June 27, 2013
Like so many people today, I exist in a cocoon of hyper stimulation. Surround by information and technology in a world that seems to moving progressively faster, so much of my time is spent riding this cognitive wave, and honestly I really enjoy it. Capable of accessing countless sources and perspectives for just about any concept, the sheer freedom that comes with the information age is astounding, and at times overwhelming. Beginning in the first moments of consciousness, the sifting through junk email for anything of value, soon turns into endless streams of new media where everything from world news, local events, and more personal issues are discussed, along with a constant supply of new music (thanks to the ever increasingly supply of great music blogs), and this is before I even begin the research portion of my day. At this stage in my life I wear a variety of hats, the majority of which require me to spend a ridiculous amount of time attached to my computer, leaving little time for decompression or relaxation of any real substance. Recently I came across a video from the good people at VICE that covered sensory deprivation or floating, and was elated to find out that colorado was actually leading the way in the resurgence of this form of healing and internal exploration. Compiling a fair amount of research on the subject before hand, the more I read the more I was intrigued.
Although every floatation center and tank will vary slightly, the basic concept centers around a controlled environment or tank filled with a water solution that averages between 850-1000 pounds of epsom salt, which allows (or rather forces) the human body to float effortlessly in a completely dark environment which removes our perception of gravity as well as all noise and sound, finally leaving the brain to its own devices, and providing the weary digital traveler some much needed solace.
After much anticipation, I finally made my appointment and arrived at the nearest floatation center a little before nine in the morning, and was first set up on an inversion table with a set of headphones playing Binaural beats, before a brief shower and my first experience in the tank. Provided with ear plugs, but also informed that not wearing them was preferable for most people , I decided against them initially, but due to a slightly traumatic experience while traveling on a plane with swimmers ear as a child, I resisted relaxing my neck for the first few minutes to prevent water from enveloping my ear canal. After getting out briefly, putting ear plugs in, and then immediately taking them out again, I finally let go, and submerged the majority of my body in the water and was instantly more relaxed.
Left alone with only the sound of my heart beat, I laid there in complete darkness, only briefly disturbed a few times as I drifted towards the edge of my tank, and for a very brief 90 minutes and forgot about the endless to-do list that seemed etched into my consciousness. I forgot about the way gravity usually forced by body to the earth. I forgot about political and social inequities that on most days drive me to the intersection of exhaustion and cognitive meltdown. My brain allowed to finally register itself , I imagined a sea of synapses firing in intricate patterns as I slowly pealed away the layers and barriers that society has forced me to construct, sinking deeper and deeper into the world of my own mind, as my body forgot itself, gravity, and the aches and pains of the average day.
Softly an ambient melody began to beckon, and although I knew this was a sign that my time was up, I drive me even deeper into the relaxed sate that I had been pursuing. Upon emerging from the room and an another shower to remove the excess mineral content from my skin, I could not help but notice a pervasive sense of peace that would last for several days thereafter. Helping me to come to terms with the various unhealthy activities that had become part of my existence as well, this experience was extremely enlightening in too many ways to mention, and honestly I look forward to my next float session, and further internal exploration.
-Joshua Genius
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Since my triumphant return to the Permian basin, I have started to take better care of myself. Better choices in what I eat and being more physically active.
One excersize I enjoy and hate most of all is running. Once I'm in good shape and have a decent pair of earphones, its one of my favorite things to do. When I'm struggling to breathe before I finish a single lap and beginning to bruise from my phone being continuously slapped into my thigh, and constantly having to adjust my right earphone, it gets a little old.
The other day, I had to do without said phone because the battery life is completely worthless and I didn't want to sit around and wait for it to charge just so I could have music. Running without it though, I'm left to concentrate on the fatigue, the burning of my muscles, and my breathing getting heavier and heavier.
Along with trying to become more physically active, I'm also working on trying to become a better performer. So I'll take the time to actually practice reciting my poetry. With no music, I decided to recite poems in my head while I ran. The day before with music, I found myself giving up before finishing the distance I wanted to cover. My legs were not tired. I wasn't out of breath. It was all just in my head.
But this time around. I began to do what I do best. I in visioned myself on stage. An audience around me. Microphone in front. When I find myself expending lots of energy on stage or losing my breath, I feel like stopping is NEVER an option. No matter what I always push through the poem until its done. Its just like I know its something I have to do. Its all I can do. So my body goes on auto pilot and I concentrate on my poetry. I see myself getting tired when I start breathing heavier and my legs feel like they're gaining weight, but I can never slow down on stage. I can't get quieter, so I summon the energy through sheer will power and when I do that mentally the physical me responds and keeps up to give the mental me the energy it needs to finish the piece.
After a day where I couldn't complete a quarter of a mile without stopping, I was able to knock it out with ease. This focus on my poetry, I took the mind set when I'm on stage and used it outside of it. I felt so great. Like my body was poetry powered and the fact that I wasn't as bad physically as I thought I was. It was just a matter of mind over body.
After this, I wonder how else I could apply this to other situations where I'm not as strong or confident as I am with poetry. This meditation empowered me and made me realize that I just needed to have my head right and the rest would follow. I'm on my way to becoming healthier and a better performer in a single stride.
-DCR
I am not a big fan of Western medicine. Especially out here in the good old USA where you have to pay for it ( coming from a single payer socialized medicine country where it is free) and be thankful at the same time.
I despise the system out here.
Which leads me onto other ways where I can maintain my health without necessarily having to go into debt to pay it off.
I was always fearful of certain practices that I was not either educated on or personally experienced.
At the time, my wife was getting over cancer and was referred to a local acupuncture clinic to help with certain ailments both physical and mental.
Of course I was skeptical.
However over the months and years of her going I did see improvement.
My child was next.
She went for a few years and I saw an improvement. I gave it some thought and decided I would give it a go.
I went to an acupuncturist when I was living in California and I was very disheartened by the whole deal as I thought it was excruciating at the time (more my mental state than anything).
So I decided to give it another go after seeing the effect it had on my family.
Initially there was some discomfort but I wanted to give it at least some time to see if it would work for me.
Luckily enough I found the place where my wife and daughter had gone to be incredible.
It was/is a college that teaches TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) along with other techniques.
The process basically works where you see a 4th year student who is supervised at a small cost to you.
Depending on condition you can actually get free treatment.
I had heard from my wife that everyone there was really good and really cared about the patients so I walked in.
I have been going to these guys now for about four years.
Sometimes once a week, sometimes twice, sometimes a break in between. I can unequivocally say that my experiences have been very good.
I find it a welcome change from the quick in quick out, here’s some pills kind of medicine that I so often experience out here.
If you have the opportunity to try TCM I would whole-heartedly recommend it. It certainly gave me and my family a new and better perspective.
-TDB.
Floating
Get stuck in
Poetry Powered
VII
Lately I have been feeling truly apathetic about various things; it seems as though most things are irrelevant. The most important aspects of life are vital and I am in the process of getting rid of all of the clutter. I have a 600 hour Internship coming up in the fall, I am taking classes all summer, and I graduate with my master’s degree in December. To say the least I am burnt out and ready to move forward.
One of the beneficial tools for self-care in graduate school I have learned about and utilized is a wellness plan. A wellness plan is a holistic approach in creating a healthy lifestyle based on your own wants and needs. Each individual’s plan will differentiate from one another, most likely. After evaluating spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional needs a plan is created. I formulate a plan based on those areas of life and list or put down goals for what I want to achieve (especially for what is feasible—not what I want or aspire.) The practicality of making a commitment to a plan is important, and I have to consider—will I actually incorporate this into my lifestyle? Another aspect of implementing a wellness plan is to gradually build up to a finite goal for a certain area. If I want to eat healthy as a lifestyle then I create a plan—1) no carbonated drinks 2) no fast food 3) no fried foods etc.. After formulating a plan then you could set a time for when and how you are going to achieve that goal. So, a long term goal might be: in two months I will give up all three of these foods/drinks, and incorporate eating and drinking healthier foods as an alternative into your daily meals. We have to set goals for ourselves that are attainable; I have to tell myself “baby steps” frequently because I have a passionate and ambitious personality. The plan is something that could be temporary but the utility and purpose is to be consistent and make it a lifestyle.
I think that the most important area of my life is spirituality. I have to slow down and ask myself how conscious I am in each moment and if I am being mindful of what is. Having a center, meditating, and just being present in each moment are crucial for my balance. I am feeling a lot of relief as I establish good boundaries with people and focus on my journey & existence. My gratitude grows each day, but I have experienced some spiritual decay recently as well. I lose a lot of energy by putting it into people/things that do not fulfill me. I learn from this process, and I think that there is an inherent cycle in life—but I usually learn the hard way. If I could change this aspect of myself, I probably wouldn’t because it makes me who I am. Still, I get tired and worn out—overwhelmed—I feel out of whack and imbalanced. I usually become more introverted during this phase and ‘tune in’. Finding ways to make myself better, healthier, more—wholesome—is what I am trying to focus on. Taking my own advice and practicing what I am knowledgeable about has been one of the most challenging and inspiring growth experiences. However, right now, it is summer time and I just want to enjoy my life and spend time with my son. I ponder my graduation date, and I imagine getting into to warrior mode to ensure that I successfully (healthily) complete my master’s degree and just finish. It is the end of a long journey and I am in need of some rejuvenation and a break.
-Sunny
