I recently did my first Pranayama/meditation class.  Pranayama is yogic breathing, and this class was all about finding stillness using breath, and meditation.

It was really challenging to sit:  you become aware of all sorts of aches and pains, tingles, pins and needles, and it takes discipline and practice to stay focussed on the quiet place.  Random useless thoughts like lunch, trivia, weather, chatter all pop in, and the trick is to let them just pop out and not stay.  Which is where regular practice makes a difference…you get better and better at just shutting down the brain.  (see the illustration below)   After the class I was definitely blissed-out and in a really good place.

For ages, I’ve been trying to incorporate more meditation in my life.  But it seems so much easier to always be doing something, than to focus on just being.

Why meditation?

Not new age mumbo jumbo, but scientifically proven: a little bit of stillness is beneficial for us all navigating the daily tumble through life.

Tai chi, meditation, yoga…anything that stops the chatter in the brain and lets you just observe yourself gives the brain respite. 

A sense of detachment to understand context.  A calmness to act, and not just react.

Scientific tests have proven that regular meditation builds contentment and a sense of peace.  Read the Science Daily article here.

As our worlds get increasingly complex, and there is no escape:  mobile phones, berries, ipods – we’ve lost the ability to sit and do nothing.  When you find yourself waiting for something (the train, the bus, the doctor…) are you able to just wait and let your mind wander?  Or do you have to be plugged into something; reading something; playing something?

Do yourself a favour and build some quiet space in your busy brain.

See, I know all this, yet making meditation a daily ritual has been challenging.  For someone whose brain is constantly chattering, judging, criticizing, (and on the flip side, seeing the ridiculous in everything), meditation is necessary.

I even wrote a story on it before.

Even though I zone out at cardio time it’s still not the same as just being.  And yoga helps, most definitely, but I’d still like a more regular meditation practice.  I’ll definitely be incorporating the prana class into a regular schedule.

Most of us find it really challenging to make the time.  (yet have you noticed, it’s so much easier to do something that’s bad for you?)

Maybe it’s easier if you sign up for a course, make the commitment and pay.  There are lots of different kinds of meditation – from still to movement to sound to breath…the intention is the same – to create stillness in the mind.

If you need the discipline of a class, try these:

Kadampa Meditation Centre

134 Neil Road

Tuesdays and Fridays, 7.30 – 9pm

Thursdays 12.15 – 12.45 pm

43 Jalan Merah Saga, #02-04 The Workloft at Chip Bee

Wednesdays  7.30 – 9pm

$10 per class and no booking required.

At Basic Essence, #04-04 Cluny Court

Tuesdays and Thursday 7.30 – 8.30

$12 per class

Various classes at Wasabi Yoga

Classes and retreats at Sanctuary on The Hill 195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace #03-11 The Station $15 per class

Pranayama (breath meditation) classes available at some yoga studios, try

Yogaspace 28A/B Liang Seah St Saturday, 11.15-12.15 (pay per class or package)

Pure Yoga (Ngee Ann City) with Anna, Sundays 12.30 – 1.45; at Chevron House Saturdays 12pm (membership required)

True Yoga on 2-3pm Sundays at Pacific Plaza

Let me know how you get on.

If anyone comes across a good Qi Gong or Tai Chi class, please let me know…my search has not been very successful so far.

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