The Principle of Balance

When practicing Qi Gong any exercise on one side of the body is also performed on the opposite side to achieve balance.  The yin/yang of complimentary balance is one of the basic principles of Qi Gong exercises.  Balance is one of the most important ways to achieve good health, longevity, happiness and creative productivity.

We need balance between:

Mind/Body

Doing/Being

Right brain/Left brain

Action/Rest

Yin/Yang

Alone/Group

Work/Play

If we go to an extreme on one side of the scale in any of these areas, we as individuals, groups and society become imbalanced, and - at worst - create war with ourselves and others.

The Yin/Yang symbol also shows us that we can’t have one side without the other, that we are whole beings, that our mind/body/spirit is really one.  We “inter-are” with ourselves and other living beings.  Thinking dualistically about balance, as if one “side” is better than the other, can exist without the other, is illusion.  There is no yin without yang, no inside without outside, no me without you.  Seeing the two as one is important to being human, being here in the now, being alive, functioning as a mind/body in a world full of energy.

Our meditation teacher gives the example of our right hand accidentally hitting our left hand with a hammer.  The hands don’t start accusing and fighting with one another.  The right hand drops the hammer and soothes the injured left hand.  Our hands are not separate from us, from our whole body.  We are one, not separate parts.

Sometimes when I am fearful, anxious or upset about a mistake I’ve made, I beat up on myself, thus sending a “second arrow” of pain into my heart.  Instead of having compassion for that little girl in me who said something unskillful or interrupted someone, I make her feel worse about herself with added blame and guilt.  I need to remember the example of the right hand dropping the hammer, holding the wounded left hand, comforting myself for the error and doing what I can to make amends quickly, then to let it go.  I’m human.  I will make more mistakes.  But beating up on myself doesn’t help.  It merely adds to my pain and dysfunction.

When we are hurting, let us use the energy of mind, breath, our whole body, to soothe and heal the injured or stressed area of ourselves.  Moving our bodies brings calm to our minds.  Calming emotions with Qi Gong and meditation allows the body to rest.  True balance comes when body/mind/spirit operate as one.

Photo by Ray MacLean

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

Enriching Energy With Movements

Can it really be that simple? 

Yes!

We have generations of information, practice and results that illustrate the healing benefits of Qi Gong, Tai Qi, and the Alexander Technique.  How we do what we do cultivates energy flow or blocks our flow. Today we practiced alongside Sligo Creek on this warm beautiful spring morning.  Supported by the Earth we gently moved through our routine.  Seeing the blue skies as my hands gathered Qi, the gentle breeze and flow of the creek reminding me to let go.  One movement at a time, our balance and flexibility blossomed both within and without.  There are many opportunities to learn and deepen your practice this spring.

Is 2018 the year you were going to take positive action regarding your health, creativity and life?
 

Then let us Spring Into Action together!
 

Joann & I are excited to be offering several opportunities regarding Mindfulness and Qi Gong.  Take one positive step and sign-up for one of these opportunities today. After all Your Health is in Your Hands.

1. Energize your Life Qi Gong classes begin April 10 at the Takoma Park Community Center 7-8pm on Tuesdays.  Register TODAY, as there are limited spaces https://apm.activecommunities.com/takomaparkrecreation/Activity_Search/qi-gong-energy-circles/5719

2.Relax and renew at the day of "Opening up to Spring" on Saturday, April 21 at Blueberry Gardens in Ashton, MD http://www.qicircles.com/workshops/2018/4/21/opening-up-to-spring

3. For women, register for "Celebrate Life: Nourishing Happiness in the Present Moment" meditation retreat at Claymont Court, WV the weekend of May 4-6 by emailing Joann at joann.malone@gmail.com.

4. A NEW class will be offered by Patrick  https://apm.activecommunities.com/takomaparkrecreation/Activity_Search/qi-gong-energize-your-work/5725at the Takoma Park Community Center - "Energize your Work" on Wednesdays May 2- May 23. In this class Mindfulness & Qi Gong exercises will be introduced along with strategies to integrate them in to our work day.  Decrease stress while increasing focus, happiness & productivity. https://apm.activecommunities.com/takomaparkrecreation/Activity_Search/qi-gong-energize-your-work/5725

5. Finally a Day of Mindfulness at Rehoboth Beach, DE on Saturday May 19.  After a wonderful workshop in the fall we have been invited back. Register at http://www.qicircles.com/workshops/2017/12/21/water-reflecting

Remember always: Your Health Is In Your Hands.

My Body is a Flowing River of Energy

This is a special day for me, an auspicious day.  A good day to reflect on gratitude for my body, my parents, my life.

Our meditation reading this morning was from Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Other Shore (p. 38): “Today physicists agree that matter is not solid but full of space.  The atoms that make up our body are mostly space, and are not static at all – they have electrons orbiting a nucleus at thousands of kilometers a second.  Looking deeply into our feelings, we see something similar.  Feelings are fields of energy and are constantly changing.  In the same way, our perceptions, mental formations and consciousness are also ever-changing, flowing rivers.”

How true this is!  I can feel the flow of energy in my body, mind and feelings, especially during Qi Gong practice, meditation, dance and deep connections with other people and nature.  It becomes more obvious as we age that our bodies are not static, immobile, unchanging.  We change in every muscle, every cell every moment.  How exciting that quantum physics is able to explain to us today what meditators have experienced in their own bodies for centuries.  Movement, change, space where we see only solid mass.

I can see my body as a flowing river of energy, my feelings as sparks of energy that change so quickly, my life as energy that is being constantly transformed and connected to other forms of energy, other people, experiences and forms of life.  The teaching that we are never born and never die makes sense.

What a joy to experience the flow of life today, to feel gratitude for each precious moment.

First Things First

First you build your practice,

then your practice builds you.
 

In the beginning, especially with solo practice, the results are difficult to notice. During class, an energy field arises from the practice of us all.  We are carried along and at the same time contribute to the work of others.  Alone we must trust that the Qi will arrive if we gently persist.  One day at a time we practice.  Below the level of our awareness, our energy system is being built.  Then one morning, we notice the arrival of the Qi.  Just keep practicing and nourishing your Qi.  Slowly, gently one movement at a time the practice builds you.

Photo by Nicholas Raymond