Hello Class & Professor,
During this past several weeks I have
been exposed to different types of exercises that include Loving
Kindness, Subtle Mind, Visualization, and Meditation. Looking back
all of these exercises have been very beneficial. However, if I were
to pick just two of them it would be the Loving Kindness and
Visualization exercises to be the most beneficial to myself.
Without a doubt, in order to foster my
own mental fitness I need to implement these two practices into my
daily routine. Now trying to plan a time during the day to practice
each exercise can get a little tricky since my days are usually
pretty busy. So far I have found that in the morning when I first
wake up before actually getting out of bed I practice the Loving
Kindness exercise. It gives me a fresh and open heart to everyone as
I start my day.
Next, I found the best times to
practice the Visualization exercise is as I am going to bed at night
and during my workouts. While I am working out I visualize my
muscles becoming more toned, oxygen moving through my blood stream
giving me energy, and my mental thinking becoming clear. I have used
this exercise in past without even realizing it. A few years ago
when I was not in the best shape I use to visualize myself running
and could feel the air on my face as I ran. Now, prior to this I
could not run to save my life, so to speak! Today I run 5 miles a
few days a week!
Teri :)
Hi Teri,
ReplyDeleteThats great that you run, especially five miles. I was and still am like that I can't run to save my life, but secretly I really dont like to run, but I think its great that you use it as a visualization tool. Thats a great idea though to visualize you doing something so you can get better at it. I remeber vollleyball coach would make us use visualization to make us perform better, and surprisingly it did work. I also like to use my meditation practices before I go to bed also, because I need that time to relax and wind down,sleep is very important if I do not get enough I will not perform well the next day. Great blog!!
Cristine
Hello Teri,
ReplyDeleteI also picked the loving-kindness exercises. It truly does open up the heart and make it easier to deal with the challenges of the day. I like your practice you do with visualization and physical exercise! I am going to need to try this. I would like to be able to run at least a couple miles and get in better shape. Are you planning on continuing these exercises after the course?
Teri,
ReplyDeleteI often will visualize my runs during "quiet times" during the day (of which there aren't many) or just before I go to sleep. It prepares me for the run later or the next day. I have some trouble using the visualizations while I'm actually running, however, this is one of my goals for the future. I too do the loving-kindness first thing. It really sets me up for the rest of the day! I liked the subtle mind exercise as well. It is helping me let go of my worries and it also helps me sleep at night. My favorite visualization, however, was the health, wholeness and happiness visualization. This one I want to try on my runs as well to get me excited and happy. I really would like to work toward living my life in this state all the time. It will take work, but will be well worth it!!! Great job and good luck!
Victoria
TeriLea,
ReplyDeleteI would say you have down the visualization down, that is most impressive that you can run five miles now, keep up the running, it helps you in every aspect of you live in my opinion being a runner myself. I beleive this is why I am able to enter into a relaxation state due to learning how to control breathing and heart beat through running practices. Your mind is cleared and due to chemical changes that take place while running the clutter and mental chatter is set aside. I love running and have for over 38 years...
Keep running,
Sandi