Finding calm in London can be challenging, but meditation is about more than just escaping the noise and stress of city life. There are different practices to try out, including mindfulness and Metta Bhavana (loving kindness). Benefits of meditation practice include improved focus, emotional well being and self compassion. Whilst there’s a plethora of meditation apps available now, sitting for meditation with a group of other people really helps you focus. So whether you’re interested in joining an on-going class, or just drop-in sessions, here’s where to find meditation classes in London
London Buddhist Centre, Bethnal Green
One of the biggest, and longest running meditation spaces in the city is London Buddhist Centre. The east London centre has been running since the 1970s and offers meditation for all levels, and you don’t have to be Buddhist to join. The centre teaches two main meditation practices Mindfulness of Breathing (a simpler technique to focus on breathing) and the Metta Bhavana (cultivation of loving kindness, which focuses more on emotions and compassion).
The LBC runs weekly in person classes, no need to book, you can just turn up. Classes are free, but you can make a donation to the centre online. There are lunchtime classes on Mondays to Saturdays from 1pm to 2pm and evening classes on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 7:15-9:30pm, there are also Yoga classes and weekend retreats
- Where: Bethnal Green
- When: Weekly lunchtime and evening
- Cost: Free (donations welcomed)
North London Buddhist Centre, Holloway
If you’ve ever been along the Holloway Road, chances are you will have seen the large, red building with a Buddha out the front. Follow your curiosity inside and you’ll be welcomed into the North London Buddhist Centre, which offers mediation and mindfulness classes as well as yoga, pilates, and gong bath therapy.
The NLBC also offers the two core practices of Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana. Meditation classes are available at different levels, with some suitable for all, and others geared towards regulars and intermediate. The centre runs all-level lunchtime meditation classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1pm-2pm for £6.00 and there is also a weekend class at 10:30-11:30 for £10.00, and beginners and regulars class on Tuesday evenings at 7:15-9:15pm.
- Where: Holloway Road
- When: Weekly lunchtime and evening
- Cost: £6.00 (£3.00 concessions) | £10.00 – evenings/weekends
Inner Space, Covent Garden
Covent Garden may seem a strange location for a place that calls itself “London’s oasis of calm and insight”, but as someone who has tried a drop-in meditation class in the area – it’s probably one of the best places to give it a go. It makes the whole central London experience much more pleasant. Outside chaos aside, Inner space is a meditation and personal development centre which runs online and in-person guided meditations which are free to attend, but donations are welcomed.
The centre is run with the aim to make meditation accessible for anyone from stressed workers to people looking for more spiritual practices. If you work nearby, book in for a Wednesday lunchtime class, which is a short, 20 minute guided meditation. Inner Space also runs evening Wednesday evening meditations, as well as seminars on subjects including time management, building resilience and people skills. And if there isn’t a class on, pop in to visit the quiet room where you can unwind or do your self-guided practice.
- Where: Covent Garden
- When: Wednesday lunchtimes and evenings
- Cost: Free (donations welcomed)
The Mindfulness Project, Warren St/Fitzrovia
An 18th century townhouse overlooking Fitzroy Square is a rather lovely venue for learning how to meditate and practising mindfulness. It’s the home of The Mindfulness Project, a dedicated centre for mindfulness which opened in 2013. The Mindfulness Project runs a range of courses and retreats.
A lot of the courses are on the pricier end of the scale, but it does also offer online meditations for £5.00 and day retreats for £45.00 The company also runs mindfulness at work courses, so if you don’t fancy forking out for a more extensive course, see if your workplace will foot the bill.
- Where: Warren St
- When: Various dates per term
- Costs: Circa £35.00 per week (8 week course)
For more well being ideas do check out our article on “Alternative Ways to Stay Fit in London”, and then there’s always Puppy Yoga.
