Tag: Alexander Technique

My First Million

Meditation is my medication. I added Muse, the brain-sensing headband, to my meditation practice in July. I hit the 1,000,000 mark yesterday for “calm points.”

“Thanks a Million” is the alternate title for this post—as in, many thanks to InteraXon, the company that developed Muse and brought it to market. My quality of life so much better because of it.

Tech specs: I use Muse S in the constructive rest position with an iPhone 11 Pro, AirPods Pro and sleep mask. What’s going on inside my head is a little harder to describe, however, this post provides a general sense. ✸

Meditation Challenge

Stress, anxiety, depression and substance use have increased during the Covid-19 pandemic. This has a lot people thinking about better self-care.

I’m helping one of my employers with a four-week “meditation challenge.” It grew out of a recent lunch and learn for employees that included some material on mindfulness. The more the merrier, so I’m sharing this with my entire social network.

Here’s the challenge: Meditate three times per day, generally in the morning when you wake up; sometime in the afternoon; and again in the evening right before you go to bed. Start with 5-minute sessions, increasing the duration week-by-week as follows:

  • Week 1: 5 minutes, 3 times per day
  • Week 2: 10 minutes, 3 times per day
  • Week 3: 15 minutes, 3 times per day
  • Week 4: 20 minutes, 3 times per day

In terms of technique:

  • Assume any comfortable position. I personally like a semi-supine position (see below)
  • Set a timer (e.g., on your phone) with a soft alarm
  • Close your eyes
  • Direct your attention to your breath. This might be your nose, chest or belly
  • Follow your breath in and out. Some people use simple mental mantras for each in-breath and out-breath. Examples are: in-out, deep-slow and calm-ease

Internal and external distractions will occur. Just let thoughts, emotions and sensations pass without judgment. Return to your breath, using a mantra, if needed. On the flip side, don’t worry if you feel sleepy or even doze off. Allow that to pass without judgment, too.

And that’s it!

Please let me know how you feel during and after the challenge.

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I’ve greatly benefited from Alexander Technique lessons. One tip/trick is something called constructive rest, which involves the semi-supine position depicted below.

1. Head slightly supported by a softcover book (or two)
2. Arms slightly away from body (abducted), palms down (pronated)
3. Shoes off; feet about hip-width apart
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Photo: Ayden Frenz

I’m also a fan of Muse, the brain-sensing headband, but that’s a post for another day. ✸