Visualization has always been something that has been practiced in my life but it mostly centered around athletic activities. I realized after doing exercises in the book and on the CD that it is very useful for many different things in life especially promoting healthy well-being. I used to visualize my gymnastics routines before competition, my track meets, and my cheerleading competitions. Now I can take time out of my day to visualize how I will take on my day, how I will open myself up to different experiences, and different goals.
Yoga is a good way that I can touch on meditation without having to just be still and calm. In meditation I can reach deeper into what I want to be and how I can get there by blocking out all the distractions and focusing on nothing until I receive the answers I need. I implement meditation into my yoga by holding poses for long periods of time giving me a chance to still my mind.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
unit 7 Blog
I don't know about anyone else but as soon as I hear a voice that sounds familiar to me I try to place it and then I cannot think of anything else until I have figured it out. The narrarator has a voice like that in the beginning of track 4. Finally when the woman's voice comes on I choose my person which is pretty easy. The crashing waves are a nice break to my hectic day I have had until this CD exercise. It is also easy to see this person with good qualities and continue focusing. The light beam may have really crushed the exercise though it was just a little bit much for me to take in and follow. It kind of reminds me of some sort of sci-fi movie and I really lose any connection I had to the exercise. Sorry maybe it is just because I am not ready to open up my mind and thoughts open up this far yet to be able to imagine all these images. An exercise like this is something (that maybe this will make me seem immature, which is actually the last thing most people think of when they are talking about me) my husband and I would usually have quite the laugh about because as he would say it is a "pet the bunny rabbit" type of thing. This type of exercise could also be why my mom is a Buddist and why I just can't get there in my life so far. Maybe it is being young, not having enough patience, or just being at a different point in my life where I concentrate on other things but this exercise was quite strange, boring, and difficult for me.
I feel like everyone has the responsibility (especially health and wellness professionals) to be a leader and teach what they are already familiar with or they cannot get their clients or patients to get to the place they are creating for them. I can really relate to sports. I would have a very hard time taking lessons or being coached by someone who has never been in my shoes and cannot understand how I feel. Whether it is psychological, spiritual, or physical if the person giving instruction is not familiar with what they are saying then they will not be able to empathize or their words will not ring true. Practice makes perfect (or close) and it also educates us to be able to explain and learn to help others. Once we find the ways in which we want to practice then we just need to continue on our journey whether it be with meditation, yoga, or other means.
I feel like everyone has the responsibility (especially health and wellness professionals) to be a leader and teach what they are already familiar with or they cannot get their clients or patients to get to the place they are creating for them. I can really relate to sports. I would have a very hard time taking lessons or being coached by someone who has never been in my shoes and cannot understand how I feel. Whether it is psychological, spiritual, or physical if the person giving instruction is not familiar with what they are saying then they will not be able to empathize or their words will not ring true. Practice makes perfect (or close) and it also educates us to be able to explain and learn to help others. Once we find the ways in which we want to practice then we just need to continue on our journey whether it be with meditation, yoga, or other means.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Unit 6 Blog
Honestly doing the universal loving kindness exercise was really nice. It was relaxing to close my eyes for just a couple minutes and then read the words. I am a huge planner too so merely knowing how long I was supposed to rest and relax for and then knowing how many sentences there were to say was really relaxing in itself. Sometimes when I go into these exercises and I don't know how long they will take or what they will be like I am already more stressed than before! The exercise made me feel empowered and ready to help people and myself with a very open heart when I was done.
The next exercise when I focused I know that my healing needs to be psychospiritual because I do not spend much time focusing on that area of my life. The second time when I went back to focus on what area I am ready to grow and develop is biological. I am ready with all my education from my degree and a positive outlook on what I am capable of to be able to change what I eat and how well I workout.
Instead of just giving in to everything I want I need to think about what is best for me in the biological area. I have made food and exercise logs to jot down everything I do so that I can reflect on what I am doing and plan more specific goals in the future.
The next exercise when I focused I know that my healing needs to be psychospiritual because I do not spend much time focusing on that area of my life. The second time when I went back to focus on what area I am ready to grow and develop is biological. I am ready with all my education from my degree and a positive outlook on what I am capable of to be able to change what I eat and how well I workout.
Instead of just giving in to everything I want I need to think about what is best for me in the biological area. I have made food and exercise logs to jot down everything I do so that I can reflect on what I am doing and plan more specific goals in the future.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Unit 5 Power Point
Iris Ranker
Kaplan University
HW420-03
Professor Stewart
February 6, 2011
Mental fitness is as essential as physical fitness, if not more so, to someone’s health. Mental fitness is important because physical fitness has biological limits. The mind is capable of developing all day, every day, but we must make attempts to broaden its reach through practice. “A healthy and developed inner life is an essential complement to outer treatments” (Dacher, 2006).
We can train the mind and many researchers have found the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus. The use of images, correctly addressing stress, and prayer are three ways to mentally and spiritually focus helping to improve health and healing.
How do we get improve mental fitness? There are exercises and practices that can be performed that enhance mental fitness. Yoga is one way to improve mental fitness and breathing exercises are another.
“Not only can our consciousness influence and shape our personal experience, but it also can impact others” (Dacher, 2006), this is why improving mental fitness is detrimental to our health and others.
Is imagery that can exist or act across persons
“In transpersonal experiences there can be an expansion of one’s identity to include much more of the world, and there can be a greater appreciation of one’s interconnectedness with all of nature” (Schlitz, Amorok, & Micozzi, 2005).
In one study about direct mental interactions with living systems, one person (the sender)uses imagery and intention to exert a direct mental influence upon the objectively measured physiological activity of another person (the receiver) isolated at a distance.
15 experiments of came from this study involving 323 sessions. The results showed repeatable, statistically significant evidence for the existence of nonlocal, direct mental influences. Further studies were done across the country after these results were published, the yielded results were similar.
Everyone is familiar with the idea of prayer, but some people think of it in very strict terms even though there are many ways to pray.
Byrd’s double-blind prayer study in 1988 used 393 patients that were in the coronary care unit. Some patients received prayer by groups outside the hospital and others did not.
The study showed fewer deaths, less external support from machines, fewer potent drugs, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was needed less often (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005).
Although it is difficult to study prayer it can be done…no study is 100% fail-safe, but this study showed the effects of prayer and lead prayer studies to be an important part of the future.
Lutz and his colleagues found that trained minds can function at a higher level of integration and organization after studying and researching contemplative scholars and a control group. This finding suggested a higher order of mental integration because of the amount and location of gamma rays emitted in the brain (Dacher, 2006).
People who have trained minds open up their inner self using more detail and flourish. This study showed that mental training may result in long term changes like enhanced resistance to mental distress and physical disease, expand our healing capacities, and promote well-being as well as short-term changes (Dacher, 2006).
Yoga
Yoga, which means yoke or to unite the mind, body and spirit, is a wonderful exercise to connect the mind and body while improving mental fitness. Yoga encompasses many different activities at once.
There becomes a fusion of mind and body with physical movement and contemplative practice.
Yoga begins with breathing and focusing on the breath because it remains essential through the whole exercise with every movement. After this you usually begin a series of poses, holding each.
There are many different types of yoga (Ashtanga, Bikram, Gentle, Kundalini, Iyengar, Restorative, and Vinyasa) with focuses that range from stamina to deep breathing (Yoga, 2011).
We tend to be creatures of habit and we will get into a routine and stay in a certain routine until we are forced out or use intention to will ourselves away.
Easy things to do to keep up mental fitness are to do things completely out of your routine.
When we read books we normally do not, switch hands to write or use our mouse, or even rearrange your whole morning routine our brains are processing more and taking in different views and ideas.
Test yourself with your senses. Walk through the house blindfolded (maybe with an aid), watch the television but put earplugs or headphones in so you can’t hear it, or smell your dinner and decide what foods/spices are in it without looking.
These things can help you challenge yourself to think outside the box or differently than normal to help increase mental fitness.
Improving our mental fitness is an essential part of our lives so that we can continue to flourish and experience as much as possible with the abilities and gifts we have been given. When we do not try new exercises, attempt yoga, meditate, or do breathing exercises we are limiting ourselves and taking for granted abilities that we possess that are unique to humans. Many studies like the ones Lutz and Byrd performed show us that the mind and body are not only connected, but there is a powerful bond that also exists with spirituality.
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The
path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach,
CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M.S.
(2005). Consciousness & healing. St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Yoga. (2011). Teens health. Retrieved
February 7, 2011 from http://kidshealth.
org/teen/food_fitness/exercise/yoga.html
Kaplan University
HW420-03
Professor Stewart
February 6, 2011
Mental fitness is as essential as physical fitness, if not more so, to someone’s health. Mental fitness is important because physical fitness has biological limits. The mind is capable of developing all day, every day, but we must make attempts to broaden its reach through practice. “A healthy and developed inner life is an essential complement to outer treatments” (Dacher, 2006).
We can train the mind and many researchers have found the healing qualities of mental and spiritual focus. The use of images, correctly addressing stress, and prayer are three ways to mentally and spiritually focus helping to improve health and healing.
How do we get improve mental fitness? There are exercises and practices that can be performed that enhance mental fitness. Yoga is one way to improve mental fitness and breathing exercises are another.
“Not only can our consciousness influence and shape our personal experience, but it also can impact others” (Dacher, 2006), this is why improving mental fitness is detrimental to our health and others.
Is imagery that can exist or act across persons
“In transpersonal experiences there can be an expansion of one’s identity to include much more of the world, and there can be a greater appreciation of one’s interconnectedness with all of nature” (Schlitz, Amorok, & Micozzi, 2005).
In one study about direct mental interactions with living systems, one person (the sender)uses imagery and intention to exert a direct mental influence upon the objectively measured physiological activity of another person (the receiver) isolated at a distance.
15 experiments of came from this study involving 323 sessions. The results showed repeatable, statistically significant evidence for the existence of nonlocal, direct mental influences. Further studies were done across the country after these results were published, the yielded results were similar.
Everyone is familiar with the idea of prayer, but some people think of it in very strict terms even though there are many ways to pray.
Byrd’s double-blind prayer study in 1988 used 393 patients that were in the coronary care unit. Some patients received prayer by groups outside the hospital and others did not.
The study showed fewer deaths, less external support from machines, fewer potent drugs, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was needed less often (Schlitz, Amorok, Micozzi, 2005).
Although it is difficult to study prayer it can be done…no study is 100% fail-safe, but this study showed the effects of prayer and lead prayer studies to be an important part of the future.
Lutz and his colleagues found that trained minds can function at a higher level of integration and organization after studying and researching contemplative scholars and a control group. This finding suggested a higher order of mental integration because of the amount and location of gamma rays emitted in the brain (Dacher, 2006).
People who have trained minds open up their inner self using more detail and flourish. This study showed that mental training may result in long term changes like enhanced resistance to mental distress and physical disease, expand our healing capacities, and promote well-being as well as short-term changes (Dacher, 2006).
Yoga
Yoga, which means yoke or to unite the mind, body and spirit, is a wonderful exercise to connect the mind and body while improving mental fitness. Yoga encompasses many different activities at once.
There becomes a fusion of mind and body with physical movement and contemplative practice.
Yoga begins with breathing and focusing on the breath because it remains essential through the whole exercise with every movement. After this you usually begin a series of poses, holding each.
There are many different types of yoga (Ashtanga, Bikram, Gentle, Kundalini, Iyengar, Restorative, and Vinyasa) with focuses that range from stamina to deep breathing (Yoga, 2011).
We tend to be creatures of habit and we will get into a routine and stay in a certain routine until we are forced out or use intention to will ourselves away.
Easy things to do to keep up mental fitness are to do things completely out of your routine.
When we read books we normally do not, switch hands to write or use our mouse, or even rearrange your whole morning routine our brains are processing more and taking in different views and ideas.
Test yourself with your senses. Walk through the house blindfolded (maybe with an aid), watch the television but put earplugs or headphones in so you can’t hear it, or smell your dinner and decide what foods/spices are in it without looking.
These things can help you challenge yourself to think outside the box or differently than normal to help increase mental fitness.
Improving our mental fitness is an essential part of our lives so that we can continue to flourish and experience as much as possible with the abilities and gifts we have been given. When we do not try new exercises, attempt yoga, meditate, or do breathing exercises we are limiting ourselves and taking for granted abilities that we possess that are unique to humans. Many studies like the ones Lutz and Byrd performed show us that the mind and body are not only connected, but there is a powerful bond that also exists with spirituality.
Dacher, E.S. (2006). Integral health: The
path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach,
CA: Basic Health Publications, Inc.
Schlitz, M., Amorok, T., & Micozzi, M.S.
(2005). Consciousness & healing. St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone.
Yoga. (2011). Teens health. Retrieved
February 7, 2011 from http://kidshealth.
org/teen/food_fitness/exercise/yoga.html
Unit 5 Comparison
First off I don't know if that was my personal CD or if that was how the exercise was really supposed to go because there was only about a minute of instruction and then static and loud noise. I just can't reach a void that would clear that noise from my head. The Subtle Mind exercise was one that I wanted to take out of my CD drive and throw across the room and then maybe stomp on. I knw that is not exactly what was supposed to happen right! I wasn't calm or serene or did I even feel good about myself, I quite honestly felt hostile and worse. So in that sense I enjoyed the Loving Kindness exercise more even though parts of it were tough to do. I thought I was going to enjoy the Subtle Mind exercise with the breathing and focusing but it all went away quickly.
Spiritual wellness is tied to mental and physical wellness and we can know this through the varies expirements, studies, and sessions many researchers have performed like Dean Ornish, Lutz, and Byrd.
I know that I am always feel like a better person all-around when I am spiritually grounded. If I start to doubt things or waiver my thoughts the rest of my being suffers as well. Part of it is just accepting the fact that I will never have all the answers and I cannot know exactly what the future will bring so I need to have faith in something or the nothingness will consume me.
Spiritual wellness is tied to mental and physical wellness and we can know this through the varies expirements, studies, and sessions many researchers have performed like Dean Ornish, Lutz, and Byrd.
I know that I am always feel like a better person all-around when I am spiritually grounded. If I start to doubt things or waiver my thoughts the rest of my being suffers as well. Part of it is just accepting the fact that I will never have all the answers and I cannot know exactly what the future will bring so I need to have faith in something or the nothingness will consume me.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Loving Kindness
We have become such a selfish society sometimes it seems like we have slipped so far away from loving kindness it is hard to get to that state of mind. It was easy to picture someone I love and care for and the ocean waves were a nice background sound. I was flooded with good memories and happiness when I thought of my loved one. Turning the feelings toward myself were a little more difficult. I think it is always difficult to not hold onto physical sensations. The suffering part was much more strenuous because we try to block out the bad thoughts of anyone we hold dear although we know that things cannot always be good and perfect we still wish to think of them that way. The exercise was a good way to connect with our feelings and take time out to really experience sensations we would not normally on our own without the exercise.
Getting a mental workout is like mental olympics. I think mental workouts can be different for each person. Everyone has something they are good at and other things that need practice. If I am already good at multi-tasking than maybe it would be a mental workout for me to get control of myself and set aside time to meditate or be patient. It is important we focus on all facets of life and our minds to try to challenge and excell instead of concentrating on certain areas and leaving others lacking.
Getting a mental workout is like mental olympics. I think mental workouts can be different for each person. Everyone has something they are good at and other things that need practice. If I am already good at multi-tasking than maybe it would be a mental workout for me to get control of myself and set aside time to meditate or be patient. It is important we focus on all facets of life and our minds to try to challenge and excell instead of concentrating on certain areas and leaving others lacking.
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