so soreee

This week has been filled with the stress of midterms and school as well as the fun stress of planning out my spring break!  Unfortunately, last week I couldn't make it to the yoga class and I immediately missed it.  Instead I made my roommate practice some poses in out apartment, which definitely made up for missing class because it was so fun! I've been doing a lot of relaxation meditations as well.  I've been getting back into going to the gym about 5 times a week so my body has been really sore physically.  I've been using the body relaxation method I learned in Meditations and mysteries of the mind, so that's been helping a lot. Hope everyone has a great spring break!

Finding confidence in catastrophe

Today I ran into the back of a truck with my new (not really new but I will consider it that way until I pay it off probably haha) car, and I know for a fact that the self reflection practices that I have been engaging in helped me vastly in the situation.  I was able to keep myself calm and focused even though I wanted to scream and cry.  The man was extremely kind, the damage is not too bad, and the process of dealing with the incident was easy, fast and stress free.  I was extremely pleasant and I was genuinely impressed with my ability to handle the situation.  I can think of many times in my life when I collapsed under pressure and did not handle things the most effective way, and this would have been a perfect opportunity for me to fall into that same destructive routine.  Instead I was able to take a deep breath and stay strong in a way that has never before been so effortless for me.  I am very thankful for my dedication to meditation practices because I am able to see the positive effects that it has in so many aspects of my life.

Module 2 update

Hey everyone,

I haven't done a blog post in a while because I've been busy with school, work, and life in general. The last semester of college is usually the busiest and the most relaxing at the same time. I'm glad that undergrad is finally over but at the same time, I am preparing for the next chapter of my last outside of school which makes me both excited and anxious at the same time.
The mindfulness practices have been going very well. I have continued to do my positive affirmations and samurai check-exercises every morning. I made one small change to the positive affirmations where I also do them before bed in the evenings.
For the most part, life has been very pleasant. I have seen a lot of positive changes as well as experiences in my health, social life, and academics.

Week 5-6

I work at Kumon- math and reading center. It is an academic enrichment after-school program for students in preschool through high school. I like this job as a future educator since I get a chance to work with children. However, it has been a hard week for me because my boss went to Korea for her family business. As a head assistant, I had to work extra hours. Also, there were untrained new assistant, so work that needed to be done piled up regardless of number of workers. Over all, Being a full-time student and taking care of a significant part at work were very stressful. I am planning to practice “shaking meditation” (one of my favorite meditations!) we did back in January thinking my statement of personal ideals. I believe this would help me to let all the clutters such as emotions and thoughts. And fill my mind only things that belongs to me.

Training & Yoga

So I have been struggling with the mindful practices but I have been trying to stretch, keep my mind clear and be aware of how distracted I have become. But I am working on doing well in my practices now that my grandparents have gone back home. But now I really need to stay focused with my school work because I’m starting to do personal training  for the next few months where it is just a given that I won’t struggle  with my mindful healthy habits. I feel I may incorporate breathing mediation to keep a clear mind or even the stop drop and breath exercise more often.  I feel I may have to do more yoga DVDs at home because the gym classes are just not working out for me. But I am really excited to start my training and hopefully stay focused on my practices and yoga.

A New Awareness

So it has been very hard for me to continue or focus on my mindful healthy habits with my grandparents visiting for this past month. I have had a bit of a struggle with mindful healthy habits. And yeah I have been struggling with my school work still but I find it almost a test in a way for me. Like how much noise does it really take for me to not be able to concentrate? But really it’s nice to have them here and I have spent lots of time with my family which has made me aware of the time and effort we take to getting family dinners ready and how nice it looks and the aroma of the food. But seriously this entire month we have had so many family dinners during the week it was fun, crazy, loud, and very enjoyably to spend time with them.

New Affirmations

For another class with Mark I am reading a book called "Full Alignment" and there have been a lot of things that have been really resonating with me.  Last night at work I had a table ask me about myself and I told them where I am from and that I am a senior at GMU, they were really impressed and interested and so I told them a bit about my degree.  Of course their first question is: “What are you planning to do after graduation?”  Followed by an awkward pause and a “Well that is a very good question;” as I get closer to graduation, I am getting more and more stressed about it.  My entire life I have been a student and as exciting as going into the real world is for me, I am also horrified and have a tendency to second guess myself.  I have incorporated another line into my daily self affirmations/loving kindness, that I think it is important for me to hear from myself every day and have already received a sense of peace from. “I am capable of anything I set my mind to.”  “I will align my life with my Vision of what I know it can be.”  These statements give me a chance to take a break from my stress and the anxiety that comes with unknowing, and simply be, and know that everything works out.