As with last week, an Mp3 was offered with, for lack of better terminology, a series of deep breathing exercises to follow.. Very simple, as we all need to breathe, right?? I do recommend a bathroom break prior to this exercise as it is almost 25 minutes long, and I had just consumed a large amount of iced tea.. I re-started and that was much better:-)
First , and most importantly was 10 slow deep breaths where you concentrated on the flow going in and out. Very simple but amazingly effective.. I like it better when the instructions are brief, and they let you "work" at your own pace.. with moving water and a quiet flute as the only audio.. The voice is rather soothing as well. ( as opposed to the male voice in earlier exercises.. I just did not like his voice, and rather than relaxing me, I felt more annoyance than anything.. just personal preference) I thought that both this exercise and the loving kindness exercise from last week were about the same as far as ability to focus and included the same voice and quiet audio.
We were asked to discuss the mind/body/physical wellness connection and how we have experienced it personally. The best example I can think of is when I am at the gym, on the treadmill ( aka slip and slide as I have tripped on this machine and need to have a sense of humor about that)or when on the elliptical machine ... when I hit that zone.. you runners know what I mean...( I don't run, as my poor knees would protest loudly and painfully), but when in that zone, I truly zone out.. I may look at the TVs in the room, but don't really pay attention to whats on.. rather observe the images( oooo look at the pretty colors :-)) and my brain goes elsewhere.. sometimes to "write" a school project in my head, other times to plan my next errand or task.. but often just to just BE. No pressures, no demands save for breathing ( The text for class encourage us to use this time to concentrate in the ins/outs of our breath as well much like the aforementioned exercise above) I find myself visualizing waves on a shore, or an eagle soaring, a herd of horses running.. or ( big surprise) wolves howling in concert.
When done with exercise, and in the car, I find that I still feel relaxed and I'll admit, that I actually have to force myself to concentrate lest I become a driving hazard..I have since learned to at least splash cool water on my face before leaving the gym! I have since tried the 10 deep breaths exercise just prior to sleep with success.. my brain did actually seem "quiet"
North Shore of lake Superior.. one of my favorite spots on earth.
Another favorite spot:Lake Shagawa, Ely, Mn.
I would have to say that I love your bathroom break suggestion (ha-ha).
ReplyDeleteI also thought that this exercise was more relaxing in the sense that it allowed you to go at a slower pace and find the mental place that you needed to be at for yourself before moving on. I think that was half the problem with the last exercise for me was that when I finally felt like I was relaxed I was already giving love to another (ha-ha).
I also can understand what you are saying about finding the zone. I am a runner and that is one reason why I found this exercise so effective for me compared to the loving kindness exercise. When I run I listen to the rhythm of my feet then I find a focal point (like the exercise except I am moving and outdoors). I think that it is great that you too have found a physical exercise that you too can incorporate a mental exercise as well.
I really enjoyed reading your post, I felt a lot of similarities to how you described how you felt during this exercise but also learned that it is ok to feel no pressures or demands and sometimes it is necessary to let things go and as you stated just "BE:.
Great post,
Melissa Brandt