Unit 3: Wellness

1. Based on my reflections, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate my:
1. physical well-being = 7 because although I am in a healthy BMI range and am physically active, I have not been participating in jogging exercises that I know I am fully capable of.  I participate in daily activities like lunges and pushups and hiking, but not to the level that I know I am able to.
2. spiritual well-being = 9 because I am very in tune with myself and my surroundings.  I feel that I am connected to something much larger than myself, but I am not at a full 10 because I am aware that I do not know everything and that there is always room to grow.  I find that I am most at peace when in nature, occasionally meditating in nature's muse.
3. psychological well-being = 8 because I am happy on most days and find pleasure in daily activities, I am comfortable in silence and feel in tune with myself.
2. Goals for myself in each area are:
1. physical well-being = to commit to jogging at least 2 times a week for 30 minutes plus the physical activities that I already do.  A way that I can accomplish this is by running 15 minutes there and 15 minutes back either on the streets or the hiking trails.
2. spiritual well-being = to meditate 4 times a week for at least 5 minutes.  Any time of day or night will do. Ways that I can accomplish this is by sitting outside by my pond, sitting in my room, outside my house on the bench, under a near by tree, on a hiking trail, etc.. this list goes on.
3. Psychological well-being = to free write and/or write poetry for 3 minutes time every other day.  Ways that I can accomplish this are much like the above.  In my room, in the backyard on a chair, on the hiking trails, under a near by tree, in my car, etc.
3. This experience was very beneficial to me.  I was able to completely relax my body and my mind.  I was able to see most of the colors that he advised me to focus on, especially the emerald green and aqua blue.  I will definitely use this meditation to help me center myself in times of stress.

Unit 1: Intro

Hi Class, my name is Shauna and I am currently enrolled in Kaplan University to get my B.A. in Nutritional Sciences focusing on Dietetics.  I am taking this course, Creating Wellness, because I am intrigued by the psychological and spiritual aspects of not only healing, but of self-awareness, acceptance and the power of meditation.  I am addicted to the feelings that arise from such a movement and find nature to play a key role in my interconnectedness to the Universe and its diverse people.  I am new to blogging, but I am sure I will get the hang of it as this course goes on.  I am excited to read everyone's blogs to incorporate new perspectives on the beauty of life as well as to better my own perspective.  Happiness is best when shared and I look forward to conversing with you all :)

-Shauna

Unit 2

Hello everyone!  I have had trouble understanding the concept of this blog so I apologize for such a late response.  Anyway, I truly enjoyed the exercise this week of meditation "Journey of Relaxation".  I have been on a family vacation over this unit and have found it hard to complete all my necessary school work this unit :/.  This has brought me much stress and sense of disappointment in myself.  This meditative relaxation brought me back to peace with myself.  I found it interesting muscle tension is the number one place of stress.  Through this relaxation technique I was amazed at how easily my body surrendered to the voice and sounds creating a warm and heavy feeling within my body.  The heaviness however brought me to comfort within my body and brought me great calmness and peace of mind.  My arms and hands became warm creating a tingling sensation and actually relieved my stressed out mind.  I will share this meditation with my friends and family because the stressed, upset feeling that I had at the beginning of meditation was completely replaced with love, harmony, peace and interconnection to the present moments.

-Shauna