15 Easy Access Locations For Meditation On The Move

Calming the “monkey mind” even when you are on the move.

Can you find 20 minutes during your day to find quiet and calm in your mind & your life? Sit, stand or simply ‘be’ wherever you are.

If you were in In Thailand, Bhutan, China or India, you would see many monks adorning saffron orange robes sitting crossed legged on chairs in waiting areas – in nature – or anywhere relevant to their day. Location does not have to limit access to meditation. You don’t have to create your zen in a studio or at home – it can be where you are – right now.

Take A Break

As a curious teenager, I was in Florida on a tour of Kennedy Space Station and noticed a group of monks sitting meditating on the sidewalk. I was taken by the image of the community connected to ancient art and practice amidst a backdrop of the pinnacle of space travel. Even more curious as it represented a fusion of connection to ancient tradition with futuristic development. Decades later my curiosity led me to a deeper understanding of the power of presence & mindfulness everywhere.

Here are a few thoughts of locations that may appeal for those mindful meditation moments.  To reset and re-energise gives you the opportunity to disconnect to reconnect. Unplug to recharge. Let’s get our ZEN on and embrace what comes back.

AT HOME

1) Anywhere!

Kitchen? Living area? Bedroom? I regularly meditate as part of evening ritual. Relaxing, prepares me for slumber and promotes restful sleep.

2) In the Garden

Got a plank or a garden cushion? Sit down and get in the zone and breathe.

3) Standing or walking anywhere

On the deck – on the lawn – in any room. Wherever the vibe takes you. To feel more connected to the ground – take off your shoes and socks and feel the ground beneath your feet. Focus on your breath then match each step with your breath. Breathe in, lift your foot. Breathe out, put your foot down. Then do the same with the other foot and repeat. Watch your feet as they move to the pattern of your breath.

Meditation on the move – it’s easy when you know how.

4) Next to your PET

We know that the role of the unconditional love of our furry friends. See more about this in our blog on the Practice of Unconditional Love publishing August 2020. Oh! to be a dog.

5) Busy new PARENT of a NEWBORN?

Why create the zen beside your sleeping baby …. Or even with your new-born on you. That gives me goosebumps knowing the vital connection of those early weeks and months. It will also get the flow of oxytocin – that love hormone that bonds. Capture those magic moments before they start moving.

As a parent of 2 emerging adults, the time goes all too quick. This will be a reset and a gift for you as a parent and for your babe.

No matter how fast life is moving around us, there is always a place of stillness inside.

6) Bedroom or Office?

At, on, beside, or under your DESK!

7) Empty Meeting Room?

Go take a break. Unplug reset and re-energise.

OUTSIDE SPACES

8) A PARK BENCH is always inviting.

Even to pause your walk to take a breath,
observe what is around you.

9) Botanical Gardens

When we travel we hunt out the botanical garden of any city. A calm space within a frantic world. They are without exception a space to be – even at the heart of a city. The gardens are nurtured and have met the most passionate individuals working in these who are doing what they love and loving what they do.

10) WATER Locations

A beach – by the sea or the ocean – by a lake or a pond. Feel the vibe, smell the water. What are you taking in?

11) By a FOUNTAIN

In your garden or in the city near you. Breathe some nature in your lungs – take a walk outside – would you know how close the nearest open space is to your workplace? Where is the nearest park? It will be worth finding out!

Meditation on the move will reduce stress and overwhelm.

12) Airports

There is always waiting around time – lots of chairs & floor space. When you are flying there’s a meditation moment waiting to happen. Should you get delayed – NO Stress. Meditate your way through it. We’ve been to many an airport where there are quiet areas – even some with lounge chairs and meditation centres.

(DUBAI | HEATHROW | DOHA ABU DHABI | NEW ORLEANS | JFK | SCHIPHOL )

Meditation on the move – easy when you know how.

13) CAR TRAVEL – as a passenger or stop at rest areas

Why not stop at a rest area? There are always picnic areas, service areas – refuel your car & refuel yourself.  Or go the Extra Mile and find a fabulous café.
(Should you be in the UK …get the Extra Mile Guide Book @theextramile It’s full of ideas of those fabulous locations that take you that extra mile for the extra experience)

14) ON the BUS

There are even seats at most bus stops and some train stations have seats on platforms or restrooms.

15) ON the TRAIN

Find the quiet carriage and get in the zone – the noise will soon subside when you focus your energy and connect to that inner calm

“Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.”– Ajahn Brahm

Waterfalls and nature are our favourite locations for meditation.
We make it part of our routine to get near one whenever we can. Waterfall hunting was our 2018 challenge and a goal to visit a waterfall a week. Completely rocked it and got to 57 throughout the year!  In one week we got to 9 just by looking up – ‘waterfalls near me’. Blown away finding ones we had no idea were so close.

The more we practice accessing calm in busy spaces we can better integrate meditation moments into our daily lives. Our mindset can shift to making this a daily practice where ever we go.

Meditation on the move – activates energy & boosts vitality.

Think about your pattern of your week ahead. Is there a 20-minute window you can carve out for your personal mindful moments ? Leave a comment below