WITHIN Meditation: A Meditation Studio In SF

By Kiana Noble

Staying focused and productive at work is harder than ever thanks to our smart phones. One minute, it might be a notification for breaking news, the next minute, a notification for a new Bumble match (YAY), and the next minute, your mom texting you because she discovered what Bitmojis are. And now that technology and posting on social media is integrated into so many of our jobs, its almost impossible to go a full work day without using our phones. 

I was lucky enough to find a meditation studio called WITHIN Meditation and it's located in San Francisco’s Financial District. They offer 30-minute meditation classes in the early mornings of the work week. The location of the studio and the time of the classes makes it convenient for even the biggest of workaholics to sit in with them before they go off to start their work days. A morning meditation session can help one be more productive and focused throughout the rest of the day by simply helping individuals increase their capacity to resist distracting urges.

People decide to meditate for many different reasons; to elevate stress, set intentions, to help with insomnia. I decided to join Within Meditation to simply relax after I had a whirlwind of a week moving into a new apartment and starting a new job. My mind had been cluttered with thoughts about how I was going to adjust to my new job and even more importantly, how I was going to make my new apartment the most aesthetically pleasing.   

Sitting crossed legged in front of the instructor I closed my eyes and listened to her instruction, awaiting to be transferred to a place of satisfaction and clarity. Peaceful, I think, until I hear the sirens of a fire truck echoing throughout the streets.

Greaat. I think to myself. Now all that I can think about is the fire fighters. Where are they going? Are the people going to be okay? Why haven’t I dated a firefighter yet?

And then another sound fills the room, this time a rattling, clanking sound. A trash truck. Which prompts new thoughts to enter my head. Did I take out the trash this morning? No? Great, this can only mean more fruit flies in the house.

Meditation is clearly going well.

And then something magnificent happened. The instructor, Hannah Knapp, points out the noise. Here I was trying so hard to not acknowledge the background noise and then Hannah actually mentions the noise. I thought we were resisting distracting urges? But that’s exactly where Hannah is leading me. She allows me to acknowledge the noise, but then to let go. And with that strategy, the rest of the session turns into a blissful blur. 

I end up leaving with a clearer head, and the confidence to resist the rest of the day’s distractions. Although I believe any form of daily meditation is great, there’s something so beautiful about staying still and silent while surrounded by other people. And unlike with mediation apps, it’s so great to be able to have an instructor help you get back on track when there’s a distraction. I’ll definitely be returning to Within Mediation. 

To learn more about WITHIN Meditation visit WITHINmeditation.com.