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Meditation Journal 4/5/18

I'll have to admit, I was not looking forward to our in-class meditation. Having never meditated before, I thought it would be painfully boring and that I would not get anything out of it. My mind was definitely changed! I really enjoyed the meditation because it gave me a brief 20 minutes free from the constant worries, stresses, and thoughts that are always flooding my mind. I did not realize how those stresses can have a negative effect on me mentally until they stopped for a little while. The feeling is hard to put words to, but it felt like I was mentally refreshed; like my mind was a clean slate to start over with. The closest thing I can compare the experience to is a runner's high, which I have experienced several times before. I never realized how focusing so intently can feel like you're not thinking at all. Now that I have a better understanding of how meditation works and why it can be useful, I can see why meditation is often incorporated into yoga classes. However, based on personal experience, it is much easier to meditate without incorporating postures of yoga. Focusing on moving your body in the correct way while trying to focus on nothing except for your senses can be difficult. I find this especially true for difficult postures that put stress on the body. I plan on using this meditation class to incorporate meditation into my yoga, as well as to alleviate feelings of stress.

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