A typical day for me will start around
5am. I set my alarm for 5:15 am to
practice my yoga before I get the kids up and get my day started. Before taking this class, I would start out
with a breathing meditation. However,
since we have done several different meditations in class, I have will begin my
day now with the subtle mind exercise. I
really enjoy this one quite a bit. Once
complete, I will then start my yoga practice.
I find it quite enjoyable and it allows me to go into my yoga practice
very centered. Typically, I would save
meditation until after I have done my yoga because my mind would wonder,
especially in the evenings. The subtle
mind practice however, works best in the inverse order in the mornings.
A few nights a week after dinner, I
practice the “rainbow meditation” with my children, at least that’s what they
call it. It is the “Crime of the
Century” exercise from week three. They
seem to prefer this exercise over all the meditations we have tried. I find that on the evenings we practice this
one they tend to be much more calm and civil towards one another, so I have
continued working with them on this one.
It is great to have peace at home when you can get it with two boys who
are about to be teenagers.
At night before bed, I practice either
Meeting Aesclepius or Loving Kindness. I
truly enjoy Meeting Aesclepius, but I was challenged by the Loving Kindness
practice and wanted to continue to work on it.
They both feel really good to me now and are a great way to end my
day. I have mention that in the past I
have struggled with insomnia, so meditation before bed has been a steady
practice for me for many years. I
realize that in hindsight, it was due to me not being able to disconnect my overactive
mind.
All in all, I plan to continue
practicing these forms of mental fitness because I understand that continue
practice really makes a difference. I really
like they way they each time seem to offer me a little more. I just want to continue my journey and see
how much more is revealed.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and it seems that you get a lot out of your meditation sessions. When I have a difficult falling asleep I use meditation as well and find that it always helps. I was challenged by the loving kindness exercise too, but will continue to use it as I believe it its benefits and I believe that it is good to push yourself outside of your comfort zone.
Brandy
Hello
ReplyDeleteI have to give you a lot of credit to have such a routine to get up and do your yoga and meditation. I use to get up early but since I had kids can't seem to get back to regular schedule of doing that and I would like to. I know it takes time and reading your blog and how it has helped you I am going to try harder to do that. I also like that you do meditation exercises with your boys and it helps as I have been thinking and wanting to with my two boys.
Good luck in your schooling
Cindy
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be much easier to meditate in the morning because my mind is just waking up and it hasn’t been filled with the activities and interactions of the day. I have found that if something is really bothering me I cannot try to just relax into my meditation, I have to think on the issue that is bothering me and try to come to some resolution to change the way that I feel about the topic. I either have to accept it or put it back in to perspective to hopefully not feel so horrible about it. Right now I am dealing with a couple of friends that are troubling me. One of them is a constant drama queen and the other is a great guy friend of mine that has recently crossed some friendly boundaries. I am in the middle of seeing if I can take the dramatic friend out of my life and also keep my guy friend as just my friend. This is so emotionally exhausting! I truly hope that I can meditate on these topics and come to a resolution. Enjoyed your post Tiffany!
Lindsey
Wow, great post. I also enjoy the picture you post above your blogs. I agree that the Loving kindness exercise was really beneficial for me as well. Although I do not practice it nightly before bed, i can see myself using it in the future to release some of my emotions in a healthy way.
ReplyDeleteTiffany,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great inspiration you are! I love that you include your children in meditation. The two practices I found most beneficial are visualization and also meditation. I use these practices in the morning during my shower. Keep the good job with your family!!