The 21st of June is the International Day of Yoga – but maybe we could celebrate it every day? Would you like to be calm and relaxed? If you’ve never tried such methods, the meditation and yoga apps listed below will make you fall in love with those activities! Here is our pick for beginners and pros alike.
During meditation and yoga retreats, mindfulness coaches usually recommend a smartphone detox. But what if you can’t escape civilization and technology by going to the mountains, but still want to practice mindfulness? You can always do it at home and a smartphone can actually help, provided that you stay away from Facebook and Instagram, and use a meditation or yoga app instead. This will test your willpower too.
Which yoga and meditation apps are worth trying?
Intu – a Polish meditation app
One of the phone apps worth recommending is Intu – a Polish app with an English language version. It has ready-made courses, which can be used as weekly challenges. They are divided into levels; the first level is for beginners or those who want to go back to meditation after a long break. The subsequent levels will help you to improve and perfect your meditation skills.
Every session lasts from 10 to 20 minutes – you will definitely manage to make a little time for it in your busy schedule. Each of them is delivered by an experienced teacher and ends with a tip on how to incorporate the benefits of meditation in everyday life or with some “homework” to do.
Insight Timer – app for solo and group meditation
This app has a myriad of functions. The library includes tens of thousands of recorded sessions, podcasts and lectures on yoga, mindfulness, sleep, relaxation and meditation. Insight Timer is not only a yoga or meditation app, but also a powerful tool for those who care about personal development, as well as about awakening creativity or effective relaxation. One of the sessions is even narrated by the supermodel Gisele Bundchen!
The app has a timer option (particularly valuable for beginners), which times the session. You can also set alarms or gongs, which signal the next phases of meditation or wake you up from a nap. ;-) After each group session, you can thank other participants, add them as friends or talk to them in discussion groups.
Calm – meditation in harmony with nature
Calm is the Rolls-Royce of meditation apps. Meditation sessions narrated by a relaxing female voice are enriched by the sounds of nature: flowing water, the sounds of a storm or birds in a forest. It’s a small thing, but it makes the process even more enjoyable, especially during the pandemic. The creators provide content for specific groups. There are special meditations for people who are afraid of flying or for those who are just beginning their journey with meditation. Another treat is fairytales for adults read by… Matthew McConaughey, Jerome Flynn from Game of Thrones and Black Mirror, and many others.
One of the creators of Headspace, Andy Puddicombe, learned everything he knows about mindfulness in Buddhist temples and monasteries. After 10 years of practice, he came to the conclusion that 10 minutes a day is enough to feel the benefits of relaxing your mind: reducing stress, improving sleep and reaching inner peace. Most of the available recordings last only 10 to 15 minutes. The app also includes videos, articles and animations.
Do you find meditation too static? Is sitting still in one place too much of a challenge? Try yoga! The Daily Yoga app offers hundreds of asanas at various levels, together with training plans, pilates and – for the most motivated students – meditation. The functions can be personalized and set to filter the classes that interest you. Synchronizing the app with Apple Health will allow you to receive real-time feedback on your results, consult experts about your health and ask them questions online.
Yoga apps like 5 Minute Yoga will introduce you to the world of asanas with no sacrifices or long hours spent on the mat. It’s a free app – give it 5 minutes a day and it will teach you the basic poses, relax your back and stretch your muscles (who would’ve thought than your phone can do all that?).
Many yoga teachers claim that even a few minutes of yoga a day can strengthen your muscles and make you feel better. 5 Minute Yoga is a great option if you’re busy or impatient. Maybe after a while you’ll be spending more than 5 minutes a day on that mat?
Meditation apps are a great starting point for practicing relaxation and self-development. They are accessible to anyone and everyone, literally at the palm of your hand. Using apps like that every day is an effective way of reducing stress, anger and irritation. Yoga apps can help you relieve back pain or headaches caused by muscle tension (including knots in your neck). It’s an efficient way to care for both your body and soul – so, what do you say?
