On Meditation and Yoga and being an Empath

[truthseeker]

I could really use some help on something.

Recently I have been exploring the idea of formalizing my training in meditative techniques. I have been going through some really stressful times at work and home recently and my family doctor recommended yoga for stress relief. I've been looking into it and find I can relate to the idea of the chakras. It makes sense to me with my limited experience with energies.

Some of my issue is that I am empathic so I pick up a lot of outside energies which makes it really tough sometimes to separate that from myself. I'd shut that part of my being down for a long time but now I'm finding it tough to keep it that way and don't think I'm being true to myself doing that anyway. I'm realizing I really need to learn some sort of meditation techniques stronger than what I am doing now in order to control it and improve myself as a person. And I'm interested in learning deeper meditation techniques for journeying.

If anyone has any suggestions, also any ideas on good books on meditation or being an empath I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you.

[samurai]

If your quite a hyper person, then I think Tai Chi would be a good idea.

[truthseeker]

Thanks samurai.

I actually used to do tai chi and loved it! It's really quite a workout when you get into it. Unfortunately I have a birth defect in my knees that can't quite handle a lot of the movements anymore. I think I need something a little less physical. I like the suggestion though. You've made me think about it.

[DaRC]

So I guess you'd be looking for Hatha Yoga style.
One of the key aspects of Yoga is the breathing techniques (pranayama) rather than the postures (Asana) or Meditation.
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/info/yoga-styles.asp
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/meditation/

[truthseeker]

Thank you DaRC.Something without the postures is preferable. I was checking out yoga nidra and chakra meditation. I'll have to check out availability in my area but it always pays to be armed with a little information. While I am mostly able to control the empathy in the past I have based it on mostly shutting it down completely. I'm finding that unsatisfactory so I'm trying to learn to deal with it instead. Sometimes it's weird. Like when you're riding a bus and suddenly become so physically ill you don't think you're going to make your destination and then when you get there and get out you're suddenly fine again. I think the meditative breathing exercises will be helpful.

[HinduDruid]

Truthseeker,

How has your healing work been going?

As mentioned by DaRC, pranayama may be a good avenue for investigation for you. It is breathwork mainly, and there are some terrific resources that carry particular warnings for each exercise, i.e. which conditions are not advisable for each. One of my favorite books on meditation is "The Joy of Living." I've done a few trainings with the Rinpoche and really like his approach. He offers a lot of great insight in this book and the sequel. I do a lot of chakra work using sound (for example seed sounds also called bija mantras). If that interests you, I can send along more info.

Have you found a good yoga studio? Good teachers help their students adjust for their bodies. I love Restorative Yoga the best because it feels like I've had a massage when class is over

[Seawolfman]

Hello truth seeker,
Yoga is a fantastic idea, but there are many styles.
Hatha yoga is not actually a style but rather a generic term for the physical practice of yoga. So while you may see alot of classes advertised as hatha, they can vary in their practice.
Regarding your knees, the practice of the asanas, the third limb of patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, is designed to train the physical body to become fit , healthy and relaxed through a series of physical movements.
So, even though you have dodgy knees ,it doesnt mean you cant do physical asanas.
Ashtanga yoga is 6 series of set sequences handed down to sri pattabhi jois by sri krishnamacharya,which can put demands on the body, but the beauty of the practice is that it combines breath with movement and has an holistic healing effect on the body, when practiced regularly.The vinyasa flow system is based on this practice.
Iyengar yoga is based on the teachings of bks iyengar (also taught by sri krishnamacharya), who suffered with scoliosis. He developed a way of moving and realigning the body through individual asanas while using various props. This would be an excellent way for you to go.
Sivananda yoga, is a more sedentary form of practice. It does not believe in tiring the body out so after each asana there is a savasana, rest, before moving on to the next asana. It is a more meditative practice which may also suit you quite well.
Pranayama is the practice of developing and controling the prana/chi ,through a series of age old breathing techniques. It is healing , cleansing calming and life giving. A great book called 'the science of breath' by yogi ramashsaraka,will help you understand this practice from basics to indepth techniques. Be sure though, that you learn from a reputable pranayama teacher as these techniques while incredible and highly effective, are not to be trifled with.Sri O P Twari is the man and has been studying, practicing and teaching pranyama his whole life. Google him, he is an amazing individual. I had the good fortune to study under him briefly. Another great pranayama teacher would be paul dallaghan.
I hope this helps in some way truth seeker.
The most important thing in beginning a yoga journey, is to be patient, happy with your teacher and accepting of your body and its limits. Pratyahara, the fifth limb of patanjalis yoga speaks of focus ,acceptance, one pointed awareness and not listening to the mindless chatter, monkey brain. Bring this with you each time you role out your mat and no matter what style you practice, the benefits will be far reaching. In time, the body mind and spirit will blend into one magnificent self.
Yoga has been 5000 years in development, and is as alive today as when it first began. Trust your gut instinct when choosing a teacher and practice and you wont go wrong.It may take some time before you find your perfect the one for you, but , like druidry, its a life long and fullfilling practice. There is a saying in yoga. If you come to practice in this life then you are just continuing a practice you began in a past life.
Blessings..

[HinduDruid]

Beautiful post Seawolfman!

I have genetically bad knees and one day they began to hurt like hell. I did months of physical therapy and it was getting worse. I went with my instincts and began a short regimen of yogic stretching -- two weeks later, the pain was gone. I wish I listened to my body more than I do because its intelligence is very keen.

[Anais_Starwood]

I agree on the Iynegar yoga. Sounds like you need something with a lot of props, or look into Svaroopa or something labeled Restorative.

Check out Doreen Virtues "Chakar Clearing Mediation" I have it as a podcast/book on tape for the ipod and its very easy to follow and helpful.

[Nemoryn]

truthseeker, is the topic still up-to-date for you?
Yoga and Tai Chi are wonderful, and a Tai Chi-teacher told me some time ago if it's practised while sitting it could help a lot, too.
To learn how to deal with outside energies coming in - away from meditation techniques - I found "The Higly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You" by Elaine Aron very helpful.
On the Amazon page you can read some of the contents.

[Eolas]

Hello I am an empath as well, and I have learned to shield myself from outside energies. I would take a week away from human being for a week and discover ur true feelings and stuff then when ur in public u can figure out what is really ur emotions and others, it's just a matter of learn to cope and ignore others problems.