Make a little space
A few minutes of guidance can make it easier to begin. Explore ten different recordings, from a short first sit to a longer practice, with clear timings and notes to help you choose.
You do not need to work through every video. Start with the time you have and the kind of practice that appeals to you, then return to a teacher whose approach you enjoy.
Curious about different practices? Explore our wellbeing guides.
Start with a shorter practice
Try one of these shorter recordings for a clear starting point. There are different ways in: a simple seated practice, noticing distractions, walking or a brief self-compassion exercise. Choose what interests you rather than treating the collection as a sequence to complete.
Begin with a simple five-minute sit
John Davisi · Goodful
John Davisi introduces a brief spoken practice that starts with ordinary breathing and returning attention when the mind wanders. Choose this if you would like a clear first session without setting aside a large part of the day. You can use the same short recording again rather than feeling that each visit needs a new technique or a longer duration.
Original video: 5-Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere | Goodful
Published by Goodful.
Notice when your attention wanders
Kessonga · Headspace
Headspace teacher Kessonga introduces noting: recognising that attention has wandered and gently returning to the present. The format gives you something practical to do with distractions, rather than asking you to prevent them. It is an option for a short break or the beginning of a regular sit. Treat the focus theme as a way into the practice, rather than a promise of better performance.
Original video: 10-Minute Guided Meditation to Boost Focus and Motivation
Published by Headspace.
Take your practice for a walk
Brother Khiet Minh · Plum Village App
Brother Khiet Minh guides walking meditation among the pine trees of Plum Village in France. This short practice film offers awareness through movement rather than another seated recording. Watch the introduction, then choose a clear space where you can walk comfortably without needing to watch the screen throughout. It is a different starting point if slow movement appeals to you more than sitting still.
Original video: Walking Meditation | Guided by Brother Khiet Minh
Published by Plum Village App.
Try a brief self-compassion break
Dr. Kristin Neff
This short exercise brings together noticing a difficulty, recognising that struggle is part of being human and responding with kindness. Kristin Neff offers a different emphasis from following the breath alone, with a clear focus for a small amount of quiet time. You can explore the language at your own pace; there is no requirement to produce a particular feeling before the recording ends.
Original video: General Self-Compassion Break | Mindful Practice for Emotional Support Guided by Dr. Kristin Neff
Published by Dr. Kristin Neff.
Explore body, breath and awareness
These recordings offer different ways to place attention: noticing physical sensations, following breathing or returning to the present moment. Choose the style that interests you rather than treating duration as a measure of progress.
Begin with a shorter body scan
Dora · Headspace
Headspace teacher Dora leads gentle breathing followed by a body scan, inviting attention to physical sensations with curiosity. This is a shorter way to explore awareness of the body before trying a longer recording. Choose a comfortable position and follow at your own pace. The practice offers something to notice, without needing to force a particular feeling or result.
Original video: The First Step to Getting Unstuck: 10 Minute Body Scan Meditation to Overcome Fear & Doubt
Published by Headspace.
Notice the body, one area at a time
Karen · Occupational Health and Wellbeing NUH
This body scan from Nottingham University Hospitals offers time to explore physical sensations with spoken guidance. The recording describes options for lying down or sitting upright in a chair, so begin by choosing a position you can settle into. Allow about twenty-four minutes for the full video. It is a longer alternative to the brief first sits, with attention directed towards the body.
Original video: 25 Minute Mindfulness Body Scan
Published by Occupational Health and Wellbeing NUH.
Rest in present-moment awareness
Tara Brach
Tara Brach begins with a body scan and awareness of the senses, then uses the breath as a home base while opening attention to experience. This offers a broader field than following breathing alone. The recording closes with a prayer or blessing for oneself and others, so it may appeal if you are interested in a practice with that contemplative framing.
Original video: Guided Meditation: A Witnessing, Kind Presence with Tara Brach
Published by Tara Brach.
Make time for a longer guided sit
Thich Nhat Hanh · Plum Village
For a longer session, this original Plum Village recording offers guidance from Thich Nhat Hanh in the Plum Village Buddhist tradition. Allow around thirty-seven minutes and choose somewhere you can remain comfortable without rushing. It gives the collection an unhurried option for days with more space. You do not need to choose it simply because it is longer than the other recordings.
Original video: Calm – Ease | Guided Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh
Published by Plum Village.
Make room for kindness and a slower evening
Try a practice that invites a kinder attitude, or choose a recording designed for winding down. Notice whether you prefer spoken guidance, quiet pauses or a more continuous voice.
Explore loving-kindness through the body
Tara Brach
Tara Brach guides an embodied metta, or loving-kindness, practice beginning with the image of a smile and attention to the face and body. The emphasis is on meeting experience with friendliness and extending goodwill. Choose it if you would like to explore a Buddhist-rooted kindness practice with more time than the short self-compassion break. The video runs for about nineteen minutes.
Original video: Guided Meditation: Embodied Metta | Tara Brach
Published by Tara Brach.
Ease into a quieter evening
Great Meditation
This evening recording combines spoken guidance with background music. The session moves through breathing, body relaxation and acknowledging the day before winding down. Try it when you are ready to rest in a comfortable place and would enjoy a guided recording with background music. Its bedtime theme is an invitation to slow down; it does not promise that everyone will fall asleep.
Original video: 20 Minute Guided Meditation Before You Sleep!
Published by Great Meditation.
Make the practice fit your day
Choose one recording and make yourself reasonably comfortable before pressing play. A chair is a useful starting point; you do not need a particular cushion or a perfect meditation space. Check the volume, place your screen where you do not need to keep holding it and follow any position choices the teacher offers.
There is no need to force an empty mind. When you notice you have become distracted, you can return to the next spoken instruction. Keep your eyes open if that suits you, change position or stop the recording when you need to. If sitting is not your preference, the walking practice offers a different way in.
Afterwards, take a moment to notice what you liked about the format. A familiar voice, a particular pace or a shorter duration may matter more to you than a dramatic title. You can save the video in your own YouTube account if you want to find it again; simply returning to this guide works too.
A few questions before you begin
Which guided meditation should I try first?
Start with one of the shorter recordings and a format that is clearly explained. If sitting still appeals to you, try a simple breath or awareness practice; if you prefer movement, explore the walking option. You can change teachers without having done anything wrong. The useful question is whether the instructions make sense to you.
Do I need equipment or headphones?
You do not need to buy anything to begin. A stable chair or another comfortable place to sit may be enough for a seated recording. Headphones are optional and can help you hear a quiet voice, but speakers are fine when the space allows. Choose a volume that is comfortable rather than trying to make the recording immersive.
Why is a video not playing on this page?
Use the Watch on YouTube button beneath that recording to open its original page. Browser restrictions, cookie choices, connection problems or changes made by the uploader can affect embedded playback. The direct links are included so that you have another way to watch. If relevant, you can review Cookie preferences in the footer.
Are the videos free to watch?
These are publicly available YouTube recordings rather than paid courses. YouTube may show adverts or offer its own account features, and availability can change. The teacher and channel are named on every card so you can check the original source before choosing to watch.
Can I use an evening recording without trying to fall asleep?
Yes. You can choose it as a quieter end to the day and stop when it feels complete. A sleep-themed title does not guarantee that you will fall asleep, and you do not need to judge the practice by that outcome. Check whether the teacher invites sitting or lying down and choose the option that suits you.
Video links checked 25 October 2026. Timings are rounded from the full recordings, which may include introductions and closing words. These are different approaches to explore, rather than a ranking.