Unit Four

Unit Four

1.     I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a quiet, comfortable place to practice. I was able to focus during the beginning of this exercise, but after my daughter interrupted me about five times, I was not able to get it back. I found that I was able to visualize that positive someone the exercise calls for, and I could feel myself feeling up with love. I feel that I was also able to focus when the direction called for breathing in the pain of a loved one and breathing out good health and love. However,  I always find it difficult to clear my mind and merely accept thoughts and feelings without exploring them.

I certainly will recommend meditation to others. I think that meditation requires discipline and stamina that I have yet to develop. I also think it is a matter of finding the right technique for the right person. I will have to try this exercise again when I am sure to have the house to myself.

2.     A mental workout is essentially contemplative practice. According to Dacher, contemplative practice helps us to quiet and tame the mind, and allows us “to gain access to the more subtle levels of the mind” (2006, p. 62). Research indicates that training the mind my even cause structural changes to the brain (Dacher, 2006). Also, mental training reinforces the mind-body connection, and by focusing on positive and/or healing thoughts the mind and body can experience healing (Dacher, 2006).

Dacher, E., M.D. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.

Unit 3 post

Unit 3

On a scale of one to ten I’d rate my physical health at a seven with a goal of eight. I work out regularly, lead a fitness class, eat a mostly healthy diet, and am actively trying to improve my stress management skills. I plan to engage in my spring fitness challenge to improve my cardiovascular endurance, improve my appearance, and to set a good example to my clients, co-workers, and family.

I’d rate my spiritual well-being at about a six, but I am a work in progress. I intend to become more active in church through regular attendance, prayer meetings, and volunteering. I am just getting to the point in my life where I am seeking out other like-minded individuals to spend my life with while ending relationships with those who are unhealthy.

I would rate my psychological well-being at about a six going on a seven. I am under a lot of stress, so I am not quite where I would like to be. I am educating myself about mindful living, proper diet, and stress management as well as seeking out and developing appropriate social support groups.

The Crime of the Century Response

I'm not sure I preformed this relaxation exercise correctly. I am also unsure as to why this exercise was entitled “The crime of the century”. The narrator began to guide me through a relaxation exercise that involved deep, calming breaths, and visualization of the chakras and their associated colors. I payed close attention this time, I was determined to do it right. Unfortunately, I fell asleep shortly after the color yellow and was woken up by my son. He asked me what I was doing, and with a straight face I told him that I was doing my homework.

Unit two

Journey on Relaxation

Meditation is hard. Guided, self-guided, inclusion, exclusion-I just keep trying. The problem is that I cannot seem to still my body and mind. This particular exercise was not much different. I tried to create a quite space, so naturally one of my children decided to spend time with me. Miraculously, it was my teenage son. We both settled in to listen to the instructions, and my mind just kept wandering. I looked over at my son and he appeared to be very relaxed, so I decided to redouble my effort. I think I was trying too hard. My arms did manage to feel a little warmer and heavier for a moment, and I think I was a little more relaxed coming out of the exercise. I will consider this assignment to be just that, an exercise. I will need to keep working on it to see improvement.

Welcome

Unit two

Welcome

Hello, all. I am new to the world of blogging, but like many things in life better late than never. I am curious to see where this road takes me...

Vernita