I am choosing two practices that worked well for me this term. I really enjoyed visualization and the subtle mind exercise. I can actually visualize myself going to the ocean and relaxing on the beach with a nice cool drink...I can do my own visualizations, but also enjoyed listening to some of the ones that guide you. I like the "walk in the woods", it guides you through the woods, and brings you to a lake. You then look into the lake and the ripples are your stress...when the ripples stop, you are completely relaxed. It works!
The subtle mind practice was easy for me to do. My mind did not wander like I thought it would. If it started to wander, I concentrated on my breathing. I felt relaxed for most of the day after doing this exercise!
I would love to be able to show my clients how to do these exercises, and experience is the only way to really communicate with them. With my knowledge, I can pass down what I have learned.
I plan on learning many more exercises that will relieve stress and calm the mind. The ones that didn't work for me are the exercises that kept interrupting by talking...it was also hard to picture some of the things they tell you to, like the loving kindness exercise. I could not picture someone suffering and then take it in, and breathe out love...very difficult for me.
Adding to my Unit 8 Post:
ReplyDeleteI wanted to say that when I am in need of a break, when mental chatter becomes too much to handle, Visualization and Subtle Mind practice will help improve my mental fitness because I can do it anywhere. I can go to a park and just close my eyes for a few minutes and visualize somewhere I want to be. I can learn to still my mind, and the more I practice the better I will get. I think many of these practices require practice and patience, and why it doesn't work for some people..they give up too soon! I did this at first, but then once I tried some of these exercises again, I was able to do them better.
Selena
Hi Selena,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you where able to get so much out of the exercises that we have learned in this course. I too really enjoyed the visualization exercise. I feel like that was the one exercise that allowed you to be creative while relaxing. Good luck to you with your future practices.
Hey Selena,
ReplyDeleteI will miss talking with you in seminars and on our blogs too when this class is over and I do hope we meet again in another class. Your posts are always so thoughtful and 'real' to read :)
I marvel at how you can do your own visualizations, as I cannot do that, lol. I have to have the help of a guide or my mind ends up turning the whole experience into something funny or I get too distracted. I had a difficult time with the loving-kindness exercise at first too but then with some practice I was able to at least get farther than I did the first time. Good luck with these exercises! I just know you will be a great health and wellness professional!