"Meditating will change your life!"

My name is Audrey and I am a yoga and meditation teacher at Shanti Som Wellbeing Retreat.

Audrey, could you explain what is meditation?
“Meditation is to be aware of what is going on: in your body, in your feelings, in your mind, and in the world” Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher and spiritual leader).

Is the meditation a technique, a state. Could you please clarify this, I think there is a bit of confusion on this issue.
Meditation is a state of being, there are many different techniques that can be used to access the meditive state.

How does the practice of meditation affect our wellbeing?
Meditation helps our body to release stress.

Can meditation be curative?
Meditation, when practiced regularly, is a very powerful tool that can help heal our mind and our heart: improving our mental and emotional wellbeing.

Can meditation be harmful to the body or mind?
No!

There is only one type of meditation? How is the meditation offered by Shanti Som?
Many types of meditation exist and at Shanti Som we want to share with our guests a range of different practices so that each guest can find what they prefer, what works best for them, and what resonates better with them at this point in their life.

Also, each meditation teacher at Shanti Som guides meditations that have been inspired by their own studies, maestros, and personal practices.

Is it convenient and is it possible to practice meditation at home? What mistakes do we usually make when trying to meditate at home?
Yes, the beauty of meditation is that it can be practiced anywhere.

At home, choose a time when you will not be disturbed, a quiet place where you can relax. You can choose to sit or lay down but make sure that the posture you choose feels comfortable. You can also listen to a guided meditation if you are new to meditating. Be patient, keep on practicing even if at first it feels challenging! Meditating will change your life.

Which people should never practice meditation?
Everybody should meditate, everyone can meditate.

From what age can meditation be practiced?
There is not a specific age to start. Nowadays a lot of schools are starting to teach meditation to children so from a really young age we can already start benefiting from it.

What is the recommended duration of a meditation?
I would say for at least 10/15min to start, if possible daily.

When is it the best time to practice meditation?
The best moment is when you are not disturbed. Consistency is also important so find a time that suits you and meditate at the same time everyday to build a habit and daily meditation practice.

First thing in the morning or last thing before bed are usually the time we recommend.

In which Shanti Som programs are the meditation sessions included?
All programs. We combine physical wellness with mental wellbeing in all our programs. Meditation classes take place every evening at Shanti Som.