4 Tips for Turning Swimming into a Moving Meditation
I used to dismiss swimming as boring. It lacked the rush of running on a frosty day or the adrenaline edge of cycling. But a foray into triathlon has forced me into the water and I realized that I had totally missed the point.
Swimming is not dull but is, in fact, the ultimate, stripped-down moving meditation. The inability to see almost anything except the line at the bottom of the pool, and hear nothing but the rush of water, creates an insulating, cocooning effect.
It’s a kind of enforced underwater Pratyahara or “sense withdrawal”—the fifth element of yoga as described by the sage Patañjali in his Yoga Sutras. Shutting out external stimuli, such as the glare of the swimming pool lights or drone of pop music, lets the mind settle.
This is not a sitting stock still and cross-legged meditation, but a moving meditation. It’s a little like the Zen walking version but with more flow. This sensation of flow comes from both the literal fluidity of the water and from the natural gliding action of swimming.
Watch an elite swimmer as she slides with grace: cutting and drawing back, reaching, extending. Every stroke and tilt is designed to be aerodynamic and dolphin-like, but the result is something very yogic. There is no jolting or jarring but a steady, smooth rhythm.
Granted, the pros always make it look effortless, but anyone can transform their swimming into a moving meditation if it doesn’t already feel like one.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Slow it Down
For a more yogic approach to swimming it is necessary to slow down. Ignore the clock on the wall. Take guidance from the “Total Immersion” school of swimming whose founder, Terry Laughlin, asks his students to take “yoga breaths” between laps and rotate their bodies to be both streamlined and unhurried. By doing this, the stressful urge to gulp air is removed. Arms don’t flail but extend and pull back in slow motion. The result is surprisingly relaxing as there is ample time to breathe.
- Find a Comfortable Breathing Rhythm
If you are new to freestyle, take time to learn the breathing technique. A good coach will teach you how to breathe comfortably within a few weeks. Once the mechanics of breathing are there, you can become more mindful. Alternatively, substitute a different stroke that doesn’t require synchronizing breathing with head tilting and arm coordination. Breast stroke is a good option.
- Exhale Through the Nose
Whether you’re swimming freestyle or breast stroke, release the exhale as a slow trickle through the nose. This will not only slow the whole breathing process down, but it will also create a pleasing trail of bubbles which you can observe in the next stage. If this is not possible, purse your lips and softly blow the air out to narrow the flow of air.
- Latch Onto One Element
Once you have found a happy swimming rhythm, or an inkling of flow, begin to latch onto the following visual or auditory elements of your swim:
- The sound the trail of bubbles make as they escape from your nose. - The rolling sensation of the body as it tilts from side to side. - The shape of the arm as it lifts out of the water. - The "hole" the fingertips make as they dip into the water. - The paddle-like action of the feet. Just like any meditation, there is no right or wrong. Resist the urge to criticize your breathing technique or stroke action. Practice observing in a detached manner by either sticking with one element or moving through the body from the fingertip dip to the paddle feet.
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How Rose Quartz Can Help Your Meditation Practice
Crystals are among our most abundant gifts from Earth. Yet choosing which one to use can often be a daunting undertaking. Rose quartz is a perfect ally for novices and seasoned gem-lovers alike, as it can be a gateway to greater self-love, compassion, and gentle harmony with the universe.
The vibration of rose quartz is soothing yet highly effective as a powerful transformer! This makes it one of the best meditation crystals, subtly lifting your heart to higher frequencies and reminding us of the importance of self-care. Rose quartz is a must-have for every crystal enthusiast and a great ally for supporting the energetic shifts on our planet.
How to Use Rose Quartz
Spiritual Wellbeing
Rose quartz neutralizes negative emotions, clears toxic attachments, grants clarity on truth and purpose, aids spiritual evolution, and dissipates fear. As we become more aware of the radiance within by knowing the illuminated heart, we can more easily manifest and fulfill life’s purpose. Rose quartz also cultivates unconditional love free of drama and expectations a doorway to inner peace and satisfaction expand as we become aware of the directives of the true heart.
Emotional Health
Rose quartz balances the heart chakra, releases issues of abandonment, depression, jealousy, and low self-esteem. It creates a connection to the highest essence of god within, granting serenity and peace to become who we are. It brings issues to the surface that which needs to be addressed and released, it demands attention be paid to the heart, which brings inner confidence and calm, and it helps us radiate with compassion and sincere love for those we encounter.
How to Use Crystals for Meditation
Meditation is one of the surest ways to inner states of knowingness and bliss. Stepping outside of ordinary reality and feeding the stillness within should be a cornerstone of all spiritual development.
When we add the blessings of crystals to our meditation, we can amplify our experiences, accelerate our growth, and gain an even greater connection to the natural world around us.
Crystals are a living frequency and will naturally help to deeply and honestly heal the spaces we may have been avoiding. As the addition of a crystal can give us perspective, we can learn not to take things so seriously and effectively heal our hearts.
When we bring crystals to our meditative practice, our spaces expand to include the natural elements. Rose quartz meditation crystals can remind us of the love all around us and bring us into more sincere love toward ourselves and others.
Using rose quartz to meditate can help ease emotional disharmony as it reminds us of the gentle love offered to us daily. It further soothes emotional trauma which may keep our hearts closed and can be a blessed ally for calling in greater personal and romantic love.
Implementing Rose Quartz Meditation Crystals
When you need a love refresher or are in deep turmoil and craving ways to feel the abundance of love, this meditation can guide you back to your own inner wisdom. While you can quickly use this as a pep-me-up, you can also deepen your practice by lengthening your meditation to gain even greater blessings.
- Clear your crystal by running it under clean water.
- Introduce yourself to your crystal.
- Lie down in a quiet space, free of distractions. Lying on the floor with a mat is suggested to keep you present during the mediation.
- State aloud your intentions for connection and healing, so the frequency of the crystal can support you there. Speaking out loud also invokes your larger guides and angel to offer their support of your space.
- Rest the rose quartz on your heart. Place it securely for you may be mighty distracted if it slides off when you are deep within.
- Allow yourself to feel the unique energy of the rose quartz. What frequency is it emitting? How does it feel?
- Visualize the soft pink color expanding from your heart, filling up each space with a more resounding sense of peace and love. Let this color and vibration move until it fills all of your body.
- Bathe in the compassion and bliss for several minutes allowing this frequency to re-program your heart, mind, and body.
- When you’ve soaked up all the love vibes, place both of your hands over the stone — this posture is frequent in both kundalini and the Egyptian mystery teachings.
- With your hands on your heart over the rose quartz, allow your breath to be your guide. Breathe in more love, compassion, and peace and breathe out anything that hinders your access to your true heart field. You should begin to feel at one with the frequency of the rose quartz allowing yourself to slip deeper into her generous blessings.
- Say aloud several times: “I am loved. I am love. I am the embodiment of the light within.” Repeat this mantra until you feel electric with its truth.
- When you are complete, gently wiggle yourself back into your body and open your eyes. Thank the rose quartz for her teachings and remind your heart that this is now your highest frequency. Acknowledging this shift will train your brain to lock in this vibration as a constant state of being.
As you practice meditating with crystals, you will discover new pathways and eased access to pure fields of energy. Though this specific rose quartz mediation is for the heart, you may use other crystal allies as they come into your awareness working with other chakra centers and topics as you are guided. The meditation is universal and will help you expand your light, walk your truth, and fuel a world of greater conscious love.
