100 The Body Deluxe

Sitting on the wooden floor, a small pillow under me for comfort, I straighten my spine, close my eyes and relax. The trick is to let the tension leave your body, starting with one area and working your way along. From my shoulders down usually works. As you reach a certain point of relaxation, your body(keep in mind if you're not used to doing this) sometimes begins to vibrate, almost sing, with odd feelings of almost electrical shocks. There is a mystical power in your body, waiting for you to discover it and use it to your advantage. You've heard tales of amazing feats performed by people. You dont have to levitate or have out-of-body experiences. You can feel your own power while being relaxed and learning a little something about yourself. This can also be a time of introspection while you learn to relax.

If you can manage a quiet space, slightly darkened, you would be well served. There is a certain force of will that you must possess, much as with any disciplined endeavour such as a fitness program or even like quitting smoking. You have to be able to retain the fortitude or self-discipline to keep the concentration levels. Calm yourself for as long as it takes to feel your body processes slowing. When you feel that you are relaxed enough, let the tension ease from your head and neck, allowing the muscles to go as slack as possible while still keeping your head up. Your shoulders are usually the worst source of tension, so take particular care in relaxing them. I try to imagine the tension as waves of heat, radiating away from my body, often like a slow explosion. I suppose that isnt exactly the best way to describe it. Let's say you should let is expand in waves away from you. I have often imagined that I am sending energy out to others that may be in need of it. After all, energy is energy, the only difference is how it is applied.

Work your way out to your fingertips and down through your legs to your toes. When you feel that as much tension as you can rid yourself of is gone, begin concentrating on your breathing more. Often you are told (in yoga, esp) to breathe through your nose. I say whatever suits you best. I have seen people breathe through pursed lips and inhale by nose/exhale by mouth, the point is to keep up(so to speak) your relaxed state.

If you choose to do so, begin concentrating your breaths through the chakras. Begin breathing as though you can feel the breath going through your body, down until it reaches and flows through the area at the bottom of your pelvis. Breathe through it a few times and then begin moving the breath up to the point between your navel and your spine. Again, breathe at least a few breaths, but you can do this as long as is necessary. Move the breath up to around the area of your sternum and breathe the same as before. When you're ready, move the breathing up to around the middle of your throat. Breathe into this area as long as is necessary to feel the full relaxation. When you're ready, move the breathing up to a point behind your sinuses, and when you're ready, move it again to the top of your head. Each breath should feel like it is literally flowing through each area, cleansing it and relaxing it.

Time is not important when you are doing these rituals, only that you are relaxing yourself, cleansing as much of the stress and tension from your body. Try not to rush any part of it and if you find yourself rushing, remind yourself with as much sternness as you have to, this is for YOUR benefit, slow down. After a few attempts, you should achieve some level of enjoyment from the whole process. You can come away from the whole thing quite refreshed and relaxed. I found that even when I wasnt excercising on a regular basis and had put on a lot of extra pounds that this was still quite beneficial. You need to let go of tension, you need to center yourself and you need to be more aware of your body.

I have sensed that some of you thrive on misery, others thrive on strife and discourse and some of you seem to value the need for peace through religion or spirituality.(there's a difference) You should try at least some avenue for relaxation. I only suggest this because it has worked for me for some time now. As I've already said, it has worked for me when I was quite out of shape, injured and either depressed or angry. You have to feel the flow of energy, relish the strain and stress leaving your muscles and organs. If you have time to couple this with some sort of excercise, all the better. Take pride in keeping your heart rate down as you practice it more and more and you use the memory of its calming effects in time of stress.

Every one of us has griped on facebook about some stress or the other, how do you handle it? You dont have to be comfortable with meditation or yoga to ease your conflicts. Do what works for you. I know many of you reading this are housewives or girlfriends. Your man would be surprised if he is the type that can be adventurous and try something that is out of his norm. He can go back to being the he-man tomorrow at work, tell him today he needs to learn this type of control. Let's face it: there are OTHER perks to learning this type of control;).

As you go about your days, if you are trying this or something like it, try to notice if you start catching yourself applying the calming effects when you are stressed. It really does go a long way if you give it a chance. I have even done the ridding of strain and breathing while I was lying down. The principal is always the same, the technique can vary as long as it suits you.

Let me know if you try it and how you feel afterwards. I wouldnt expect you to start having mystical experiences or travel out-of-body, but I would like to hear if it has been beneficial to you. This is the point where I should say "Namaste", but I've over-used that enough on status-updates. So, as I bid you adieu, I would like to add that fishing is also beneficial, and if the scenery is appreciated as it should be, can be almost as liberating, but not quite. There is nothing quite like exploring your inner-self. Make the most of what you choose to do, but for the love of God, quit touching yourself when you meditate. Save that for when your partner learns to meditate.....or goes fishing.