How To Set Up A Meditation Area

Our homes are a carefully curated collection of dedicated spaces, so if meditation is part of your daily routine (or you'd like it to be) then allocating a meditation infinite for it makes consummate sense.

It's like shooting fish in a barrel to make excuses for not doing something because nosotros don't think nosotros have the room, or at that place are too many distractions, simply actually carving out a sanctuary – no matter how modest – will encourage you to go on up your exercise, and soothe your soul every time you enter that space.

Writer and photographer Melanie Barnes of @geoffreyandgrace believes that while it is possible to meditate anywhere, it does help to have a go-to meditation infinite in the home, peculiarly if you are new to the practice.

"Creating a designated space at home that is calm and free from distractions can actually help the mind settle down and stay focused," she explains. "Plus, if yous regularly meditate in the same place you volition begin to infuse that corner of your home with a calm energy. By but stepping onto your mat (before you even begin your practice), y'all will find yous offset to exhale deeper just through clan."

There are no difficult and fast rules almost how to create a meditation space at abode, merely life and meditation coach Bonnie Rasmussen of riseatwork.com explains where to begin: "In my experience y'all don't need much, less is very often more. A expert starting point for creating the perfect meditation space is simply thinking about what feels good to y'all.

"Then allow yourself exist guided by what nourishes your senses. Assuming y'all are in your dwelling, choose the room y'all experience the most relaxed or undisturbed in."

Melanie Barnes meditating at home

seven ways to create a meditation space in your domicile

It's not necessary to dedicate an entire meditation room, but it'southward all-time to select a quiet space that has a depression level of 'traffic' – often your own bedroom or a spare room works well – but make sure it is ataxia-gratis. If this is tricky to avoid, then consider setting up a screen.

If you have more than space, and then why not go for it and create an entire room for your practise? It could always double upwards as a space for yoga, reading or crafting. Bonnie, who hosts intimate meditation sessions in her home, converted her basement into a space for her guests.

Read on for Bonnie's meditation room ideas…

"It is a very small-scale infinite busy in chalky whites and earthy tones with only a few accessories in natural materials like linen, wood and wicker. The walls are deliberately kept bare and the flooring has a seamless stop that flows through the entire infinite.

"Prior to a session the meditation room is 'dressed' in candle light, warming blankets, mattresses, eye pillows and cushions, making information technology feel very peaceful and cocooning."

Consider which colours promote relaxation and security in you. Similar to Bonnie, many will notice pale, neutral shades are the most calming, but others may feel more cocooned, condom and at ease inside a darker palette.

Shelves for storing meditation furnishings and tools

Add together soft effects for comfort

Comfort is a priority, and then some large cushions, sheepskins, mats and blankets are essential. If it'southward not possible to take these laid out permanently, shop them in a natural basket and keep them on display. Tucking them away in a cupboard may lead to them existence 'out of sight, out of mind'.

Create soft lighting for relaxation

Every bit humans, lite is incredibly of import to our mood, so think about what kind of low-cal makes yous experience able to focus best. Natural calorie-free is wonderful, and you may want to choose a space which faces the sun – depending on your schedule – to take advantage of beautiful dawn or dusk light.

Or, if yous prefer dimmed low-cal, and then opt for a space with curtains and use candles every bit your calorie-free source. Other than lighting your space, candles, along with incense, aromatherapy oils and smudge sticks, add new layers to your exercise.

Brand odour a part of your ritual

Scent, particularly essential oils, assists relaxation, while burning sage or other herbs tin help to cleanse the infinite.

Lensman Melanie also sees these additions equally a valuable pace in preparing your heed: "At that place volition be elements of your meditation gear up that can actually form office of your practice.

"The ritual of lighting a candle, rolling out the mat, or burning some sage becomes the signifier that you are about to sit down in stillness, and turn your attention inward. These pocket-sized acts of preparing the infinite for meditation aid to go your mind and body ready for the exercise likewise."

Adding a found or two will improve air quality, likewise as connecting you to the natural world, while making the space more inviting.

Personalise your meditation space

Without succumbing to clutter, you lot can make the space more than personal if at that place are items you feel help to ground you in your do. Crystals, a singing bowl or mala beads are ofttimes used to assist meditation, but only add these to your space if they assist you to connect inwardly.

Cut out groundwork noises

If you live in a urban center, or in that location is a lot of groundwork racket in the house, then playing some soothing music can help to lengthened distractions. Bonnie highlights how everyone's requirements are different: "People have different sensitivities, some are more sensitive to racket, others to visual distractions or kinaesthetic sensations [body awareness]."

With this in mind, recall that your meditation space is personal, so use your intuition to inspire what makes information technology experience right for you.

Don't be afraid to try things out until y'all find a sense of peace and clarity that allows you to connect deeply with yourself. Look inward, then reflect this onto the space that will support and nourish your body and mind.

Want to learn more about mindfulness? Get a grounding in the practical skills you need with an online mindfulness class or discover the calming power of writing with our option of the best mindfulness journals.

Candle photograph by Cathy Pyle.

About In The Moment Magazine

This commodity was first published in In The Moment Magazine issue 25. Unfortunately In The Moment Magazine is no longer available in print, but In The Moment Magazine dorsum bug are bachelor on Readly.