In this last, brief look at meditation techniques, we turn to the body.

Progressive Relaxation

You can use progressive relaxation on it’s own, or before doing some of the breathing exercises outlined earlier. There are many variations on progressive relaxation of the general principle is always the same; either starting at the top of your body and working your way down all from the bottom and working up, imagine that each muscle group relaxing. You may find it easier at first, to tense the muscle group before relaxing it so that you can feel the contrast between the two states. Whether you choose to start at the top and work down water start at the bottom and work up, please make sure that you’re sitting in such a way that if you become really relaxed you can’t fall over!

Progressive relaxation is a physical meditation of its own; the conscious mind is distracted by the process of becoming more relaxed while certain unconscious level you are getting the benefits that come from meditating.

Another physical technique that you can use, is to gradually move your awareness from one part of the body to the other seeing if you can ‘feel’ each part in turn. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body.  Mentally imagine yourself releasing this tension. It works wonders as it has two benefits – relaxing the body and giving the conscious mind something to focus on.

For those of you who work with the bodies energetic systems, you can also see if you can feel each chakra in turn.