Headspace_logo_svg
Try for freeTry for free
VideoThe Basics

The Basics

Learn the fundamentals, techniques, and benefits to meditation with our guided beginner’s course.

Try 14 days free

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Try 14 days free
Better mental health starts with Headspace

(relaxing music rising) Hi there, it's Eve. I'm a Headspace meditation teacher, and I'm so glad you're here. Trust me, I know that starting meditation can feel like a lot, but I'm here to help. Not sure where to start? No surprises, we recommend the Basics. These 10 sessions really lay out the fundamentals, techniques, and benefits to meditation. You can choose to listen to any of our teachers, and you can begin your practice in as little as three minutes a day. In the Basics course, you'll learn the techniques of focused attention to help settle the mind. When we focus on an object like the breath, we're simply providing a stable point of reference to come back to. Body Scan, to connect mind and body. Imagine it like the light from a photocopier. As you scan downward, focus your attention on whichever part of the body the light is on. And one of my absolute favorites, Noting. When we're meditating and we realize the mind's wandered off, we pause and identify the nature of distraction. Having noted, there's a sense of having dealt with it. This exercise isn't about getting rid of thoughts, it's about getting comfortable with thoughts, learning how to view them with a little more perspective. And when we do this, we naturally find a place of calm. Don't worry if you miss a day or two, just pick up right where you left off. Some days, meditation will feel easy, on others, it might feel difficult. The trick is to gently stay with it, each time, no matter how it feels. Not only does our Basics course help you develop a foundation of mindfulness, the course itself has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety symptoms. So what are you waiting for? The Basics is a great course to help you build a foundation for your meditation practice, so take a breath and let's get started. (relaxing music)...

Details

TypeVideo
Duration2 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Stress, sleep, and all the challenging emotions — care for your mind with the everyday mental health app that's shown to make a difference.

Try 14 days free
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice