Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free

Should I stretch before meditating?

Question:

Hi there, I was wondering if there were any recommended exercises to loosen and prime the body before sitting down to meditate?

Start your free trial

Andy's Answer:

This is a great question. Funnily enough, in some small way this is the origin of yoga. Maybe not as it’s taught in your local gym, but how it was intended to be used many years ago. The idea was not just about limbering up to sit in one position for a long time, but actually preparing the body, physically and energetically, to be comfortable sitting in meditation. We’re looking to produce something like this very soon, so please do look out for news on the website. Until then, I’d suggest either following a stretch routine or some very basic yoga movements which don’t require any special instruction. It may even be worth doing a class or two to get more familiar with the moves. Or if you prefer something digital, check out the Nike training app, which has an area devoted to flexibility and stretching. Warm wishes for now, Andy

Today Tab
Sleep Tab

Be kind to your mind

  • Access the full library of 500+ meditations on everything from stress, to resilience, to compassion
  • Put your mind to bed with sleep sounds, music, and wind-down exercises
  • Make mindfulness a part of your daily routine with tension-releasing workouts, relaxing yoga, Focus music playlists, and more

Meditation and mindfulness for any mind, any mood, any goal

visual-dotcom homepage editorial hero desktop-general-202001008-kh
visual-dotcom homepage editorial hero desktop-general-202001008-kh

Meditation

  • What is meditation
  • Meditation for beginners
  • Benefits of meditation
  • Guided meditation
  • Meditation techniques
See more

Get some Headspace

  • Send a gift
  • Redeem a code
  • Student Plan
  • All articles
  • Subscribe
  • Headspace for Work
  • Admin portal login
  • Engineering blog

About Us

Support

My Headspace

Login
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookie policy
    • Sitemap
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice

Get the app

  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookie policy
  • Sitemap
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice