Do you struggle to sit still and meditate? Start with Movement Meditations for a few minutes before meditation to calm the body/mind.
Do you feel so anxious you can even think about trying to sit and meditate? Practice meditation through regular rhythmic movement via: walking, forest bathing, yoga, tai chi, qi gong, or any type of slow fluid movement. Over time you may find it easier to then move into a sitting meditation.
Or are you someone who has trauma locked in their body, or do you feel stuck or locked up inside? Movement is extremely helpful for opening the body, the heart and the mind. Working with movement meditations may help you move into a space where you can more readily access the feelings and get them moving and which you can then process with a therapist.
For any of these situations I recommend listening to a guided meditation (based on your style from the survey, pick a meditation from the NMI in Insight Timer and listen while you are practicing a repeated movement.
Do what works for YOU! Try a few and FEEL which is right for you. You will feel it... it will feel good - even if maybe just a little at first. Listen to your body and your body/mind connection.
Start by searching whatever type you want and for whatever you need, ie: Tai Chi for Depression (or whatever issue you are facing). You can also search by the issue and what you feel you need in this moment Ie: flowing, opening, soothing, calming, activating, envigorating, insipiring, etc...
Movement is a way to discharge stress. This is a relief to the system and a signal to shift into rest/digest and tend/befriend. For more information go to the Vagus Nerve & Polyvagal Theory page
Five Simple Movement Meditations I Enjoy
Tai Chi
Qi Gong
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
Tai Chi
This is just one way to use these movements. You could use each of them in whatever way feels right for what you need. Try each one for different states and see which feels best for that. You will find videos on how to modify these movement meditations, for different styles and for different issues, on each page.
Explore other kinds of Movement as Meditations on YouTube/TikTok or google search, such as Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong and more. Find what fits you!