How do you practice?

[monkey]

I've been fiddling about with the practices from the 8 week course in FPIAFW and am starting to do my sitting practice as a bit of focusing on the breath and then more of an open awareness of whatever's going on.

I just wondered how other people do their regular sitting (or standing, walking, lying etc.) practice. It seems like there can be so much variation, I'd really like to hear about what suits other people. Thanks!

[Jaizkibel]

Hi monkey! That's pretty much what I do. I tried to do it while walking, running... but now I just sit and focus on my breath first. Breath is kind of an anchor, it's always there (thankfully) and you always can focus on it. Once I get that particular state of mind, I try to be aware of what's going on with my body, how it feels and what's happening around me. I hope it helped!

[piedwagtail91]

mines a mix.
i always wake early so start around 5 am
morning practice is an hour of yoga (mindful movement), then mindfulness meditation- sitting for 30 minutes. At first aware of my posture and contact points, then my breath then open awareness, then it's mindful nordic walking before some mindful eating at breakfast.
night time is whatever feels right but is usually a mix of practices from my yoga teacher -after settling with body awareness and breath i practice pranayama, trataka and some metta ..
the morning practice does change but not much.

[monkey]

Wow, that's a full schedule! I like the sound of Nordic walking. They do that round here and it looks fun. What's 'trataka'? Jaizkibel, it does sound very similar, yes. I am enjoying my sitting more, when I was trying to do a more focused practice I felt my mind just clamping down, and it was a struggle.

[piedwagtail91]

nordic walking is good, it can use up to 90% on the muscles in the body, so plenty to be aware of!

this is a link to trataka, you need to be careful if doing this at first.
http://www.yogaindailylife.org/esystem/yoga/en/140600/hatha-yoga-kriyas/trataka/

[Happyogababe]

My practice is evolving (formal). Initially I was drawn to body scan (alone). Then sitting watching breath followed by awareness of body and progression into body scan...then following a few breaths before observing whatever happens.

I have lots of 'spot meditations' through the day were I focus on body and breath. Sometimes I observe nature or listen to birds, or traffic.

I try to do things mindfully.

I am calmer. I take a step back before making decisions. I consider my options before I act (mostly).

It's interesting to see what suits different people.

[JonW]

It sounds like you already have a flourishing practice, Happyogababe.
Long may that continue and the benefits accrue.
Jon, Hove

[Happyogababe]

It sounds like you already have a flourishing practice, Happyogababe.
Long may that continue and the benefits accrue.
Jon, Hove

I'm hoping so