4 Accessible Ways for Practicing Silence

Silence doesn’t have to mean sitting still in a cross-legged position. Try these four easy practices to reduce stress, find balance, and nurture emotional well-being.

This summer, I had the privilege of attending my first silent retreat at Kripalu Yoga and Wellness Center in Western Massachusetts. I was inspired to sign up after reading The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, where he talks about the power of taking a misogi trip each year.

Easter introduces the idea of MISOGI—a once-a-year challenge that pushes participants far outside their comfort zone, ideally to the point where there’s a real chance of failure. His examples were adrenaline-inducing adventures—like climbing mountains—but for me, my misogi was the complete opposite: practicing silence.

My intention was simple yet profound—to quiet my mind, calm my nervous system, and give space for grief and unprocessed emotions to heal. I felt called to tap into my intuition and to cultivate clarity and trust for the next stage of life. I was craving a healthy way to balance heart and mind, the feminine and masculine, and, ultimately, to deepen my relationship with myself.

To say I loved the silent retreat would be an understatement. It far exceeded my expectations. In fact, I left with so much inspiration that I’m already looking forward to taking a group from our Kids Yoga Stories community there next year for our very own retreat!

One of the most surprising takeaways from the weekend was learning that there are different ways to enter silence. For years, I had a meditation practice that was done seated cross-legged, which has only gotten harder as my middle-aged body shape has changed. But during the retreat, I explored other positions that worked beautifully for my body and allowed me to soften into silence more deeply.

Our retreat instructor explained that these practices weren’t about meditation in the strict sense—no need to focus on breathwork the entire time or “emptying the mind.” Instead, the focus was simply on being in silence for periods of time ranging from 10 to 40 minutes. That shift felt incredibly freeing. And from that freedom, the magic unfolded…

Four Ways to Enter Silence (That Go Beyond Sitting Cross-Legged) to Tap into Intuition and Clarity

Here are four accessible ways you can enter silence, whether you’re brand new to exploring a silence practice or a lifelong meditator. Might you join me in exploring other ways to enter silence, to discover if there’s a different practice that feels supportive and nourishing for you right now.

1. Seated Silence

This is the most common way to experience silence—sitting cross-legged on a yoga mat or towel. If your hips are tight (like me), try placing a block or bolster under your sitz bones. Another option is Hero Pose, and you can even add blocks under your hips for extra comfort. Rest your palms on your thighs, or use pillows under your arms for support. Seated silence can feel grounding and familiar, making it a wonderful starting place.

Giselle in Hero Pose | Kids Yoga Poses — Hero Pose

2. Lying Down Silence

For many people, lying down feels the most natural. Try resting with a bolster or pillows under your knees, with your spine long and your chest open. Listening to a Yoga Nidra or guided meditation can help here, though the goal is to remain awake if possible. A few people dozed off during this portion of our silent retreat (which was fine!), but the deeper invitation is to hover in that relaxed yet awake space.

Giselle in resting pose | Kids Yoga Stories — Resting Pose

3. Standing Silence

Standing with your feet hip-width apart, arms resting by your sides, and spine tall while gazing forward feels surprisingly powerful. For me, this Mountain Pose made it easy to connect with my breath and body. At one point, I stood in front of a sunny window, and the warmth on my face felt profoundly healing. Standing silence invites you to be rooted, spacious, and fully present.

Giselle in Mountain Pose | Kids Yoga Stories — Mountain Pose

4. Walking Silence

If stillness makes you restless, try a walking meditation. At the retreat, we stepped outside into the grass, walking twenty slow steps forward, pausing, turning around, and then retracing our steps. This rhythmic practice can be especially grounding when your body craves movement. I’ll admit, I was distracted by trying not to step on bees, but the exercise allowed me to experience how silence can be woven into motion.

My Silent Retreat Takeaway

Silence doesn’t have to look one way.

Whether you’re seated, lying down, walking, or standing, the key is simply giving yourself permission to be. For me, these practices offered an entirely new way to enter silence—one that was less about technique and more about presence.

I hope these ideas inspire you to explore silence in your own way. You may be surprised by the clarity, intuition, and peace that arise when you simply pause and listen within.