Meditation for anxiety

Yes, I started yoga classes a couple of years ago and noticed that after a month or two I was relaxed and calm more often than anxious. It was like discovering a new normal that had never existed before. The added benefit was the strength, balance and flexibility I gained. Carpel tunnel improved 90 percent, and the arthritis in my knees has steadily improved. I had a liver transplant in August and was not able to continue with yoga during recovery. Transplant drug side effects and recovery issues brought a new level of anxiety that I have been working through. Now at four months post transplant, I am back to yoga and interested in becoming more focused on meditation. I believe it is a very powerful healing technique. The best thing is there are no bad side effects.

What type of exercise do you have in mind for the new year, @helenfrances?

A small yoga studio near me offers a restorative yoga session one night a week. The poses are all gentle focused on breathing and gentle stretching. Most of the poses were on the floor and very relaxing, all leading toward meditation.

@annedodrill44, How perfect. What I learned is that to be more beneficial we need to make yoga part of our daily practice. My instructor created stick figure poses with elaboration for time in pose and options. That was 3 years ago. I seldom miss a day. The benefits are certainly remarkable. Be safe and protected. Chris

@artscaping, @mostlybill- I appreciate your comments on restorative yoga. My wife participates in the same at our local fitness center and has encouraged me to also participate in the men's class. I've been somewhat turned off from what my my wife has shared with me in what the philosophies that seem to be promoted in these classes where as she seems to be able to tune those things out and focus on the restorative aspects of yoga. She is very different in that way than me, but perhaps there is hope as in both your posts I'm not hearing that yours promotes eastern philosophies but more the restorative aspects of yoga?
I'd be very open to hear your recommendations as I consider finding a yoga class to participate in. Thanks much! Jim@thankful

Good afternoon @thankful, Your journey has had many turns. I am glad you are ready for restorative yoga. The classes I attended for more than 10 years were about strengthening the body by using the yoga positions to stretch the muscles of the body appropriately. This was achieved by using props in support of a body position correct for the task at hand. Then the position is held for several minutes and the stretch happens gently without discomfort. All of my classes were for both men and women. Our leader, Kate, said a closing statement of goodwill and good life. Bowing with gratitude was optional. May you have some joy today. Chris

@artscaping- Thank you Chris! I would be fine with that and hope I can find something such as you describe!
Much Joy and Good Health in the New Year. Jim @thankful

Jim, I don't know how old you are, I'm well over the age limit for SS and Medicare. If you are "Old Enough" most areas have a Silver Sneakers Program. Mine is at the local YMCA.
We have a Silver Sneaker Yoga class that I attend twice a week. As with Chris's instructor mine always ends with Hands in Heart Center and a Nanaste for closing. Why I mention this type of class it is Yoga but with a different twist. We do all of our positions either standing or sitting in a regular banquet chair. We get many of the same posistions except without haveing to be on the floor. (NONE OF US COULD GET UP IF WE WERE ON THE FLOOR!)
It helps with the joints plus also brings you piece of mind.
I also do a Balance and Flexability class at the Y also! That has been a little more diffacult! Because of some old injuries I have to modify some of the excercies. Have the same instructor as with my Yoga. She always starts out and continues throughout the class to work and your own ability. Many of us modify what we do. For me the balance is one thing I am trying to recover.
TO EVERYONE READING THIS POST I HIGHLY RECOMEND THE SILVER SNEAKERS PROGRAM FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE
"OLD ENOUGH"! IT IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP GETTING THROUGH "AGE"!
IT'S ASHAMED THAT 98% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CALSS ARE WOMEN! SOMETIMES THERE'S ONLY ME AS A MAN! TRY AND MAKE A NEW YEARS RESOULUTION TO CHECK INTO SILVER SENEAKERS PROGRAM IN YOUR AREA. MOST PART D MEDICARE PLANS OFFER SILVER SNEAKERS AT NO CHARGE!
IT IS SO WORTH THE EFFORT TO START!
"HAPPY NEW YEAR"
SUNDANCE (RB)

Not into yoga, but I have found something I really like. It’s a simple app on my iPhone about fish farms, and I find it very calming. Get the one for adults not the kids version (the older one where fish grow in a day or longer, not 10 minutes!) It takes just a few minutes a day, but you can watch them as long as you want. Does wonders for blood pressure and has a noticeable calming effect.

Praying is also great, especially when you can pray about your troubles and leave it there, don’t take your troubles with you!

Can someone direct me to the group having conversation about hormones and hormonal replacement therapy after hysterectomy, please. Kind regards