I have to say I really enjoyed this weeks exercise- especially after having such a hard time with the exercises last week. I opted to use the rise and fall of my chest as my focal point and was able to immediately find a comfortable rhythm. I have had asthma since I was a child so focusing on my breathing has always kind of been a priority- especially when having an attack and the need to stay calm is so important.
The one thing that really kind of surprised me is how quickly I shut out my daily worries. I'm a multitasker and generally I have a lot going on in my mind on what needs to be done, in what order, at what time, etc., but when I got laid down and was just focusing on the rise and fall of my chest everything just kind of melted away. Pretty soon I found myself thinking I was a dandelion seed floating around this weird world of images that were also floating through my mind. None of them were really screaming for my attention or trying to draw me into them, they were just sort of there- it was rather weird... but at the same time very comforting. I think it was when I recognized that the things on my mind would still be there when I was done with my exercise that I was truly able to emerse myself into this exercise.
I didn't come out of it tired this time, I felt more awake and alive than anything and am now setting up some time this weekend so that I can go out into nature and try this out there. I love being surrounded by trees and plants and hearing the out of doors so I really want to experience the results from inside my home out there and see if they are better or worse (hopefully better).
-Jen R.
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Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this exercise as well. I found it to be very beneficial. I have to admit I was very skeptical because my mind is constantly wondering about any and everything. I am glad that you enjoyed it and found it to be beneficial as well. I think you will experience better results outdoors because is it so calming and beautiful. I hope you stay warm!
Hi Jen,
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting idea and a very good one. I didn't think of trying these exercises in a different environment, but I'd be interested in finding out what it would be like. I tried the exercises following a physical work out with my yoga ball and stretch exercises, so it was very easy to focus on my breathing and then transition into the subtle mind. I was only there for a few minutes, but I felt so blessed and comforted there when I was there, it was ashame I couldn't hold that state of mind for longer! I encourage you to continue to practice both exercises and I hope you make a lot of progress with it the more you practice.