Written by Aviva Tulasi

On Saturday, February 22nd, join Aviva to redefine your relationship with meditation. In this workshop, we’ll explore the common challenges that make meditation difficult and learn practical strategies to experience focus. Sign up in person at Stonegate Studio or online via Zoom. Visit our event page for more details.

To support a consistent meditation practice, Sam will be leading a weekly meditation every Wednesday beginning March 5th. The session will include guided mindfulness and compassion practices followed by a short discussion. This practice is open to meditators with any level of experience!

Do you feel like meditation just isn’t for you? You’re not alone.

Every winter, I struggle to maintain my meditation practice. The darker mornings make it harder to get out of bed, and my favorite meditation spots are too cold to enjoy. Even when I carve out a moment for intentional silence, distractions creep in—someone stirring in the house, a to-do list that won’t quit, or the restless urge to get up and get moving. I often tell myself, “I’ll meditate later,” but as the day fills with activity, I don’t return to my cushion and stillness.

It's easy for me to think, “I can’t meditate.” Yet, without realizing it, I experience meditation in small moments throughout the day—pausing to notice my breath, marveling at nature, or immersing myself in creativity. Instead of judging myself, I can embrace my current state and intentionally work toward a more active meditation practice.

Meditation is often seen as a gateway to calm, clarity, and balance. But the truth is, sitting in silence can feel anything but peaceful. When we pause, the mind becomes acutely aware of its own activity. Racing thoughts, unexpected emotions, or physical discomfort often rise to the surface, making it difficult to stay present.

It’s important to understand that meditation isn’t about achieving peacefulness. It’s about learning to focus on a single thought, noticing distractions, and gently guiding your attention back. Noticing the difficulty in the mind is itself the end achievement- you are noticing how the mind is not the only part of you. Through the process of opening yourself to awareness, you begin to learn more about yourself: how your mind works and how your body feels which allows you to integrate your experience and opens you to a greater sense of connection.

When obstacles arise in meditation, it’s easy to think, “I must be doing this wrong,” or, “Other people must find this easier.” It’s not just you; everyone thinks this at some point. But here’s the secret: the outer stillness you see in others doesn’t mean their meditation is effortless or tranquil. Meditation is a practice, not perfection. It takes patience, persistence, and a willingness to meet yourself exactly where you are.

The challenges you face—racing thoughts, frustration, restlessness—are all part of the practice. Instead of resisting them, embrace them as opportunities to redefine what meditation can look like for you. It’s not about sitting perfectly still; it’s about learning how to connect, focus, and cultivate awareness in ways that align with your life.

On February 22nd, Aviva will be leading a workshop called Meditation for Those Who Can’t Meditate. Together, we’ll explore the obstacles that make meditation difficult and discover practical strategies to find focus and stillness in your own way.

Questions? Email info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com.

Aviva Tulasi is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and studio coordinator at Dogwood Studios. Aviva applies the teachings of classical yoga (movement, focused breathing & meditation) to nourish the nervous system. Aviva’s classes empower students to explore their thought habits in order to promote greater wellbeing both on and off the mat.

SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.