If It Worked For Them...

I’m sure I wasn’t alone in my joy over news of the safe rescue of all 12 members and the coach of the Thai soccer team that was trapped in a flooded cave. It took rescuers ten days to locate the team and several more days to safely extract them. The coach is a former monk and taught the boys to meditate in order to keep them calm in the cave while awaiting rescue. This seemingly simple act literally kept the boys alive: rescuers say that when they found the team, oxygen levels in the cave were depleted to the point where they would likely have run out if they weren’t conserving energy by meditating most of the day.

During yoga teacher training we started each session with 20 minutes of meditation. With consistent practice I noticed that my mind was clearer and more focused; my thoughts didn’t race with worry to the worst case scenario in every situation; I no longer felt constant anxiety in my chest; I was more accepting and less reactive when life didn’t go as planned. SimpIy, I was able to be present in each moment, and it felt like MAGIC.

Try it! Sitting with your back straight and your shoulders relaxed, close your eyes or lower your gaze and find somewhere where you feel your breath moving in your body: your belly, your chest, your throat, or your nostrils. Concentrate on that single point, gently bringing your attention back whenever your focus wanders. Remember, it’s a practice! There is no such thing as a perfect meditation. Even 5 minutes a day can make a huge difference.