Meditation is like an acceptable version of napping—it recharges you, clears your head, and helps you escape your daily stresses. The practice is the perfect way to unwind, silence a frantic mind, and cope with the downtown pace of life. How can you pass that up?
You feel the essence of who you really are when you are in stillness, says yogi Alan Finger of Ishta Yoga in the East Village. The static in your mind settles; and you can can see your life more clearly. Meditation removes your fears and anxieties while keeping you happy throughout your day for no reason at all. Sounds like the cornerstone of true bliss and cheaper than therapy.
After your silence ends, you'll be surprised at how easily these new-found senses of stillness and calm stay with you during your bustling day. "While the effects of other stress-reducing techniques wear off," says Ethan Nichtern, director of the NYC-based nonprofit Interdependence Project, "meditation teaches you how to remain peaceful in the midst of living in the city—not just escape it."
If you have have trouble getting to a quiet personal space on your own like most New Yorkers, sign up to meditate with a group or guide. The goal is to get in at least 20 minutes of meditation daily.
Here are some popular meditation spots in the East Village:
Allan Finger Sessions at Ishta Yoga
56 East 11th Street
Interdependence Project
302 Bowery NY, NY
Classes Ana Fox @ Dance Forum NY
20 East 17th Street
Yoga High
19 Clinton Street, Suite 205
Ilana Arazie is blogger and vlogger for Downtown Dharma, a site about about finding zen in the city.
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