A Meditation for Every Mood: Tune into Your True Self with Wisdom from Our Experts

Every year on May 21, people of all cultures, traditions, and walks of life come together to honor World Meditation Day. More than just a celebration, this day serves as a global reminder of the incredible benefits of this ancient practice—reduced stress levels, less emotional reactivity, deeper self-awareness, and the list goes on.

As meditation becomes more and more integrated into our collective consciousness, we hope you feel inspired to tune inward, connect with the deep layers of your true nature, and find calm among the chaos of everyday life. Meditation and mindfulness don’t work to simply clear your mind to forget your emotions. Rather, they encourage you to sit with your feelings, scan the sensations they ignite in your body, and allow them to guide you to deeper places of self-acceptance and self-love.

As an accessible Meditation Day celebration, we consulted our expert wellness practitioners to curate a guide of emotion-specific meditations and techniques. From anxious to uninspired, we all cycle through a wide range of feelings every single day. We hope you turn to this guide for a dose of self-care whenever you need it, embracing beautiful modalities such as deep breathing, mindfulness meditations, gratitude journaling, sound healing, and digital detoxing.

To honor the unity that surrounds World Meditation Day, we’ve paired each one of these expert interviews with an incredible in-person mindfulness event, so we also hope you’ll join us in person for soulful celebrations across our properties.

ANXIOUS?

Feeling overwhelmed and anxious is a common challenge for many. Erin Fiebig at 1 Hotel Nashville provides various meditation practices aimed at alleviating this state of overstimulation, including breathwork and grounding techniques. Begin by inhaling slowly, expanding your belly, holding, and exhaling slowly. Starting with just five minutes each morning and refraining from phone use upon waking can gradually reduce anxiety. While there are numerous meditation methods available, establishing a strong foundation of deep breathing and concentration is an excellent starting point. 

DISTRACTED?

Maintaining focus amidst numerous distractions can be challenging. Sabrina, the practitioner and founder of Kanekshun, offers sessions at 1 Hotel South Beach aimed at enhancing concentration through a potent mix of meditation, deep breathing, and gratitude journaling. Additionally, she advocates for integrating breathing exercises into daily routines, taking breaks from screens, enjoying nature walks in nearby parks, fostering supportive relationships, and practicing random acts of kindness. These strategies help individuals remain calm, connected, and centered in both work and home environments.

EMOTIONAL?

Lao Tzu says, “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”  Referencing Lao Tzu's wisdom on the significance of living in the present for inner peace, Anatomy Trainer Stephan Bell at 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay introduces a transformative meditation technique that aligns your movements with your breath, harmonizing your body and calming your mind. Whether engaging in yoga, running, boxing, or lifting weights, dedicating 5-10 minutes daily to synchronize movement with breath allows for emotional processing without feeling overwhelmed.

INSECURE?

Mute your inner critic with affirmations and gratitude meditation. Britt Turpack, Keynote Speaker and Pilates Teacher at 1 Hotel West Hollywood, recommends discovering your authentic self-confidence through mindfulness meditation and visualization. From observing your breath to envisioning yourself achieving your goals, these effective techniques will cultivate inner strength and self-celebration. Most importantly, honor yourself for showing up to the practice—it's a beautiful journey of self-discovery and growth. For those at home, follow guided meditations available on various apps and websites.

RESTLESS?

Experience tranquility for your mind and body through a sound healing session guided by Shayla Martin, a Sound Healing Practitioner at 1 Hotel Central Park. Utilizing crystal singing bowls, she aligns your chakras with gentle frequencies, promoting relaxation and balance within both your somatic and nervous systems. For newcomers to sound healing, Shayla suggests exploring YouTube for meditative sounds within this frequency range. Simply lie down, close your eyes, and breathe as you listen. There's no prescribed method to absorb the frequencies; simply allow yourself to be present and at peace.

UNINSPIRED?

Dive into the world of sound with Maryzelle Ungo of HAUM SF, who leads a Full Moon sound bath meditation at 1 Hotel San Francisco. Discovering your own unique sound is the easiest way to create a sound bath without experience or physical instruments. Whether it's singing in the shower or organizing a sound bath session with friends, you can explore your own distinct soundscape. With the potential to expand consciousness and ignite creativity, this class is favored by artists, seekers, and those seeking improved sleep quality.

WORRIED?

Redirect your thoughts from worries and stress by incorporating sound healing meditation in your daily routine. Stephanie at 1 Hotel Mayfair utilizes Crystal Tones quartz alchemy bowls and Koshi chimes to promote balance, comfort, intuition, and perspective. Use elongated vowel sounds, such as Ah or Om, to focus on areas needing healing, fostering peace and equilibrium. Toning, a practice of vocal harmony and alignment, is accessible to all and can be done anywhere, including from the comfort of your home. 

Embrace Serenity and Unity

Join us for soul-centering meditations, sound baths, and mindful movement across our sanctuaries in honor of World Meditation Day.