Thread: My Approach

Hey there everyone, I just wanted to see if my approach is anywhere near where it should be, and/or see if you guys can fill in the "blanks" of my method. I know that I have to develop my dream recall abilities and get into the habit of reality checking, but honestly I want to jump right in. I figure if I start getting used to the approach while I fall asleep the better I'll be once I master the pre-requisites. Here's what I've been doing the past couple of nights.

-Head to bed at about midnight, pretty exhausted. Note that I haven't really been in any stress or had any worries throughout the day.
-Just lay there for about 5 minutes and then begin my deep relaxation methods. I just imagine my body turning to sand, or just melting away going from my toes up to my head.
-While doing this I feel a stiffness in my body in the places that I have gotten too, which I'm pretty sure is the self-paralysis state. Though, if I concentrate hard enough I can move my body again, but like I said, I have to concentrate.

Now, this is one of the points where I get stuck. I'm not too sure what to visualize here, or rather if and what to think. Eventually I begin to drift off, and I figure that I have to do something before I completely fall asleep. Again, a blank in my method I need filled. Do I need to feel like I am opening my eyes in real life, or do I visualize myself in the dream opening my eyes? I think that's the problem with me. The transition between trying not to fall asleep, and drifting into a conscience dream.

I hear everyone talking about their WILDs and WBTB methods and such, so is trying to LD the first time you head off to bed a bad idea? Should I set my alarm to 5 hours later and try then, after being awake after 1/2 hour or so thereafter? Any suggestions/help would be greatly appreciated, but you guys are sweet like that so I know I can count on ya. Looking forward to hearing from everyone . Thanks in advance!