Trying to conceive can be stressful and it can leave you feeling unbalanced, destabilized and adrift. Daily meditation can help. It can restore a sensation of grounding and the confidence to be the strong foundation a new child needs to develop into a thriving human being. There are many types of meditative practices to help relieve stress including stretching, yoga poses, chanting mantras, silent meditations, deep breathing, or even just being grateful for the day to come.

Although stress does not cause infertility, infertility can definitely cause stress. Relieving stress can be beneficial as you go through your fertility treatment at GENESIS. Your provider  can also lead you to some great resources that fit your personality. These meditations are from India, but they are very easy to integrate into daily life, in a few short minutes a day.

All of the following meditations and art are reprinted with permission from the book Mystical Motherhood.

Breath Exercises You Can Begin the Day With

Sitali Pranayama: Curl the tongue into a “U” shape. Inhale through the curled tongue and exhale through the nose. Do this twenty-six times to reduce anger (Should take anywhere from 4-10 minutes).

Long Deep Breathing: Using the full capacity of the lungs, inhale deeply and expand the abdomen, then the chest and the upper ribs, and clavicle. Exhale in reverse order until the abdomen pulls in and up (This should be done for 2-8 minutes).

Meditation for Healing Addictions as Taught by Yogi Bhajan

Imbalance is a modern epidemic, and this meditation helps to activate the brain areas to heal addictions that were thought to be unbreakable. It is not meant as an immediate cure, but rather as a delicate nudge towards a more balanced sensation that can then potentiate better decisions and feelings in our lives.

Posture: Sit in an easy pose with legs crossed and straight spine.

Mudra: Make fists of both hands and extend the thumbs straight. Place the thumbs on the temples and find the niche where the thumbs just fit.

Meditation: Lock the back molars together and keep the lips closed. Keeping the teeth pressed together throughout, alternately squeeze the molars tightly and then release the pressure. A muscle will move in rhythm under the thumbs. Feel it massage the thumbs and apply a firm pressure with the hands.

Eyes: Should remain closed and focused at the spot between the eyebrows. Silently vibrate Sa-Ta-Na-Ma at the brow with each squeeze of the molars. Complete for five to seven minutes.

Gurprasaad Meditation as Taught by Yogi Bhajan

Gurprasaad is a meditation for prayer, prosperity, and receiving.

Mudra: Sitting in an easy pose with legs crossed, cup the hands in front of the heart center, palms side by side, face up, as if asking for a blessing.

Arms: Bring the arms into the chest so they rest on the rib cage. Begin with the eyes ninety percent closed, and allow them to close completely.

Mantra: None specified. Mentally recite any mantra you choose. Meditate on a specific intention and feel a deep inflow. Try reciting “I am Woman” as a mantra.

Time: This meditation can be practiced for any length of time. Start with eleven minutes and work up to thirty-one over time.