Meditation 101: Finding inner peace

News 12's Stephanie Rose answers all your questions about meditation.MORE: <a href="http://longisland.news12.com/clip/13767309/mediation-101-extra-demystifying-meditation">Demystifying meditation</a> | <a href="http://news12li.images.worldnow.com/library/1dbd5236-5c14-4b90-87d5-6411225f2b15.pdf">Yoga Q&A</a>

News 12 Staff

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Sep 28, 2017, 9:00 AM

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Updated 2,399 days ago

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Meditation is all about quieting the mind - but do you actually need a quiet mind to start?

"The biggest misconception about meditation is that you have to quiet your mind - because that's impossible," says teacher Theresa Banks.

Meditation is a major focus of Kundalini yoga class. According to Banks, it's normal to have a lot of mental chatter when you first start out. With practice and patience, she says, your thoughts and your body will eventually start to relax - and that can really help with stress, anxiety and depression.

MORE: Demystifying meditation | Yoga 101: How to get started | Yoga Q&A

But there is more than one way to find that inner peace.

"There's guided meditation - and that's a great way for someone to start - because it gives the mind something to do," says Banks.

You can also try anything that captures your full attention: journaling, singing or listening to music, drawing, painting or walking - there are even apps for your phone.

And one technique can be your go to - anytime, anywhere.

"When your breath is calm and relaxed - You are also calm and relaxed. So if you're feeling this anxiety come up - you can just take a few breaths or go into a breathing technique - and no one even has to know what you're doing," says Banks.

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Stephanie Rose's Facebook Live on how to get started in meditation.