This is a simple and effective meditation to practise at home. You may wish to record this meditation or have someone else record it for you so you can play it back during your meditation. Allow 20 minutes. Find a quiet place and make yourself comfortable.

Take a deep breath in and observe how you feel, identifying areas of tension.
Focusing on your breathing, concentrate on a gentle inhalation followed by a long, slow exhalation.

Gradually deepen your breathing, feeling your chest widen and the air reaching as low as your abdomen. Let your abdomen expand with every inhalation. As you exhale, feel your muscles soften as tension leaves your body. Repeating every inhalation twice, move your focus to your feet.

As you breathe in, stretch every toe as far away from your body as you can. With an exhalation release the tension. Breathing in, flex the foot, stretching the calf muscle by pushing your entire weight into the heel. Pull tight and hold then release with the out breath. Repeat. Inhale, tense your knees, and think about how much work they do in carrying and moving your body forward, then release with the out-breath. Repeat.

Focusing on the thigh muscles, take a deep breath in and pull these muscles tightly against the femur bone, the longest and strongest in the body. Exhale, and releasing the muscles, feel the tingling sensation. Repeat. Breathing in, visualise your hips, with the curve of your pelvic crest. These strong bones will open slightly to allow your baby’s journey through the birth canal.
Breathing out, visualise the flexibility and strength of your body. Repeat. Breathing in again, clench your buttocks, the collection of gluteal muscles are pivotal in balancing the top and bottom halves of the human body. These dynamic muscles work extra hard to carry your weight during pregnancy. As you breathe out feel the release of those deep-seated emotions you no longer need. Now focus on the pelvic floor muscles. Breathing in, pull tight as though stopping urination mid flow. Hold for five seconds then release. Repeat this exercise four times.

Take a moment to note how you feel. In your abdomen, imagine the little life you are creating. Welcome it into your body. Feel proud that you have chosen to nurture this soul. Know that it is safe and will only enter the world when you are both ready. Believe that the two of you will have a happy and positive labour.

Continue breathing rhythmically. Move your focus to your shoulders. Flatten your shoulder blades so they come together, closing the gap between them. Breathing in, feel your chest expand, and pull your shoulders downward towards your buttocks. Feel the stretch in your neck. Breathe out and release. Imagine the nerves and blood travelling to your fingertips, enlivening every tissue on their path. Lengthen your fingers, to receive this rush of energy, extending the tips away from you. Breathing in, feel every arm muscle. Release with a long slow exhalation. Bring your focus to your head. Relax the muscles of your forehead and concentrate on your breathing.

If thoughts are still arising, give them a moment and let them float away. Focus on the point between your eyebrows. The Third Eye. Feel as though every ounce of life is coming in through this point and travelling to the deepest point in your toes. As you breathe in, imagine the air re-oxygenating every cell in your body. With the out breath, every molecule of carbon dioxide is returning to the atmosphere. Continue breathing rhythmically. As you breathe, make every breath longer and deeper.

Continue the rhythm until there is no conscious effort and your body is peaceful, surrendering its will to the flow of breath.

No related posts.

Meditation is a most powerful way to relax the mind. Many cultures practice meditation as a way of life and claim it provides higher levels of consciousness and spiritual awareness. The stillness of the mind brings with it new perspective and a greater ability to cope with stress, shock and trauma.
The increased awareness experienced during meditation is medically supported by a definite pattern of electrical activity in the ‘thinking’ part of the brain called the cerebral cortex. The brainwaves associated with this electrical activity are called alpha waves. Similar waves are found in calm, dreamy states, such a sleep. It is thought that these brainwaves have a beneficial effect on the body’s natural control processes, slowing the heart and lowering the blood pressure.

Stimulus

Our bodies are complex in their ability to read, assess and respond to stimuli within a fraction of a second. A near miss crossing the road can send our adrenal gland soaring, heart pumping and palms sweating. We spend our days reacting physically, mentally, emotionally and intuitively to the stimulus around us. Meditation provides an opportunity for our bodies to return to a state of balance. Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims all centre their practice on meditation.
Anyone can practice meditation with or without religious or spiritual associations and the more you practise, the easier it becomes. You may prefer to learn in a group or from a book, video or audio recording. Or you may already have a system that works for you.

Preconception

Meditation as a relaxation technique can help anxiety, frigidity, tiredness and menstrual, hormonal or digestive problems. It is powerful in its ability to reduce stress.

Pregnancy

Meditation is useful in treating morning sickness, stress and anxiety, fatigue, heartburn, mood swings and back pain.

Labour

According to English Childbirth Educator Sheila Kitzinger, ninety percent of childbirth is determined by what is going on in the head. Having a clear and focussed mind provides you with a greater chance of managing a positive labour. If you view the pain as productive and with a purpose, your body and mind will be more dynamic in its response. The more familiar you are with meditation, the more effective it will be as a method of pain control during childbirth.

Meditative State

Many women say they enter a meditative state during labour. The breathing and level of concentration provide an internal strength, free from distraction.
Most women say that isolating each contraction as an individual meditation increases the intensity of focus. It becomes a more productive process as each moment is dealt with spontaneously; reducing the anxiety of the unknown that lies ahead.

Mantra

Mantra or chanting is another form of meditation. You may choose a single-word or sound that when repeated, occupies the mind and creates a vibration. Many women choose affirmations that are meaningful or symbolic to the flow of birth, such as ‘I trust my body’s ability to give birth naturally’, or ‘I have trust in my strength’.

Visualisation

Sometimes a picture or visual image can help you to collect your thoughts. It may be a painting of sentimental value, a photograph, a colour, or a logo on your birthing partner’s shirt. Music, candles and burning essential oils may also induce calm.

Caution

Meditation is not advised in cases of severe depression or mental illness such as manic depression or schizophrenia.

Self Help

If it is possible, meditate every day, preferably at the same time.
Meditate before eating, rather than with a full stomach.
It is important to be comfortable when meditating. The traditional posture is upright with a straight spine and feet connected to the ground. You may find it more comfortable laying down, first thing in the morning while still in bed, or even in the bath.

No related posts.