Getting the Jump on Your Meditation Session

As we all know, our mind may not be entirely ready, willing and able to slip into a meditative state just because we decide to finally sit down and do it.
Here are a couple of Tips & Tricks to “get the jump” on your meditation and make the most of the time on the cushion.

Why a Warm-Up Helps

The idea is, just like in some sport activity or even exercise routine, spending a bit of “warm up” time and make the main activity much easier to do.
So, matching your type of “warm up” with your style of meditation is a “tip” that can give you more mileage in your meditation.

Example 1: Breathing Meditation with an Alpha Warm-Up

Let’s say you decide to do a standard “feel and follow my breath” meditation which is a great standby for many of us.

• Alpha Waves (8–12 Hz): These are the most prominent in this style at least in the beginning for most people. They are associated with relaxed alertness and calm focus.
• Alpha waves increase during light meditation as the mind settles and external distractions fade.
• They support inward attention without drowsiness.

Warm-Up Suggestion:

You could do some Classic Brain Entrainment of either Alpha 10 Hz or Alpha 8–12 Hz.
As the Light/Sound Session ends (the Brain Prime), simply shift into your “feel and follow your breath” session (Brain Time).
👉 Instead of bumping into crazy thoughts and back pain…you may find yourself rocking in the cradle of breathing with any effort at all.

Example 2: Using FOCUS Sessions to Settle a Turbulent Mind

Similar to above but with a more dynamic “warm up”, consider one of the Brain Engagement sessions from the FOCUS group.
Either Still Point or Centered can really wrap around the mental activity that typically obstructs the beginning stages of a breath centered meditation.
👉This approach can be especially helpful if you approach your meditation from a more turbulent or emotionally unsettled state of mind.

Example 3: Refreshing Your Practice with Zen

Try something new instead of your common go-to in a meditation style.
To settle into simplicity and away from technical attitudes, from our Meditation Collection, try Zen for the full 20 minutes.
👉It invites a “no-technique approach” of “just sitting”.
It can be a big relief if your meditation often seems like work.