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03-20-07, 07:37 PM | |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
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Am I a freak?
Don't mean to hijack this thread, (or disagree with the past two explanations of stress response in the body...they both make a lot of sense.)
But I feel energized after a massage - I become very productive after a massage. Definately not stressed, and running around like a chicken with her head cut off, but productive. And forward bends (ala child's pose, or half-salutes) while they feel good, they seem to make my breathing shallower - that is, I have to fight for breath (sort of...well, at least work harder for it.) |
03-20-07, 09:10 PM | |
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Michelle, I'll go back and reread that part in Erich again; thanks for bringing it to my attention and starting to flesh it out.
Lianne, thank you, thank you! That's what I was looking for, and I'll be able to engage scientifically-minded SO with those terms. That's great that you wrote a thesis on that topic! Any chance of it getting published? I'd love to read it. Beyond.omega, you mentioned that you find your breath is shallow in child's pose and standing forward bends, but how is it in seated forward bends? Most of the poses we're discussing are actually seated forward bends, like with paschimottanasana (seated forward bend with legs straight in front of you), sukhasana (easy cross-legged pose), baddha konasana (bound angle or butterfly), upavista konasana (open angle or straddle), janu sirsana (head to knee forward bend), gomukhasana (cow's face), etc. Personally it took me a while to learn how to relax completely in these types of poses. Now that I've trained myself better, it's much easier to breathe more deeply and to let myself calm down. I also remembered that some of Shiva Rea's CDs may be able to yield some relaxing practices, perhaps even some with forwards bends.
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Kath I listen to my body and respond compassionately. - sankalpa from Jill Miller's Yoga at Home level 1, month 5 practice Note: I have had a professional relationship with a vendor of health and fitness books and media. For details please see my profile. |
03-21-07, 04:42 AM | |
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
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I read this entire thread with interest last night and dedcided to do an experiment. I completed about 5-7 miutes of various forward bends before truning in for the night.
Wow, I slept very deeply and even remember some of my dreams . Periodically, I go through periods of insomnia or waking in the middle of the night. Usually, it's during a higher stress time in my life. I will use this method of relaxation when needed. Thanks for all the explanations on the body mechanics of why this works!
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Don't wait for someone to bring you flowers, plant your own garden... |
03-21-07, 06:53 AM | |
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Massachusetts
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I've been following this thread with interest, since I've had sleeping troubles since I was a child. My twelve year old daughter has them as well. It takes her a very long time to fall asleep (although once she's asleep she stays asleep) and mornings are really difficult. The 6:50 bus is missed quite a bit.
Anyway, I slept much better last night after doing some forward bends. Coincidence maybe, too soon to tell. I also suggested it to my daughter, who was skeptical but tried it. She has three hours of gymnastics each night, so is spending alot of time in backbends, etc., so the forward bends might help. Haven't asked her yet if it made a difference. She stayed home today, because she did something to her back last night and says it hurts to walk or move. She's had this before, usually only lasts a day or two.
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Julie |
03-21-07, 07:05 AM | |
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Georgia
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So I woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. I tried Laura's version of forward bends in bed, under the covers ( ). Weird, but it helped me relax and get back to sleep. One thing I did notice, when you do a forward bend it would be hard to maintain any tension in your upper body (and jaw). What I mean is, that most people carry stress in their shoulders and upper body (for me, it's jaw too). When I did my (modified) forward bend, my upper body relaxed. So maybe it's a tension releasing exercise!!!
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03-21-07, 11:38 AM | ||
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: connecticut
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Quote:
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Tags |
forward bends, geri halliwell, insomnia, relaxation, sleep, yoga, yoga for sleep |
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