Journal 11

     For today’s practice I decided to incorporate meditation since we have studied the yoga sutras over the past week. The online session I chose in dedication to this weeks topic is a Youtube video titled “Restorative Yoga + Meditation | No Props 35-min Relaxing Practice”. The session was instructed by a young woman whose channel goes by her name, Jessica Richburg. To begin, she informs me that we will be holding each pose for 1-2 minutes and that there will be a gentle warm up and cool down sequence, plus a short meditation at the end. She explained that this particular practice is intended to be slow paced to reset your nervous system and help with any pent up stress or anxiety.  

     I was relieved to hear that we would be working slowly. I’m realizing, that I am more able to immerse myself into the practice when I have time to take in each posture comfortably and with the proper breath. I found that Jessica’s voice was perfect for this kind of video. Her relaxing tone set the ambiance, being there was no other soothing sounds or music in the background. The incorporation of insights on anatomy through each posture is something that I appreciate in a practice. I can be very curious and factual, so being taught one thing (anatomy) while experiencing another (yoga) is a good way for my mind to be fed. This also plays a role in my level of awareness during the practice.

     By way of Jessica pinpointing the specific areas being worked, I am able to set my mind on those parts and how they feel at that moment. As I understand it, Jessica’s style of practice puts emphasis on feeling the sensations in the body to enter a deep state of relaxation. From this, I was put in a state of mindfulness that was new to me. I was very aware but yet drowsy and at the same time I knew I would feel refreshed by the end of the session. My new found state of zen helped me feel more prepared for the meditative sequence. I was at nothing but peace during this last sequence of the session, as I struggled less with keeping my mind from wandering. I thoroughly enjoyed this restorative practice. 

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