Here are my five top tips to start meditating or maintain your current meditation practice:

1. Be Comfortable Comfort is queen. If you are not comfortable your mind will wander to how uncomfortable you feel during your meditation AND you are unlikely to want to do it again. Find a place where you can sit or lie down and not be disturbed. You can sit on a meditation cushion on the floor, but you can also simply sit on a chair.  Try and keep your spine upright, to the extent it is comfortable for your body, and if you are on a chair aim to keep your feet flat on the ground.
2. Develop a Routine It is called your meditation practice for a reason. Your brain is a muscle just like every other in your body and if you want your meditation practice to stick, it is worth the effort to get into a routine which works for you and your life and your commitments.The best time to meditate is first thing in the morning. It sets you up for your day ahead and it can be difficult to stop and carve out a little quiet time once the dog is looking for his breakfast, the kids can’t find their homework and the radio is on. If first thing in the morning does not work for you find a time which does – this is your practice.  If you miss a day don’t beat yourself up. Just acknowledge you missed meditation today and you will try again tomorrow.
3. Start Small If you have never meditated before don’t set yourself up for failure by jumping in with a long meditation and then tell yourself you can’t meditate. If you can breathe, you can meditate.  Start with five minutes in the morning and five minutes late afternoon/ early evening. (If you don’t think you have ten minutes spare in each day, pause and think back to how much time you spent scrolling on social media today.) Short, regular, consistent meditations are the best way to build your practice.
4. Keep Things Simple You might think, am I doing it right? Your breath is the bridge between your mind and your body. Slow your breathing down and you will slow your thoughts down. Focus on your breath, try and inhale and exhale for the count of five. Visualise cool, refreshing, invigorating blue air coming into your nose, down into your throat and deep into your lungs. Now feel the exhale rise from the depths of your tummy all the way up to your nose and this time the air is pink and warm. Set the timer on our phone and simply repeat this for five minutes. You are now meditating…
5. Learn with a Qualified Teacher Meditation apps are great, but it is important to learn the foundations of a solid meditation practice with a certified teacher. Look for a teacher registered with an accredited meditation school; do not be afraid to ask a teacher about their training. Meditation classes provide the perfect opportunity to try different types of meditation.  A meditation teacher can lead different styles of classes, such as mantra, mindfulness, visualisation or contemplation. (And for those who feel like they cannot sit still during meditation there is a practice called Qi Gong (chi gong) which is meditation in motion.) Guided classes are also a great way to meet people who can encourage us on our meditation journey. 

I am so thrilled to receive my Reiki 1 Certificate!!

Thank you for your patience and understanding while I took an extended break.

My new timetable is available – simply go to the Classes page above.

There are two new Ageing Well classes this year – in Dunbar and Haddington. The North Berwick class is full but please let me know if you want to join the waitlist.

Hope to see you in a class soon!

Here’s to lots of great qi in 2023!!

Thank you to everyone who has practiced qi gong with me throughout 2022!

I am taking an extended holiday and will be back teaching in February 2023.

Here’s to lots of healthy, happy qi in 2023!

My first qi gong class as part of the Ageing Well East Lothian initiative on 4 October is now full.

Please keep an eye on Facebook for updates and spaces in future classes.

Thank you!

I wrote a blog post for the fabulous Restoration Yard last week answering questions about qi gong.

Here’s a link to the blog, What is Qi Gong?

My new timetable starts 22 August!

I am excited to be teaching five in person qi gong classes a week.

There are evening classes on Mondays and Thursdays in Dirleton and Athelstaneford.

My regular morning classes at the Restoration Yard and the Yoga Den continue with a new class on Sunday mornings in North Berwick.

All booking info at my Class Timetable (Classes page).

Anyone can do qi gong – no equipment or special clothes required.

Cherish your qi!!

I am so excited to start teaching in-person classes at the Yoga Den!

The Yoga Den is in East Linton, at the Mart.

Classes start Friday 22 July 9.30am.

See you there!