Interview with Jessica Natale on Meditation

Interview with Jessica Natale, RYT, CPF, Meditation Instructor

Meditation is the tongue of the soul and the language of our spirit. - Jeremy Taylor

Why don’t people meditate?

From my experience people often have a laundry list of why they can’t and don’t meditate. I frequently hear: I can’t/don’t want to sit still, I don’t have time, I already go to such and such church, or do such and such practice.

How do you respond to this?

As soon as I hear “I can’t sit still” I know this is the person that NEEDS meditation the most. There is nothing anybody can’t do. There are ways to make meditation bearable for all. There are many different positions to sit, stand and recline in. Sitting in a lotus pose with your thumbs to fingers on your legs isn’t the only way to be meditative. Small increments of practice are useful as well. If one meditated and held still for only 49 seconds, that’s still meditation!

What about those people who fear failure?

Part of being a well adjusted adult is the willingness to try new things. If you can not introduce a new activity even for one day, even for 10 minutes, how can you expect to deal with major life changes? Small wiggle’s in our comfort space allows us to handle life when the floor drops beneath us completely, with much more grace and sanity. Science has begun to tell as that change in routines (like trying something new) can help increase a person’s happiness and ultimately their health.

What do you tell people who say they do not have time to meditate?

If you don’t have time to meditate then you’re telling me you never wait at the doctor’s office, do laundry, or struggle to fall asleep. These are all moments when your mind does not need to be working on something else. You know that show you watch just because it’s between the shows you like? Well, that’s your meditation time. From the last 5 minutes of the spin cycle you are waiting around for. The 45 minutes it takes your daughter to blow dry her hair. These are all increments of time that can be used to relax and center your self.

What about those that say they have another practice?

Meditation can mean a great variety of things. It can be incorporated in many practices: yoga, a spiritual and/or philosophical routine, a tool for stimulating healing and creativity, a way to deal with difficult emotions, and part of a holy religious ceremony with others or in your own personal shrine of yourself. Meditation can’t do anything but enhance the activities we already partake in.

Learn more about Meditation at Jessica's next workshop at Lifespan Yoga in Mandarin:

Yoga as Meditation, Meditation as Yoga ™

Sunday, Jan 20

2:00-4:00pm

$30  

Description: This workshop involves basic meditation instruction for those with little to no experience.  In this modern life full of obligations and electronic communication people find themselves stressed and unable to concentrate. Learn how to find time for simple yoga and meditation techniques that can help ease stress.  Whether you have an interest in yoga or not, meditation can be practiced easily. No matter what your physical,mental, and emotional abilities meditative relaxation is attainable. A basic history will be given along with options for sitting, standing, and reclined positions to practice meditation from. You will be guided through poses, breath work, chanting, and silent meditation in short intervals, working up to a longer period of silent meditation. Guided relaxation will be offered at the end of the workshop as well as time to ask questions and take breaks through out.

Sign up at www.LifespanYoga.com