10:17 AM Taste the Rainbow

One of my favorite exercises is "The Crime of the Century". I love the visualization I love the way it made me feel and it made me feel centered and in touch with myself. It was emotional for me and I really like doing it. There are times when I need something more relaxing so I might do the Subtle Mind exercise. The great thing about the variety of exercises is the adaptability to what you need at that time. I feel these two help me focus on the areas I need the most improvement at this time in my life. I feel I get the most from them and I love the way they make me feel. I still incorporate them into my routine. The Crime of the Century I tend to do more in the morning and the Subtle Mind I do at night to get my mind calm before bed. It just depends on how I feel. I also started playing meditation music and positive messages while I sleep. I am hoping these messages are getting into my mind while I sleep. 

I am making a conscious effort to observe my emotions in the moment and let the negative ones slip right out. When I do let my emotions get out of control, I do find it takes a lot less time to regain control and become centered. I still have a long way to go and will continue to practice on a daily basis. As I said earlier, first thing in the morning is a good time for me and right before bed. I also like to do  mini session right before a workout. I find the effects help my workout, and carry on for a longer time when I workout (kinda like boosting your metabolism after you workout, I feel like my mental abilities are stronger as well for a period of time after a workout). 

As I am getting older I am becoming more aware of the importance of my mental and physical health. I also feel I have to show my daughters a better way to live. This class has brought so many important issues to my attention. I plan on showing myself loving kindness and improving my overall wellness on my journey to integral health. I wish you all the best as we start to wrap up.

Brandy

5:36 PM Digging Deeper.

I have made a serious effort to make time for meditation and relaxation exercises in my life. I have some apps on my phone I use when I am on breaks at work. The 15-20 minutes of centering really gets me refreshed for the next shift. I have also started playing guided meditation, inspirational and motivational items as I go to bed. I have found when it is playing while I sleep I find myself aware of it when I wake up, but also rested, calm and ready. I feel like I am really wanting to get deeper. I am not sure if I am making any gains, but I am certainly trying. I am trying to confront the things that are causing stress in my life and get rid of them. Some of them are not that easy, like debts. I am just trying to look at it in a different way and not stress about it.

I think it is very important as a professional to have a developed mind, body and spirit. I think clients can relate and appreciate you when you have overcome obstacles to get to where you are. We are all looking to someone to guide us in the right direction. We all want someone we can relate to. I don't think a professional can lead you to integral health if they themselves do not follow the steps to achieve it. They can only get you so far anyways. My mom was seeing this psychologist and she said there was something off about him. One day when she was on her way to her appointment she was surprised to see him being escorted out in handcuffs. We don't know what happened, but he couldn't help her settle her issues because he had so many of his own to deal with.

I am just starting my journey of growth and I understand I have a way to go. I will look to others to help me along the way and I may be able to help others get started on their journey.

2:46 PM The Subtle Mind.

I like this exercise a lot. It is less guided and lets you sort through your thoughts as they come. You drift back and forth between your thoughts and your breath. It is actually very relaxing and you naturally get to a clear mind, even if it takes a while. The first time I did this I was put to sleep by my breath. This exercise, to me, was the most relaxing and quieted my mind the most. I am going to do it again tonight.

I feel the connection between the mind, the body, and the spirit can be strengthened through mental practices and physical exercises. The power of the mind far outweighs the power of the physical body. When we train the mind we train the body. Having control over our thoughts and emotions allows us to control our health. We can use spiritual practices such as prayer, yoga, meditation, or visualization techniques to help us gain spiritual and mental strength. When you stop working out, your body starts to lose muscle and gain fat, becomes less flexible and there is a decrease in strength. Once you have reached a higher consciousness there is no turning back. It is very important to have the mental strength to face the challenges in life. It is our foundation. It is our purpose.