Meditate: A How-To on Self-Healing and Health

By: StacyAtZeel

As many a massage therapist will tell you, meditation is one of the best ways to prolong the benefits of your session and to enhance that overall feeling of, well, ahh. Contrary to what you may think, however, meditation doesn't require a whole lot of time, a silent dark room or even crossed legs. All it takes is a commitment to yourself-to your body and health-to feel more relaxed and at ease.
Rest. Breathe. Release.
Madeline Michaels, a powerful healer once dubbed Manhattan's best massage therapist by Vogue and Allure, gives us instruction on simple ways to meditate in the comfort of home. Find yourself an empty space and a bit of intention. Enjoy.

Sit or lay down quietly where no one can bother you, and close your eyes. Take a deep breath from way down in your belly (use your imagination to make this easier) and allow your belly to fully extend. Exhale. Do this three times slowly.

Now, scan your body with your mind and take inventory. Ask yourself where you feel tension in the body. Where is it hanging out? (Tension could be in the form of tightness, aches, dull pain, headache, etc.)

Once you identify this area (or these areas) of stress, place one or both hands over these regions. Take a long deep breath, and let it out, this time, focusing the energy of your inhalation and exhalation into the palms of your hands as you try to connect with what you are feeling. Thank yourself for taking the time.

Do you meditate (whether after a massage or not)? What tricks do you use to center yourself?