Happy 2013 World Tai chi Qigong Day!

http://worldtaichiday.org/

This global celebration has become an annual event in my life. Today was the first time that there wasn't an organized event in Wasilla (that I know of). It was bittersweet, but, I celebrated anyway.

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is one day when Taichi players feel connected and set aside our differences in form and technique to open our heart center to the treasure we have found.

In preparation for today, I decided to do a bit of practice last night. For me to continue a practice it has to be fun. I've really gotten into playing music and making practicing form into a dance. And, true to my nature, I've been more fascinated with progressing in choreography and philosophy of Chen form ala Master Jou & Shiva Wollering. I KNOW I KNOW - Qigong is good for me and it makes me feel so good; but, for some reason it has been taking a back seat. "I don't have time. I don't feel like it today. Tomorrow. Maybe later. It's so routine." In fact Qigong seems like calisthenics or drills. So prescribed and not much room for creativity. So, last night I buckled down and did the Qigong - Ba Dua Jin first. I even did some standing meditation (another thing I can put off without much prompting or feeling guilty)  My knee hurt, my left foot is swollen, my back was stiff, my hands were tight. I had a whole list of possible excuses but I pushed through in spite of it all.

WOW! All my questions about whether I should bother with Qigong daily or whether or not I should do it before or in lieu of form were answered. I felt so good. No pain in the knee, no pain in the foot, my back loosened up, and I think I'm starting to see better with my left eye.  I could breathe better and gained energy I sure didn't have when I began.

I'm sure if I'd apply this same dedication daily and increased my meditation time I would feel even better.  Why do I let ol Resistance win?

I read a book about learning to conquer Resistance and living the creative life. The author said that Resistance is Evil. There is nothing good to come from engaging Resistance and winning the battle won't make it go away. We must learn that Evil is a fact of physical life (what's the matter with you?) and part of that lovely cycle of life - Yin Yan - Tai Chi - Wan Wu...  So, I will not beat myself up over my negligence and laziness; but, i will embrace Qigong more fully.

When I awoke this morning, I heard the wind whipping and knew I couldn't do my Taiji outdoors. I decided to do some Qigong meditations and connect with those globally for a few hours. I am peaceful and happy.

Chop Wood, Carry Water

Here's  little long needed housekeeping and spring renewal. More of a mission statement for me so I can remind myself of my dedication to this blog.

I have now tied it to my LiveJournal because I'm lousy at private online journaling. I never get around to it unless I make it accessible. I prefer to use pen and paper for my personal journal. And, along with feeling some remorse for not using my LiveJournal as I'd like, I've also become aware of the general lack of access to blog posts of others "along the way" to learning Taijiquan, Qigong, and Mindfulness practice. I treasure the few posts I have found and have reblogged most to my Tumblr. I hope to share here my musings, breakthroughs, experiences, and mind chatter for others who also need to know they aren't alone with their new practice.

I will most likely revisit some of my older breakthroughs as well as share progress of my 100 day challenge for this Year of the Snake. Yeah, I tend to get long winded. Feel free to scan and click away because I am not going to even attempt censoring my style for this. There are a gazillion polished blogs with well researched, documented, cross linked posts out there. This isn't one of those.

This is going to be for me and those who have struggled with a leg cramp during balance training or complete confusion when learning form. It's for those who thought their head was going to explode during microcosmic orbit meditation and who giggled through the first several inner smile meditations. Really,   where is my spleen?

Master Jou says it is ultimately important to apply Taijiquan to daily life and vice versa. It is that seedling I tend here.