Signs of reaching the Relaxation Response

[jd]

For those of you trying meditation/skilled relaxation/Paradoxical Relaxation/Autogenics, etc.......ANY of the relaxation techniques that are so important for people with CPPS, here are some signs that your brainwaves are reaching the Alpha/Theta state where many elements of healing/muscle relaxation take place

http://askwaltstollmd.com/wwwboard/glos ... 20Response

Relaxation Response - A few signs of reaching the Relaxation Response

Jaw slightly open, not clenched.
Forehead smooth.
Facial muscles soft and less well defined.
Neck muscles soft.
More frequent swallowing.
Neck pulse less visible and slower.
Abdominal breathing.
Lengthened breathing cycle.
Exhalation less controlled.
Extremities warm, heavy, or tingling.
Palms are consistent pink (not speckled or white).
Fingernail beds consistent pink.
Legs separate slightly (if seated).
Toes point outward more (if lying on back).
Shoulders drop.
Feel the pull of gravity.
Lightness.
Time perception altered (time expands or contracts).
Increased salivation.
Heart rate slower.
Heartbeats less pronounced.
Growling in stomach.
Increased or decreased awareness of hunger or thirst.
Awareness of gas in intestines.
Increased awareness of bladder fullness.
Blank spots (not knowing where the mind was the last few seconds).
Loss of sensory proprioceptive input (can't feel clothing jewelry or position of hand in contact with other surfaces).
Eyelids stop fluttering with eyes closed.
Felt like floating on a cloud or sinking (melting) into the rug.

http://askwaltstollmd.com/relax.html <-----a good link to read

learning to get yourself into the relaxation state takes practice and patience, but an easier way(IMO because it's PASSIVE, the CD essentially guides your Brainwaves into Alpha/Theta) is to use one of Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's cds

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... I'm/cp58-20

Brainsync cd's http://www.brainsync.com

The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook(below) is the Bible for easily teaching yourself the various relaxation techniques....particularly how BREATHE, a critical element of most techniques

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... I'm/cp58-20

Tibetan Crystal Bowls.....good cd's to meditate to

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... I'm/cp58-20

http://askwaltstollmd.com/cystitis.html <---another good article to read

lastly, EVERYONE should be using some form of skilled relaxation today, 8 hours of sleep is no longer able to resolve the stress that accumulates over the day in most people

http://askwaltstollmd.com/stress.html <-----take a look at that one too

good luck

[scotsman]

Great post with great info - many thanks

[alprost]

Thanks a lot for posting this JD - Very Interesting. The point about increased salivation definately applies to me!

I'm actually thinking about getting some biodots (available here: http://www.stresswise.co.uk/ ). Apparently these give very good feedback about your state of relaxation during meditation etc.