In this week's conversation, I'm continuing the "So You Think You Can't Meditate" series with a reflection on how to work with anxiety and other strong emotions in meditation practice.

If you'd like to catch up with the previous discussions, the first episode in this series was Episode 23, which covered some of the common roadblocks in meditation, like expectations and misconceptions that hinder practice. Part 2 was Episode 27, where I talked about practicing with physical pain.

Like with physical pain, meditation can be very helpful for anxiety or mental/emotional distress, but we have to work with those states quite skillfully. Generic, basic meditation instructions might not be enough to create the conditions for safety and the intended outcome of relief.

Here you will learn a few techniques to apply in your meditation that may help you get a lot more benefit from how you're practicing.

You'll hear about:

• the key to transforming anxiety and strong emotions through meditation
• how to recognize when you're getting stuck in thoughts or overwhelmed by feelings
• a more nuanced interpretation of sayings like "the way out is through" or "you have to feel it to heal it"
• what focal points might help you be more present and less lost in anxious thoughts and feelings

If you've heard meditation is helpful for calming anxiety and finding emotional balance, but you've struggled with the practice, this episode is for you. I hope you will find some helpful options and insights so you can truly benefit from all that mindfulness has to offer!

For more info, check out these related episodes:

• Episode 15 – Walking Meditation as Moving Mindfulness
• Episode 23 – So You Think You Can’t Meditate (Part 1)
• Episode 24 – Deeper Dive: Metta (Lovingkindness)
• Episode 27 – So You Think You Can’t Meditate (Part 2): Practicing with Pain

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To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga.

You can find on-demand yoga classes and guided meditations in the Moved To Meditate Class Library that align with all that we discuss on the podcast. Let’s practice together!

And, I’m on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).