What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[little chickadee]

I'm prone to be a bit panicky and find it very hard to relax my muscles (normally my jaw muscles when I get tense) As we recruit within the house building trade for a living, recent events have left me feeling a wee bit tense !!

 

I'd love to be able to meditate, but am not really well enough to travel to a class so would like a cd with instructions/ music. Does anyone know of something good or have any advice? I find electronic music quite difficult to cope with, which has been my stumbling block in the past.

 

 

I know how bad for my body being tense is, but that's not much help when I'm tense! I'd love to be able to properly relax

[Lapinou]

Have you thought about trying yoga? You might well be able to get a local yoga teacher who might come to your home to teach you some exercises that would help you relax. the breathing you do with yoga is great for focussing your mind on relaxing and leads on very nicely to meditation.

[theherd123]

I do loads of different breathing when i go to yoga and find it a great way to relax.

 

The one i like best is abdominal breathing - lie on your back place your hands on your stomach and when you breath in let your tummy expand so your fingers part a little and when breathing out draw your belly button towards your back.

[Tessa the Duchess]

I have tried three different types of meditation, with varying degrees of success The first was a very physical, dynamic meditation technique which probably wouldn't be right for you. The second was TM for which all you need is you, a quiet space and a word or mantra which you use to clear your mind of rubbish thoughts The mantra is usually given to you by the person instructing you, although I see no reason why you couldn't choose your own. The third was Buddhist chanting which was probably the most successful for me. Why don't you see what the library has to offer in the way of DVD's or CD's. I agree yoga is a brilliant way to relax, again I am sure the library would have DVD's on yoga. Hope you find something that helps, I find a couple of glasses of wine great for relaxation

 

Tessa

[theherd123]

You know im sure i have come across a programme on TV called 'Yoga TV' - its on one of the cable channels on a Sunday morning i think.

 

Perhaps you could record that and see how you get on - not sure what its like but they will probably do relaxation on there

[Lapinou]

When I first started out doing yoga, I used dvds and books and found that yoga really helped me relax and I slept better etc. People told me I ought to have a teacher but I ignored them because I thought they were just killjoys. Then I started doing classes when I was pg with DD3 and couldn't believe I had not bothered with them with other pregnancies. They made such a difference to the last trimester - I didn't suffer with as much back ache, I wasn't as tired and I wasn't as irritable, and the birth was the best one I'd had. After she was old enough to leave, I started doing yoga classes again and had a couple of one-to-one sessions and now I really, really understand the importance of having a real-life teacher. The postures can be actually fairly harmful if you're doing them wrong, and it takes someone trained and present to be able to correct you so that you're getting the most from them and you know you're not doing yourself any harm. Honestly, I've done a posture I thought I knew well, only for the teacher to suggest one tiny adjustment, and I can feel a massive difference. Do try to get a teacher if you do decide to try yoga, as you'll really get much more benefit from it if you do.

[little chickadee]

I may look out the local village yoga class again. It changed so that it clashed with pick up time at the children's school, but I'll be able to get round that. I always forget how much I love Yoga when I'm not doing it. Never managed to completely relax me, but I do love it.

[Couperwife]

I sometimes time my breathing when I get stressed.

 

I make sure I count slowly, in for 3, out for 3. It makes me slow down and think about something else.

 

its something that I can do anywhere, regardless of the noise and chaos around me.

 

try it. good luck

 

cathy

x

[Seagazer]

You sometimes have to try different teachers though as the first one that mum and I had was not a very relaxed person at all and I'm sure we came out more stressed than when we went in.

 

The second one was much better, although because of this her classes were often too packed. But she was very calm and it really was good. I've tried doing yoga at home with dvds but it ruins some of the positions if you keep looking at the tv.

 

I would like to start again (I also have a problem with my jaw - its really clicking!).

[theherd123]

I was VERY lucky and fell on my feet finding my yoga teacher - she is excellent and i love going to her classes.

 

I started in a beginners class but now go to her pregnancy classes, i couldnt ask for anyone better.

[ajm200]

You could try downloading the free guided mediation tracks from this site

 

http://www.mediheaven.com/meditation-downloads/

 

When I was having my son I developed pre-eclampsia that started as wildly fluctuating BP. The midwife suggested that I try the secret garden meditation track suggested on this site. I was a real doubter until I tried it a few times and found that it when I got the hang of it I'd doze listening to it and wake up really relaxed and refreshed.

[lisaroo2]

I had a nervous breakdown about 10 years ago. I tried all sorts of relaxation techniques, none of which I could get my head around or relax too! In the end it was suggested that I find a piece of music that I liked, preferably a slowey one. The idea was to involve myself completely with the music and block everything else out, no deep breathing, nothing like that, just concentrate and not let any other thoughts into my head. I could sing the lyrics if I liked.

 

It took alot of practice but I got there. Now when I hear the music my shoulders drop and by the end of the song I feel completely relaxed. I don't have to close my eyes, or anything else, just stop what I'm doing for a few minutes and concentrate on the music and the lyrics. It even helps with panic attacks. I can accept that it takes some mind training to switch yourself off for a while, but for me it works.

 

My piece of music is 'Nella fantasia' - sung by Russell Watson.

[Trish]

You can also use essential oils to help. Good old Lavender is a great one but it really depends on your personality and type. I much prefer the heavy woody oils and generally use Clary Sage, Vetiver, Patchouli or Frankincense. Hope you find something soon. I've been through a break down and panic attacks etc and I know how hard it can be to try and relax even though that's wht you want to do. It's easy to end up getting stressed about not being able to relax!

 

Praying you find peace