Often when we hear “meditation” we think of the typical: A person sitting in perfect cross legged stillness for long periods of time, at peace with all. But in real life, meditation comes in many forms. Meditation is the practice of turning your attention inward, to bring your attention from an outer awareness state to an inner awareness state. It is often practiced through focusing on our breath. We are often so obsessed with the external world and what is going on around us we forget to take care of ourselves and what is going on inside.

Often the people that need meditation the most are the least likely to try it but meditation comes in many forms. Isn't that typically the way it works? Meditation doesn't need to be in a tradition form. Open your mind and you may find that you already have some form of meditation in your life.

For me, meditation is my running. I run without music, by myself, in the early morning, so my mind wanders and weaves and by the time I get home I feel cleansed and clearer. For others meditation could be walking the dog, or even doing dishes while staring out the window. You don't have to stay perfectly still in a perfectly quite space. The most important thing is to try to incorporate this process into your life as it exists; adding another thing into our already busy lives makes things more stressful, when we are supposed to be calming things down and relaxing.

You don't have to create a dedicated meditation space and carve an hour out of your day to meditate. Look at your day. Is there a repetitive activity that you do regularly? The next time you do it go in with the meditation intent, be aware of your thoughts and your mind. Allow all your thoughts to come up, acknowledge those thoughts and then let them go. It may take time to get good at this technique. The more frequently you try it the easier it will get and the faster those thoughts will come and go, then your mind can just rest. The more often you practice the easier the process will be, and then the faster you can reach your meditative state.

Meditation is a key factor in stress and tension release. Who can't benefit from extra stress and tension release in this day and age?

This article by Gaylene Thoeny, a 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher from SOYA, Personal Trainer, Lifestyle Manager, Yogi and mom in Langley BC. Go to www.groundinglifestyle.ca for more information. Gaylene specializes in creating a grounded life on and off the mat. You can also follow her at twitter.com/GayleneT on Twitter and www.Facebook.com/GayleneT on Facebook