Has anyone else found relaxation classes stressful?

[Butterpiecrimearea]

So, I plucked up the courage to go to a relaxation class yesterday, and it has set me back quite a lot. I spent most of the time shaking, found it really hard to keep my eyes shut, he kept telling us to imagine we were somewhere else and that just made me nervous that I would lose my hold on reality, and when I did allow myself to imagine the stuff, the stuff scared me - at one point he told us to imagine we were sinking underwater with fish all round us.

:( I'm doomed.

Although, it is a bit funny too :) I suppose.

oh you poor thing :-(
Ive had exactly the same thing in the past. When your anxiety is sky high - lying there trying to relax is a nightmare.

It does get easier though.

Maybe try doing some breathing exercises at home just do you get used to the sensation of 'being still'.

Hope its easier next time x

I'm not sure it's good for me - I have problems staying in relaity as it is. I need help to make sure I don't drift off, not the other way round.

:( I'm now panicing about leaving the house at all, after I plucked up the courage yesterday and it made me feel worse.

I hope you don't mind me posting, I've not got anxiety problems as such (Yet!), but I went to relaxation class the other day, was a nightmare. I just wanted the woman to shut up. She was on about finding our 'happy place' which got me in a big stew about not having one, then I couldn't think of any happy memories, and got all upset over nothing.

Sorry I'm rambling on, I guess my point is you're not the only one. I guess they work for some people. I prefer yoga - you concentrate on the breathing and the moves, rather than concentrating on relaxing, IYSWIM, which is rather counter-productive.

oh you poor thing :-(
Ive had exactly the same thing in the past. When your anxiety is sky high - lying there trying to relax is a nightmare.

It does get easier though.

Maybe try doing some breathing exercises at home just do you get used to the sensation of 'being still'.

Hope its easier next time x

sorry dont know what happened there with that message

Thats a good point from Pootles. These type of classes just arent for everyone. Have you got a dr or counsellor you can discuss with?

Im sorry its knocked you back a bit. You did really well to go in the first place. Just be really kind to yourself today.

I tried one and hated it, i felt i couldnt relax properly in the company of other people but i do find that doing it on your own with a hypnosis CD very helpfull.

I have never been able to relax in a public place but I ave recenty found some guided meditations on you tube.
if you search for natalie dekel she has some longer meditations, listen in a safe place with head phones
For me it has been amazing, it sin't about removing yourseof frm reality more about taking time just to be the amazing soul that you are without any owrldy pressures getting in the way.

I am really sorry that it has knocked you, it was an amazing step that you took, Well done! You are alot braver than alot of people!!

Good luck, take your time and be kind to yourself. x

When I was still having flashbacks all the time I tried my old relaxation exercises and the flashbacks came straight away. This kind of relaxation is not always helpful. Yoga or Mindfulness may be better - focusing on yourself and your environment

I know exactly what you mean! I don't like the way they expect you to conjure up a "happy time" or a "happy place" or a "safe place" instantaneously. I have been distressed by the fact that I can't re-create these feelings because there was always something quite not right about my visualisations (not happy enough or safe enough I guess) IYSWIM? Everyone else would be merrily re-imagining the smells and the sounds and my mind would still be racing like hell flicking through its memory banks trying to think of something appropriate. Then I'd be upset because I thought I must be really f**ed up if I can't do this simple thing! And then I'd always get distracted by a door banging or someone breathing funny or just the birds singing. A complete waste of time for me! I can't even manage with audio tapes and I really tried during pregnancy.

Look into Mindfulness, it may be more helpful.

Relaxation can be helpful but 'relaxation classes' are not for everyone. Some of the phrases used really set my teeth on edge...."find your happy place"...

I thought it was just me. All throughout this pregnancy I've been trying to repeat the relaxation exercises I used last time, only to find that they make me hugely more anxious.

I think I've come to agree that there are many different ways to relax, and it's maybe a case of finding ones which work for us as individuals...