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Hoping to work on my spiritual growth and I think this is exactly what I need. I was awakened by the eclipse in august 2017 and then I discovered that I am an empath and an INFJ. I practice meditation, aerial yoga and recently started using an AVS brain training system with my mindLightz headset, which is amazing. I’d like to become more experienced and more controlled in Lucid Dreaming and Astral Projection. Thanks for having me!!

I've been doing Yoga for about 5 years .. love it .,. Do a search on youtube for Yogawithadriene .. she is good

I am beginning Week 4 and I'm really tuned into how my body, mind and spirit have changed. I'm gaining this general sense of calm that I carry throughout my day more consistently. A close friend of mine said she noticed a big difference in my general demeanor. I find the yoga (just any added movement to the meditation/mindfulness practices) is much more beneficial for me at this moment, I've recognized that it grounds me and allows me to pay closer attention to my body and breath while being fully present. Week 3 meditations found it difficult to quiet my heightened brain and I didn't feel the benefit I had been since beginning this course and a consistent practice. I did find myself back to feeling in my practice with the addition of the yoga. I've been practicing yoga (informally, on my own) for many years and this course has been enhancing my ability to incorporate mindfulness into my practice, which was what I felt was missing! The science behind these concepts and practices is also really awesome and has been keeping my momentum going!

Thanks for your reply. I totally understand about the power of nature. My practice of stopping this week is to say ‘itadakimasu before eating which is Japanese for receiving, but not just receiving a plate of food but to appreciate the life energy in it. Of the animal that has given its life for you to live if it is meat or the energy of nature that has gone into plant based food and also the energy of the person who prepared it. I usually go outside every morning to eat breakfast and when I’m in nature with the sun on my face, a breeze around me and listening to the birds chirping, it is so easy to stop and appreciate all of those things. I take one mouthful at a time, put my spoon down in between and don’t take the next spoonful until I’ve finished what’s in my mouth. This is relatively easy outside in nature but if it’s raining for example and I’m inside, I start to multitask, reading the news on the internet while eating my breakfast and barely aware of what I’m eating. It’s a completely different experience even if I say ‘itadakimasu’ first. My thinking mind has been active this week and it’s been hard to sleep so I’ve been doing a body scan in bed to take my focus away from thoughts. It works pretty well but the thinking mind is strong and my toes seem so far away from my head when it’s in full swing :) im enjoying the yoga. I climbed a mountain on Tuesday and my body has been aching from using the different muscles, so even though it’s not exactly a pleasant feeling while doing yoga with an aching body, I know that it is helping to stretch out and can still enjoy it. A bit like training ourselves to think that Stephens’s can be useful. Unpleasant movement can also be enjoyable if I view it as good for me :) I hope I will be able to transfer this to other areas of life. i can’t find the mid way point assessment sheet. I’ve been back through week 4 to look for the link but can’t find it. Could anyone help with that please. thank you with a smile :)

The Artist's Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1509829474/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IdMpEbEM4Q1VK Hello Captian, Thank you for your message, I love yoga too, it is a great way to start the day, also takes away aches and pain ? I just bought the above book, will let you know how it is, it might help you too ? Hope you will create again ?????

I altered my diet and took up the practice of intermittent fasting. I now choose simple meals and herbal teas. I am a Zen practitioner and teach yoga. We have to choose our associations carefully and engage in meaningful dialogue.

I have this. I am blocked. I am aware that my emotional block is not allowing the paint to flow onto the page, I am unable to express myself on the page. I am working on yoga and meditation to unblock these emotions.

I'm still having trouble getting in to the yoga. I assumed that since I practice kung fu and tai chi, it would be relatively simple, but no. I get very irritated and annoyed; my whole body feels like it's vibrating. Whereas, with the body scan, I can feel myself relaxing even though I haven't set out to relax. And with sitting meditation, the same thing. I also used the STOP with an interaction with my kids this morning- everyone had a bad night and slept in, so getting ready for school was problematic- I was able to STOP and reframe, and didn't lose my equilibrium.

I'm heading in to week four. I admit, I had a lot of trouble getting into the yoga portion of week 3. The sitting meditation and body scan went beautifully. I even was able to use the body scan extremely productively this morning. I had what I suspect was a reaction to weather changing and was all of a sudden lost and couldn't think. I lay down and did a body scan- didn't fall asleep and got up refreshed, feeling grounded, and ready for a wonderful day.

So happy to read that I’m not the only one falling asleep during the body scan. I am at peace with that though and happy my body can rest. I was reading one of the other posts by Borahbestie about keeping the mind on task in yoga and being distracted in the body scan and sitting ted and I don’t know how to reply directly so I’m writing here. I was wondering if it has to do with the ‘doing’ element of movement versus the not moving and sense of not doing something? We are so conditioned to always be doing something productive that it’s hard to be still. Before this course I has a regular routing of one hour yoga followed by 45 mins - 1hr of sitting, but days that I had a lot on I was aware that I wasn’t enjoying the practices as much and there was a certain sense of rushing through them. If I was busy and chose to just sit, I felt like I hadn’t done enough and my body was uncomfortable not having stretched out first. My koan for a long time has been, ‘Who am I when I have nothing to do?’ It’s a real practice to not have a label and be content where we are. I’m noticing as I follow these practices that I also have a sense of not doing enough with just 30 mins of yoga and sitting. This is present in the stomach area. A sense of restlessness and some energy that wants to get up and go. Im so used to 1 hour of yoga that my mind is telling me it’s not enough. When I am able to let the thought go though I am actually enjoying the yoga and being told what to do. I know that I can’t count or breathe quicker and that I will be practising for the set amount of time of the video and so I let go into it and don’t try to rush. I guess that’s why people go to yoga classes instead of practice on their own. You give the body/mind permission to be in the moment for the time of the class. i still prefer silent sitting but I’m ok with that. I am aware of it and know that I will continue like that after the course and turn my mind to gratitude for those who he have put this course together to share. One day perhaps I will be sharing and others might not appreciate silence so it’s good to be exposed to many styles. The line from the Japanese song, ‘Good day? it’s up to you’ is really working for me. It’s my choice

I use YouTube for free yoga videos and I have an in person class. I searched chair yoga on YouTube to find low impact compatible with my age.

Hi there, I use an app from the android app store called Daily Yoga. They have so many different styles of yoga for different things on the free version and even more if you buy the full version (which for a change isn't mind boggling in price) see the attached image so you know what to look for if you want to find it. I hope this helps, i bloody love it!

What kind of Yoga do you practice? I spent 3 months teaching myself Yoga using YouTube, I started with Adrienne and then found an Ashtanga beginners routine which was perfect for me. I recognised that signing up to my local gym was probably the best way to go after teaching myself for 3 months or so. It's not cheap, but it is an investment into myself and my well being.

I have just restarted a practice of kung fu. I have found it very fascinating how, when I practice mindfulness during class, the moves come much more easily and I remember things I knew years ago. I'm excited to start this week's yoga practice as well. And I still fall asleep with the body scan.

I am glad it works for you. Do what works. I practice yoga and reiki as well as my own self designed affirmations. All of these I see as spiritual or energy related but not religious and not incompatible. I am a Unitarian Universalist by religious persuasion which is a multi path sort of religion which has some parallels to Hindu, Baha’i or maybe something along those lines. I would not be able to participate because your rules prohibit other practices. Because of past experience with other spiritual practices or religions that exclude other ways or traditions, I respectfully have some reservations. I looked for a diversity friendly way of being that allowed for my transgender identity. I have to say I went through my fair share of fundamentalism as well as agnostic and pagan before I found a way that allowed for me to be myself without an unpleasant conflict of the hegemony of their world view vs. my own. It’s a powerful thing to break the hegemony.

Ofcourse. So let me share in brief the meditation technique. 5 things to consider before you start meditating (not hard and fast rules but just what I follow) 1. Keep gap of minimum 2 hours after eating and stick to vegetarian food. 2. Preferably have a shower or ensure you are not facing any itching or any allergies. 3. Make sure you are not having a bad cold or fever or any kind of severe pain. 4. Not to have any stressful activity or in arguments with anyone. 5. Not to engage in any other religious or spiritual activities such as Yoga or other forms of meditation. 5 things to consider after meditation (Living a Neutral lifestyle) 1. Avoid getting into arguments or stressful situations as much as possible. 2. Avoid eating meat and over eating and wasting food. Please donate extra food. 3. Avoid judging others or passing judgments. 4. Be empathic to people around you and offer care and help those in desperate need. 5. Avoid getting into new addictions and attachments. Morning Affirmations (after ending meditation) I wish that I am protected from all evil eyes, evil people, negative thoughts and negative energies. I wish that I have good health and a long and healthy life and recover from any illness that I may suffer or suffering. I wish that I am protected from all natural and man-made calamities and any unfortunate events or accidents. I wish that I arrive at my destination safely and reach my home safely. I wish that I am able to manifest all that is positive or neutral for myself and others around me and able to focus and be successful in whatever I wish to undertake. Evening Affirmations (before going to sleep) I thank the source for guiding me through the day, helping me focus on myself and protecting my body and my soul. I allow the source to support me in my manifestations through my subconscious mind in my sleep. I wish to wake up in sound mind and good health with my soul and body under the protection of the source. Meditation (Day 1 & 2) Before breakfast on empty stomach after shower Mind Taming Exercise: Breath Awareness Meditation (5 minutes) This is a simple form of meditation. It will clear your mind and focus your awareness. Sit or lie down, close your eyes focused on one particular thing a person or object that ensures any other external thoughts do not enter your mind. It is a good practice to start the first day by taking the help of a source of positive energy such as an image of God or a saint or an angel or anything you feel is a source of positive energy. If you are an atheist then you can focus on your own body at the centre of your forehead or something from nature. As long it signifies positive or neutral energy. You can also listen to some light spiritual music and breathe deeply in and slowly out and focus on the breath entering and leaving your body. Feel it coming in and feel it going out. This simple action is enough to occupy your surface mind. Breath awareness occupies the surface mind and allows you to think on a much deeper level. Firmly push intruding thoughts away, as they begin, before they can gather strength and distract you. End the meditation with folded hands making your morning affirmations. Evening after sunset and 2 hours after meal or dinner Ego Release exercise: Getting detached meditation (10 minutes) Sit or lie down, close your eyes. PRETEND you are a bird imaging your hands as the wings of a bird flying higher and higher. Free from the ground, the earth, the reality, letting go of your physical existence. While you are doing this, you may feel sleepy or tears rolling down your eyes. Do not break the meditation and be attentive with the mind focused on your hands and body. End the meditation with folded hands releasing your ego from your conscious being and making your evening affirmations. Meditation (Day 3 & 4) Before breakfast on empty stomach after shower Rejuvenation Exercise: Self Awareness Meditation (5 minutes) As in Day 1 and Day 2 you will b e focusing on clearing your mind. But in day 3 and 4, you should try to focus your own self, your body and what you want from life in general. Such as your positive desires and goals in life. You can also listen to some light spiritual music and breathe deeply in and slowly out and focus on the breath entering and leaving your body imagining your own image or desires. Feel it coming in and feel it going out. Make sure that your mind is occupied with yourself, you inner and outer self. Firmly push intruding thoughts away, as they begin, before they can gather strength and distract you. End the meditation with folded hands making your morning affirmations. Evening after sunset and 2 hours after meal or dinner Energy Work exercise: Accessing Neutral Energy (10 minutes) Sit or lie down, close your eyes. Focus on your own image on the left and the source of positive energy on the right. If you are an atheist then you can focus on your own body at the centre of your forehead or something from nature. As long it signifies positive or neutral energy. You can also listen to some light spiritual music and breathe deeply and slowly and focus on the breath entering and leaving your body. While you are doing this, you may notice brightness in your eyes. Do not resist it. Allow it to reach within you. Then spread your hands all over your body to spread the energy all over you. Repeat this exercise three to four times so you receive as much energy as you need to remove all the negativity around you that has been accumulated and release your soul. End the meditation with folded hands making your evening affirmations. Meditation (Day 5 & 6) Before breakfast on empty stomach after shower Love affirmation Exercise: Social Awareness Meditation (5 minutes) In these two days you will be trying to clear your mind and focus the people you love and care about. Sit or lie down, close your eyes. So you begin first by focusing outwards on the people you love such as your friends and family or the society you live in, your environment, your country or the world in general. You can also listen to some light spiritual music and breathe deeply and slowly and focus on the breath entering and leaving your body. As your breathe in, think of a loved one and imagine hugging the person as your breathe out. Firmly push intruding thoughts away, as they begin, before they can gather strength and distract you. End the meditation with folded hands making your morning affirmations. Evening after sunset and 2 hours after meal or dinner Energy Work exercise: Transferring Neutral Energy (10 minutes) Sit or lie down, close your eyes. You can also listen to some light spiritual music and breathe deeply in and slowly breathe out focusing on the image of a loved one on the left and the source of positive energy on the right. If you are an atheist then you can focus on your own body at the centre of your forehead or something from nature. As long it signifies positive or neutral energy. Repeat this exercise for each person whom you wish to transfer the energy to and then in the end, spread your hands all over your body to spread the remaining energy all over you. End the meditation with folded hands making your evening affirmations. Meditation (Day 7 onwards) After completing Day 1 to Day 6 successfully and achieving complete silence of the mind, one can start practicing Neu Energy Meditation which is very intense and requires guidance and protection from the trainer for the first few sessions. So I cannot share the technique openly here. But will see if I can attach a live video my practicing this meditation. For details please message me personally. I am ready to teach this intense meditation to those interested but only if the learner meets the conditions for the practice. Note for Admin/Moderators: Was unable to embed the meditation video with MP4 format.

I don't know if there's any correlation with this being 'thought week', but I feel a bit overwhelmed with them (thoughts) this week. There's some interesting, but heavy, videos and readings - a lot of varying opinion/ways of sharing, a lot to mull over. The only time I feel that leaving me this week is while participating in Hatha yoga because my body is busy, my mind is focussed on the teacher's voice and actions... so right now, this is what's working best for me, this busy-ness. Physical challenges are making that difficult in its way, though, but I'll get through ? ..sigh..

Hello All Just started the MBSR course last week and am finishing week 1 getting ready for Week 2. The videos in week 1 were incredibly inspiring and interesting. Thank you for Jon Kabat-Zinn and all the amazing teachers out there who have helped and shared their experience. I am a practitioning yogi and have practised yoga relaxation so am familiar with body scan techniques. Inevitably I still fall asleep myself during the practice! I find it's easier to relax in it whilst lying on the floor, but I'm more prone to sleep here. Doing it sitting in a chair keeps me from sleep, where at least I catch myself moving if I do find sleep coming on! In terms of practice, it's interesting starting at different points in the body. Vipassana meditation generally starts from top of the head and moves down to toes and then back up through the back of the body. With yoga it starts in the right hand. There are a number of different ways to approach it, it seems, and I wonder whether different ways would work at different times, depending on how one is feeling or might need at the time. It is interesting to experiment thus far. ? Thank you all for sharing. ?

Hi...me too...just joined. I'm really glad I found this site. I'm on a new life path after a two year battle with breast cancer. Chemo and radiation saved my life....Reiki gave me the will to live again. It was so successful that I went on to learn it myself and will be finishing Level 2 soon. Yoga is next on the list...I making a clean sweep for a life reboot. Hugs, Wendy

I am level 2 reiki. I am starting back to yoga classes this week.

Namaste and Welcome Amy. You will feel at home here. It is wonderful to know you are into yoga and Reiki. I am sure we will hear get some valuable insights from you on these two areas. Feel free to share and learn new things as you spend more time passing along here. Love and Peace be with you always.

Hey Amy, I'm in London too and very interested in all things energy aswell! I'm just on the beginner spectrum, but aspsire to get certified in Reiki and yoga instruction. Here if you want to chat or anything. Emily X

Just wanted to introduce myself and looking forward to connecting with many beautiful people who have made their way to this community ? I'm a producer / director currently living in London, but feeling the urge to move on to new pastures, so who knows??! I'm really interested in all things energy and keen to delve more into the healing aspect. Qualified yoga instructor and Level 2 Reiki and would love to connect with people with similar interests. Amy x

I guess I’ll break the ice and fess up., I’m lonely. It’s not as if I’m any stranger to living solo but reaching 65 and having the rug pulled out, I find myself with a new life. Mindfulness plays a big part in my life right now, as well as psychotherapy and family. I’ve just been through a very disturbing life event and this is going to take awhile. I’m excited to have found happiness.com and hope I make some friends here. I’ve got a solid support network of high school classmate friends because I’m the guy who organizes our class reunions every decade. The problem is they are scattered throughout the country. Facebook group friends they are. I’m in need of local friends! I just joined and will be working on my profile. Yoga on The Bluff in Long Beach anyone? Coffee?

Hi guys n gals.... Just a quick intro here. I'm new to this site and am undergoing the MBSR free course. I've been practising Yoga for a couple of years and it's really spoken to me. My friend a nutritionist introduced me recently to mindful eating and I decided I wanted to know more and apply this process to all things in life. My journey so far has taught me so much about myself and helped me with my Dad and Husband who both suffer from different strains of mental illness - after all its hard being strong and smiley all the time. I needed something for me to help me have a better understanding of the world and my loved ones as well as myself and have found mindfulness is just the ticket. It helps me approach situations in a better calmer way and deal with them so much more effectively. I look forward to continuing my journey with all you lovely likeminded people xxx