Question 1

I'm new to meditation. What do I need to know before coming?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely nothing. 
No prior experience is needed & I'll guide you every step of the way.

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Here's a very simple definition:

Meditation is the act of focusing & calming the mind and that can be achieved in many ways: 
 • mental awareness activities
 • imagination & visualization exercises
 • creative activities (like listening to music or coloring mandalas)
 • appreciative experiences (like nature walks)
 • breath control
 • body-focused practices
 • and more

You'll learn a variety of methods during our time together.

Meditation is not mystical – although its benefits can feel magical! 🌈✨💖

Regular meditation offers many health benefits, and is a powerful tool for mental health, self care & stress relief. Specific benefits & activities are found in the class or event descriptions.

In a light-speed world, meditation is simply your permission to pause & press your reset button.

Question 2

Will this work for me? I've tried meditation before, but I can't stop my thoughts...

Accepted Answer

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No worries, you don't have to!

It's a common misconception (unfortunately reinforced by some meditation teachers) that you need to "stop thought" or "reach a place of no thought".

But the truth is: According to science, the only time your mind stops completely is when you die... so obviously we won't be encouraging that! 😉

But you will learn how to slow your mind to a comfortable pace, and what you need to do before meditation to have more success in calming a busy brain.

We'll also cover "anxiety hacks" that help you calm overthinking & rumination , which can be super helpful when you need to finish a project or if your mind races at bedtime.

Question 3

Do I need to buy yoga gear or wear special clothes?

Accepted Answer

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WHAT TO WEAR: 
No special clothing is needed.

Come as you are & leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. ✨😌✨

If you have time to change into comfy clothes, that's helpful for relaxation, but definitely not required.​

WHAT TO BRING

☑️ a yoga mat & small pillow - a sound bath is best experienced lying on your back - chairs are available if you cannot (or prefer not to) lie down
​
☑️ a small blanket/throw & cozy socks Body temperature naturally drops during this relaxation meditation so bring what you need to stay cozy & warm. Becoming too cold will distract the mind and prevent (or break) the meditative state. Some guests like to remove shoes to relax more deeply, but room temperature may warrant cozy socks for comfort. A light sweater may also be helpful if you get cold easily.
​
☑️ a water bottle (optional) to hydrate afterward
 
☑️ an open mind, heart & spirit ready to be filled with good vibes & magical moments 🌈💖✨

Question 4

Do I have to sit on the floor or chant? I'm not the kumbaya type.

Accepted Answer

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No "om" or lotus position required.

Many people find lotus position (sitting with crossed legs) on a yoga mat very comfortable for meditation, especially with meditation cushions. Lotus is the traditional posture & symbolic of meditation for many reasons, but it's totally optional.

Chairs are available if you prefer (or if you need one for medical reasons).

Either way, you'll learn how to sit comfortably for meditation. Proper sitting posture is helpful to avoid back pain & to take deep replenishing breaths.

Sometimes we lie down on our backs (again optional).

And sometimes we move - mindful walks, qigong (moving energy), and intuitive somatics (asking your body how it wants to move) are some of my favorite meditation practices.

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🎤As for singing or chanting... 
I am a vocalist and voice coach, so I do love sharing mantras & vocal meditation practices, but your participation is completely optional.

You can just listen if you don't want to sing or chant.

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🎵 And much of our music & sound meditation is focused listening, white noise, or learning about the brainwave frequencies that aid in focus, relaxation & deep sleep.

No matter which practices we're doing...
whether sitting, lying, moving, singing, or anything else, you can do it however it feels most comfortable to you.

Or you can just observe & learn. 
No pressure... this is meditation, not a performance or test.

Question 5

Is meditation religious? I already have a religion / I'm not religious

Accepted Answer

Meditation is not a religious practice, but it can be a spiritual experience for some people.

If you're not religious, meditation can be completely secular. 
For some people, the physical, mental, and emotional benefits are the main focus when learning the practices.

For others, it is a deeply personal connection with their soul & Higher Power (by whatever name you prefer - God, Source, Universe, etc.)

Personally, I love all aspects of meditation. 🥰

I love nerding out on the physiological & psychological elements - the scientific reasons for mental health, physical relaxation & emotional release.

I also love to suggest ways you can use it to deepen your spiritual practice - but only suggestions. You decide how to use it in your own inner world & spirit life.

What is spiritual for one person, could be only psychological for another.

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For example, the hands pictured here may not be in prayer, but in a mudra. Mudras are hand positions that symbolize a focus or intention. While mudras are an ancient tradition used in some religions, in psychology & hypnotherapy, it's called an "ideo-motor response" or "psychological anchor".  And for some religious people, this gesture may feel like an unspoken prayer.

Each practice will take the personal meaning you give it.

So, to reiterate, meditation is definitely not a religious process or methodology. There's no preaching, indoctrination - no rights or wrongs.

Fun fact, though: Almost every major religion around the world incorporates meditation practices  & encourages meditation as part of their teachings. 
 
Meditation is for everyone - religious or not.

Question 6

How can I explore spirituality & intuition through meditation?

Accepted Answer

OMG, you're my people!!!! 🌈😍✨

If you are interested in using meditation to deepen spiritual practice, heighten intuition, or explore your psychic or spiritual gifts - let's chat!  I'm all in!

While I can't go into spirituality during group sessions, during a 1:1 session, we can explore any spiritual topic you like & go super deep!

Use the chat bot to ask some questions or feel free to set up a free consult.(https://www.acupofrainbows.com/service-page/free-consult-trial-lesson-1?referral=service_list_widget)

Question 7

I saw that you do hypnosis too - how is that different than meditation?

Accepted Answer

Great question! They're similar in many ways.

• Both include focusing the mind and calming the body. 
 • Both are very powerful altered states  of consciousness. 
 • Both allow access to the subconscious mind for emotional & mental health.

But there are differences.

I didn't grasp the difference until I trained in meditation & hypnotherapy, butthe way I was finally able to differentiate it was based on action:

Meditation is more PASSIVE, allowing you to freely observe & explore thoughts without judgment, and without any intention to change the thoughts - just noticing them. Sometimes observation will produce a desire to change the  thought. Sometime we just learn to accept it. Other times it validates a belief - or explores possibilities. The mind wanders freely during meditation.

Hypnosis is more GOAL-ORIENTED with an intention to shift thought processes, especially subconscious processes, with a goal to shift behaviors & results. Hypnotic induction (the first step in hpnosis) is a relaxation meditation (in my opinion). Some other elements of hypnosis allow exploration & self-discovery like meditation.

But the key differences in a hypnosis session is the series of processes called  "change work" which is the intention to make changes in the mind -  and "suggestions" which are positive directions given to the subconscious mind to accept new thoughts & create new behaviors.

But meditation can help you achieve goals too!

For example, I lost 20lbs this past year using BOTH:

• Hypnosis helped me to improve my self confidence & determination. It inspired me to create changes & cleared some subconscious blocks regarding perceptions & habits around food & exercise. 
 • Mindful eating meditation helped me to recognize some of my physical habits, like how fast I was eating. It also helped me take time in gratitude for healthy food and the people who grow, deliver, and sell it. 
 • Confidence meditations helped me to maintain what hypnosis changed in my psyche.

Hypnosis & meditation work very well hand-in-hand & you can also flip-flop depending on what you need...

• Hypnosis helped me quit a 10-year, pack-a-day smoking habit. 
 • Meditation helped me overcome anxiety & depression.  
 • Regression hypnotherapy helped me with inner child healing & integration of spiritual lessons from past lives.
 • Countdown meditations helped me stop ruminating so I could sleep better & breathwork meditation has helped  with everything from anxiety to digestion to tense muscles.

I could go back and forth about hypnosis & meditation all day!

You can see why I love them equally. 🌈🥰✨They're BOTH powerful tools for mental health, emotional freedom, spiritual exploration & positive habits.

And if you'd like to achieve a big goal with hypnosis or a private 1-on-1 meditation session (such as sound healing session or a personalized meditation on a private matter or if you have an ultra-specific topic you want to explore), you can contact me via the chat bot or set up a free consult.(https://www.acupofrainbows.com/service-page/free-consult-trial-lesson-1?referral=service_list_widget)

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