestors created this spiritual system over 10,000 years ago. What is known today as Kemetic/Egyptian Yoga; or as the ancients would say ” Smai Tawi” is the first spiritual practices known to man. However Egypt or Kemet is not were the concepts were birthed. Ancient Nubia and other neighboring dynasties gave birth to these spiritual concepts and yogic text; which Kemet payed homage to. Meditation is noted as the first style of yoga known to man. The Kemetic yogic system is recognized as the foundation of religious structures around the world. When we look at the meaning; yoga means to yoke. Connecting the breath to body as well as our higher and lower self. Smai Tawi ( Kemetic Yoga) means the union of two lands; holding the same purpose and truth as what would be considered today as western yoga inspired by India. As we dig deeper we will find no mention of a Devil in ancient times. The satin or Setian self are our impure thoughts and worldly desires; which strokes our egos. The root of our irrational impulsive actions as well as our greed.  Yoga is designed to help us find that balance so that our ego may be satisfied in a way which feeds the soul; bringing a sense of wholeness to ones being. Many mathematicians, architects, prophets, sages, and much more in early Kemet mastered yoga before perfecting their craft. Yoga was used as a means to reach their highest realm of thinking and self. It is were we found ourselves before entering into the world to master ourselves. When looking at hieroglyphics we notice the correlation of yoga in the many poses our ancestors were in. It is there we notice some Kemetic Yoga poses were named after the gods. Each pose focuses on alignment physically as well as spiritually. The goal is to always balance those energies within ourselves. In doing so we are able to cleanse ourselves of the energy that weighs us down. When the Kemetic Empire spread to India the spiritual practices followed as well. When studying Kemetic Yoga and Modern Yoga the language may be different however the principles and concepts are all the same. Acknowledging words and meaning become lost in translation and dialect; we can see the commonalities run deeper the more we dive into the yogic practice. Although there are many schools of thought the foundation and destination is the same; total peace. There are many forms of yogis and all are respected because of that one simple truth. India keeps the Kemetic Yoga essence alive in the hills. Many individuals break away from their societal structure in search of a deeper meaning to life. This involves fasting and praying for many days. As well as heavy meditation; in this yogis are able to be detach themselves from what is now seen as a normal way of life. The yogi is detached yet fully conscious and in tune.

Benefits

On my last post I go in depth on the benefits of yoga in many ways. After 2 years of practicing I am able to share more of my experience. I used yoga as rehabilitation after my knee injury; from that point on I have been using yoga as a go to for everything. Yoga is great for lower and upper back pains as well as shoulders. For women with painful menstrual cramps restorative and gentle yoga is a great tool for the bloating and the tension. For athletes as well as those who lift a lot of weights yoga gives a wider range of motion and prevents injuries. Yoga is also great for those who have anxiety as well as for those who battle with depression. The breathing techniques assist with calming of the nervous system and treats asthma as well. There are many healing components to the yogic practice and many are still researching other benefits. There is a sense of discipline within the practice that aids adults and children alike with concentration. Those we struggle with a spinal condition can benefit from the practice as well. Where there is a need yoga meets it.

As my journey continues my only goal is to deepen my love and practice. All while sharing the healing practice with others.

DO YOU YOGA?

Peace and Blessing,

My thoughts my views, share with me, vibe with me

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It’s a new year and some of us are on the road to being a new and better us. With many new New Year Resolutions in high gear there is one that gets recycled every year. The Resolution to drop a few pounds. We often start off motivated and inspired however somewhere we fall off some where along the way. No worries this is not a blog to post nasty pictures of pork and red meet; or to tell you how bad it is. I am here to tell you that it’s OKAY. And to ask a question that many of us may have yet to ask ourselves.

Does Size Really Matter?!

We have heard the term size matters time and time again. However, does that statement hold true in the context of a woman’s figure? Over the years the color of our skin and the shape of our body has caused much controversy. We find ourselves using terms such as skinny, petite, thick, average, fat, and obese; what does it look like to be any of theses sizes? Who signs off on the meaning of too fat or too skinny? Some may argue that words such as thick are used out of context. Many of us obsess over our weight because we want to have the perfect body. Causing ourselves to become sick in the process; not just in terms of anorexia and bulimia. There are some of us who find ourselves over indulging to gain the pounds we feel we lack. Everywhere we turn there are cross-fit gyms, personal trainers, and social media sensations desire to look like. However many of us are merely imitating what we see. Is that wrong? Of course not. The true danger in not knowing is dietary. Often times we work out and return home to poor eating habits. If we are not putting the right fuel in our bodies how well we keep it up will not matter. Health Over Image; many of us live in the gym only to have serious health conditions later on. Does our bodies really make us who we are if we are constantly ill?

Body Shape Does Not Determine Health!! When speaking of health I am talking in  terms of  immunity, physically, spiritually, and mentally. We often confuse physique with health. You can be thick and very healthy; slim and unhealthy. As well as fat and vegan or skinny and have poor eating habits. The true work is in eating to live not living to eat. Meaning it is our responsibility to keep our bodies functioning properly.There is nutrients in all of the foods we should be eating to give us longevity. Our food consumption is the key to a well functioning vessel. Taking the natural approach not only give us a great body but it acts as a preventative regiment to fight off ailments. Yes, meat is not meant for our bodies however it is not a necessity to drop it completely. Asses how your body feels when you eat certain meats and/or too much meat. And make the judgement on what you need to cut out. The truth is too much meat is bad for the body and we will get sick. Taking baby steps is what is needed to get our bodies to full health. When taking the natural route whether vegan, vegetarian, or simply all organic our bodies begin to take its natural form and is able to fight off any ailment it encounters. Exercising is an additive to assist in the toning and longevity of mind, body,and soul. Taking our health into our own hands is an act of self love. We should feel as good as we look and look as look as good as we feel.

Health Secretes They Don’t Tell You? 

Being mindful that when you change your habits of eating along with you personal life your body begins to return to it’s natural state and size. Many of us do not realize how important eating clean is to the body and soul. The foods we consume have the power to charge, cleanse, and strengthen our chakras as well as harm them. Chakras are our energy wheels with in the body. Think of them as pressure point of the soul. Our chakras can be over stimulated, under stimulated, or blocked completely. They are a reflection of our mental and emotional state. Our mentality is what controls the state of our chakras as well as our daily functions and interaction. What we consume and engage in daily has the power drain or energize the chakras. There are food that are soothing to the soul as well as food that can clog the soul. Fruit and vegetable naturally have a direct correlation to the chakra system bring our longevity and vitality to body. The foods we crave, our emotional state, and areas of stress or tension is a reflection of our chakra alignment.  Balancing our intake of proteins ( not necessarily meats), roots, spices, liquids, and more makes way for a healthy diet and chakra system. When are chakra are cleansed and aligned we tend to have more clear perspective on our day to day life as well as smoother days. We are less sluggish and cravings; emotions are stable with less of a tendency for out burst and lash outs.

Know that we have more control and will power over our emotions than we realize. We have healthier food options that give us the ability to be Eco-friendly and health conscious. Health is wealth not the other way around.

Listed below are tips about ways to naturally lose weight as well as vegan habits that may help you pack on pounds.

30 Ways To Loose Weight Naturally

7 Secretes To Be Naturally Thin

5 Vegan Foods That Make You Fat

Peace and Blessing,
My thoughts my views, Share with me, vibe with me
– Rose 

When coming across those who have a pretty consistent meditation practice we often think, ” They make it look so easy”.  Seeing people who have been sitting for what seems to be long periods of time and the aspect of a quiet mind; may have us wondering how do you do that? The secrete is you can do it. We often times here people say I want to get into yoga and meditation but I ________.  Preceding the big but is normally an excuse as to how hard it may be, it is tied to a religion, and/or they can not focus for a particular amount of time. Many of these things are merely limit we have placed on ourselves. We are here to help you strip away those limits with 4 encouraging tips you should know before giving meditation a try. Consider this a little beginners Guide to Meditation; giving you some tips and tools to make your practice a little lighter.
1. You Can Meditate Anywhere.
The first encouraging tip to know is you can meditate anywhere, anytime, and anyway you would like. Many encourage beginners to start off practicing meditation in a seated up right position; Indian Style with a little cushion or back support. However, meditation can be done many ways. You can meditate:
• Laying down
• In a chair
• Driving
• Standing
• In the shower
• In a bath
• Through movement
Mediation is believed to be the earliest signs of yoga; making yoga meditation in motion. It all boils down to the breath. Consciously paying attention to your breath makes meditation accessible where ever you may be.
2. You Can Meditate at Any Time.
Many may associate meditation with a religion and assume meditation is reserved for certain times of the day. Our second encouraging tip is to reassure you that meditation is not religion specific and you can meditate whenever you feel. Morning meditation is a great way to start the day. It is encouraged to set a mantra for the day along with morning meditation. You can reflect back on your mantra whenever you feel your day maybe getting rough; aiding with anxiety. Taking a midday meditation break is a great way to recharge while at work. A common meditation time is at night. Meditation after dark is a great way to relieve the stress of the day and settle into your night before going to sleep. Beginning your meditative practice after dark aids one in sleeping through the night or simple falling to sleep. Another encouraging tip is meditation after any type of workout. Doing this helps being the heart rate to a neutral state with easy.
3. You Can Set a Mantra.
Going into any task with an intention is always a great idea. Not as though you are expecting something such as a reward. However, going into yoga and meditation with the intent of leaving it all on the mat will aid us daily in becoming the best version of ourselves. This encouraging tip gives you 3 mantras that will assist you in your meditative practice. The following mantras create space for healing, stress relief, and relaxation; allowing you to create more mantras for yourself later on.
• I am Open
• I Release
• I am Present
Using these three mantras in the beginning will give you a foundation to start with as you build your practice. An encouraging tip when using mantras is to expound on them as you breathe. Asking yourself, “What am I open to?” or “What do I release?”
“Ex: I am open to change.”
With mantras you can say them out loud or quietly yourself as you sync them with your breath.
4. You Can Use Tools.
Our final encouraging tip opens us to a broad spectrum of meditative styles. Some people enjoy mixing their meditation practicing up every now and then by using tools. This normally happens when you become more in tune with your body and able to sense a blockage somewhere. These tools consist of aromatherapy, crystals, sounds, and much more.
Aromatherapy
This is the most common tool we may hear people talk about. Aromatherapy may consist of incense, candles, essential oil, sage wands, and palo santo wood.
• Incense: Great for raising the vibrations and blessing yourself, your space, objects, and others. Sage and Palo Santo wood are the ideal tools to use for cleansing and blessing. Scents such as frankincense and myrrh assist with sending prayers higher. You may also use this fragrance for blessing and bringing in positive energy.
• Essential oils: Is a great tool to ease your mind, activate chakras, and parts of the brain. Common scents used are peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus.
• Candles: Candles are normally used to set the tone as well as manifest an intention. Often times certain colors are picked as a symbol of what is needs. Some may also pick candles according to the crystals being used in chakra clearing or to bring in the energy of what is being asked for. Example: green candles symbolize growth.
Crystals
Another tool that has recently come into the forefront of meditation is crystals. Many people have begun incorporating crystals into their daily life as well as personal meditation practice. Crystals are a great tool to use in meditation as well as metaphysical healing. They assist with taping into what is needed in the present moment. Crystals have their own vibrational frequency and is able to cleanse you aura and aid you is raising to your highest potential. They do this by stabilizing your vibrations and aligning you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Each crystal is different and holds unique purpose as well as story. Crystals are not to be dependent upon or prayed to. They carry a vibration just as we do. Crystals are a guide that The Most High and Universe work through just as much as us so that we can work with in partnership.
Sounds
Using sound during meditation may vary depending on the individual as well the day. It is often suggested that beginners use soothing sounds such as the ocean or rain. Others may suggest a guided meditation where there are sounds incorporated as someone talks you through the practice. There is a nice selection of sounds to choose from for meditation. You may pick from tranquil music from artist, nature sounds, binaural beats, and tabatin singing bowls and cymbals.
o Tranquil Music: This variety of music can be found anywhere. Many of our favorite artists have songs that have a nice beats to meditate to. Getting a hold of the instrumental is pretty easy.
o Sounds from nature: There are many apps such as well.as Calm and Spotify that have a variety of nature sounds such as: lakes, birds, the beach, and more.
o Binaural Beats: Each song we listen has a certain frequency that affects our brainwaves. They are designed to calm the mind and assist with better sleep, concentration, and more. There are many apps designed specifically for binaural beats; such as Beatfulness. The beats are known to assist with activating chakras as well.
o Tibetan Singing Bowls and Cymbals: Similar to binaural beats. These tools are incorporated within the beats from time to time. These tools are normally associated with sound healing.
A helpful tip that I am always mindful of is there is no right or wrong way to meditate. The practice is as personalized as we want it to be because it is a personal practice. All of the tips and tools given today can be used as much or as little as we wish. The encouraging tips given are suggestions to get us started and the tools described above are not to be dependent upon. Have fun with your personal practice and find what fits you. If you find a routine that works for you that is a beautiful thing; it is all about finding what feels right and good to you. My personal practice consists of Tibetan Bowls, eucalyptus oil, incense, and a sage smudge wand. I use the singing bowls and cymbals whenever I need to ground myself a little deeper. I find that is not only clears the stagnate energy within my home but, in my body as well. I do this before I meditate and sometimes after depending on how I am feeling that day. Before I meditate I always take a shower to relax myself; I find that I feel refreshed when I am on my mat. I also like to physically cleanse myself before I enter my meditative state. I take my oil and dab 3 times in the palm of my hand, rub them together, and take a nice inhale of the scent. Once that is done I settle into my meditation. I am not as consistent with the essentials oils and singing bowls as I am with burning incense. I try to make it a habit to burn incense daily in morning and at night regardless of the time I meditate; it does sync pretty well together due to the incense being handmade. They tend to burn slow where I can meditate while they are still lit. I burn my sage wand every Sunday to cleanse myself and well as my home. If I feel it is needed outside of that day I take time to do so. Whenever I light my sage and incense I work them around myself first and then the space. I find it is important to cleanse yourself first before you cleanse other people or space. Ideally I try to meditate at least twice a day; mainly in the morning to start the day on a positive foot. If I not have time before work I meditate in my office before I start my work day. On the days I do yoga I make it a point to close with meditation.
I hope this Beginners Guide to Meditation (4 Encouraging Tips To Know) was helpful. If you have a meditation routine and you would like to share it feel free to do so. And if you have any question my door is always open.

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