In an attempt to meditate more frequently I signed up for a month-long membership at Unplug Meditation. It’s a guided meditation studio in Los Angeles that offers 30 and 45 minute group meditation sessions. They range from mantras to crystal healing classes. While I would like to get to a point where I am meditating by myself at home, I thought a group atmosphere and guided practice might jumpstart my practice again. I was right. This place is a little oasis and it makes meditation easy. It’s a calm atmosphere with soft light and candles. They offer cushions that fold into little chairs on the ground- you can keep them flat if you want to lie down or fold it to give you support when you sit. These cushions are pure gold- I’ve found that if I am not physically comfortable during my practice then my mind never stills. Instead I’m focused on the fact that my foot is falling asleep and my back is aching.
I’ve taken a range of classes at Unplug led by a different people and found that each teacher brings a whole new energy to the practice. One guided meditation that I absolutely loved (it may sound a little strange) the teacher led us back to the days of our ancestors- we weren’t told how far to go back so I decided to visualize 100 years or so back. I found myself standing by myself on a hilltop in Ireland…different shades of green as far as the eye could see…I could literally feel the wind in my face and hear the waves crashing on the rocks below. It was so incredibly powerful. I felt tethered to all that came before me. It was interesting letting my mind explore the new world- I wandered villages, watched people work, children play & animals wander.
When I left class that morning my perspective had shifted from what I could only see and touch in front of me to a vast and endless world beyond…past, present & future. It’s truly amazing where your mind can take you.
My visualization looked much like these photos…
My membership ends at the studio soon (after the month-long new student deal it’s pretty pricy to continue- major bummer!) so I will have to develop a space in my home that inspires me to calmly want to sit for long periods of time. Preferably one that Frank can’t bring his tennis ball into.
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For any of you interested in meditation here are some tips that have worked for me.
meditating in the morning before the day begins. I find my head space is clearer at this time
setting a timer for a desired amount of time so my focus can be on my practice and not the clock
stretching my body before so I feel less restless and more open
putting on light music or an online guided meditation (these free guided meditations are great)
focusing on my breath to anchor in the present moment
lastly, when unwanted thoughts appear I gently let them go by returning my focus to my breath. Don’t try to stop your thoughts; this will just make you feel agitated. Imagine that they are unwelcome visitors at your door: acknowledge their presence and politely ask them to leave.
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“Meditation is to dive all the way within, beyond thought, to the source of thought and pure consciousness. It enlarges the container, every time you transcend. When you come out, you come out refreshed, filled with energy and enthusiasm for life.”
David Lynch
365til30.com 
Unplug is available on ClassPass. If your workout routine includes other group fitness classes, you might consider signing up then continuing with Unplug. You would only be able to go three times per month…
I didn’t know that! Thanks for passing that along :))
Hey Kate,
My girlfriend and I just started a 11 week meditation course in September! We go every Friday night for an hour and we both love it. We leave feeling on cloud 9 and so relaxed! I have an infrared sauna I just bought and put in my basement and I actually started mediating in there because I LOVE the heat! I follow a guided meditation because I find it easier to follow someone’s voice otherwise my thoughts take over and I’m thinking more about my to-do list!! Anyway though….I’ve found that it’s helped and being in a group setting and then talking about our experiences with the rest of the class (only 5 people or so) is amazing! You feel so comfortable to be able to talk about the things you see with these strangers because we’re all there doing the same thing!! I love it, my friend Francesca loves it and I know my soul is grateful that I’m actually doing it!! I gotta try to keep up though and do it once a day! (right now – I don’t) Glad your loving it and enjoying it!! We seriously gotta meet for a coffee the next time I’m in LA! I’d love to meet you 🙂
Maria
Maria,
I love that you have started an 11 week meditation course- HOW FABULOUS! I agree with you…my soul is grateful when I make time to do it. I also agree with you that we have to meet for coffee next time you’re in LA!!! I’d love that!!!! Any upcoming plans? xoxo
Meditation tones the mind, the way a workout tones the body.
SO TRUE.
I felt your peace just reading this post, Kate. How wonderful that you have been praciticing – and Unplug sounds like such an inspiring place. I think, though, that you are completely ready to take it all home, if I may say so. You sound pretty secure and motivated. So, I’m sending you lots of love and light as you continue your journey. For me, I’ve hit a bump in my meditation time. I’m still doing it, but not “feeling” anything. Which sucks, but is all part of the journey. I know that that amazing feeling will return. The key is discipline and committment, right? Happy meditating, love! xo