| Michael: | | | | questions about different types of meditation and |
| My doctor told me that I have to exercise. | | | | get “instruction” if you like. |
| She’s pushing me to do yoga (for | | | | Another good place to learn meditation is through |
| flexibility) and weight training (for strength). She | | | | an organization that specializes in it. One such |
| also said that some kind of meditation would be | | | | organization is the Shambala Meditation Group of |
| good to help lower my anxiety (I’m a | | | | San Diego, located at 3139 University Avenue |
| chronic worrier). I know she’s right, but I | | | | (behind Café Forte). On Friday, Sept. 29 |
| just can’t get myself to start any of | | | | from 7:30pm - 9:00 pm & Saturday, Sept. 30 |
| these things. I’ve never done yoga before | | | | from 8:30am - 9:00 pm they will provide a |
| and meditation sounds too weird. I used to go to | | | | two-day meditation instruction for beginners. For |
| a gym but I just hated it and couldn’t | | | | more information, call them at 619-437-7231. |
| make myself do it so I stopped going. Can you | | | | Now, what about the good old gym? Many of my |
| help? | | | | clients have stories of their |
| Overweight, anxious and stuck | | | | “failures” at the gym. You said |
| Dear OA&S: | | | | that “I used to go to a gym but I just |
| I admire a doctor like yours who suggests | | | | hated it and couldn’t make myself do it |
| activities you can do to feel better rather than | | | | so I stopped going.” If you were my |
| just writes you a prescription. Congratulations for | | | | client, I’d help you figure out what about it |
| choosing her! However, it sounds like | | | | didn’t work for you THEN so you can do |
| you’re finding it hard to take her advice. | | | | it differently. Typical reasons for “gym |
| Yoga is great for flexibility of the body and | | | | failure” include: (1) you tried to do too |
| meditation helps calm the mind. If you have | | | | much/too fast and were overwhelmed; (2) you |
| anxiety or tend to worry a lot (as you said you | | | | tried to go after work but once you got home |
| do), or if you find it hard to stop thinking or | | | | you were too tired to leave the house; (3) you |
| overanalyzing, if you find it hard to fall asleep at | | | | went alone and you really needed a gym buddy |
| night because you have racing thoughts, yoga and | | | | for support and/or (4) you had no idea what you |
| meditation can be very helpful. There are lots of | | | | were doing but didn’t have a trainer help |
| great yoga studios all over San Diego county, and | | | | you learn the basics. |
| most gyms offer free yoga classes to their | | | | Whatever didn’t work for you before, |
| members. | | | | it’s important to get clear on it so you |
| There are many different kinds of yoga, each has | | | | can do it differently this time. That is, IF you |
| its devotees. Check them out and pick the one(s) | | | | really want to go. If not, then all these |
| that make you feel the best. Be picky about | | | | suggestions may be futile. Your motivation is the |
| teachers. Some teachers are supportive and | | | | most important thing. Your doctor may want you |
| gentle; others are strict and bossy. Don’t | | | | to work out, meditate and do yoga, but if YOU |
| settle for less than a good “fit”. If | | | | don’t, then there’s a problem. |
| you don’t really like the teacher, you | | | | Take some time to figure out what you want |
| probably won’t go to the class. Set | | | | and how much time and effort you’re |
| yourself up to succeed. | | | | willing to invest to get it. |
| Meditation – like yoga – comes in | | | | There’s nothing wrong with not being |
| many “flavors”. There is no one | | | | ready, so be honest with yourself. If it’s |
| type that works for everybody. As a first step, | | | | time to pursue this stuff because you really want |
| why not google “meditation – San | | | | to, then carry on. But, if you’re just not |
| Diego” and see what you get. Unlike yoga, | | | | ready to commit to improving your health, |
| meditation in San Diego has a much lower profile. | | | | flexibility and peace of mind, then don’t |
| You have to work a little harder to find it. The | | | | kid yourself. Tell yourself the truth and go from |
| Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest | | | | there. If you still feel “stuck”, |
| (619-298-9978) has two (free) drop-in meditation | | | | consider a session or two with a psychotherapist |
| groups, one of Monday nights at 7PM and one on | | | | or counselor to determine what mental stumbling |
| Wednesday mornings at 10AM. You can ask | | | | blocks stand in your way. |