This week I walked, consciously, with Lucy twice, did a sitting meditation for 10 minutes, and made it to a yoga class! Big success for me.
What I noticed is that in any form of meditation; walking, sitting or yoga, I have a really hard time not controlling my breath. My thoughts come in and out of my head, and I can come back to center (repeatedly), but my breath gets irregular. If I'm not careful, I get out of breath and anxious. I have trouble taking deep breaths sometimes, which concerns me. But, doesn't surprise me.
When I walked with Lucy, I noticed that I did better at say, chugging up a hill, and then listening to my breath slow down as I walked at the top. That was a small success. The chair meditation was a total failure. Tight chest, controlled breathing, and self judgement. YUCK. The best part of the week was the Yoga class because stretching allowed me the focus I needed. I could be still and concentrate on the pose and breathing at the same time. That being said, I still had trouble, but it was more enjoyable and I felt more success.
Week 1 down.
This week, I'm trying to implement my PT exercises 2x week for my shoulder and neck, even if it's for 10 minutes at a time. Start small, slow and steady!
Showing posts with label breath. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breath. Show all posts
18 January 2010
11 January 2010
Moving Meditation Exploration
Day 1:
First meditative walk with Lucy after work. Of course, It's dark outside now, so I walk with a head lamp on and LED flashlight (and probably look really dumb). We walked for 45 minutes tonight, which is long for us on a weeknight. And during that time, I was seriously attempting to focus on my steps or my breath. But, it was really difficult! I couldn't get into a rhythm. I was walking too quickly to count steps and have it feel like a calming experience. And when I counted or listened to my breathing, I got out of breath. I can't 'watch' my breath, if I focus on it, then I begin to control it. Not a good combination.
When I got home, I got out my yoga mat to do some stretching, and there's where the beginning glimpse of serenity showed up. I felt like I could clear my head more, and breathe into the stretches in complete silence. I was very aware of the oven preheating for my spinach pie, and the house heating system buzzing, and every so often the jarring bark of Lucy in her watch dog role (even though she's barking at the neighbors). It was the most quiet my mind was able to achieve since leaving the house at 6:15 pm for our walk.
And now, my eye lids are sleepy and I'm going to bed...
First meditative walk with Lucy after work. Of course, It's dark outside now, so I walk with a head lamp on and LED flashlight (and probably look really dumb). We walked for 45 minutes tonight, which is long for us on a weeknight. And during that time, I was seriously attempting to focus on my steps or my breath. But, it was really difficult! I couldn't get into a rhythm. I was walking too quickly to count steps and have it feel like a calming experience. And when I counted or listened to my breathing, I got out of breath. I can't 'watch' my breath, if I focus on it, then I begin to control it. Not a good combination.
When I got home, I got out my yoga mat to do some stretching, and there's where the beginning glimpse of serenity showed up. I felt like I could clear my head more, and breathe into the stretches in complete silence. I was very aware of the oven preheating for my spinach pie, and the house heating system buzzing, and every so often the jarring bark of Lucy in her watch dog role (even though she's barking at the neighbors). It was the most quiet my mind was able to achieve since leaving the house at 6:15 pm for our walk.
And now, my eye lids are sleepy and I'm going to bed...
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