How To Romance Your Meditation Practice
Meditation does not always appear to be the sexiest of practices. Especially when compared to the hotness that is yogaasana, often performed on exotic beaches by super fit bathing suit-clad yogis. But sexy is a state of mind. And meditation deserves a Valentine’s Day card too! So here are a few ways that you can show your self-practice some love and enhance the pleasure of your sit session.
Get Stoned With Rose Quartz
Crystals can add a special something-something to your meditation ritual. Rose quartz is famous for helping to cultivate loving feelings, both the romantic and kinship kind, as well as self-esteem. To add this gem to your regime, handpick a piece of rose quartz that you are especially attracted to –see it, touch it, connect with it. Cleanse your stone in the sun or moonlight. Lie down during your meditation and place this pretty pink stone over your heart to align your heart chakra. Visualise it as you breathe in "love" and exhale "peace". Allow its subtle vibrations to wash over you as you continue to breathe. To conclude your practice place both hands over your stone and your heart in a loving self-hug.
Smell The Rose Oil
Scents can evoke powerful sensations. The smell of rose can help boost your mood and enhance your overall joy. To add this to your regime, simply blend 2-3 drops of rose essential oil (rosa damascena) with your choice mixer oil (e.g. almond oil) to diluate it. Then rub a small amount of the mixture between your palms. Place your palms over your nose and breathe in the scent for a couple of breaths just before your meditation. Proceed as usual and allow the essence of rose to linger then fade as you sit back and breathe.
Hold Your Heart
It’s not often that we take the time to feel our own heartbeat. In order to connect with your inner rhythm, try placing your right hand directly on your heart. This encourages you to physically tap into that sometimes hidden and/or closed space. Additionally, this posture releases a hormone called Oxytocin, known as the love or cuddle hormone. Maintain this pose during your meditation to super charge those loving feelings and positive emotions.
Make A Mindful Mandala
Roses are read in more ways than one. They can be put in vase and traditionally displayed in a big and bold arrangement, or loving crafted into a design around your meditation seat. To do this treat yourself to a bunch of flowers that tickle your fancy (they need not be roses). Arrange the blooms, link the stems, and spread the leaves and any loose petals around your seat creating a ring. Then pop a squat, relax into your surroundings, and meditate as usual.
Photo: Rose Meditative, 1958 by Salvador Dali
