[Evita]

Late nite apnea is the best :-)

When I first started doing dry tables, I was doing them in the morning and had a funny feeling in the head, arms and legs for several hours afterwards. So I switched to apnea at bedtime, so I can sleep it off.

My dry static times (and subsequently wet static) improved a lot when

1. I started to listen to the radio (music programme) and tried to make it part of the training - adjusting my pulse to the beat, listening without focussing. And suddenly several minutes had passed...

2. I began using a digital watch/stop watch, so I don't need to look at it very often to keep track of time (was that one round or two rounds of the dial?). I still use the image of the dials ticking around clock for visualisation, though.

But most importantly, I always have manageable goals for training - goals that are within my reach, but still high enough to be proud of. Don't start with your ultimate goal in mind. Make it something tough, but realistic. And make an effort to reach your training goal every time - it will give you much needed confidence and routine.

Along the lines of apnea walking: Maybe you can try translating your target apnea time into some other activity. For instance the time it takes to... listen to your favorite song, make a sandwich or walk a certain distance. And when you master that, take it up at notch.

Like Lucia says, bad thoughts can really kill your static, so try to keep them occupied with something safe. Focus on your heart beat and try to bring it down. Imagine going to sleep in one place or another - how would you make yourself comfortable, step by step. Etc, etc. The main thing is to not let your mind spin into panic. It may sound weird but you can actually make a plan for the thought patterns to follow during the static and then try to stick with it. See what works for you.