My Addiction

I have meditated every day since September 1. 

I’ve always been mildly interested in meditation but until recently had never bothered to properly learn it. I thought meditation was sitting quietly and “clearing your mind,” which, when I tried, was excruciatingly difficult. I also thought I didn’t have the time to sit and do ‘nothing’ for twenty minutes. But with the lifestyle changes this year has brought I found myself with a little more free time and the desire to put more work into my current mindfulness practice. I was given the perfect opportunity to do this when my friend Sabrih announced she was teaching an eleven-day meditation workshop. This was finally a chance for me to learn how to properly meditate.  

For eleven days, twelve of us met over video at the same time each day. Sabrih taught us the topic of the day then guided us in a ten- to twenty-minute meditation. Each day we did a different type of meditation and learned several different breathing techniques. Most days we would then debrief afterward and some students would share their experience with the meditation. Although I am generally not comfortable sharing personal experiences with a group of people, especially on video chat, this was different. Right away it was a warm, welcoming, safe space, where we all felt comfortable with one another. It became like group therapy.

My experience with the workshop was nothing short of magical. I have since tried other recorded guided meditations and nothing comes close to the potency of Sabrih’s group meditations. She is a fantastic teacher and guide. Sometimes I came away joyful, sometimes tearful, but always rested and reset, aware and connected. When I say it changed my life I’m not exaggerating. I have reconnected with my body: right away I started exercising more and drinking less. It is a powerful addition to my mindfulness practice. I now use meditation every day to check in with myself, reduce anxiety or get energized, process my emotions, set intentions, or help me sleep.

Going into the workshop I did not have the intention of continuing to meditate every day.  Usually I’m terrible at following through with a goal like this and building a habit. I’m still surprised it happened. Meditation was just something I wanted to learn and incorporate more into my life. But now it is a habit; I make time for it every day, even if I feel like I don’t have time, because I know that after I meditate I’ll feel better. It has become not something I have to do, but something I want to do. 

I’m addicted.

Sabrih is a certified yoga teacher with hundreds of hours of training in Vinyasa, Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Meditation and Thai massage. If you’re interested in learning meditation, or would like to build on your current practice, Sabrih is available for individual sessions in meditation and yoga. Her next available group meditation workshop will be in December. For more information you can email her at sabrihjs11@gmail.com . 

Mahalo,

Aubrie