If I had to describe in one word what meditation has done for me it would be ‘Balance‘.
My life with a busy family is constantly keeping me challenged – physically, emotionally and mentally. Introducing meditation has given me the ability to bring balance into my life on a daily basis.
It has given me better coping skills with daily issues that arise and I feel I am a better person to those around me, having more patience and being less emotionally reactive.
Supporting my emotional and mental health has in turn improved my physical health in areas of pain, strengthened immunity, blood pressure, fatigue and sleep. More importantly, I feel I am a better person to myself – less judgemental, less stressed and more rational.
I feel, see and appreciate what meditation does for me everyday, so I am committed to regular practice and integrating it into my daily routine. However, if there is a day when I am unable to meditate, I do not berate myself or feel frustrated. I accept it is not to be and move on.
My Practice
My meditation practice each day occurs in several different ways, what I like to describe as formal and informal.
I begin each day with a 10 – 20 minute meditation seated in a quiet space in my home, prior to the family arising. Meditating at this time prepares me for the day. If my sleep has been disturbed, or unsettled, meditating upon waking helps to ‘clear the clutter’ and release the mental fatigue that comes with broken sleep. It also helps to bring me clarity and as a result I find I am more productive in tasks.
Using Spot Meditations
I also do many ‘spot meditations’ throughout the day. These spot mediations happen in several ways.
If sitting in the car at traffic lights, or waiting in a queue at the supermarket, I will do three sighs, immediately feeling the tension and stress released from my body. These spot meditations bring me back to the present when I am trying to multi task and have many thoughts going through my head.
By stopping to do the breath, it releases any tension in my shoulders, neck and face, interrupts the constant stream of thought, and allows me to take a moment to reset and come back to focusing on one thing at a time. Doing this allows me to more present and a lot more productive.
My second short or spot meditation is when I am walking. I find when I am busy I tend to walk ‘anxiously’ or ‘highly aroused’, often catching my reflection and being surprised at my hunched shoulders, tense posture and stiff, jerky movements.
I now try to walk ‘consciously’, being more aware of my body and softening the muscles and movements. I do this by sighing deliberately three times and then focusing my attention first on my face, then shoulders, hips and legs. I immediately feel the tension lessen, my body soften and my movements flow more. It feels so lovely to ‘glide’ in my walking rather than be jerky, and I feel my posture improve allowing the breath to flow more freely too.
The Benefits
Meditation is a skill that I believe has been an integral part of my personal growth in the past 18 months. I feel that the physical and mental benefits I have gained have not only improved my life, but also the lives of those around me. I am committed to supporting myself, my family and those that I associate with in my oils business, in all areas of health and wellness. I believe that we need to look at all areas of our lifestyle in order to do this – sleep, diet, physical activity and toxic load within our daily activities. My regular meditation practice has helped with:
• Improved sleep
• Better focus and attention
• Increased productivity
• Emotional regulation
• Decreased stress
• Increased relaxation
• Supporting more positive habits
• Increased mental wellbeing
• Stronger immunity
• Improved relationships
Meditation & Essential Oils
How we feel physically, mentally and emotionally determines the state of our overall health and wellbeing. My journey with essential oils has presented me with the opportunity to support and encourage others to be more proactive in their health. My intention moving forward is to introduce my community to the benefits of combining meditation and essential oils as tool to support their physical and emotional health.
The essential oils I use have many benefits such as:
- Immune and respiratory support
- Relieve sleeplessness and quieten a busy mind
- Reduce feelings of sadness and anxiety
- Promote emotional balance
- Lessen stress and tension
- Calm emotions
- Enhance and support focus
- Muscle support
- Digestive support
One can draw parallels between the benefits of mediation and essential oils. I believe that through my regular meditation practice, it has allowed my body to be more receptive to the oils.
What I hope to achieve through meditation personally and professionally comes down to one thing – being able to teach others the skill and benefits of meditation, and encourage them to make it part of their daily routine in order to bring more clarity, balance and less stress into their lives.
Guided Meditation Classes
Meditation is quite simple but many are reluctant or hesitant to start, thinking it is unattainable to ’empty’ their mind, and find it difficult to get started or maintain their practice on their own. Meditation is not about thinking of nothing or clearing the mind, but more about choosing a focus for your attention and simply observing your own thought processes.
At Serenity classes, you will be welcomed into a soothing, calm environment where you will be gently guided through breath and restorative meditations. Each class has a focus oil to compliment and enhance your meditation and relaxation, finishing with cacao treats and herbal tea.
Ideal for taking some time to reconnect with yourself and like minded people!
Would you like to start a meditation practice, or maybe strengthen your current one? Whether new to meditation, a seasoned meditator or somewhere in between, SWC meditation classes and perfect for any level. Let me help you create the calm you crave through online or studio meditation classes.
Book through the Serenity Wellness Collective website
Special Offer for Melville Mums
Use code MELVILLEMUMS to receive a month of online classes for just $20
For details and to book go to https://serenitywellnesscollective.com.au/meditation/
About Narelle
Narelle is the founder of Serenity Wellness Collective and Meraki Essence and believes in a collaborative approach to supporting both physical and mental health.
She is a meditation teacher, doTERRA wellness advocate and mum to three children with a passion to support mental and physical wellbeing through natural alternatives.
Narelle is a dedicated practitioner of mindfulness and meditation and through weekly classes and retreats loves to share her passion for meditation with others.
She has completed the Certificate of Mindfulness Teaching (Perth Meditation Centre) , Level 1 of STM training with Tracy Whitton and is currently studying Meditation Teaching and Holistic Human Development through Higher Branches College.
Narelle credits her own daily practice to living a life with enhanced mental clarity and focus, improved immunity, better quality sleep and strengthened emotional regulation and balance.
Through SWC Narelle organises and hosts events, workshops, one day retreats and classes with natural health practitioners and motivational speakers, bringing together a collaboration of natural therapies for the community to experience.
Narelle’s contribution to the community also includes charity events hosted three times a year with a guest speaker to share their story and bring awareness to different areas of health.
To stay up to date with all things Serenity Wellness Collective, you can follow Narelle on Facebook and Instagram.
