Thursday, January 3, 2008

What Type of Guided Meditation Floats Your Boat?

When you think of meditation what first comes to mind? Do you picture a group of people, swathed in robes, meditating in a temple? Do you picture a yoga class breathing in and out while meditating? Do you picture sitting on the beach listening to a meditation tape? All of these are examples of guided meditation. Guided meditation comes in several forms from group settings to listen to or reading a guided meditation script.

Lets say that you are interested in learning more about meditation. During your first meditation sessions you will most likely need help. Therefore, you need to follow a guide or script to ensure that you fall into a deep meditative state. So which type of guided meditation should you engage in? The answer is that it depends on your preferences. Lets take a look at three different types of guided meditation including yoga, listening to a tape/CD, and reading a meditation script.

1.) Guided meditation at a yoga class: yoga is an excellent way to introduce your mind and body to meditation. You will have a teacher whom will make sure that you have the proper posture and breathing technique during the meditation. This instant feedback is extremely valuable. They will guide you through the process of freeing your mind and filtering out distractions. They want you to succeed and will do everything they can to provide a ripe environment for successful meditation.

2.) Listening to a tape/CD: Perhaps you dont have the time or interest in yoga. Listening to a tape/CD is a great way to meditate. You can find a great deal of guided meditation audio recordings that will walk you through the meditation process. You just pop on your headphones and listen.

Another advantage of listening to a tape/CD is that you can choose your topic. For instance, you can listen to a deep breathing meditation, a meditation on losing weight, a meditation on improving your self confidence, and the list goes on and on. You can even find guided meditation tapes/CDs that you listen to while you are asleep. They send subliminal messages to your brain all night long. You wake up in the morning refreshed, energized, and ready to experience the new day.

3.) Reading a meditation script: If you are not an auditory person then you can read a guided meditative script. The script will outline how to prepare for your meditative session. It will guide you through the posture you need and the deep breathing sequence you should use. It will provide details about what to think about and visualize during your meditation session. The script will tell you how to finish off your session and what to do in the mean time before your next session.

Where can you find these guided meditation methods? You can find a yoga studio in your local area by combing the telephone book and Internet. You can find plethora of tapes/CDs on the Internet and at your local book store. You can find meditation scripts online at a variety of meditation related websites. You can try all three methods to find the method that works best for you. Remember, your preference should be based on your feelings and desires, not on what your friend or family members think. meditation is a personal experience.

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Yoga Supplies And Clothing

Golf Stretches For Use After A Game Of Golf

Following are stretches which can be used after a game of golf to help prevent getting sore and to also improve flexibility. Remember to hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds if you want to see a fast improvement in your flexibility. And if it hurts "Stop!"

Note: Read all instructions carefully before attempting any of these exercises & breath through your nose for all of the stretches.

1. KERB STRETCH

An effective way to stretch your calf muscles is to use a piece of wood or a step. Stand with the balls of your feet on the edge of the step and let your heels drop towards the floor, feeling the stretch in the calf and breathing easily through your nose. I find it best to perform this exercise with both feet at the same time, but you can do it with one leg at a time if you prefer.

2. STANDING QUADRICEPS STRETCH

Stand behind a chair. Hold on to the back of a chair with your left hand for support and raise your lower right leg. Now reach behind yourself with your right arm and get hold of your raised right leg. Next gently ease your right foot towards your buttocks. You will feel the stretch along the front of the thigh. Repeat on the other side breathing easily through your nose.

And I must say I had difficulty at first performing this exercise and if you do to I suggest you initially begin the exercise with the knee of the supporting leg flexed slightly. Once you are stretching you can then gradually try to straighten your support leg to increase the stretch. It is important to keep good posture all throughout this stretch.

3. LYING HAMSTRING STRETCH

Lie on your back for this exercise. Now flex your knees on about a 90 angle. Get hold of your left leg behind the thigh with both hands and straighten your right leg so it is resting on the floor. Now pull your left leg towards your chest trying to get it as close as possible. You will feel the stretch along the back of the flexed thigh. Repeat with the other leg.

4. STANDING HAMSTRING STRETCH

Stand up for this exercise. Now flex your knees and bend from your hips until you can easily rest your chest on your thighs. Now reach your arms around your legs and give them a hug. From this position, try to straighten your legs as much as possible, while still keeping your chest firmly pressed against your thighs.

You will soon feel the stretch along the backs of your thighs. Let go of this stretch by slowly flexing your knees. Remember to breathe through your nose when completing this, and not only this exercise, but all the others as well.

5. STANDING HIP AND THIGH STRETCH

Stand in front of a chair or stool. Raise one of your feet up onto the chair or stool, and then ease your body towards this foot so that your chest and thigh come closer together. Keep your spine and back leg straight and try to keep your shoulders down away from your ears. Move as far forward as possible and then hold this position.

You will feel the stretch along the front of the thigh of the extended leg, and along the back of the thigh of the raised leg. Repeat on the other side and remember to breathe!

6. LYING GROIN STRETCH

Lie flat on the floor. East your legs up towards your body and place the soles of your feet together and let your knees ease out sideways. You will feel the stretch along the insides of your thighs and groin.

7. SEATED GROIN STRETCH

Sit for this exercise and ease your legs up towards your body and place the soles of your feet together. Now let your knees fall out and down towards the floor. You can place your hands on your knees to increase your stretch or you can use them to keep yourself stable while doing this exercise.

8. SIDEWAYS NECK STRETCH

You can stand or sit to do this exercise. Also ensure you keep your shoulders down away from your ears when doing this exercise. Tilt your head to one side trying to place your ear on your shoulder. Repeat on the other side. You can increase this stretch by gently using a hand to increase the weight on your neck. But be careful do not pull your head, you could cause injuries to yourself.

9. UPPER BACK STRETCH

You can choose to sit or stand for this exercise. Interlock your fingers and push your hands as far away from your chest as possible so your palms are facing away from you. Tilt your head down and look at the ground. And make sure your upper back is straight and as relaxed as possible doing this stretch. You will feel the stretch between your shoulder blades.

10. CHEST STRETCH

Once again you can do this stretch while seated or standing. Place your hands behind you and place them on your lower back. Now squeeze your elbows towards each other while keeping your spine straight. You will feel the stretch in the front of the chest.

11. FRONT SHOULDER STRETCH

As with the previous exercise you can do this one sitting or standing. I prefer to do them standing. Place your hands behind you and interlock your fingers, then straighten your arms and try to lift them upwards and backwards as far as possible. Try to keep your back straight and long, with your shoulders down away from your ears. You will feel the stretch in the front of the chest.

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