https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c Made with ♥ en-us 2019-01-24 04:52:50 UTC 2026-01-26 13:50:09 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/349768344/0df5f3eb177beb36934d517ff369b681/o_MEDITATION_facebook.jpg alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/323771707 Back from hiking in New Mexico and ready to learn!!]]> 2019-01-24 04:54:27 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/323771707 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/326977316 I decided to cultivate the new of habit of meditating daily. I have meditated on and off for years but have never been able to create a daily habit of it. I am looking forward to taking this journey and there's no time like the present to begin! ]]> 2019-02-02 17:57:30 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/326977316 yogalexislee https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/329548870 My biggest challenge this week was realizing that I won't be meditating at the same time every day on a consistent basis. Because of my varied work schedule, some days I meditated at 4:00a.m. and other days at 10:30p.m. Regardless, I am adapting and find that if I do it right when I get out of bed and right before getting into bed, I am most likely to actually do it.
I also found a meditation app called Headspace that I am trying out. So far I'm impressed!
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app]]> 2019-02-10 02:41:13 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/329548870 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/332051675 The most noticeable difference that meditation has made so far has been at work. When I meditate before work I have felt more focused, objective, and calm yet energized. I feel that I have handled stressful situations with more grace and feel more clear headed in making decisions. 
At home, I have noticed that I am more patient with my 4 year old daughter and have been more creative with her during playtime.
I am looking forward to seeing what changes emerge as I increase the amount of time I meditate per day!]]> 2019-02-17 00:11:07 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/332051675 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/334541144 This week was busy and stressful and I found myself not wanting to sit down to meditate, and sometimes I wouldn't. But then once I did later in the day or the next day, within a minute or two I could feel myself relaxing and wondering why I can't always remember this feeling of serenity. Sometimes my mind still feels like a monkey jumping around but the longer I sit the slower it gets and the more clear things eventually become.]]> 2019-02-24 08:59:03 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/334541144 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/337187664 I have increased my meditation times to either 15-20 minutes per sitting. I ran out of free new meditations on the Headspace App so I have been listening to ones I've used before and then sit silently for another 5 or 10 minutes afterward. I searched for a new app but haven't found one that offers much of a free trial and I don't think I'm ready to subscribe to one yet. 
There is another type of meditation called transcendental meditation I am interested in learning about. I just picked up a book on it from the library so I am excited to see what it entails and whether I will incorporate it into my meditations.]]> 2019-03-03 05:24:45 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/337187664 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/339765569 I had some setbacks this week because I was sick for a few days and didn't feel I had the energy to meditate.  I felt slightly guilty at first but realized it was much more important just to rest and recover. Once I was feeling better I was able to start again and I didn't feel like I had lost any momentum.  It was interesting to notice how my body felt during meditation after recovering from being sick and not sitting in meditation for a few days. ]]> 2019-03-11 00:13:41 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/339765569 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/341599388 This week I started doing yoga again after a few months hiatus. The original intention of ancient yoga was actually to prepare the body and mind for meditation. I have experienced that this is true from past experience but had not practiced it in a long time. So I decided to start adding yoga to my daily meditation practice. I also signed up for Yogaglo.com which has both yoga and meditation videos. I have done 20-30 minutes of yoga with a 10-20 minute meditation afterward for the past 3 days. The meditation feels deeper and the added yoga has made me calmer, more mindful and "in tune" throughout the rest of the day. This is definitely a welcome new addition to my everyday life! It is becoming more and more one of my highest priorities of the day - and one that I look forward to.]]> 2019-03-15 01:58:56 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/341599388 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/344609344 I have continued with the practice of doing yoga prior to meditation this week. My 4 year old daughter has taken notice and has even joined me a few times and I even caught her doing a video by herself! It's inspiring to see how my positive new habit is having an impact on my daughter and I really hope it encourages her to do the same as she grows.]]> 2019-03-24 20:40:49 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/344609344 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/346806632 Unfortunately, this past week I wasn't feeling well first due to the stomach flu and then a respiratory bacterial infection. So I had to take a few days of rest and missed out on my yoga and meditation practice. After finally going to the doctor and being put on antibiotics I am happy to say I feel so much better and have my energy back. It feels great to be able to get back into the routine. I've noticed that when I come back to the mat after some time away, there is a renewed appreciation for what the practice does for my body and mind.]]> 2019-03-30 18:28:35 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/346806632 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/349178656 This week has been busier than normal since our schedules and daily routines have had to change with my husband going back to his landscaping job and my daughter going back to daycare 3 days per week. I am now with her all day on 2 of the days that I am off work so this has taken away some of my study time. I am adjusting my meditation times to the new schedule and it seems to be working out. I did my yoga and meditation mostly in the evenings this week right after putting my daughter to bed. It is helpful in the evenings because it brings me back to center and slows down my mind a great deal after a long day of constant motion. I am also able to fall asleep faster since both my muscles and my mind are more relaxed.

]]> 2019-04-06 18:54:17 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/349178656 alexisleecole https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/351486827 I decided that I would like to take some meditation training. After a lot of research, I have chosen to do the Transcendental Meditation training. This type of meditation is only taught from certified teacher to student in person and cannot be learned on your own or through literature. There is only on trainer in WI so first I have to meet with him or Skype for an informational meeting. After that I will be able do the 4 day training session in Milwaukee or Appleton. I am looking forward to the one on one training and to be able to dive deep into this meditation technique. Research has showed that it is highly effective for stress-related conditions, brain function, and cardiovascular health.]]> 2019-04-14 17:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/alexisleecole/oes4eyyvmq3c/wish/351486827