As most of you know, I am very passionate about teaching my patients mind-body practices that activate your body’s healing resources. Your body is designed to heal and we can massively amplify that healing potential with meditation, breathing exericses, Qi Gong, and many other mind-body practices.
For many though, meditation is really challenging and uncomfortable. That’s one reason why I really love helping patients find the practices that they enjoy so it’s easier to create a daily practice. A lot of people assume they have to meditate for long periods, but the truth is even brief intervals of bringing a sense of mindfulness and relaxation into your day are helpful. But what do you do when you want to meditate but can’t get relaxed enough or find a practice that works for you?
I have found some free meditation apps that make a huge difference. They will expose you to different meditative techniques and approaches, so you can find one that resonates with you. They will also help you set goals, track your progress, and connect with other meditators locally and internationally.
Insight Timer
Nearly 409,000 meditation experiences were recorded in my app today and it is only 9am as I write this. Insight Timer is, I believe, the largest community of meditators on the planet. There are so many things to love about this app. Free guided meditations, meditation classes, meditation music and talks by meditations teachers are added every day. The meditative music and guided meditations are particularly helpful for people who have a hard time relaxing or focusing on their own. There is also a timer that allows you to create your own meditations with interval bells, ambient sound and duration times. The app will record your daily sessions which gives you a sense of accomplishment. There are also forums on the app that allow you to connect with other meditators from around the world on different topics.
Verdict: This is a life-changing app!
Lotus Bud
Some of you may have heard my Lotus Bud MIndfulness app while you are at my office. This app will ring bells at random times during the day and remind you to breathe, to pay attention to your posture, to practice relaxation. When this app rings I often find myself hunched over the keyboard and it reminds me to straighten up, take some deep breaths, and bring a feeling of love into my heart. Lotus Bud also has a meditation timer which is a great app as well.
Verdict: Highly recommended for mindfulness practice
If you think we can be of help to you in your mind-body practice, schedule an appointment now!
