Improvements

I decided to add some images to my posts from now on. These are my apples, which I collected from my garden in the autumn. The apple tree was very generous this year. I still have few bags of these delicious apples in the garage. I 've taken this image today. The apples are still crisp and sweet as...
I'm back on track with adapting to work situation. Today I slept like a log during my naps. I had a low moment after lunch but brushed it off by simply going for a walk to town. The weather was glorious today, very cold but sunny.
Last night after my crisis around 3am I suddenly came to life again and all my energy was restored. I did more meditation and didn't fall asleep. The ride to work was also easy. I'm in good form.
When I came home after work I felt really tired so I had the shower and then rested on my bed for about 1/2h. I was hovering between the dreamworld and this reality again. I even remembered the dream. It didn't feel like I had a nap but very good rest. I got up and went abut my business. Life is sweet. I carried on with my naps as usual.
Before Uberman I used to come home from work exhausted and always had a short rest so today was not unusual to rest after work. I think sometimes I'm too hard on myslef :)
I'm still finding myself chasing time. When I come home after work I rest till my 8pm nap. Then the time before midnight nap I send with my family, eating, watching tv, chatting so really only this section of the routine from midnight till 4am I have totally for myself for writing/reading/learning. When I rise from the 4am nap I do yoga, prepare lunch and breakfast and leave for work. I think that's a good balance anyway; well, except for too long period at work.
I bought some CD's to learn Italian and I listen to them in the car. this is an addition to my Monday's lessons. I really want to absorb that language.

First Day at work

The struggle is back and I'm having major doubts again. Today was my first day of work after two weeks holidays in a comfortable home environment.
I was very alert during the day. I started the preparation for work after my 4am nap. I did some yoga, made my lunch and breakfast, had very long, luxurious shower and set off for the road at 6.30 am. I didn't feel sleepy on my journey. It was a tough one as the snow was constantly attacking my front window. The first snow this winter. It turned out a beautiful, crispy and sunny day. Unfortunately I had to spend it in the office :(
The quality of my naps at work were very poor and that's why I think I'm so tired now. I just couldn't go to sleep straight away and some naps went even without the sleep.
For the last two weeks I was sleeping in a warm, cosy bed and now this was replaced by a yoga mat on the floor with a small cushion and my coat as a blanket.
I'm sure tomorrow I will be sleeping very deeply on that floor.
I had a little dip in energy at around 2pm during the Italian class, which by the way went very well. I recovered very quickly after having few sips of my tea.
I'm wonderig if the quality of my sleep had something to do with the tea I brewed this morning. It was a mix of Pau d'arco and green leaf tea. Some schools say there is a fair amount of caffeeen in the green tea others say the trace is so minimal that it doesn't efffect us in a any way.
I think that it has some efect on me.
In the early evening at my pilates class I was falling asleep. I came home and had a wonderful nap in my bed. However my energy was still not restored. I spent all evening on the sofa watching tv with my family. I didn't feel like doing anything else. I wasn't sleepy but I just lacked in energy and alertness.
After the midnight nap I felt better but still not myself. It's 2.32 am now and I have already been outside few times to fully wake up. It has been a struggle.
I think I have to allow myself few days to get back into the routine of going to work and sleeping on the floor again.

I decided to write my blog today in sections according to my nap schedule:
8am - 12.00 noon
as I said earlier I stayed in bed most of the time enjoying my last day of holiday. Multiple napping.

12 - 4pm
I skipped this nap because of the morning napping and went for a bike ride instead. It was very cold and my feet were suffering the most. I roasted a pumpkin in coconut oil with some celtic sea salt, Yummy, and watched a movie. Very nice.

4pm - 8pm
A txt message on my phone woke me up at 16.15 so I reset the alarm for another 30min. I must remember to switch my mobile off.
I prepared more yummy raw food and put it into the dehydrator. I had a feast at 6pm and after that decided to clear up my desk and pack all assignments into my car for tomorrows work. I didn't do all the marking I was intended to do but never mind. I still have a week without students so hopefully will catch up on that.

8pm - midnight
I woke up with the alarm from the nap half hour later. I decided to study some Italian. I'm joining a new class tomorrow. I also studied new assignment for next term for my Y2 students. I'm really exited about it. We are going to do a Greek play.
For the first time on polyphasic schedule I attempted to do some meditation/relaxation and energy work in between the naps to induce Out of Body experience. I was fully alert and in a good form so the danger of falling asleep was very weak. I prompted myself on the sofa with cushions and legs up, the reclining position. I was going to leave my head without the support but decided against it as it was too straining for my body.
It was a good experience and lasted 17 min. I went into a deep relaxation and then tried to hover over my body. I did not exit but felt very mild sensations of expansion.

Last day of holidays

I can't imagine going back to monophasic sleep.  This whole system makes so much sense. I'm totally in harmony with it.

Today my energy throughout day and night was of a high standard. I love being so awake and content.

This morning I went to my step dance class and really enjoyed it. Usually I struggled with remembering the sequence of steps but now I can follow it with hardly any mistakes. My head was up and I was putting more effort into the performance routine. I really like this class.

I would like to do more dancing. Maybe I can find a suitable dance class at my College? That would be good.

I'm neglecting my Italian so must learn something tonight. I'm starting a new class on Monday.

5am

I felt totally in the zone of this reality during all night. I also did some pretty good writing :) My project is going well. 

A miracle just happened. At around 3.50 (just before my 4am nap) I decided to do some relaxation exercises. I sat in a reclining position on my sofa. I didn't put the alarm on. This was going to be just a short interlude to my nap. The next thing I knew was me waking up. I looked at the watch with anticipation. I was fully rested and thought I slept few hours.

It was 4.40am. Thank you. 

I was amazed. After all my body is listening to my commands. This was a great achievement as this was the most difficult nap to wake up from so far. Okay, it wasn't 20-30 min nap but 40min is just as good, considering no alarm. Yes, I felt a little bit groggy but that went shortly after waking up.

I also had a very vivid dream. Huge progress.

I did yoga at around 7am and progressed to my 8am nap.

I was a little bit lazy after that. It was my last day of holiday so I let go and lazed about in bed surfing between the dreamland and this reality. I had breakfast in bed, cuddled up with my daughter and finally got up at 11.30 am.

Despite the cold weather I went for bike ride. I'm sure my body craves Vitamin D and from tomorrow I will be at work all day long.

Moody Friday

Friday just passed and Saturday is emerging. I had a good day but with some glitches. In the morning I was chatting with other polyphasic sleepers. It’s great fun. It’s also really nice to know that there are other people in the world going through what I went and am still going on.
In the early afternoon I went to a shopping centre but didn’t feel that great. I don’t know if it’s the energy of the shopping mall or just me running on law battery. It wasn’t too bad but bad enough to notice it.
The second part of the afternoon I must admit I just spent relaxing on the sofa knitting , watching some tv and having my main meal. I had my favourite green raw but hot soup. I’m so glad that I can eat that soup day after day after day and I’m not bored of it. It’s the most healthy thing I have in a day. I have been snacking a lot yesterday as I didn’t have a biggish meal and some of the snacks were not as healthy. Well, they were really healthy for a person with a traditional diet but not for me. I had too many slices of the most delicious rye bred. That’s it. No more other snacking.
In the evening I went to see the film about the Cuban revolution “Che”. Absolutely fantastic film. I’m so glad I saw it. It made me little bit sad. It was strange to watch a movie, where the main characters were fighting for communism. Being raised in a communist country with so much resentment towards this regime, I felt sad that all that blood was shed for not what was going to be achieved. The ideology of communism is great and their first leaders very passionate, true human beings. However what they thought for turned into a big ugly monster. Humanity wasn’t ready yet to embrace that idea. Greed and selfishness buried it in the ashes of pain and poverty.
As for the naps, they were rolling pretty good. No oversleeping, some waking up before the alarm but as the night approached I felt a little bit down at places.
It’s very cold and grey and I didn’t go for a walk today. It’s dark most of the time and I really miss the sun and warm weather. I will keep going and yes, I need to change my tune.
It’s 5.30am now and I should go down to do some yoga but I’m already considering skipping it. I’m going to my dance step class in the morning so that’s not too bad.
I still have to fight sleepiness from time to time and I think that’s’ where the moodiness comes from. Like now I feel tired and I wouldn’t mind going for a good sleep…
I went online and had a great chat. Feel totally awake. Now yoga and then 8am nap. Life is beautiful again,

New Year resolution

First day of 2009. I was thinking about my New Year resolution. At first I didn’t want to do any of it but somehow all day long my mind was pondering about this issue.
I was giving a lift to the train station to one of my daughter's friend. This was a first time I met this boy and as soon as we sat in the car he asked me what is my New Year resolution. I laughed and said that I’m not doing it this year.
For sure one of the angels sent him to me prompting me about this subject. I wasn’t let off easily.
I couldn’t get to sleep at my 8pm nap, well, I don’t really know if I fell asleep or not. However I was “dreaming” about my New Year resolution.
I’ve got it. This idea has been in my head or rather heart for a long time. I always thought that I would do it when I stop working full time but my desire was stronger. The angels again took care of the events and here I’m being a polyphasic sleeper with so much extra time on my hands.
I’m over the adaptation stage and feel wonderful. I’ve decided to even stop counting my days/night. I’m a polyphasic sleeper, full stop. I absolutely love it. If I stop for any reason I’ll just stop and that will be it but for now I’m in full swing of it.
The battle or a game is over and even if I let myself oversleep at times so be it. On monophasic sleep we often let ourselves sleep longer than required, specially on holidays and weekends. This same can apply to polyphasic sleeping. After the adaptation faze one can play around with timings.
My New Year resolution is to be creative but specifically to write a book. Till now I new I wanted to write a book but I didn’t really knew what about. The 8pm nap solved it. I’ve got a clear idea, of course I’m very open and things can change as I’ll go along but nevertheless the idea is there.
I’ll start tonight and my slot for writing will be between midnight and 4am nap.

My other New Year resolution is to remember to smile, at all times, down to every organ in my body.
After the midnight nap I did my first writing. It felt good. I have no idea how it will develop but I will try to write a page a day.
I feel a little bit groggy after my 4am nap. I think it’s because I let myself to stay in bed longer. I kept my alarms by my side table and I simply switched them off and stayed in bed. Usually I have them away from me so I have to get up from bed. Anyway all I need to do it to go outside and breathe for a while.

I had few breaths barefoot (it wasn't freezing tonight) and felt much better. I then did half set of ashtanga yoga.

Polyphasic New Year's Eve

Here we are 2009. I just got a newsletter from the astrologer I see every year for some guidance. Looking at the planets he is predicting crazy January:
‘The coming three months are split into two halves with very different effects. The Mercury retrograde happening during the last three weeks of January will bring massive over expectation in many different areas and there will be a lot of headless chickens running around madly. This will end up by the start of February but clarity will not come until the middle of that month, so decisions made impulsively in January will prove to be unsustainable. Don’t buy into what appears to be happening at the end of January, there will be a large element of hype and spin about it. Suspend judgement until mid February.’ Steve Judd steve@stevejudd.com

I guess we mustn’t get frustrated if our sleeping pattern gets out of hand. Just keep going and hopefully things will come down in February.

I had an interesting morning yesterday (New Year’s eve). I crushed at 7am, I was really tired and stayed in bed until almost midday! The strange thing was that I didn’t sleep like a log for a solid period of time. I was waking up every half hour. Stayed awake for a bit enjoying being in bed and went for a snooze again. It was as if I was floating between dream land and this reality. At first I was a little bit disappointed with myself but then I realised that it doesn’t really matter and I can allow myself to just let go and be lazy.
I also miss that feeling of waking up from a dream and going back again, diving in and out of it. After all I’m on holidays and I’m entitled to enjoy myself. It’s winter and lying in bed is just beautiful.
I nearly hit the lucid dream at one point but didn’t quite get there. It’s fine I will.

I moved my naps an hour early so I could accommodate the party and the midnight countdown. I slept at 3pm and then at 7pm jut before we went to the party.
This was my first New Year without alcohol. I still don’t miss it. I felt relaxed, comfortable and in good spirit for the whole evening. At 11pm I had a nap at my friend’s bedroom. I didn’t really fell asleep as it was a bit noisy but I had a good rest.
I felt that I went into a deep relaxation. I can now recognise the stages of falling asleep. I actually feel the sensation of dropping down a faze going deeper and deeper. I went quite right down but not into a deep sleep.
However I felt fine and refreshed. I was in full speed again. Just after midnight I became a taxi driver. I had to pick up my daughter and her friends from one part of town and later the other one from the other side of town.
I landed at home just before 3am and had my nap in my bedroom. Usually I take my naps in a spare bedroom, where I spend my nights. It’s a spacious room where I have my office, sofa and tv. I love spending my time there.
I thought that I will struggle with getting up but to my surprise I didn’t! I woke up and managed to stay in bed for another half hour, just contemplating on my state of alertness and enjoying lying in bed. I got up at 4am sill fully amazed at my fantastic condition of being.
I’m aiming to get my next nap at 8am, so going back to my old routine.
I just found www.glastonburyradio.net great stuff.
At 6.15 I did a full set of ashtanga yoga. Life is beautiful.