Breathe and Listen...

When you prepare for your yoga practice and meditation, it is good to set up your sacred place and to get it warm and cozy. This will allow for your body to warm up easily. Next is to prepare yourself By cleansing the hands and feet the face the mouth. Make sure that your stomach is empty. Make sure your mind is not competitive. Once you are prepared, it is time to get on the mat. Spend anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour practicing Pranayama and Asana (it will depend on where you are in your own personal practice as to how long you will need to practice prior to meditation). Once you have finished your Asana practice, it is important that you spend a good amount of time in Savasana (corpse pose) to allow for your body to settle. Now you are ready to find a comfortable upright position where you can be nice and alert. You don't need to set a timer for yourself, all you need to do is breathe and listen...