Hey Shanti,
Wow, sounds like a lot of purification is going on, maybe a little self-pacing might be in order? I think your lack of sleep could definitely make you more susceptible to over-sensitivity in practices. I believe when we are fatigued, our grip on what is inside loosens a little bit. On the bright side, you seem to be getting a pretty interesting glimpse into perhaps one of your past lives?
A
ps- Your ability to reference the lessons so well in your posts is amazing!
Hello Shanti
Theres nothing more stressfull than your child being sick I would say this is definately the cause. Take it easy and just do the meditation for a while I hope your child gets better soon.
Blessings for you and your child 
RICHARD
Well, I had a good night’s sleep… and feel much better now. During meditation, I still feel the pain in my back. It’s not as painful any more. But its there like a deep tissue pain.
Jim, in your post above and in some other posts you have told me to “i am” a lot… what do you mean by that… “i am” more than 20 mins or more than twice a day or just continue with “i am” don’t stop?
Hi Shanti
Glad to hear that you feel better
I know how stressful your life can be with sick kids…hope he is ok now; your son (or is it a daughter?).
I was wondering…where exactly is your backpain located?
May all your Nows be Here
I’m suggesting reducing this to the simplest possible practice stripped of as much detail and analysis and questioning as possible. Just sit, for whatever length of time you sit, and say “I am” and be done with it. Let the experiences be, let the practice be, let yourself be.
Hi Shanti,
It’s good to hear that you feel better. Sleep makes a big difference. That painful experience you had during meditation was most likely a big release of some karmic knot, and the tissue will remember that for a little while until it heals, just like a physical injury. It should be gone soon. I didn’t get the impression that you over-analyze your meditation, you can’t just disregard completely when something like that comes up. I think you are doing just fine, just keep in mind that all these releases in yoga are just temporary, and that things will smoothen out. I hope your child is well too.
Hi Katrine,
It was my daughter. She is better now… back to school… Thank you for asking . My back pain is on my right shoulder blade…
Thanks Jim.
Thanks Weaver. I did not see your post for some reason. Seem to be doing a lot of that today.
Shanti, if you want to discuss the back pain stuff, why not start a new discussion in the asana section? Include lots of detail. Maybe some of the hatha people here can suggest solutions.
Thanks for the replies all. The concern and inspiration were a definite aid. For now it seems like the big movements have passed and there are some smaller muscle contractions and releases. My spine is looser and more flexible than ever before! I’m back to focusing on the meditation during the meditation time and the spinal breathing has smoothed out considerably. I’ll be ready to start inching up from 5 minutes SB to 10 shortly.
This has reminded me of something a wise man once told me, which is now part of my signature.
Cheers,
Bill
This will also pass.
I’m liking the loose/flexible spine. all the drama (good bad and otherwise) is about blocks. Getting unblocked feels slippery and easy. Be aware that that’s what we’re shooting for.
Since past few days I have been experiencing lot of involuntary movements during Samyama and sometimes during meditation as well. I try my best to ignore them but the movement I would like to fix is this - the head shakes from side to side at such a great speed that it strains my neck. Is it ok to forcefully stop the movement when it happens?
Hi Maximus, I made a very similar post to this here
As I said in the post this is the problem that brought me to AYP in the first place. I was advised that spinal breathing and neck pump would help and they did, it cleared up almost completely.
I still get movement but not really violent and it can be controlled. have a look at this FAQ What is automatic yoga? There are a lot of helpful links there.
Hope this will help
I should have mentioned my routine. I do occasional 10 minute asana, followed by pranayama, dynamic jalandhara, meditation, yoni mudra kumbaka then samyama. I already have all things in place as you see.
Hmmm well it nothing really to worry about unless its so distracting it ruins your med which i know from experience it can be…in that case if you just put your attention on for a second it will usually stop, thats what I do, then you can just go back gently into your med.
I do get quite a lot of rapid head movement and so do others as you can see from the discussions in the links I gave you, have you looked at all those?
Apart from the advice given there I can think of nothing else to tell you.
Hi all,
I had these “automatic movements” for several years now. As a matter of fact, nearly every time I meditate now they happen. Sometimes these have been quite violent, as I’ve already broken one wooden chair because of it, and will probably break another sometime soon. At other times, they have been quite smooth and fluid, as I’ll move as if I am a snake or some other very flexible creature.
I’ve noticed that they usually manifest when I’m in a relatively deep state of Samadhi/Jhana (meditative absorption).
I’ve heard them referred to by at least two different names: Kriya (action) and Charism (spiritual gift).
I’m, personally, not disturbed by them and actually look forward to them accompanying each meditation session now. I’ve noticed that if I am mindful (Sati) of them that this usually just deepens my state of absorption (Samadhi/Jhana).
Peace,
Nirodha
Hi Nirodha
I don’t get the violent ones anymore spinal breathing and neck pump took care of that.
Yes I sometimes get whole body shudders during Samyama practice and they seem to deepen the meditation 
You feel awfully disoriented when you are laying backwards in a chair that has falling to the side after your head swings so hard you lose balance and fall.
Happens once or twice, and I recommend meditating in different places, on different surfaces. Intuition can be a big help here if you have an open mind.
Of course, a solid foundation of daily practice should be maintained, and will anyway, as it is often pre-requisite for these dramatic outflowings of energy.
this site is a lifesaver. during repeating ‘I AM’ the other week i began to wiggle at the hips, which gently rocked my whole body side to side. it seemed to be most violent when i focused on the finer and finer reverberations of the mantra. today it was pervasive throughout almost the whole of my meditation, with muscle contractions along my spine in waves. but, it sounds like it’s nothing to worry about and to keep going. i think i will finally try spinal breathing. anyone disagree?
I have never been meditating but have always wanted to try. The problem is that I do not know how to do it. Is there anyone who could teach me please? I will not leave a favor unanswered.