When stressed or emotionally upset, I need a change of viewpoint. I recognize the emotion, name it, calm it in body, mind and spirit. Yesterday I had the experience of being obsessed about making a decision, so we went outdoors to do our Qi Gong practice by Sligo Creek. After shaking, scooping, earthly and heavenly circles, we did all of Sunlight Qi Gong, my favorite long form. Then my husband and I walked in opposite directions. I found myself walking alone up a steep hill, still pondering my decision. Suddenly, I turned around, walked backward and found an entirely new perspective! The view from this height, looking down into a branch of the creek, reminded me of ‘Honey Creek’ in the Shenandoah Mountains, a refuge for me for over 25 years. My mind, body and emotions were transformed in a second. The energy in my head moved to my heart. I felt open, free, flooded with fond memories of walks near my beloved creek near Old Rag Mountain. The insight came to me that whichever way I decided to go, I had many options. I was a free woman.
Several exercises we have been teaching in our Zoom Qi Gong classes on Saturdays are very useful for gaining this “change of viewpoint” when we need it. Inviting the Temple Gong allows the entire body to shift from right to left, to touch the shoulder with one hand and gently tap the kidney with the other, then reverse, setting up a rhythm. Especially when our eyes shift from far right to far left, we actually see ourselves, our body and our environment from a different perspective. Yin and Yang become one.
Try walking backwards or Inviting the Temple Gong the next time you need a ‘change of viewpoint’!
Are You Dying for a Paycheck?
Recently Stanford’s Jeffery Pfeffer has elaborated on studies showing that workplace stress is the number 5 cause of death in the US. Number FIVE!
This fact alone is enough to do something to relieve your on the job stress.
What does this do to one’s focus, productivity and teamwork?
“People can only do effective and productive work when they know how best to manage energy, time and attention. All three are vital if one wants to be productive on a daily basis and succeed in their endeavors.” (Tony Schwartz, author of The Power of Full Engagement). In our new class Energize Your Work, we will focus on managing energy and attention with proven practices and strategies, which allows for a better use of time. Drawing from our personal experience with mindfulness traditions & the healing art of Qi Gong*, we will guide participants to cultivate positive responses and serenity to ongoing professional pressures. By nourishing energies with Qi Gong and mindfulness practices throughout the work day benefits will extend throughout participants lives and the lives of those they serve.
By learning how to improve responses to stress, better decisions are made, more effective leadership is developed and a longer healthier life becomes available..
Think you're too busy to take this course? Think again.
Think you’re too stressed? Probably.
There’s good news for you - Energize Your Work class begins in May and will be useful to you and your colleagues, no matter what type of work you do.
Class begins Wednesday May 2 at 7 pm at the Takoma Park Community Center. For more information and to register.