Keep Calm And Breathe

A few minutes of daily meditation can save a bad day, fix your broken heart, and ensure you stick to your new year resolutions. Vasudha Rai helps you find your practice.

- Vasudha Rai

1 JAPA, TO CALM THE MIND 

“This is ideal for people who are very rajasic (hyperactive) or tamasic (lazy), because it is an active meditation where you’re using a mala and the mantra,” suggests Sondhi. She explains that by continuously chanting the same thought in your mind or out loud, and counting it on a string of beads, it gets easier to focus. In traditional yoga schools, students receive a guru mantra (given to them by a teacher to chant) and a beaded mala. However, Sondhi says, you can also chant an affirmation that’s relevant to you, like “I am loved” or “I am peaceful”. Just ensure that there are no negative words. For instance, instead of saying “I am not fearful”, say “I am courageous”. A string of sandalwood beads is considered the gold standard in japa meditation because sandalwood is said to cool the mind. Once you begin meditating, it is important to do it continuously for 40 days at least to interrupt negative thought patterns and allow your mind to accept the phrase and embrace it as the truth.

2 BREATH MEDITATION, TO SHARPEN THE BRAIN