MARCH 2018 - 31 DAYS OF WELLNESS: MEDITATION CHALLENGE
03.01 - 03.31
"Meditation" and "mindfulness" are pretty huge buzzwords these days - with good reason: everyone seems to be on this quest to bring calmness into their lives, cultivate and (maintain!) inner peace, and figure out/define - or re-define - their purpose, or life's mission. Such things are attainable, but not in a way that satisfies our current era of instant gratification. Time and space exist when meditating and living/doing things mindfully, yet on a plane on their own. In recognizing, respecting, and appreciating the seemingly "slow" way meditation and mindfulness guides us through our lives, we are able to reap the benefits of such incredible practices.
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About meditation:
By dictionary definition, "meditation" means to reflect upon, ponder, or contemplate. It can also denote a devotional exercise of contemplation or a contemplative discourse of a religious or philosophical nature. The word meditate comes from the Latin meditari, which means to think about or consider. Med is the root of this word and means "to take appropriate measures." In our culture, to meditate can be interpreted several ways. via: www.yogajournal.com/meditation/let-s-meditate |
About mindfulness:
Broadly defined, “mindfulness” refers to any practice in which you concentrate and try to remain aware of your experience moment to moment. That experience is anchored by an object (like the breath), a sensation (like walking), a sound, a visual, or more, and ultimately aims to cultivate mental stability. via: www.yogajournal.com/meditation/find-meditation-style |
There are a ton of articles and web sites out there that can tell you the health benefits and scientifically proven benefits of meditation. I'm not going to bombard you with information, here - though I enthusiastically encourage you to do your research. Meditation and mindfulness are interesting and cool; it's different and deep - it's a personal journey worth exploring that looks and feels different to everyone. And that's okay. That's what it's all about.
About the 31 Day Meditation Challenge:
A daily meditation practice has had a positively profound impact on my life. I'd love for it to have the same impact on your life, too.
Making conscious efforts to meditate for as little as 5 mins per day can make a difference in your life in ways you have yet to imagine! There are so many different fun and stimulating (intellectually/physically/emotionally) ways to engage in meditation - if you are serious about incorporating meditation into your life, there is a way you can do it that will speak to you, that will work for you, and that will fit in nicely with your schedule. No more excuses.
Throughout the next 31 days, you are invited to explore various forms of meditation to find something that works for you- if you are new to meditation; and dive deeper into your meditation practice- if you are a seasoned meditator. Below are some awesome resources to get your started and encourage you along your meditation journey. (These are my favorites!)
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Insight Timer:
There are a lot of meditation apps out there. If you have one that works for you, awesome; by all means, keep using it! If you don't and are interested in finding one, let me recommend Insight Timer. And let me very sincerely and enthusiastically say this: I am in love with the Insight Timer! I really am! Not only is it free, it is thorough and extensive in the various options it provides to help motivate, inspire, incorporate, and maintain a daily meditation practice. The tools and resources available to anyone using this app are easily worth thousands of dollars - yet the app creators go out of their way to make sure this meaningful information remains accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to cultivate a personal practice and relationship with meditation (and themselves!). I'm all about that; I whole heartedly support that. Insight Timer has a lot of options for meditation:
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The most awesome and unique thing I like more about Insight Timer is the global community of mediation practicers who are kind, patient, eager, and willing to reach out to you and sit (or move) with you in mindful meditation at any hour of the day.
For iPhone iOS: get the app For Android: get the app Web site (if you don't have a smart phone): insighttimer.com *If you join Insight Timer, please add me as a friend: Alexeyeva Smith in Los Angeles |
DoYouYoga
Meditation is for everyone! Find balance and focus with yoga and meditation coach, Faith Hunter. The 30 Day Meditation Challenge is your way to finding complete balance and total zen. For 30 days you will receive one 10-minute meditation class per day, right to your email inbox. You'll get your zen on for 30 days, wherever you life. All you need to get started is an email address and 10 minutes per day to relax and let go. Join Faith Hunter and thousands of others on this amazing journey. Anyone, who wants to learn how to calm their mind and be a little less stressed-out can join. Your coach is world famous yoga and meditation teacher Faith Hunter. Explore and share with Faith as she will be your inspiring and generous mentor along your meditation journey! Sign up for FREE: 30 Day Meditation Challenge via DoYouYoga 
The Daily Meditation Podcast
Make meditation a natural part of your day...not something that interrupts it. A library of meditations at your finger tips: Join meditation coach Mary Meckley for daily meditation inspiration as she answers your questions and guides you on the journey of establishing a daily meditation ritual. Each week you're introduced to a brand new meditation theme to keep your meditations dynamic. Mary provides guidance as you sit down to meditate with her each day. She shows you how to make meditation a natural part of your day...not something that interrupts your day. How to engage Mary's meditations: - via Podcast: from web site or iTunes - via YouTube - via Soundcloud |
Meg McCracken's Audio and Video Meditations
Everyone's meditation journey starts somewhere. Mine was with Meg McCracken (and Shari Beard) during my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at the Wanderlust studio in Squaw Valley, CA. Meg and Share were the first yoga and meditation teachers I ever had that truly saw me; and encouraged and challenged me to dive deep into myself. I am forever grateful to them. Both Meg and Shari have 10+ years of teaching yoga and meditation under their mats and anyone lucky enough to be in class with them will walk out a completely transformed and better version of themselves by their time together. FREE audio meditations: Audio Practices FREE guided meditations videos (on fb): Meg McCraken Yoga - They are scattered throughout her fb page, though. If you'd like to do meditations with Meg, check the box in the form below and I'll be sure to send you the direct links to the meditation videos. If you're ever up in the Lake Tahoe/Truckee/Squaw Valley area, please treat yourself to one of Shari's classes. You'll be glad you did: Shari Beard Yoga. 
ZEN 31
Your Kickstart to Daily Meditation For 31 Straight Days - Every morning like clockwork you'll get a single mantra delivered directly to your inbox. Every one is hand picked for the PayBack Gift Community. Sit with the mantra for a minute in the morning to help you get rid of stress and anxiety, get better sleep and feel more confident in yourself (and more)! Holding on to your mantra throughout the day is a fast, easy way to to come back to your intention. Sign up for FREE: ZEN 31 Meditation |
And of course, you can always attend a meditation class in-person
(Please don't feel like you have to pay a lot of money for meditation in order to get or have a "truly meditative" experience, though. Because you don't.)
(Please don't feel like you have to pay a lot of money for meditation in order to get or have a "truly meditative" experience, though. Because you don't.)
Green Tree Yoga & Meditation Foundation
Address: 8227 South Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90047 Telephone: 310-710-0744 Website: https://www.greentreeyogameditation.org Class schedule: www.greentreeyogameditation.org/fall-schedule Price per class: Donation-based studio. Recommended donation: between $10-$20. - Everyone is welcome; no one is turned away for limited or lack of funds. 31-Day Meditation Challenge idea: - Attend class at the studio once a day for 31 days. Info to know: - Walk-ins welcome. - Paying for class in cash, in-person is totally fine. - Reserving your spot in the class online and paying for class online is totally fine. 
MeetUp
Website: www.meetup.com Class schedule: varies depending on class and location. Price per class: varies depending on class and location. 31-Day Meditation Challenge idea: - Attend a meditation MeetUp group as often as possible for 31 days. - Check out different indoor and outdoor locations for practicing meditation. (This can be an awesome way to meet new people who are also into meditation and mindfulness!) |
Wanderlust Hollywood
Address: 1357 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028 Telephone: 323-967-8855 Website: http://wanderlusthollywood.com Class schedule: http://wanderlusthollywood.com/classes Price per class: Price list - Drop-in (single class): $24. - New Student Special: $45 for 1 month of unlimited classes. - - Discount codes 31-Day Meditation Challenge idea: - Attend class at the studio once a day for 31 days.
Groupon: https://www.groupon.com
LivingSocial: https://www.livingsocial.com MindBody: https://www.mindbodyonline.com Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com 31-Day Yoga Meditation idea: - Attend class at a studio offering new student discounts once a day for 31 days. - Get a discounted class pass at a few different studios and studio hop for 31 days. |
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Event Details: 31 Day Meditation Challenge - Mediate for at least 5 mins a day for 31 Days Please fill out the form below so we can support each other along our meditation journeys. |
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