meditating at the dentist?

Greetings from a rainy and wet day in North Bethesda, MD!  Whether you have a meditation practice or are interested in meditating– it can be a challenge to carve out time in our day to really just sit with no distractions and be with ourselves.  We are all so busy and unfortunately, the last person that we tend to make time for are ourselves.  This is when I take meditation to the streets (ie: while running errands).

When I find myself running all over town, attempting to cross things off my list, I try to incorporate my yoga/meditation practice INTO my to-do list.  A couple weeks ago, I had to go to the dentist.  No choice, it’s something I had to do.

So as I hear the buzzing of my dentist’s drill (ugh), I began to meditate.  How, you ask?  Well first of all, I don’t know about you, but the dentist’s chair is not my favorite place to be.  So I thought, what better time to zone out and not think about or feel what’s going on in my mouth?!  I literally stared into the overhead light and practiced my own version of “candle” gazing.

Candle gazing is a popular meditation technique– great place for a beginner to start his/her meditation practice.

Granted a nice quiet place with no distractions is ideal for meditating, but some times you just have to make it work when/where you can!  I already was forced to sit still in the chair for several minutes and that’s half the battle right there!  After a few minutes, I was able to tune out the noises, stare into the light and deepen my breath.

Before I knew it, my dentist was done!  Keep in mind, you may get interrupted when your dentist asks you if you’re feeling ok and you have to answer or give a quick nod/blink, but if you are focused, you can jump right back into your mediation.  Plus, you’ll looked so relaxed that your dentist will sense that you are doing just fine.

So, when you schedule your next check up– try this out!  You’ll leave the dentist smiling- not only because your teeth are sparkling, but because you were able to find some time even in the most hectic or uncomfortable moments.

Another great place to squeeze in a meditation session is at the nail salon.  Last week while getting a pedicure (a yogi’s necessity and treat), I got a good 10 minutes in.  My feet are extremely ticklish, enough so that I almost can’t stand when a pedicurist is touching them.   I want the love, but I live in fear that I am going to kick someone in the face every time I go in to get my tootsies beautified.  I came up with challenge– can I meditate my way through the pedicure and not move or wiggle at all?  Success!

If you are lucky, your chair has a massage feature.  Turn that sucker on, close your eyes and enjoy the moment.  Start your deep breathing.  Who cares (no one!) if you make sounds when you breathe?  Plus your eyes are closed, so you won’t see anyone watching you.  If you feel like you are in a groove, you can even chant to yourself or repeat your favorite mantra.  Maybe you want to repeat your version of OMMmmmm in your head.

Here’s a great list of beginner chants from Yoga Journal.  Pick one that resonates with you and have at it.

The next thing you know, you’ll open your eyes and gaze down at your pretty yoga themed Essie colored toes.  Guys– this goes for you too.  Don’t worry, most of us WELCOME you to get a pedicure… often.

If you think you have no time to meditate– make the time.  If you live in the DC-MD-VA area, the least you can do is get a session in during your rush hour commute.  Just please don’t close your eyes, even if you are crawling on I-495!