Sunday, December 5, 2010

Loving Kindness relaxation exercise

Hello everyone, here we are once again with the analysis of another relaxation exercise. I was excited to get going on this one and use the CD that accompanies our book.  I started on Tuesday night and can say that it did not go well. I was incredibly annoyed by the female voice at first and I just couldn't settle into it. I tried again on Wednesday night and I did better but, I kept having completely erroneous images pop up like a man in a blue plaid shirt holding a big bowl of popcorn while I was trying to send love to my youngest daughter. I also had this male voice a few times say one word which I can't even remember except that it really broke my concentration. I was having trouble developing picture images as well but, could concentrate the thought on my daughter. On Thursday I got through to taking someones pain and found I could not picture in my mind my Dad even though I could concentrate my thought on him. Friday and Saturday were so crazy I never got to do the exercise. So, this morning as soon as I woke up I grabbed my CD player, headphones, announced I'd be out when I was done with my exercise and headed back to bed. I find it's easier for me laying down than sitting up.  I was doing great this morning. I am thinking it was because my mind was less tired than when trying to do it at the end of the day. But, I also found out that if you check out you better get back before the CD ends. I went from this complete state of relaxation to the floor next to my bed after the blast of static that came through the headphones scared me half to death and I rolled off the bed...OUCH! Anyway it's not very relaxing to have your relaxation interrupted in such a manner. I will keep at it and hopefully have some more successful attempts over the next couple of days. 

I did find the exercise portion much easier this morning however, still unable to develop a full picture in my mind. If anyone has any tips regarding this I'd love to hear them. I think once I get the hang of this exercise it will be beneficial because although rudely interrupted, I did feel better about myself, my family and everything I needed to tackle today, like 15 hours of homework.

5 comments:

  1. I had trouble with static too, it really did not go a long way to helping with the exercise. I also had trouble settling into this one too. I did not mind the voice so much and I did love the ocean in the background, I just had trouble concentrating and keeping my mind on one person. I think this does take practice and time.

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  2. Lol, I think I can relate to what you are saying as I felt the same way with my mental workout, I think there was too much on the CD, first the man's voice then the females's then the music which I felt was very artificial, fake and annoying. I felt that I could have done better, reading the instructions and playing a completely different piece of music, one where there will not be many interruptions.

    Great that you are not giving up! Good for you:)

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  3. I agree with you all as well. I found the CD to be kind of annoying and felt that I could have done better on my own. Trying to do the mental workout was difficult and I really enjoyed the previous exercise with the relaxation. This one I'm not sure that I can even get used to! Good luck with your endeavor of not giving up. You have more going for you than I do because I prefer to give this one up! :)

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  4. I also agree! I had the same problem with the sound and static. I found this exercise not as beneficial as previous ones done. I found the ocean sounds relaxing but when they spoke it almost startled you and it ook me away from my focus and relaxation state.

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  5. I understand totally what you're going through in trying to attempt this exercise when there is chaos going on all around you. When I first did this exercise, it was after I put my six-year-old to bed... I went to lie down and started the exercise. Next thing I knew, I was waking up 2 1/2 hours later to silence. Now this was all done after working a full day and then coming home and taking care of my little boy. I knew that my timeframe for this exercise would not work, so I ended up doing it early in the morning, on the weekend, prior to my son waking up.

    I found it easy to focus on the one person that is closest to me (my husband)... Once I was able to perform this exercise at a time when the chaos had yet to start and I was well rested, I just let my mind remove all other thoughts and I focused my energy on my soul mate. For me it came easy, but I can also see where it may not be the same way for others and that practice will make it easier.

    Laura

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