Unit 8

The loving kindness exercise by far was the main one that actually seemed to do anything for me though the visualization one at least was fairly peaceful.  I actually got some benefit from the loving kindness exercise when I was in fairly bad pain because it helped to divert my focus some and allowed me at least a short reprieve from the pain.  I think actually using that practice if I end up eating contaminated food might actually help me deal with some of the pain and other nasty side effects because it will help me relax and focus a bit less on the pain.  In the long run having greater control and focus could help me possibly go without needing to harsh of pain medication which would be better on my body.  The visualization technique would be at least beneficial in relaxing and again that can help me with some of my pain as well.

Unit 7

The exercise this week really just got me thinking about those I have lost recently as well as those I have lost a very long time ago.  I couldn't really focus when it started going into the light emanating from body areas but over all the exercise was good for my mood.  It made me remember all of the good things that I had gone through with those loved ones and just put me in a better mood which I really did need.  When it comes to my spiritual wellness I guess the mediation has somewhat helped with organizing my thoughts and actually has come in handy when I've been stressed and in pain.  Anything that boosts my mood I find tends to help keep me more positive and focused as well as more energized as well.

Honestly the whole quote thing got to me a little because I personally believe you can help someone with something even if you haven't personally been through what they have.  You don't have to know what they feel but you do have to understand that for them whatever they are dealing with isn't easy and just have to make sure you have patience and can at least try and put yourself in their shoes.  You can at least sympathize with them that what they are dealing with is hard and at times can be painful and seem hopeless.  I'm sure nearly everyone has felt hopeless with their situation at times and even if they situations aren't the exact same you can still sympathize with the feeling involved.

   The exercise frankly was just annoying and I really couldn't focus on it.  I just lost two people I really cared about over the weekend so I found the assessment just made me think back on this weekend and the feelings that came with it.  It basically was just about self-reflection it seemed like and I typically do that as problems come up as it is.  I tend to worry about figuring out the worst parts of the problem and just work on the most pressing issues first.  I over analyze things as it is by thinking about it and trying to figure out why and just what it is that is driving me nuts.

Class & professor,
    The exercise this week was fairly difficult for me because it basically put me to sleep.  It was very relaxing and I am not sure though that I actually managed to witness anything it felt more like a movie that kept picking up bits and pieces of memories of random movies I had watched yesterday.  The loving kindness one felt more positive but I think I did it wrong because I was pretty focused on positive things only.  Either way they were both really nice exercises though I really need to better understand the subtle mind exercise.  Your mental wellness is very important in the long run because your mind is pretty powerful.  Without a healthy mind you can't really achieve a totally healthy body.  They basically can affect each other.  Personally I've noticed it because I was in a bit of pain before I did the exercise but now I am not as focused on whatever it was that caused me to be in pain so I feel a bit more detached from it.

Professor & class,

                All I have to say is wow.  It was actually a very relaxing exercise and I’m not even sure why.  I wasn't really able to follow the instructions but I was listening to the waves sound and it just about put me to sleep.  I am a water lover so I suppose that would be why it put a smile on my face also along with the feeling of being relaxed.  I for sure am going to try this exercise again sometime I truly enjoyed it.

Class & Professor,
        In all honestly I haven't put much thought into my personal health lately because I've been to worried about my intestines.  I guess I would rate it if I had to at maybe a 5 or 6.  Physically I could be in much better shape I mean I got wore out putting a fitted sheet on my bed!  In my defense it is like 80 degrees in the house since its over 100 outside so I was sweating but still that is pretty sad.  Is it sad to think my spiritual well-being is probably closer to a 3 or 4?  I don't really put much thought into that aspect of my life I tend to focus on the physical.  Psychologically I would maybe rate it about the same at like 4 because My mind is still pretty messed up depression and anxiety wise as well as just all around life in general.  I have suffered from a lot of mental abuse throughout my life so much that sometimes I wish it would have been more physical just to give my poor mind a break but eh what can you do about the past?  Personally I would just like to have one universal goal to get my health, all aspects, in better shape.  Being more active physically would help probably multiple areas because yoga might help spiritually to an extent as well as physically and mentally.  Unfortunately I am about as flexible as a steel rod so I think I will have my work cut out for me.
         While I actually benefited from the last exercise this one was pretty much useless.  I'm sure part of it was the fact I had acid coming up my throat the entire time so I found it hard to breath without coughing.  I also found myself more focused on what color blind people were supposed to visualize and overall the mental imagery just wasn't there.  I might take a crack at it again if my acid re-flux ever decides to allow me to breath without coughing up a storm and maybe that will help me focus better.

Hello class and professor!  Welcome to my blog I suppose it has been a while since I have even used a blog so I'm hoping I'm doing this correctly.  Now that the welcoming is out of the way I suppose it is time to reflect on that exercise.  I really don't have much faith in most relaxation techniques since most of them don't tend to work on me but this one actually did make me feel relaxed.  I have been in pain all day and after listening to that and attempting to follow the instructions I can honestly say my mood has been improved really.  While I'm still in some pain the rest of my body feels just relaxed and more calm which I think has helped keep my mind off of the pain really.  Overall I have to say that it was really interesting and surprisingly helpful.