After the past few years, you might be looking for ways to feel better and improve your mental health. Meditation can help you be more present by teaching you to notice and attend to what’s happening in your mind and body. It can also help you develop a better sense of self. “One of the biggest benefits I see in my students is confidence,” says Joy Page, owner of wellness studio Joy of Yoga. “Meditating encourages us to slow down and become more aware. It teaches us to examine our thoughts and our feelings without judging them.” Although it can be challenging to quiet your mind amid life’s many distractions, several groups can help you realize the benefits of mindfulness.
Confluence Zen Center STL
7112 St. James Square
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In a Nutshell: For nearly three decades, Daigaku Rummé studied meditation under the tutelage of influential Zen masters in Japan. Since 2015, Rummé, a Zen master himself, has guided St. Louisans to mindfulness at the Confluence Zen Center STL, now located in Maplewood.
Classes: Confluence Zen Center STL offers seated meditation sessions, also known as zazen, throughout the week. Newcomers to Zen practice are encouraged to attend Beginners’ Nights, typically held the first Monday of each month.
Joy of Yoga
8918 Manchester
In a Nutshell: Page opened this Brentwood studio as a home for guests searching for mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Joy of Yoga offers a variety of classes and workshops that cater to yogis of all experience levels.
Classes: Although the focus is on yoga—with hatha classes on Vinyasa, yoga nidra, and yoga basics—there are also several opportunities to practice meditation. The studio also hosts events focused on guided meditation.
Float STL
3027 Locust in Midtown / 127 B Weldon Parkway in Maryland Heights
In a Nutshell: The practice of floating is exactly as it sounds: a means to calm anxiety and treat minor pain. Climb into a pod filled with warm water and Epsom salt, then relax in peace and quiet—and total darkness, if you wish—while floating for periods of 60 or 90 minutes.
Classes: There are no instructional sessions, though both the Midtown and Maryland Heights locations do offer more than floating. Infrared sauna sessions last 30 minutes and promise all of the relaxation benefits of a traditional sauna but at a more comfortable temperature.
Jane’s House Studio
1112 First Capitol, Suite C, St. Charles
In a Nutshell: Robin Buck founded Jane’s House more than two decades ago to share the philosophical teachings of yoga and promote a holistic lifestyle. The studio, named in memory of former St. Charles County librarian Jane Householder, offers sessions for meditation, yoga, reiki, and more.
Classes: On Mondays at 7 p.m., sign up for the 75-minute Wisdom in Motion class, the ideal yoga class for those who wish to spend more time in meditation. Breath and Meditation is also held one Sunday per month, and Flow, Breathe + Chant with Vinotha on Saturdays at 4 p.m.
Yoga in DeMun
6348 S. Rosebury
In a Nutshell: This Clayton studio promotes channeling a sense of self through yoga and meditation. A native of Taiwan, founder Christy Lin has taught students around the world to balance physical strength with inner calm.
Classes: Guided meditation sessions are regularly scheduled, including Deep Stretch and Meditation classes on Tuesday nights. Check the studio’s schedule for the latest updates.
