What To Do When Meditation Is Annoying

I have an anxious mind and I'm a notorious multitasker. Sitting down and trying to shut off my brain is no easy task, for that very reason meditation has eluded me for years. A yoga practice has always worked for me as a way to relax. By the end of class my brain has shut off and the tension has left my body. I consider my yoga practice a moving meditation.

There are times in my day where I really need to let go and relax. A yoga practice just isn't practical (like when driving). But when I try to meditate, I can't get my mind to focus. I feel like I'm getting more anxious. Instead of meditation relaxing me, I find it annoying as it builds frustration because I can't let go.

I'm a physical person, which is why my brain and body responds so well to my yoga practice. I enjoy movement and find it calming. To sit still is so hard for me. Moving meditation is great, but not always an option. So what to do?

There's a lot of buzz out there about how great meditation is and how it can solve so many of our emotional and stress problems. There's almost this pressure to practice it. I often feel guilty that I don't practice meditation regularly, one would think as a yoga teacher I would practice it daily.

The first step to enjoying meditation, is not to feel that you have to do it. You can't make yourself relax. If you force it, you'll just end up causing more stress. You'll find meditation when you're ready. You can also ease into it. Don't feel that you have to start a daily practice. Perhaps just try it when you really need it in times of stress.

Add physical movements to your meditation. One thing I like to do is focus on my breath. On the inhale I'll ball my  hands into fists and picture my stress being squeezed in my hands. I then exhale through an open mouth (like a long sigh) and release and open my hands, imagining my stress floating away. The same technique could be applied to your shoulders. Inhale and raise your shoulders up towards your ears, on the exhale allow them to relax down.

Any kind of subtle movement will work with this technique. You're basically giving your mind and body something to focus on instead of all the chatter in your brain. Experiment a bit till you find the right little movement for you. Find a comfy position. If you're tired and trying to sit up in a perfect meditation position, you'll be annoyed. Sit against a wall or find a restorative yoga position. The key is to be comfortable, but not too much so that you don't fall asleep.

Mala beads are another great option. They're similar to prayer beads, where you run the beads through your fingers. With each bead you say a mantra (a positive saying). By the time you get to the end of your strand, hopefully your mind has cleared. Be specific when choosing your mala beads. They are generally hand made and the stones that you choose should have a specific meaning or energy that suits you.

The other nice thing about mala beads is that you begin to associate them with relaxation. On days when you know it's going to be hectic, you can wear your beads as a reminder to slow down and take a breath.

With the budding popularity of meditation, there's a lot of books and articles out there to reference and learn from. It's important to understand who you are and how you work. Meditation isn't a one size fits all. Just like you chose a yoga practice that works best for you, you'll want to choose a meditation that works best for your mind. Meditation shouldn't be one more irritant in your life, it's there to help you let go and cope with life's stresses.