WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

The prospect of giving birth and the massive life changes that come along with a new baby can make mamas-to-be anxious as well as joyous. Meditation can help ease the physical and emotional challenges of new motherhood, quieting mind and body. Here are a few meditation tips for moms and non-moms alike.

Pick Your Place

Choose a meditation spot that puts you at ease: in your backyard listening to the birds sing, in a quiet room in your house, in a secluded spot in your favorite park.

Focus on Your Breath

Especially when you’re a beginning meditator, it can be hard to quiet your mind. When you find your thoughts wandering, corral them by breathe slowly through your nose, focusing your thoughts on the in and out sound of your breath. Deep, purposeful breathing is the gateway to deep, purposeful meditation.

Practice Makes Perfect

Your first attempts at meditation can be rocky. You might find yourself making a mental grocery list, or planning your weekend. Your legs cramp. Your breath grows shallow and unfocused. But don't give up, or beat yourself up. Like pretty much everything else, meditation gets easier with practice. So keep setting aside at least 15 minutes a day to meditate. Odds are, tomorrow’s 15 minutes will be even better than today’s.