One of the simplest variants is just to breathe deeply and slowly – concentrating on it so each breath takes oxygen to the bottom of your lungs. Sitting still in a cross-legged position so the mind can go silent by itself. The relaxed posture will bring you to a relaxed state of mind more effectively.

Combining yoga with meditation is a common practice. You will bring together the physical body and positive mentality. Moving through a variety of poses that can be either relaxing or require concentration can combat stress.

Osho meditation is derived from an Indian teacher called Osho who has written many books about how crucial freeing the mind of clutter is to achieving self-awareness. Osho splits meditation into passive and active. The former is being still (and passive) over a length of time while the latter is being more active.

Buddhist meditation is practiced all over the world and centres around four main parts: focusing on the body, mind, feelings and mental objects. One goal is to concentrate utterly on the present and detach oneself from ego. When staring at your thoughts, do not over analyse.

However, listening to music is an excellent way to chill out. Turn it on and lie back to enjoy it without doing anything else. Listen to the lyrics and soak up the rhythm and you may be enlightened by the music like never before.

There are different CDs available to buy with soothing sounds and voices on tracks over 5 minutes long. The sounds roll up and down like waves or breathing. Your breathing could be synchronised with the sound. Lightly played instruments can set the tone of a meditation class and pull you into the mood and out of the blare of traffic noise pollution.

Some yoga classes will play music for the above reasons and to relax you, however it usually provides background ambience instead of providing a service that attendees focus on.

People who do yoga on the beach are quite happy just to be listening to the sounds of the waves crashing.

Health benefits

Doctors may suggest that you meditate in order to squash inner turmoil that often leads to physical ailments. Meditating will not only provide you peace but according to the Science Daily will decrease the chance of heart disease incredibly.

Reduction in Stress

Being at work, looking after children, running errands all day and so on can cause major stress and headaches. Spending just 15 minutes meditating in a quiet area will clear your mind and help to control your thoughts. Your judgements will be better made and decisions will be well thought out.

Creativity

Release your inner demons through meditating and regain some creativity that was buried beneath stress and negativity. When deep in a trance, you may find some inspiration for a project you’ve been working on or a holiday you desire. Meditation will also increase productivity thereafter.

Spiritual

Meditation will transform a negative attitude and widen one’s capacity for love and fun.  In a good way, it makes you self-conscious about the present moment and about personal aims and ambitions – keeping everything in perspective. Along with your breathing, body and mind, your life should be better synchronised through meditation.

One misconception of meditation is that it is a prayer, which it is not. It is not worship either. Meditation literally means “awareness” – and in a meditation session, you will be aware of your breath and aware of sounds, smells, feelings, vision and tastes, yet your senses become passive. In Tibet the word for meditation is “gom” which means familiarise. A person meditating will familiarise themselves with positivity and employ a healthy state of mind.

The purpose of meditation is to improve the quality of life and decrease health issues. A person meditating will forget about negativity and instead develop wisdom and insight. By sitting comfortably in a quiet place with half opened blinds and focusing on the present, careful breathing will clear your mind so you can look at your thoughts and noting the fears felt inside.

There are said to be seven approaches to enlightenment. These are through Desire, Prayer, Mental Reflection, Straight Meditation, Worship, Invocation & Evocation and Ashramic Meditation. By working with these methods, you will work up towards your final goal of relaxation.