franciscanheart Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1338411704' post='2438095'] I know they've used Tai Chi in elderly populations to help increase balance. I don't remember if they found it effective, or not. I've done yoga before, though I am terrible at it! But I definitely agree that it can be used as only exercise. But I think you do need to pay attention to how it's being presented, if you're doing it in a class or something, because it could easily slip into the realm of not just exercise. [/quote] My favorite class is laughing yoga, presented free of charge by a local vegetarian restaurant. It's the bomb-diggity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 this is the thread I was thinking of: http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/topic/66377-the-problem-with-yoga/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [quote name='franciscanheart' timestamp='1338411956' post='2438099'] My favorite class is laughing yoga, presented free of charge by a local vegetarian restaurant. It's the bomb-diggity. [/quote] In under-grad I did a practicum at a 55+ fitness facility. I was a participant in "Chair yoga" for people who had difficulty with balance...some of them were better at it than I was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franciscanheart Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1338412049' post='2438102'] In under-grad I did a practicum at a 55+ fitness facility. I was a participant in "Chair yoga" for people who had difficulty with balance...some of them were better at it than I was. [/quote] amesome. [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1338411704' post='2438095'] I know they've used Tai Chi in elderly populations to help increase balance. I don't remember if they found it effective, or not. [/quote] I'm sometimes extremely balance challenged. Some days I was sure it was helping; others, not so much. [quote name='MissScripture' timestamp='1338411704' post='2438095'] I've done yoga before, though I am terrible at it! But I definitely agree that it can be used as only exercise. But I think you do need to pay attention to how it's being presented, if you're doing it in a class or something, because it could easily slip into the realm of not just exercise. [/quote] Yeah, definitely. We should always be on the look-out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 So no one has done EMDR? Darn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissScripture Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [quote name='the171' timestamp='1338413343' post='2438113'] So no one has done EMDR? Darn [/quote] Well, not anyone who has posted yet. Give it a little time and someone may pop in who has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I looked up EMDR, and while I haven't specifically done that procedure, I have done something somewhat similar with a counselor when I was at the seminary. EMDR is mostly used for treating PTSD. EMDR is based upon a principle of "Desensitization and Reprocessing." What this means is that the therapist will [b]intentionally trigger your PTSD[/b]. This is done repeatedly as a means of "desensitization," since the idea is that by triggering your normal response to a distressing situation your brain can then be trained to develop a new "pathway" in response to the trigger stimuli. The approach I did with my counselor was not nearly so empirically based and did not go by the same name, but was much the same in concept. However, the prime difference for us was that instead of simply doing the procedure there was also alot of healing prayer being involved. The "safe place" imagery was centered around Mary and Christ, for example. Sessions were opened and closed with prayer. Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 I'll message AnneLine. She knows a lot about this stuff since it is her line of work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatitude Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [quote name='the171' timestamp='1338413343' post='2438113'] So no one has done EMDR? Darn [/quote] EMDR is a clinical treatment for trauma-related mental health problems. When I say 'clinical', I meant that it has been subjected to peer-reviewed scientific research and it's used by mainstream medical practitioners. It's not an alternative or 'complementary' therapy like reiki. I've worked pretty extensively in mental health and I'm unimpressed by all the current hype that surrounds EMDR, but that shouldn't put you off. It seems that all treatments go through periods of vogue, and EMDR is no different. My friend Faith (faithcecelia on here) benefited from EMDR hugely when she was trying to come to terms with her difficult childhood, and I know she would certainly encourage you to give it a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissylou Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 I don't know anything about EMDR. To the extent that your counselor suggests that you explore ways of "praying with your body" -- that isn't necessarily anti-Catholic at all. After all, we have a very high view of the body (MUCH higher than Eastern philosophies/religions), and Jesus is fully human (with body) so shouldn't we incorporate all we are in our prayer? Makes sense to me. To clarify: some FORMS of praying with your body may be bad news indeed. Just as you could be sitting in a chair and praying in very Christian, Catholic ways or sitting in a chair and praying in very bad ways. But the idea of being deliberate about incorporating your WHOLE SELF in prayer -- that's not anti-Catholic at all! Quite the contrary! If you don't feel right about trying to "baptize" tai chi or yoga and offering that to Jesus, fine. Don't do that. But maybe you could brainstorm with your counselor ways of "praying with your body" that are solidly rooted in the Christian/Catholic traditions. For instance, one of my nun friends is walking the Camino de Compostela this summer. That's totally praying with her body and that's totally Christian. You probably aren't going to pick up and hike through Spain, but could you walk through a park and be very aware that this is an act of prayer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 I'm actually half way through the first session. Well, not even halfway. I just constantly feel drained because of it. I don't want to do anything. I just want to lay inside and sleep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the171 Posted May 30, 2012 Author Share Posted May 30, 2012 Thanks krissylou! I do agree it is great to pray with your body. Sanctifying your work, etc. but I don't think I'll do the whole tai chi and yoga thing. I might just do the Pilates. Thank you! And thank you for your words of wisdom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted May 30, 2012 Share Posted May 30, 2012 [color=#222222]You rang?[/color] [color=#222222]Need to clarify here that I am NOT a practicing psychotherapist, so I am not qualified to talk about any of this in more than general terms, OK?[/color] [color=#222222]M[/color][color=#222222]y thoughts as a regular Phatmasser on Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates and Reiki ... On the first two, I come down on the side of the physical exercise part of it is beneficial, and I actually use some of the Tai Chi and Yoga exercises myself. and both have helped a lot with flexibility, balance, etc.. (I have a really good book that JUST uses exercises based on the Tai Chi forms, and can post the name if there is interested.... and I have used the Lilias Yoga and You exercises from the time it was on PBS in the 80's. Did a little of equipment -based 'reformer' pilates, and it was wonderful, but I couldn't afford to keep doing that.... and I never tried the mat pilates. But I know that was designed by a guy named Joseph Pilates, who was working with ballet dancers, and wanted to help to develop lean, strong muscles. All three of those have helped me to physically work through problems AND I find I am very quiet in my heart and soul and my body is in a good place to pray after any of those three. [/color] [color=#222222]No good things to say about Reiki - I'd just stay away from that. It is just a little too weird for me.[/color] [color=#222222]As far as the EMDR... it is a commonly used treatment for phobias and PSTD (Post traumatic stress disorder). It is one way of de-sensitizing people who have had traumatic experiences. As you probably have been told, panic and phobias are often related. We learn to avoid stuff we think might cause us problems, and then when our mind/body THINKS it might be on the verge of experiencing it again, our body goes into flight/fight mode and adrennaline starts zooming through our bodies. It is a great gift to get that jolt of adrennaline in a real emergency -- but it is NOT good when the emergency really doesn't exist but our bodies think it does. That is what the panic attack feelings are--heart racing, eyes dilated, quick breating... the whole thing. Even your experiences recently with the med-induced attacks may have left you with some panic-responses - and why wouldn't they? Sounded terrifying![/color] [color=#222222]To get rid of the panic responses, it can help to get 'desensitized' to the thing(s) that got you scared in the first place. So, the point of EMDR (or other phobia desensitization programs) is to slowly get your body to realize that the emergency doesn't exist. EMDR lets you work through the problem in a way that won't trigger the attack, but lets your brain sort out the messages. That is more-or-less what we were told in my counseling training, but I don't know much more about it than that. [/color] [color=#222222]I was never trained on it, and I don't really have an opinion other than that it is used in the field. I think ARFink and Beatitude did a pretty good job of explaining what it is.[/color] [color=#222222]What I do want to stress is 1) things that will help you relax will be to your benefit, and both yoga and tai chi (I'm not sure about Pilates) encourage deep breathing as a way of calming your body -- which is a good technique to have in your arsenal against some of the panic issues with breathing you've been experiencing. I was taught to use those as a way of helping with back spasms, and they really do help. A LOT. (That is similar to what a lot of women are taught to do to ease the pain of childbirth -- some of the moms on here may be able to talk about whether that helps....)[/color] [color=#222222]And, as I said, it is good way to quiet yourself to pray well.... always a nice benefit![/color] [color=#222222]Hope that helps.... let me know if you want any follow-up info..... or the title of that book....[/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfink Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 [quote name='AnneLine' timestamp='1338421704' post='2438213'] [color=#222222]You rang?[/color] [color=#222222]Need to clarify here that I am NOT a practicing psychotherapist, so I am not qualified to talk about any of this in more than general terms, OK?[/color] (wall of text) [/quote] See, I told you AnneLine would be able to give you some helpful advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneLine Posted May 31, 2012 Share Posted May 31, 2012 walked into that wall again , didn't I.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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