If you’re thinking of getting into meditation, Check out our list of the 4 best guided meditation apps for 2023.
Introduction
Meditation is helpful when looking for a moment of stillness, a space for quieting the mind, exploring spirituality or simply relaxing the body. It can be difficult to stay committed to a regular meditation practice – which offers the most benefits for the body and mind – but there are ways to keep motivated and stay on track with your daily schedule.
Guided meditation apps, a result of combining technology with traditional meditation practices, can be a great way to begin or continue your journey with meditation. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced meditator, following and practicing with a meditation app can expand your perspectives and give you fresh input for your practice.
Below we will go through the basics of guided meditation and how to choose the best-guided meditation app for your practice.
What is Guided Meditation?
Guided meditation is a meditation practice instructed and led by a yoga or meditation teacher. This can be done in person or with a voice or video recording.
Such a practice allows you to learn about different meditation techniques – provided by the teacher – and can help you relax and dive into the practice with a well-prepared structure and guidance.
If you are a beginner, guided meditation can be a supportive learning space for you to grasp the idea behind meditation. And if you already have some experience, following a guided meditation can open your perspective and teach new skills for your practice.
Each guided meditation will have a specific goal or concentration point. Usually, you will find guided meditations focussed on a specific topic, philosophy or using a certain meditation method. These include mantra meditation, progressive relaxation, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and spiritual meditation.
As we all are different and will have different needs in different life stages, it is good to discover different ways to meditate and relax. Finding the best guided meditation may not be the main focus when trying to meditate. Accepting and being curious about new experiences will bring you to the “best” meditation practice.
Best Guided Meditation Apps
Today you can easily find many guided meditation apps, courses and online resources for free. Regarding regular and coherent meditation practices, we highly recommend using a guided meditation app to access many beneficial teachings and meditation sessions.
Here we will go through some of the best guided meditation apps which can help you on your journey towards inner peace and tranquility.
Calm
Rated as one of the best guided meditation apps available online, Calm is a great choice if you are looking for a less structured and more intuitive program with meditation and relaxing exercises.
Price:
You can register for a seven-day free trial and decide if you wish to subscribe later. You may choose an annual membership for $70 or limitless access to the app for $400.
App Features:
- Available in various languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Korean, Portuguese
- Sleep stories and meditations for adults and children
- Guided meditations and body relaxation sessions
- Masterclasses
- Relaxing music in the background
- Video recordings with gentle stretching
- Student discount and Family Plan available
Ten Percent Happier Meditation
Known as one of the best guided meditation apps for beginners, Ten Percent Happier Meditation is a great choice for anyone curious about meditation and beginners.
Price:
Again, you can apply for a 7-day free trial and commit yourself to an annual subscription for $100.
App Features:
- Meditation video introductions
- Topic-specific meditations
- In-app podcasts
- Mindfulness exercises
- Secular meditations available
- The guided sleep meditation section is available
Headspace
If you are looking for an app to help you with rewinding mostly at the end of the day and before sleep, headspace can be a great app to start with.
Price:
You may access a two-week free trial to see if the app works for you. After that, you have to pay $13 monthly or a $70 annual subscription.
App Features:
- Meditation session timer
- Email subscription with reminders
- Tracking your meditation journey
- Specific program training
- App community
- Guided meditations for beginners and experts
Buddhify
If you wish to use meditation and relaxation to relieve targetted emotions and life situations, we recommend you try the Buddhify meditation app.
Price:
To download the app, you will have to pay $5. Later, you will have free meditation material and can make additional in-app purchases.
App Features:
- Target-specific guided meditation
- Timer for personal meditation practices
- Mindfulness on-the-go
- Easy-to-follow interface
- Additional material on meditation principles
Building Your Script
Writing your meditation can be a helpful practice when you are starting to learn meditation or even if you already have some experience.
After listening to samples of good guided meditations and some practice, you can try creating your meditation scripts or structure to follow.
Here you will find some tips on how to build your meditation script:
1. Find the Type of Meditation You Wish to Follow
Choosing a specific type of meditation makes it easier to stay focused and relaxed and prepare a sound structure for your meditation. There are many different types of meditation; choosing one will be the first step when preparing your script.
Some meditation types include:
- Loving-Kindness Meditation
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Movement Meditation
- Candle Gazing Meditation
- Visualization Meditation
- Mantra Meditation
2. Start Small and Simple
If you are preparing a meditation script for the first time, remember to keep it simple. Following a more basic and slow structure will ensure you are following a relaxed and peaceful rhythm and can gently get to know the voice of your meditation.
3. Prepare the Body and Mind
We often forget that the mind and body must be cared for simultaneously. When it comes to meditation, make sure you start by relaxing and loosening tensions in the physical body. You may practice opening yoga postures or free movement followed by pranayama breathwork exercises. Your mind will be more willing to relax when your muscles and physical body have been cared for beforehand.
4. Have Fun and Do Not Judge the Outcome of Your Practice
Beginning to meditate can feel overwhelming and even stressful at times. Remember that you are here to experience a safe and relaxing space within and get to know your inner self. There is no need for judgment and opinionating when preparing and practicing meditation. Allow the rhythm of your practice to guide you, and try following it with acceptance and curiosity.
The Bottomline
Finding the right guided meditation practice is a great way to ensure you will stay motivated and focused during the session. Meditation apps can greatly support your journey and provide the guidance and discipline needed when building your meditation routine. As you can see, there are plenty of online spaces where you can find guided meditations and relaxation to suit your personal needs. If you would like to learn more about the traditional methods and techniques behind meditation, you can also follow us and join our online meditation course, ‘Calm Your Spirit, Soothe Your Mind’ at Siddhiyoga.com
