People find, or come to meditation for many different reasons.
Most commonly it’s to help them relax, manage stress or anxiety, feel calmer, improve sleep, manage pain, or a combination of these.
There are also many different types of meditation that work for people in different ways.
Some people swear by mantra.
Others prefer mindfulness.
Then there’s breathwork, visualisation, insight – to name but a few.
Some people prefer guided meditations – whether that’s in person, via an app, or online.
When it comes to position, some people like to lie down, some sit cross-legged on a cushion, others sit in a chair.
There’s no right way, or one way.
One of my regular participants suffers terribly with migraine.
So we keep trying different techniques to see if we can find something that can work for her.
I reached out to my meditation teaching community for their ideas and it was so interesting to see the very different suggestions, and things that had worked for some, but not others.
For example, some recommended mantra – including Hoʻoponopono – a traditional Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness.
Some suggested music – such as crystal bowls, or harp music.
But then it was pointed out you have to find the ‘right’ music for you and your migraine, or sound can make it worse.
Some recommended lavender – others said that could trigger their migraines.
A hand massage meditation was another suggestion.
Yoga nidra with its focused concentration helped some.
While others recommended a full body relaxation, or progressive muscle relaxation.
There’s so much to try, and choose from.
My point being if you have tried meditation for any reason in the past and it wasn’t quite right for you, try a different style or type.
Try different guided meditations – in person or online – it might be a case of finding a voice that relaxes and appeals to you.
Or try different mantras until you find one that resonates with you.
As the old adage says: if at first you don’t succeed, try, try and try again.
Everyone’s different.
Hopefully there’s something that will work, it’s just finding out what.
Ann 🙏