Meditation Reflection Week 1

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!

Lazy Crazy Lucy Lu

Here's a recent pic of your fuzzy west coast neice! This is her new favoriate blanket, fuzzy green and yellow. 

Karen and I went walking on the Grahm Trail at Redwood with Lucy and Stella and she had a ball. I love seeing her so happy. It makes me feel like all is right in the world. I think walking with Lucy is my form of meditation, a walking meditation, if you will. I often find myself counting steps (yes, it's a little wierd) or listening to my huffing and puffing as a focus point. 

Maybe my part of the 28 day challenge could be to make 10 minutes of a walk with Lucy a conscious meditation. Or another challenge for me would be to actually attend a yoga class soon, something I've wanted to get back into and can't seem to get myself there. Who knows why.

Challenge: I will try to do a form of moving meditation 3x week, either with Lucy or at a yoga class for 2 weeks. I think I can commit to that, start small and work my way upwards. I'll start on Monday January 11, 2010. 

Zen Ali & Buddha Lucy