I asked our wonderful meditation teacher, Dr Emily Tarrant to share with us about her journey with and interpretation of meditation. As a friend of Emily's, I can say that she truly is such a calm and considered individual (bearing in mind too that she has a full on full time job and runs her own yoga studio!)... her practice is clearly working for her - she is inspiring. I feel so grateful that we can all learn from her experience and teachings in this field.

Can you explain in your own words what meditation is to you?

To me, meditation is a sanctuary or a respite from the constant ‘doing’. It is an opportunity to transcend the busyness of the mind and access the true essence of my being which lies beyond this - deeper and outside of the conditioning, the roles and responsibilities, and the thinking mind. This true essence is a state of blissful, joyful, peaceful, conscious awareness which is present inside of all of us all of the time, and can be accessed at any time if we know how. 

Meditation is a practice that teaches me that I can control my inner state and therefore my experience of life, no matter what takes place externally. It is a way of feeling connected to all beings and a universal consciousness or energy, and letting go of needing certain things, relationships, etc. in order to feel worthy. This experience creates an enduring sense of inner peace, security and stability, making me less phased by life’s happenings. The yoga tradition refers to this state of being as ‘Sat Chit Ananda’. 

Can you tell us about your personal journey with meditation, both as a practitioner and teacher?

I was first introduced to exercises that I now recognise as types of meditation approximately 20 years ago when I began my training to become a Psychologist. After practicing meditation intermittently since then, it was not until early 2020 that I developed a regular practice.

I was first encouraged to meditate regularly by one of my yoga teachers who I was taking part in some coaching sessions with. When it was first suggested to me, I didn’t feel that I would get much out of it, but I was committed to the sessions with her and so started straightaway. I also didn’t want to turn up to our next session and have to explain that I hadn’t done the between-session work that she had sent me! Initially, my mind was busy and distracted, but I approached it with kindness and acceptance, which helped me to avoid getting frustrated.

As time went on, I started meditating for longer periods of time and accessing deeper states of meditation. This was where I really fell in love with the practice. If you had asked me before I started to meditate whether I was calm and relaxed, I would have said yes, however, through meditation, I was able to reveal a new, much deeper state of inner peace that I did not remember experiencing before as an adult. Over time, I noticed the effects of the meditations lasting for longer than the practices themselves. I noticed various changes in my life such as being better able to focus my mind, generally being more present instead of lost in thoughts and being better able to handle challenging situations. Instead of getting frustrated, I was more able to approach them with kindness, non-attachment and acceptance.

In all aspects of life, I was experiencing a greater sense of peace and ease. I wanted everyone to experience this! This is what led me to complete my first meditation teacher training course. I felt so inspired by the course that I immediately put my sessions out there to the public. Seeing other people benefiting from the practice was what drove me to continue along my path of teaching and learning about meditation.

I continue to maintain a regular meditation practice and see huge benefits from this. Sometimes my mind is distracted and unfocused, however I practice acceptance, knowing that it might be very different the next time. I see meditation as a magical practice that supports me in all aspects of life and am committed to continuing to learn, and share my learning with others. 

How do you feel meditation can assist various aspects and phases of women's health? 

I believe that meditation can play a significant role in supporting various aspects and phases of women’s health, including those influenced by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and postpartum period. Below describes how:

1. Menstrual Cycle: During different phases of the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations can affect mood, energy levels, and overall wellbeing. Meditation can help women to manage stress, reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and alleviate discomfort associated with menstruation. By promoting relaxation and mindfulness, meditation also improves emotional stability and resilience throughout the menstrual cycle.

2. Pregnancy: Meditation can be beneficial during pregnancy by reducing stress, anxiety, and fear that may be present for some relating to childbirth. It can promote relaxation, improve the quality of sleep, and enhance overall emotional wellbeing, all of which will be beneficial during pregnancy. Additionally, meditation can help pregnant women to connect with their growing baby, cultivate a sense of inner calm, and prepare mentally and emotionally for childbirth and motherhood.

3. Postpartum: During the postpartum period, women may experience hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and are having to make adjustments to motherhood. Meditation can be a great support during this period by reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and alleviating symptoms of postpartum low mood and anxiety, which may be present for some. It can also help women cope with the physical and emotional demands of caring for a newborn, foster self-care practices, and promote bonding with baby.