Can i meditate laying down

Personally, I have found that the so-called corpse position savasana in yoga seems to be the most natural and effective way to meditate lying down. If you've done yoga before, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and for this meditation you can assume the posture as you've been taught.

If you don't know what the corpse position is, that's okay, you can just follow along below. If possible, especially when you feel overwhelmed, it's best to choose a broad surface, one much longer and wider than your own body.

This provides the feeling that you're lying on an ocean, upheld in your time of weakness by the world, the earth itself. A broad surface also allows your body to extend and lengthen as much as it wants without worrying about bumping into something or flopping a limb off an edge. When your heart is aching, spread a blanket on the floor. Whether you're on a giant bed, mattress, or a blanket, lie down on your back so that your spine is in a straight line, parallel to the sides of the bed or blanket.

Imagine that your spine is a chain that's been put on the floor and pulled straight so that all of the links are aligned and disentangled from one another. Your hands should be spread out about a foot away from each hip with your palms up to the sky. In this position, the left and right sides of your body are perfectly symmetrical, perfectly balanced.

Keep your eyes open and look straight up, but don't stare at anything on the ceiling or above you. Again, allow your field of vision to present itself evenly. If, however, you're meditating in preparation for sleep, it's okay to close your eyes. Place the tip of your tongue lightly against the roof of your mouth just behind your upper row of teeth. Now, flex the muscles of both legs very strongly and raise them a few inches into the air in a brief, powerful leg lift. For a moment, your legs are two pillars of steel suspended low in the air.

Then, drop them and let them lie where they land. Your legs will probably land in roughly the same position, and your feet may tilt out to the sides. That's okay. Relax your legs completely and leave them alone. You're through with them for now. Now arch your lower back and raise your hips up a couple of inches off the mattress or floor. Tense the muscles in your lower back and buttocks. Now arch your upper back so that your spine rises in a bow while your buttocks and shoulders remain anchored on your sleeping surface.

Now clench your fists powerfully. Straighten your arms and raise them a few inches as you flex all of your arm muscles as strongly as you can for a few seconds. Finally, shake your head from left to right like you're gently refusing something.

Imagine that your face is swinging from left to right, back and forth like a metronome, slowly losing momentum until your chin comes to a stand-still perpendicular to the floor.

Your lower back should be flush against the bed or floor so that it's amply supported. On the other hand, if what you're lying on isn't wide enough, then tuck your arms against the sides of your rib cage while keeping them straight with the palms up.

If even that's impossible, clasp your hands by interlocking your fingers and place them over your lower abdomen.

In your meditation practice, feel free to be creative. Then, you'll be able to practice meditation lying down on a small sofa with your legs hanging off of the armrest or even in the backseat of a car. The point is, anywhere you can lie on your back, you can meditate. Preparation Breathing: Detoxifies and cleanses your mind and body.

Inhale through your nose and completely fill your chest. Hold your breath until it feels mildly uncomfortable. Then, exhale completely through your mouth. Diaphragmatic Breathing: The primary breathing method of Son meditation.

Inhale softly and slowly through your nose as you push out your belly as if it's filling up with air. Inhalation time should be about seconds. Exhale even more slowly through your nose as you draw your belly in toward your spine as if you're squeezing the air out.

At the same time, when we are seated, there is a certain degree of letting go and relaxation that takes place. Compare this to lying down, when most people immediately feel a little bit too relaxed and drift off to sleep, or standing, when most people feel a bit too tense after just a few minutes of standing still in one place.

Walking is another thing altogether. So generally speaking, sitting is always preferable to lying. The one exception is if we find ourselves in too much pain or discomfort to sit. In these situations, of course it is OK to lie flat on the floor as an alternative. On the other hand, if you want to leverage meditation to fall asleep faster, then meditating at bedtime can help you drift right into a restful slumber.

You can even meditate while standing straight as long as you follow the proper breathing methods and relax your body accordingly. If your bed is too plush and comfy, sleep will always get the better of you. This is why it may be a good idea to lay on the floor or yoga mat. Tags: Health , Spirit. Previous Post Next Post.

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