Journal 10

    In my practice space, yoga is used as a form of meditation. Since practicing yoga is how I escape, tuning to the meditative aspect of it is what makes me feel centered and rejuvenated. Although I meditate through yoga and do not meditate alone, I eventually wish to develop this ability. For now, I would like to focus on gaining more yoga experience. Once my yogic abilities are adequate, I can further my education of meditation to add a meditative portion to the end of each yoga session. 
    However, I currently practice meditation by way of yoga. This consists of obtaining a sense of mindfulness. I try my best to keep my mind from wandering and solely focus on my body and the task it is performing. I keep particular things in mind, like my proprioception and my senses, such as the carpet under my feet while standing in my practice space (bedroom). Additionally, the patterns of breathing that take place during my yoga practices play a role in upkeeping mindfulness and adds to the meditative outcome that follows. 
    In my opinion, meditation is a good transformative technique to incorporate into yoga practice. This helps to alleviate stress and get out of your head. For a while, the duties of life are left behind and with meditation alone, or with the inclusion of asanas, you are guided to the center of yourself. Here, it is calm and safe. This is what personally drives me to continue my practice of yoga with the incorporation of meditation. But the practice of meditation alone is important for me to learn in the long run so that I can reach this capacity of stillness whenever or wherever I go without the incorporation of asanas. 
    
    

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