| Need a Silent Retreat Meditation? | | | | energy flowing to fifth energy center. After |
| Most of us live in a noisy world. From the | | | | completing your silent retreat, experiment with |
| moment we arise in the morning, our eyes are | | | | the Half Fish pose. |
| bombarded with constant clamoring. The television | | | | To assume the pose, lie on your back and extend |
| blares in the background, sirens wail, and our | | | | your legs out in front of you. Take a few |
| neighbor's stereo blasts. We sit at work in a sea | | | | moments to breathe deeply. Place your hands |
| of cubicles among nonstop chatter and chaos. | | | | close together, underneath your buttocks. Make |
| In the midst of all this upheaval, it is very easy to | | | | sure that your palms are facing down and your |
| stop listening to our own inner voice. Many of us | | | | fingers are free of tension. Adjust your legs so |
| turn to food to cope with the turmoil. | | | | that they are close together. Release all stress |
| A great practice or resetting technique to regain | | | | from your legs, and allow your whole body to be |
| or even begin your Guided meditation cd journey | | | | at peace. |
| is to retreat from the noisy world for 24 | | | | When you are ready, inhale as you gently lift the |
| consecutive hours. As this may seem | | | | weight of your whole body onto your elbows and |
| unachievable due to life factors, even a minimum | | | | allow your neck to safely tilt backwards so that |
| 3-6 hour vow of silence once a week or month, | | | | the back of your head rests on the floor. Arch |
| is important to regain a level of calmness needed | | | | your back, and let your legs relax on the floor. |
| to relieve the stressing factors of our daily lives. | | | | Shift all your weight onto your elbows. Firmly |
| During your silent retreat, you should not speak | | | | press your buttocks onto the floor. |
| or be spoken to by anyone unless of course it is | | | | Attempt to hold this pose for five whole breaths. |
| an absolute emergency. Pick a place that will allow | | | | Always honor your body first, release the pose |
| you this time and space. some places I enjoy are | | | | whenever it feels right for you. Release by |
| a quiet park, your favorite and most comfortable | | | | pressing your elbows into the floor. Carefully lift |
| room in your home, or if you have family try to | | | | your head and very slowly lower your entire |
| wake earlier in the morning to catch the sunrise | | | | body back to the ground, one vertebrae at a |
| and spend that time in complete silence, Unplug | | | | time. |
| your TV, telephone, and computer. Resist the | | | | If your have a history of neck or back problems, |
| temptation to check e-mail or the daily news. Use | | | | please consult a doctor prior to doing this pose. |
| this time to practice meditation skills. Focus on | | | | There are many groups that hold silent retreats |
| just being, instead of doing anything. This exercise | | | | on weekends that include guest speakers and |
| is perfect for balancing your throat chakra. | | | | workshops in meditation and yoga check for |
| The Half Fish pose, known as Matsyasana in | | | | some in your community. above all enjoy your |
| Sanskrit, is one surefire yoga exercise to get | | | | journey to inner peace! |