Yogamatters Guide to Yoga and Meditation

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yogi, you'll likely be familiar with the physical and mental benefits of yoga. However, if you consider practicing both meditation and yoga alongside each other, it can have a number of additional benefits compared to simply practicing one or the other. Although you don't have to meditate to practice yoga, or vice versa, incorporating both into your daily practice can help increase awareness and concentration over time, as well as help you feel more relaxed and switch off much more easily.

If you want to start a fulfilling yoga meditation practice, read on as we walk you through the different types of yoga meditation as well as the overall benefits of these routines. We also suggest a range of practical kits from our collection to help boost your practice.

What is Yoga Meditation?

Yoga and meditation are often considered separate practices and can be combined to create a relaxing, fulfilling routine. Forms of yoga such as Sahaja and Raja incorporate both yoga and meditation into their practice, resulting in a variety of both mental and physical benefits. So if you want to do a practice that leaves you feeling present and relaxed while challenging yourself and keeping you physically fit, you'll first need to familiarize yourself with the specific types of yoga meditation we've listed below and find out which one best suits your practice goals.

Types of yoga meditation

Sahaja yoga meditation

A process of self-realization, with practice, Sahaja Yoga meditation allows you to bring your true self to the surface. This form of yoga, which usually involves chairs, allows you to experience "kundalini awakening," which, depending on the person, can be achieved spontaneously or require years of practice to master. Unpredictable but very beneficial, as you experience this awakening, you may feel a heightened awareness or a strong sense of purpose that you should let flow through you rather than pondering the “why” behind it.

A unique practice that allows you to experience the state of thoughtless consciousness through kundalini awakening, meaning you are in complete control of your own thoughts. The transformative nature of this practice has a number of mental health benefits. From finding it easier to feel relaxed and content in the present moment to improved personal growth, with regular practice these feelings can be made long-term.

Raja yoga meditation

Another form of practice that involves self-realization, Raja Yoga meditation, involves a deep sense of self-awareness. Raja yoga meditation is considered a challenging routine to master due to the self-discipline involved and requires a high level of dedication and practice to be successful. But over time, it can have similar benefits to Sahaja yoga meditation, including an improved ability to channel your thoughts and increased contentment and satisfaction.

What is Yoga Nidra Meditation?

Yoga Nidra allows for a balance between your conscious and unconscious states and is completed by practitioners to achieve a deep state of relaxation while remaining aware of their surroundings. Known as “yogic sleep,” this type of yoga meditation is usually practiced while lying down, and when done regularly, the calming practice balances the breath and allows for a state intermediate between wakefulness and sleep, allowing you to “switch off” worries and stress.

How to do yoga meditation at home

If you want to start a yoga meditation routine at home, the equipment and routine required may vary depending on the type of yoga meditation you choose. Therefore, this guide serves as a general overview for those who want to start yoga and meditation in the comfort of their own home. Here are a few tips:

1. Finden Sie einen bequemen Sitzplatz: Der beste Weg, um damit zu beginnen, ist, einen ruhigen Platz zum Sitzen zu finden, der frei von Ablenkungen ist. Idealerweise abseits von Telefon, Laptop und Fernseher und an einem Ort im Haus, an dem Sie die Straßengeräusche nicht hören können oder auf ein Minimum reduziert sind. Setzen Sie sich dann einfach in eine bequeme Pose, die je nach Art des Yoga und der Meditation, die Sie praktizieren, variieren kann, und bleiben Sie still. Erkenne im Sitzen langsam die Gedanken an, die dir durch den Kopf gehen. Für viele kann es schwierig sein, nur ein paar Minuten lang ruhig zu sitzen. Daher ist es am besten, mit etwa 5 oder 10 Minuten zu beginnen, bevor Sie dies auf längere, ausgedehntere Perioden aufbauen.
2. Achte auf die Geräusche um dich herum: Schließen Sie langsam die Augen und lauschen Sie den Geräuschen um Sie herum. Ob es die Vögel sind, die draußen zwitschern, oder das leise Geräusch vorbeifahrender Autos, je mehr Sie sich auf diese Geräusche einstellen, desto mehr werden Sie bemerken. Obwohl dies Übung erfordert, werden Sie während Ihrer Yoga-Meditation mit der Zeit bestimmte Details der Klänge oder neue Klänge entdecken, die Ihnen vorher nicht aufgefallen sind. Auf diese aufmerksam zu sein, hat mehrere Vorteile, einschließlich eines erhöhten Bewusstseins, das es Ihnen ermöglicht, sich in diesen Momenten präsenter zu fühlen.
3. Aufmerksamkeit auf den Körper richten: Sobald Sie sich Ihrer Umgebung bewusst geworden sind, lenken Sie die Aufmerksamkeit auf den Körper. Auch hier kleine Dinge bemerken, z. B. ob Ihnen warm oder kalt ist, und sich bewusst sein, dass Ihr Körper den Boden berührt. Dies bringt Ihre volle Aufmerksamkeit in den gegenwärtigen Moment.
4. Folge dem Atem: Eines der wichtigsten Dinge bei der Beherrschung der Yoga-Meditation ist es, Ihre Aufmerksamkeit auf den Atem zu lenken. Um Ihren Geist zu beruhigen und Ihrer Atmung zu folgen, können Sie sich während Ihrer gesamten Übung auf etwas konzentrieren. Wenn Sie jedoch feststellen, dass Ihre Gedanken abgeschweift sind, seien Sie nicht frustriert über sich selbst. Bringen Sie Ihre Aufmerksamkeit stattdessen langsam zurück zum Atem und fokussieren Sie sich neu.

Benefits of Yoga Mediation

Any yoga meditation can have endless benefits, incorporating both relaxation and exercise into your daily routine and encouraging you to practice mindfulness. However, some of the main benefits of this practice are listed below:

• Reduziert Sorgen und Stress: Indem Sie loslassen und sich während Ihrer Praxis im Moment präsent fühlen, befreien Sie sich von allen Sorgen und Bedenken, die sich im Laufe des Tages in Ihrem Geist angesammelt haben. Durch die Vorbeugung von Burnout-Gefühlen und die Möglichkeit, Ihren Stresspegel besser zu bewältigen sowie das Risiko langfristiger, stressbedingter Gesundheitsprobleme zu verringern, hält das regelmäßige Praktizieren von Yoga-Meditation Ihren Geist klar und verbessert die Konzentration.
• Kann körperliche Schmerzen lindern: Das regelmäßige Praktizieren von Yoga-Meditation kann helfen, Schmerzen im ganzen Körper zu lindern, einschließlich Gelenkproblemen, Kopfschmerzen, Rückenschmerzen und mehr. Obwohl es vielleicht keine Heilung ist, werden die mit der Übung verbundenen Dehnungen und Entspannungen helfen, diese Schmerzen zu lindern.
• Hilft, die psychische Gesundheit zu fördern: Obwohl es in der Gesellschaft andere Maßnahmen gibt, um die geistige Gesundheit eines Einzelnen zu verbessern, kann Yoga-Meditation auch sehr vorteilhaft sein. Wenn sich Ihr Geist überfüllt anfühlt, kann der tiefe Zustand der Ruhe und Entspannung, der mit der Yoga-Meditation verbunden ist, dazu beitragen, den Geist von unerwünschten Gedanken zu befreien, die den Aufbau verursachen könnten, und dabei helfen, die Wahrscheinlichkeit negativer, überwältigender Emotionen zu verringern.
• Kann Flexibilität und Kraft verbessern: Yoga beinhaltet verschiedene Dehnungen und die Fähigkeit, diese über einen festgelegten Zeitraum zu halten, was bedeutet, dass es helfen kann, den Muskeltonus zu erhöhen und die Flexibilität zu verbessern, die beide sehr wichtige Teile der körperlichen Gesundheit einer Person sind.

Yoga and meditation equipment

If you're looking to get started with yoga meditation and need reliable equipment to guide you through the process, look no further than our range(link removed). With everything you need to incorporate mindful moments into your everyday life, we introduce you to some of the luxury yoga kits from the collection.

Yogamatters Hemp Restorative Yoga Kit – £110.00

Our restorative yoga kit contains the basic items needed to perform a restorative yoga routine and is perfect for beginners. Made from hemp, a highly sustainable choice, the pack includes all the practical essentials for your practice, including a bolster, eye mask, blanket and pad. And our hemp meditation set is worth the investment as it doubles as beautiful decor to complement your home decor when you're not practicing yoga.

Designed from the same material, ours(link removed)also offers all the sacred space essentials that will enhance your interiors. Our basic meditation package, including zaful, zabuton, eye mask, blanket and more, is available in three appealing colors including sunset, natural and moss green.

Yogamatters Restorative Home Yoga Kit – £80.00

If you are looking for a set that you can use at home and made of different materials, our restorative home yoga set is the perfect addition to your interior. No matter where you choose to practice in your home, from a special corner to a floor space in your room. Crafted from luxurious organic cotton, the bundle allows you to feel comfortable and relaxed during your practice, helping you enter a deeper state of relaxation. Designed in three luxurious, calming colors, choose your favorite from the range which includes natural gray ice and eucalyptus.

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Made from organic cotton, Yogamatters' Zabuton prevents discomfort when you practice in a seated position and ensures you don't meditate on a hard surface. While the luxurious eye pillow helps relax your eye muscles and block out distracting light, the blanket acts as a warm, comfortable support.

If you're looking for other luxury packages, check out our collection of functional yoga and meditation sets(link removed), which, similar to the Luxury Meditation Set, includes an eye mask and blanket, but has padding and a block in place of the zabuton. However, if you are looking for something with more style, our collection also offers attractive prints with ourYogamatters Luxury Daisy Print Restoration Yoga Kit – £110.00.

Yogamatters Organic Cotton Nidra Kit – £140.00

If you want to delve deep into Yoga Nidra, our kit contains everything you need for a revitalizing practice. Designed for a routine that helps reduce stress and anxiety, this versatile pack will help improve your overall well-being. Featuring a mat, bolster, blanket, eye mask and complete with one of our wonderfully scented signature candles, the set also includes a handy travel bag perfect for traveling from A to B. And you have complete freedom to choose from a gray organic cotton ice cream kit (as pictured above) or a hemp kit in a natural shade.

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If your thoughts lean more towards yoga than meditation but you're not sure how to get started, our new Starter Yoga Kit contains everything you need to start a successful yoga practice. With essential props such as a mat, two blocks and a yoga strap, we have recently expanded our color range for this pack, which is now available in 13 attractive color combinations so you can choose your favorite. However, if you are looking for a more sustainable choice, ours isYogamatters Sustainable Starter Yoga Kit – £42.00which contains similar props offers the ideal solution.

Shop meditation and yoga kits at Yogamatters

Whether you're looking to start yoga or meditation, or incorporate a combination of both into your practice, our collection of(link removed)at Yogamatters offers everything you need to build a routine that works for you and allows you to take time to improve your physical and mental well-being.