Looking for a spot to meditate? Try Inhere

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Drop-in meditation studio launches for workers
Drop-in meditation studio launches for workers inhere

The man sitting opposite you on the Tube is doing it; the woman on her lunch break is doing it; kids in the classroom are doing it too.

Meditation has officially emerged from the cover of yoga studios and far flung wellness retreats into the mainstream, with every man and his dog (literally) cottoning on to the benefits of reaching a state of consciousness when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and patterns.

But unfortunately the world doesn’t stop because you need half an hour to centre yourself.

Finding the right environment during the busy working day can be a struggle; as Uber CEO Travis Kalanick learned earlier this month when he added to the company’s run of bad press by meditating in the office lactation rooms.

Someone probably should have suggested he try Inhere, the new drop-in meditation studio in the heart of the Square Mile.

What is it?

Inhere is London’s first teacher-free, drop-in meditation studio, offering bite-sized meditation sessions of different lengths and with different focuses throughout the day. The studio was founded by City marketing consultant Adiba Osmani, who discovered what a week at a private health and wellness resort in Thailand could do for the mind, and wanted to make some of the benefits more accessible to busy Londoners.

How does it work?

Inhere offers seven different guided modules that are delivered via recordings of soothing soundscapes and instructional audio tracks. Sessions last five, 20 or 30 minutes and run at various times throughout the day.

Some like ‘Awake’ and ‘Rest’ have been developed to fit in with the ebbs and flows of your daily routine, while others address specific concerns such as concentration and negative thoughts. Users can book a session online or drop in whenever they feel like a breather.

Most have been developed and recorded by Adiba based on her own practice and scientific research on how the brain and body respond to meditation. They incorporate a variety of meditation techniques including breathing exercises, body scans and visualisations, and are suitable for beginners right through to those who practice on a regular basis.

What are the benefits?

By now the benefits of meditation for workers is well-documented. Research shows that meditating, even just for a few minutes at a time, can help us cope with the increasing pace of life in urban environments, from managing stress and negative thoughts to improving concentration and focus. Regular practice can also help us sleep deeper, think clearer, and develop feelings of compassion towards ourselves, which makes it easier to form stronger relationships and show empathy for others. With simple-to-follow sessions, an on-demand booking system, and a convenient location between Fenchurch Street and Monument stations, Inhere makes the benefits more accessible and easier to introduce into your daily routine. No excuses.

How much?

Single sessions start at £2 for five minutes, £12 for 20 minutes, and £15 for 30 minutes, but frequent users have the option of buying a block of sessions or fortnightly and monthly unlimited packages.

Where can I try it?

Inhere Meditation Studio, Light Centre Monument, 36 St Mary at Hill EC3R 8DU.