Alternatives to Sitting Meditation

Feeling antsy or distracted during personal introspection? Try incorporating these 4 techniques into your daily practice!

The 8 Chakra Meridian Centers

The human body is composed of 8 primary meridian centers, commonly known as Chakras. Chakra is the Sanskrit word meaning "wheel"  and much like a wheel, each center rotates in a spinning motion that distributes, realigns, and balances the energy within the body. There are 7 main centers located within the physical body, each having a direct and personal relationship with the vital organs to which it governs. When the chakras are out of balance or inactive, the physical body will react negatively, causing illness, depression and overall weakness of health.

What is Meditaiton?

The Oxford dictionary defines Meditation as a verb meaning "thinking deeply or focus one's mind (in silence for a period of time)". In translation from it's mid 16th century Latin origins meaning meditat or  ‘contemplated". Beginning at birth, each chakra period is developed for a period of seven years before moving on to the next one. The chakra development periods can be strengthened at a steady pace during meditation, and meditation can be used regularly to heighten one's self-awareness. Meditation is a personal ritual which can be practiced at anytime, any place, under any circumstances.

Traditionally, meditation is often depicted in a sitting, cross legged stance. The common and most glorified form of meditation is done in silence. Promoting connection from practitioner to spirit, it is often emphasized that one must set specific intentions. Then channel said intentions using mudras (hand signals). However, through years of studying Reiki and Tantra, I have learned that there are several ways to practice meditation without having to force the body to sit still in order to quiet the mind. In fact, movement meditation often increase chakra blockage by encouraging the wheels of motion to rotate in a positive direction. Thus developing, reactivating, and realigning the chakras with the same strength as sitting meditation. Below are a list of alternative methods, each corresponding to the first 4 chakras. Feeling antsy or distracted during your personal introspection time? Try incorporating these into your daily practice!

Colour Breathing for the SoulStar 

The first chakra is not typically acknowledged amongst the rest, and therefore, it is not included as one of the 7 primary meridian centers. However, the Soulstar may just be one of the most important chakra systems there is. The Soulstar is an invisible 9X9 feet egg-shaped circle of energy that encompasses your entire etheric field. It is your Aura itself and considered the home of your spiritual body! It is usually represented by a golden light or "the halo". Colour Breathing is a great way to interact with this chakra and also helps you to tap in to each of the other chakras by focusing on the color of the chakra you'd like to work with. Start by making yourself comfortable. This can be done by sitting, standing, or laying down in a face-up prone position. Close your eyes and bring your awareness to the breath. Be sure to inhale in through the nose, and out through the nose to warm up the body. Visualize the color of the chakra you'd like to work with. In this case we are working with the aura itself, so we'll visualize GOLD. If you are struggling to decide on a color to focus on, choose the color of an object within your immediate surrounding. Breathe in the color slowly. Imagine inhaling the color through your nose with each breath, and watch it escaping your body with each exhalation. One each breath, picture the color filling your lungs, circulating throughout your bloodstream, and offering itself as air to each of your vital organs. Notice the sensation left behind with each breath. It is recommended to meditate for a minimum of 5-10 minutes per practice, but please take as long as you need. Reflect and redirect your intentions for healing. When you are ready, start to bring your awareness back to the here and now. Slowly open your eyes. Take 3 deep breaths from the belly and notice how you feel. Best results are accompanied with written reflection. Enjoy your meditation.
 

Connection to Earth and Spirit for the Root Chakra 

Muladhara, the Root chakra, is spiritually located at the feet and is the ruler of the lower half of the body. Physically, it is controller of the kidneys, adrenals, and butt bone. It is represented by the color red and is the FIRST and base chakra of the 7 meridian centers. It's primary development occurs from ages 1-7 years of life. The Root chakra represents the element of Earth and most appears as security of self, home foundations, family (roots), trust in the universe, and ability to manifest what is needed for human survival. To meditate here, simply practice grounding. This can only be done outdoors and should only be done, barefoot or in non-rubber shoes when possible. Stand with your feet parallel, shoulder-width apart. Leave your arms loosely hanging by your sides, relaxing the shoulders but holding the chest open and proud. Do not lock your knees. Close your eyes while taking deep breaths, inhaling in through the nose and exhaling out through the nose to warm the body. Take your time and feel yourself connecting with the natural rhythm of your own vibrations. Do not force the breath. Imagine yourself a tree, standing at the top of the Earth's crown. Mentally affirm that your roots are deep, strong, and interconnected with all living things. Ponder: What does your connection with the Earth feel like? Do you feel safe or are you lost in your own land? Do you feel at home in your own body? Spend 5 minutes or so focusing beneath. Then imagine the sun above you. Continuing to breath, draw the energy from the sun into your body. Visualize yourself being cleansed by the rays, internally with each inhale and externally with each exhale. Feel yourself being supported by the ground beneath you, and uplifted by the sun above you. Ponder: Do you feel blessed? Do you feel grateful to be here? Are you showing gratitude for the land in which you stand? Spend 5 minutes or so here. When you are ready, bring your awareness back to the here and now. Slowly open your eyes. Take 3 deep breaths from the belly and notice how you feel. Best results are accompanied with outside exercise. Take a walk, practice yoga, or do a few jumping jacks to give the body a burst of awakening. Enjoy your meditation. 
 

Emotional Baggage Release for the Sacral Chakra

The second chakra, Svadhisthana or the Sacral, is both spiritually and physically located at seat of the reproductive organs and bladder. In women, this is the ruler of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and yoni. In men, this is the ruler of the penis, testes, scrotum, prostrate, and urethea. It is represent by the beautiful color orange, the element of Water and is most developed during the human puberty stage of ages 7-14 years of life. The Sacral chakra manifests as our sensual intelligence encouraging emotional self-awareness of the body, self-worth, sexuality, open expression, and the ability to give and receive blessings. To meditate here, practice emotional baggage release. Often the Sacral carries heavy energy from past life experiences and negative or toxic relationships. Emotional baggage can back-up libido and leave one feeling out of balance with their sexuality or disconnected with their image of self. It is recommended to create safe and private conversations with any negative emotions you feel about a certain person, experience, or time period in your life (past or present). Begin by setting your intentions and regulating the space you're practicing in by using calming music, incense, and/ or mood lighting. If this is being done outside, make sure to be in a well-light area which has plenty of sunlight. Take 3 deep breaths (in through the nose and out through the nose) before starting to clear the body of any anxiety that may be building as a result of resonating painful feelings. Then, write down the name of the person, the place, the object, or time period that belongs to the emotion you'd like to rid yourself of. The universe is always listening so be sure to use full names, and very descript verbiage of surroundings. Then literally toss the piece of paper in the trash! or tear it up into pieces until you can't read a word! or Burn it! Yes, set the feelings and experiences aflame, whichever is more ceremonial for you. Let the past emotions be free and watch them evaporate with the notes. This can typically be a very triggering practice so, write as much as you need and take as long as you need to complete your work. When you are ready, bring your awareness back to the here and now. Take 3 deep breaths from the belly and notice how you feel (you should feel lighter and your body will naturally respond to this practice by forcing you to rush to the bathroom!). Best results are accompanied by dancing or sacred movement! Throw on your favorite tune, whine those hips or treat yourself to a night out! Move freely, you deserve it. Enjoy your meditation.


Fire Breathing for the Solar Plexus

Manipura or the Solar Plexus chakra is the third meridian center, spiritually located right behind the belly button and is physically ruler of the spleen, liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. The Solar Plexus manifests as our vitality, sense of power, control, identity, relationships, stamina for physical activity, and the ability to accept and get along with others. Represented by the element of fire and the color yellow, this is where Agni lives. Ayurveda medicine teaches that Agni is responsible for digesting, absorbing, and assimilating our food. So the Solar Plexus chakra is where our digestive fire exists within the physical body. When functioning properly we are digesting food well, pooping regularly, thinking clearly, and maintaining strong immunity. A malfunctioning Solar Plexus (Agni) is the root cause for most diseases and imbalances. To meditate here, practice fire breathing or rapid nose breathing. This should be done in a sitting crossed-legged position for best results, but it can also be practiced standing up. To begin, close your eyes. Slowly inhale in through the nose and out through the mouth four times to catch your breath. When you are at ease, prepare to start your fire breaths with 4 more deep breaths in through the nose and out through the nose to warm the body. When you are ready, inhale deeply through the nose pushing the breath into the abdomen (the belly will expand when done correctly). Exhale fully through the nose as the abdomen contracts, forcing the lungs to expel the breathe completely (the heart can be felt pumping with each breath when done correctly). This should be practiced on average for 50 to 100 breaths, as rapidly as you can inhale and exhale. It is recommend beginners start with 25 breaths every morning to awaken the body and train the lungs to increase capacity. The more you practice, the easier it will become. When you are ready, take 3 deep breaths from the belly and notice how you feel. If done correctly, you should feel energized and restored. Best results are accompanied by written reflection or sacred movement, such as yoga. Enjoy your meditation! 

 

With peace and blessings, Goddess Tiffany 🤍💋

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