As someone who has had a yoga practice for nearly 15 years, I know the importance of meditation.  While I practice yoga asana nearly daily, I’m not as devoted to my meditation practice.

I find my running meditative; I do not listen to music while I run.  Much of my best thinking, processing, and emotionally awareness comes to me while I run.  Being alone with my thoughts is one of the reasons I love long-distance running.

But, still, that’s not really meditation.  I know there are neuroscience benefits to meditation, and it would benefit me to practice more often.  Never have I felt this more acutely than in the post-election hysteria.  With my mind swirling in every direction and my productivity near zero, I needed help.

Enter: Austin’s Meditation Bar.

I first heard about Meditation Bar from a client who raved about their guided meditations. I knew I could use a little nudge to break out of my funk.  When I received the opportunity to try out a session, I was all in.

Meditation Bar Review

Meditation Bar is located in the Northwest Hills neighborhood of Austin. It is accessible both in terms of its location and its comfortable decor.  The lobby is beautifully appointed in a welcoming way, and I was greeted immediately by Lauren, one of the founders.  This personal touch will put even the most skeptical or unsure person at ease.

My first experience at Meditation Bar was for a noon “breathe” class. According to the website, I was in for a class “to focus on the breath to calm the mind and lead us into a deeper state of connection with our bodies and our desires.” What a great way to spend part of my lunch hour!

I settled in to the meditation room, using a comfy padded back-jack, bolster, and blanket to rest in a supported posture. I closed my eyes feeling safe and secure in the company of the 15 other people– men and women, old and young– in the serene space.

My class was led by Krista, who used her gentle voice to guide our breath at the outset of class.  She then utilized singing bowls, and I noticed the pure sound and reverberations helped me to focus and detach from thoughts.  I was soon less aware of what she was saying and more aware of the rhythm of my breath.

As my session came to a close, Krista asked us to think about abundance.  Her message was encouraging our brains to be mindful of it, our hands to share it, and our hearts to be grateful for it.

Meditation Bar is committed to making meditation an accessible and integral part of life in Austin.  From workshops like “The Science of Meditation” by Dr. Adam Smith to “Mindfully Managing the Holidays,” Meditation Bar believes that “Shift Happens” when we allow ourselves to meditate– that’s when new thoughts and paths reveal themselves.

My time at Meditation Bar certainly helped shift me out of my funk and into feeling positive and energized again.  And for that, I am certainly grateful.

Would you like to try meditation in the comfort of your own home? Help yourself to my free body blessing meditation download.

Disclaimer: I was given a complimentary session to try out Meditation Bar.  All opinions are an honest reflection of my experience.