Does it matter which way or position you practice?

[AstralAstra]

Im asking this question because i usually sleep on my side, but with practicing AP i lay on my back. When i go to sleep on my side it takes me on average about 10-15 minutes to fall asleep and obviously fall into SP, however when i practice by laying on my back i can be layed there for 50 - 60 mins without really deepening my relaxation levels. But if i was to practice by laying on my side as if i was going to sleep is there anyway i could bring back consciousness just as my body fell asleep?

[AstralAstra]

anyone?

[SikWilly]

I've projected when lying in either position.  Probably just a personal preference.  As for bringing back consciousness... Listen to a meditative recording, like binaural beats.  Set some sort of timer to bring you back if you fall asleep.  The timer should just be a quick tone louder than the binaural.  Set it for every 15 minutes.  You would want a timer of course that you don't have to turn off.  There are some cool I-phone apps that do this.  Good luck!

[Summerlander]

It doesn't matter. It just helps if you are comfortable.

[personalreality]

^

[Under_the_Midnight_Sun]

It's the opposite for me, but just take it with a grain of salt
I find that when I have slight discomfort I can maintain a mind awake/body asleep stage for longer periods of time, and get very deep until the projection stage.

[Jilt]

For years I've only been able to project or have lucid dreams when laying on my back however the other day I was able to while on my left side when I lifted my astral hand (and could see a shadowy white outline with my fingers starting to disappear as Robert Monroe describes) so rolled out onto the floor instead of my usual up and out rope technique. Nice to have this option since I usually sleep on my side.

Buddhists teach different lucid dreaming techniques for men and women; I think they advise women to sleep on their right side and men on the left. I noticed Stephen LaBarge at Stanford had an online questionnaire on this so perhaps we'll have some quantitative data on this soon!

[CFTraveler]

Because I'm lazy:
http://www.astralpulse.com/forums/welcome_to_astral_projection_experiences/projecting_while_laying_on_stomach-t32387.0.html;msg266224#msg266224

[Lizelle]

I'm a newcomer to this forum and to the practice in general, but body position makes a big difference for me. As far as I can tell, I have a sort of sleep paralysis, using the term advisedly because I'm not actually paralyzed; it's more accurate to say that I'm "too scared to move." I'd like to move from that to astral projection.

I have noticed that my "episodes" have all, with one exception, happened while I'm lying on my back. In fact, to make them go away I roll on my side. I think it's more than just the act of moving that does it. Something in the orientation relative to the ground, is my best guess, or maybe our tin roof! Interestingly, that one time when I was on my side (and an unseen presence pulled on my arm quite strongly) I was on vacation 2,000 miles away. Who knows? There could be interactions with Earth magnetic field.

[Seeleyj13]

I highly recommend you lay in the most comfortable position that you would sleep in. Everytime I astral travel I just set the goal to do it. If I lay there and thing about it, nothing happens. Try it when you have time for a nap and you're not very tired. I always have been on my side hugging my pillow when I project.

[Lexy]

on my side works better for me, that is how I usually sleep too.

[Boom]

Many years ago i attained sleep paralysis whilst laying on my back, but unknowingly waht it was.. just happened naturally. But any projections I have done now has been turned to my left side which is my natural sleep position.   I've normally projected on the edge of sleep.

[Seeleyj13]

well that kind of clarifies it. We all project in our most comfortable positions

[Rudolph]

so rolled out onto the floor instead of my usual up and out rope technique. Nice to have this option since I usually sleep on my side.

This is very similar to my history with this. I used to ONLY project from the laying on my back, in the face up position (and only after at least a few hours of sleep -- meaning I was as 'relaxed' as I was gonna get. I don't think I have ever projected during the daytime or at bedtime no matter how relaxed I could get myself).

Then one morning I woke up on my side and I tried the rollout and it worked. I tried several more times from this position and it works pretty well. So now I have two positions to work with.

Next I want to get it working from a LaZboy recliner afternoon nap. That would be pretty cool.