This one's a little off the usual path, but I find the hand gestures of Ninjutsu very helpful while meditating. It gives me something to concentrate on that has some meaning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUdSQMk0ujA
Here's the link to the article about it on Nerdist - http://nerdist.com/scientific-study-shows-practicing-ninja-moves-calms-the-body-sharpens-the-mind/