getting started

1. Describe your experience. Did you find it beneficial? Difficult? Why or why not? Would you recommend this to others? Why or why not? 

As I started the exercise, it took a while for me to get comfortable. I fidgeted for a little while because it was difficult for me to relax thinking of the negatives with the positive emotions. I had to stretch my limbs some as they popped (like knuckles), but as I continued I was able to relax my body more. I tend to get tingly sensations from inbreath and outbreath. I was getting some tears built up around my eyes when thinking of the hurting/suffering things. I did not go into crying or sobbing, but had a little disturbance or stuttering in breathing. Eventually that stopped and I started to feel the stillness and peace around me. I started to feel a sensation around my heart- neither good nor bad, but different. I almost seemed as though it was growing in volume. I look forward to experiencing more. I'm not sure if I would recommend it yet, because if someone has not studying the integral concept, it might create emotions they are not used to.

1. What is the concept of "mental workout"? What does the research indicate are the proven benefits of a mental workout? How can you implement mental workouts to foster your psychological health

 Mental workouts help exercise the brain for better cognitive abilities and mind-body connections. This type of workout benefits the inner awareness and has other benefits to stress response. It helps the body stay in better homeostasis.