Monday, 18 July 2016

Final Thoughts

I have so many thoughts about mindfulness, I find it difficult to begin and I don’t think I will be able to cover all of my thoughts.
Over all, I really enjoyed this Mindful Journey. I found that I was able to try something new and I felt the benefits right away. I can only imagine how the benefits will grow over time. My favorite take away from all of this is the Belly Breathing. I think everyone is capable and willing to try belly breathing. No matter the situation, taking the time to focus on your breathing can rejuvenate you, can spark ideas, can focus you and can calm you. I can only see benefits with a focused breathing and belly breathing.  

I noticed that many of these formal activities were not as big as a stretch as I was expecting. I was expecting to not understand, feel comfortable and especially how to weave it into my every day.  But I could and I think I partake in informal mindful activities nearly every day.
When I get stuck in the rain I always stop and feel the rain on my face before I continue you. Most days I take the long way home to take stock of my day and reflect. However, if I am doing this informally, I can only imagine the benefits that will come when I take more time to consciously decide to carve time out of my day to be mindful.

I was surprised by how the comfort levels were quite varied around the classroom. This is cause for some concern for bringing it into my class next year.  I am still undecided about how much I am willing to dive into the practice in my classroom. However, guided sensory intake, guided self-appreciations and group, deep belly breathing I think will be effective for the student’s wellbeing. If I establish right adapt and pass this may ease some student’s discomfort.


 Mindfulness is not a one size fits all concept. If I bring it into my school, I need to what is best for my students. One thing I know for sure, my personal mindfulness journey will continue.
 

Guided sleep meditation

guided meditation to sleep

I found this helpful, to calm me before bed.

Night Time Silent Activity

I tried a night time silent meditation at my cottage. I felt like I needed to try it again after the day time activity. Before going to sleep I went outside quietly to try this exercise. My goal was to be silent, by myself and to bring attention to my 5 senses. I tried to engage with each of my senses. And after some deep belly breathing I was able to focus. I was surprised by how engaged my senses were without my knowledge before. While being present there was infinite possibilities my mind could be guided towards.

Senses
Smell - I could smell a campfire in the distance
           -the wet earth that was under me
           - smell of grass around me
Taste – it sounds silly but I could taste the humidity
Hear- I could hear a loon calling to its family
-          A whipperwill calling, waking up from its slumber reminding me it’s time for mine.
Touch- the blades of grass under me head
           - the water lapping at my toes
Sight- It was a marvel to watch the night time world
-          I could see the moon, I could see the moon glistening upon the water.
-          The big dipper
-          The fire flied all around.

Calling upon each of my senses was a new activity for me and I was pleasantly surprised. I was so fully engaged in mu present. My mind did not wander, but it simple noticed and appreciated what was around me.

Response to my earlier question in the Day Time Silence Activity.
Can you be silent in the world?

Yes, you can. There is a time and place, you just have to make the time and the place.
 

Mindful Eating

Last night my friend was cooking burgers on the BBQ and I was setting the table upstairs. He then placed only one burger on the table. He then explained that he ate the burger, while walking up the stairs. I was shocked, I said ‘were you hungry?’ and he replied ‘not really’. This made me think so much about mindful eating.  I started to ask the questions myself why am I eating and prompted myself to take stock of my situation. I focused on eating, my hunger, and the food. I think this is a great way for us to be aware of what we are putting in our mouths. Healthy bodies lead to happy minds.

This website was great for some extra reading on mindful eating.http://amihungry.com/what-is-mindful-eating/
 

Belly Breathing


Elmo and Belly Breathing

I have noticed that throughout this whole journey my main take away has been to breathe. When  you focus on your breath you are able to regain the present. The video above is Elmo teaching about Belly Breathing. I have been singing it to myself all week. 

Morning Boosters

During this course I have begun  to start your day in a positive light! By starting your day with these morning boosters you are setting your day up for success. I learned about morning boosters while working at the hospital. Each morning the patients would begin there day, mindful of a positive tone.   I have played around with this mindfulness activity for the past week and  I have found that promotes well being before getting out of bed. Instead of dreading the alarm clock I look forward to my next booster. I have composed a list of 10 boosters with the help of some students .You can use these prompts and express your feelings in a way that best suits you, meaning you can write it down, you can say it out loud or dance it out. As long as you express it. I have enjoyed it thus far and I think it might be a great 5 min activity to bring into my classroom next year. 

  1. 3 things you are grateful for
  2. 2 people you are thankful for
  3. Something you are proud of
  4. Find a quote that expresses how you are feeling
  5. 3 strategies to help you overcome your anxieties
  6. Pick a song that a. Calms you
    b. Builds you up
    c. Expresses your feelings
    d. Gives you strength
  7. Goal for today
  8. Dream for the future
  9. Something you are looking forward to
  10. Reason to get up this morning 

The Hindrances

The Hindrance to meditation and mindfulness I chose was Restlessness. I find sometimes when I am trying a mindful activity, I cannot remain focused on the guide. I find that I am making lists in my head, I am planning the rest of my day. I am stressing about the future or remembering the past and not focused on the now. It is like I have ants in my pants. This really neglects me of any mindful benefits. If I am constantly focused on ‘when is the end’. I am wishing my life and the now away. However, I have noticed that this is more of an issue when it is my first time on a particular mindful activity. If I have done it before then I am more willing to jump in. How do I overcome this? I think it would useful to run through it once so I know where I am going. This may eliminate some of the anxiety. If I am prepared before I start then I am more willing to try. As well, if I am using this as a procrastination tool then it will obviously not be beneficial, I need to make sure that my time and place is ready for me to jump in