Thanks both for your advice:
ADR: good points - I have been doing some yoga stretches and push-ups and then due to time constraints with work have backed off doing - seems like it would be of benefit to get back to doing them. Are there any particular yoga positions or styles you have found most useful?
BTG: Similar to you I also get these really itchy points in the ear as well and yes they all pop up in different places on face and ear each time but mainly around the nose. Pinpricks of intense itchiness. You connected them to the Dukkha Nanas which resonates with me as I have been trying to work out where I am progress-wise. If you are correct on this, and now I think of it that way, it certainly makes sense, then it has provided a reference point against which to determine my position.
Cut a long story short - I now can see that on a weekly basis I seem to have been getting into equanimity (typically by Sunday night) then enjoying that early in the week only to see it all go backwards (indicated by reducing concentration, increased irritation during meditation) so that by Friday I am experiencing more itchiness on the face and unsettled sits. This of course corresponds to the working week and stresses/distractions and fatigue associated with my job. So here I am on Monday morning again after improving sits since Friday night and I got into 4th Jhana last night and feeling very balanced for the 4th week in a row. So it appears cycling through the nanas is occurring even through Shamata Jhana practice and noting through the day (albeit patchy).
Is this similar to your experience?
Thanks and Best Wishes to you both!
Rod