by Natalie, Guy-Hazard, 200RTY

Meditation and finding inward focus are a very large part of Yoga practice. We need to learn how to turn off the brain from outward stimuli and calm our senses down. This helps our brain recharge and bring much-needed restoration to our bodies’ overall health.

A simple minor practice called the “Tortoise Chakra Meditation” is a meditation anyone can do at any time of the day. This practice stems from the minor chakra just below the throat chakra called the “Tortoise Chakra”. This chakra represents a sort of hibernation that is just what our nervous system needs at times.

To do this practice follow these steps:

-Sit in a comfortable meditative position. Take a few minutes to allow your breathing to settle.

-Close your eyes and take your awareness inside your body. Become conscious of the

location of your tortoise chakra in the region of your upper sternum.

-Direct your awareness to your tortoise chakra and allow your breathing to slow down.

-Do nothing but maintain this focus. It “unplugs” your senses.

-If your mind starts to drift, simply bring your thoughts back to the breath as it passes

through the tortoise chakra.

-Try to maintain this meditation for up to forty minutes. Starting with this meditation takes practice so be kind to yourself and do 5 minutes to start and work your way up.

With practice, you will begin to feel the calm inner peace and emotional stability that comes about when your senses are still like the tortoise in its shell. Namaste Yogis!!!