Tuesday, December 26, 2017
I'm writing this, on my mat, at 10:30 AM.
I'm enjoying the schedule-less holiday break that I'll be on until January 2, 2018, and taking this opportunity to return to my mat.
I'm going to enter my practice with an open spirit this morning, and push myself in a very mindful way, being careful not to overdo anything.
I'm going to focus on keeping my mind and heart open and offer up any negative thoughts and feelings that arise to God.
I'll be showering before beginning my practice; clean going to you mat, and clean after being on your mat.
Tuesday, December 26, 2017 (Part II)
Physical- I felt strong and solid in my practice this morning. I focus on keeping my legs straight in any forward bend (as I have a tendency to soften my knees) and I'm incorporating the same straightness in my arms for any pose where I use them for support (Downward Dog, predominately).
This focus on my arms moves my poses into interesting "uncharted territory" when I fully engage the technique. This helps create stronger arms and shoulders.
Because I haven't practiced in a week, I allowed myself to sit, and sink into my standing forward bends. I allowed myself longer than my standard 5 breath count, to allow the back of my body to open up. This can cause a tingling numbness at times that I interpret as a sign of deep stretching.
I moved gingerly into my side bends, and seated spinal twists as I wiped out on the ice yesterday and landed on my side. It was probably hilarious looking to anyone who might have seen it, but, in reality, it sucks to fall and have the full weight of your body slam into the ground when you're not expecting it. I'm happy to say that there wasn't much wrong with me this morning and not real soreness in my back, where most of the impact focused.
I ended with 3 full upward bows, and moved progressively deeper into each one. By the 3rd, and final, I had nearly straightened my arms, and my shoulders were nearly hovering over my wrists.
I ended with a very chill Savasana.
Mental-This morning, my head was buzzing with thoughts; some positive, some negative. I was having mixed feeling about myself and, when my self-esteem fluctuates like this, I try to hone in on what could be causing me to feel unhappy. When I find that source, I try to confront it and look at it from a 360 degree angle. After I've stared down and observed whatever thought/fear is causing me distress, I first try to determine if there is anything to feel bad about. If there's not, and I'm inside my own hear wrecking havoc (as we all do), then I focus on the realization that I'm causing the stress, and because I'm causing the stress, I have the ability to not cause stress, and use this as an opportunity to exercise my mental focus towards not thinking about the made-up/exaggerated stressor.
If the source of negativity is something real that's occurring in my life (low test score, bad attitudes from family members, work stress, etc.), then I use the 360 examination as a tool to view the stressor in a plain and objective way. If there is something that can be done about the stressor, then I allow my thoughts to sort through that, and come up with a "game plan" for resolution. If there's not anything that can be done, then I turn my eyes forward, and move my focus to something else; sometimes, there's nothing to be done. If there's nothing to be done, then there's nothing to stress about.
Spiritual- I begin each practice with a Rosary in my hand, eyes closed on my mat, in a simple seated position. Before I begin praying, I observe my breath. This morning, I went through a series of complete inhales (filling my lungs to 100%) and then complete exhales (emptying my lungs 100%). It's an interesting sensation to fill/empty your lungs, and you can feel peaks and valleys of stress and relaxation that you're creating due to your breathing. This is a type of Pranayama (Breath control) and it does interesting things to your mind, body, and mental focus.
After I've done a few of these 100% inhales/exhales, I continue my Pranayama with a 4 count breath (4 count inhale, 4 count hold, 4 count exhale, 4 count hold). I repeat that cycle until I'm feeling no strain or urge to exhale quickly or inhale quickly; I take this as a sign that my breath and body have steadied out, and I'm ready to begin prayer which is an active, "speaking" side to meditation for me.
I have a day off in front of me and I intend to make the most of it.
Namaste
Tuesday, December 26, 2017 (Part II)
Physical- I felt strong and solid in my practice this morning. I focus on keeping my legs straight in any forward bend (as I have a tendency to soften my knees) and I'm incorporating the same straightness in my arms for any pose where I use them for support (Downward Dog, predominately).
This focus on my arms moves my poses into interesting "uncharted territory" when I fully engage the technique. This helps create stronger arms and shoulders.
Because I haven't practiced in a week, I allowed myself to sit, and sink into my standing forward bends. I allowed myself longer than my standard 5 breath count, to allow the back of my body to open up. This can cause a tingling numbness at times that I interpret as a sign of deep stretching.
I moved gingerly into my side bends, and seated spinal twists as I wiped out on the ice yesterday and landed on my side. It was probably hilarious looking to anyone who might have seen it, but, in reality, it sucks to fall and have the full weight of your body slam into the ground when you're not expecting it. I'm happy to say that there wasn't much wrong with me this morning and not real soreness in my back, where most of the impact focused.
I ended with 3 full upward bows, and moved progressively deeper into each one. By the 3rd, and final, I had nearly straightened my arms, and my shoulders were nearly hovering over my wrists.
I ended with a very chill Savasana.
Mental-This morning, my head was buzzing with thoughts; some positive, some negative. I was having mixed feeling about myself and, when my self-esteem fluctuates like this, I try to hone in on what could be causing me to feel unhappy. When I find that source, I try to confront it and look at it from a 360 degree angle. After I've stared down and observed whatever thought/fear is causing me distress, I first try to determine if there is anything to feel bad about. If there's not, and I'm inside my own hear wrecking havoc (as we all do), then I focus on the realization that I'm causing the stress, and because I'm causing the stress, I have the ability to not cause stress, and use this as an opportunity to exercise my mental focus towards not thinking about the made-up/exaggerated stressor.
If the source of negativity is something real that's occurring in my life (low test score, bad attitudes from family members, work stress, etc.), then I use the 360 examination as a tool to view the stressor in a plain and objective way. If there is something that can be done about the stressor, then I allow my thoughts to sort through that, and come up with a "game plan" for resolution. If there's not anything that can be done, then I turn my eyes forward, and move my focus to something else; sometimes, there's nothing to be done. If there's nothing to be done, then there's nothing to stress about.
Spiritual- I begin each practice with a Rosary in my hand, eyes closed on my mat, in a simple seated position. Before I begin praying, I observe my breath. This morning, I went through a series of complete inhales (filling my lungs to 100%) and then complete exhales (emptying my lungs 100%). It's an interesting sensation to fill/empty your lungs, and you can feel peaks and valleys of stress and relaxation that you're creating due to your breathing. This is a type of Pranayama (Breath control) and it does interesting things to your mind, body, and mental focus.
After I've done a few of these 100% inhales/exhales, I continue my Pranayama with a 4 count breath (4 count inhale, 4 count hold, 4 count exhale, 4 count hold). I repeat that cycle until I'm feeling no strain or urge to exhale quickly or inhale quickly; I take this as a sign that my breath and body have steadied out, and I'm ready to begin prayer which is an active, "speaking" side to meditation for me.
I have a day off in front of me and I intend to make the most of it.
Namaste
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