Meditation and mindfulness have been proven to help with feelings of stress, anxiety, low moods and depression, as well as helping to improve our ability to focus and concentrate.

Meditation is a core part of the yoga tradition. Within the 'eight limbs' of yoga written by Patanjali, there are two relevant ones: dharana (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). According to Patanjali, dhyana is ‘a steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region’ (Sutra 3.2). Dhyana is the final step before total absorption (the eight limb).

This complete focus on one object may last only a matter of seconds, it may last longer; each time the focus wanders, it is brought back to the object, be it the breath, or image, or a mantra etc.

Some people might feel they cannot meditate because “there’s always something going on in my mind” or “I can’t stop the thoughts”, or “I’m always thinking of something”. But meditation is not about stopping all thoughts, but focusing on only one thing, again and again, in between all the thoughts. As soon as other thoughts pop into the mind (and they will), the mind notices this happening and can re-focus on the chosen object. The meditation moment has been temporarily broken, but the practitioner can re-focus on their single point.

This can be achieved during a meditation practice, during asana practice and during pranyama, if the mind is completely focused on one thing.

My meditation journey

I have been practising meditation myself for a long time, and as well as attending yoga and meditation retreats have completed Foundations in Teaching Mindfulness Meditation certificate with YogaCampus.

Listen to me talk about about my meditation journey and my approach to establishing a daily practice in my YouTube video.

I have several free guided meditation audio tracks in the 'shop' page - you will need to set up a free account to access these.

Find out about mindfulness

Meditation and mindfulness as terms are sometimes used interchangably. Some people say there is no difference and some people say there is.

For a clear introduction to mindfulness see the NHS page written by Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre.