Practicing Together

At the end of our practice on Bethany Beach a couple sunrises ago, a woman came over to ask if we were practicing Tai Chi. We were practicing Sunlight Qi Gong. She was excited when we told her to feel free to join us for the remainder of the week. And she has. While we always enjoy and are energized practicing along the edge of the Ocean at Sunrise, the addition of another person gently intensified the experience.

This is true for us when we come together to practice in class also. How is your health today? How are you nourishing your energy? Need to increase the flow of good energy, feelings and overall being? Join us for our Moonlight Qi Gong class in the Dance Studio of the Takoma Park Community Center beginning Tuesday October 15th at 7pm. Currently enrollment is 50% full. What are you waiting for? The link for registration is:

Moonlight Qi Gong at Takoma Park

Remember Your Health Is In Your Hands.

If Not Now - When?

Now is the time we've been practicing for. - Zenju Earthlyn Manual

Distractions, deadlines and delays drive me throughout my day. How often do I pause to notice where I truly am? When I do pause I become alive, noticing if my body is relaxed, my heart aflutter and the state of my mind. Are my feelings driving my actions? How has this worked out in the past? Is my mind rehashing old tales about individuals and institutions? Does my body need a stretch and release?

Through practice I can gather information about my present state and altar and adapt to the situation at hand tuning body, mind and feelings. Communication clears; creative options arise and connections with others deepen. All of this is possible by pausing throughout the day. How do I remember to pause while moving at full speed ahead?

The big pause is my morning qigong and meditation practice. Practicing while my energy is fresh assures that I leave home with courtesy, kindness and love etched into my being. Over time I have developed nudges related to my professional tasks to invite me to become present. Telephones, hand washing and certain individuals serve as possible reminders to pause and waken to the here and now. My day planner not only guides me to my goals and appointments but helps me attune to this precious moment.

Want to explore the power of pausing and aligning with the present moment in your life? Is taking better care of your health in the New Year when of your resolutions? If so - click here and sign up now for Minding Our Business right here and now!

Photo by Gerd Altman

What Was I Thinking?

You are what you think.

Everything arises in the mind.

With our Thoughts we make the World. - The Dhammapada

I have heard that we have 64,000 thoughts a day! How many of these go unnoticed, repeated and manifested in ways counter to who I want to be? On and on, over and over, day after day I think and think and think. Occasionally I observe my thinking; every morning when I journal and meditate and then throughout the day when I remember to pause. These moments when I pause provide insight, hope and transformation.

Over the years I have developed reminders or nudges to wake me up during the day. Once my attention has been attracted by one of these, I have a choice. Do I plunge forward as I am despite what I may be thinking, feeling and maybe even doing, or do I find my breath and take a few moments to calm and re-calibrate. I align with my intentions and aspirations, attune to where I really am and begin again.

Are you observing your thoughts? Practice mindfulness as if your life depended on it. Because life does depend upon us - with our thoughts we make the World.

Need help practicing and pausing throughout your day? Bring your New Years Intentions into Action with Minding Your Business.

Class begins January 8th at the Takoma Park Community Center- Register Here Now