Cloud Hands

I know the Tai Chi form Cloud Hands describes the movement of the sun and moon throughout the cycle of a day; but, lately it has come to take on a new meaning for me.

I started working on the Cloud Hands portion of the Chen form a few weeks back. I had to concentrate on sinking my Qi and not injuring my knee. My arms noticeably grew stronger from slowing down the form and working it over and over to get the footwork figured out. Then, while untangling the dog's long line from the lilac while having a low blood sugar episode, I was reminded that I need to stay grounded and present all the time.  The dog twisted and lunged and I pulled muscles in my arm. It really hurt!

I immediately did some healing qigong; but, the swelling and bruising started anyway. Since I vowed to not let anything dissuade me from my Summer Solstice hide & form at Gold Cord Lake, I decided to continue working on my form and doing the Ba Duan Jin. IT HURT!

It hurt ALOT! But, I did a little every day. Sometimes I did only my right uninjured arm. Sometimes I just did foot work and thought about the arm movements. Then, it dawned on me to visualize moving clouds with my hands instead of water. I focused on soft movements and slowed down as much as I could. It seemed to help. Perhaps I will still be moving clouds up at Gold Cord Lake in a few weeks (or maybe snowflakes since there is still snow there); but, I am back on track and a wiser player by far.

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.

Transforming the Spring Forest

I am a sucker for biography. Generally, I don't read entry level texts or introductions. But, a biography will suck me in every time. Since I'm planning to return to my home country, Minnesota later this year, I started researching community there. I stumbled upon Spring Forest Qigong. It is the creation of Chunyi Lin. His motto is "A healer is every home and a world without pain."

I'm not without my slightly skeptical side. Early learning is very hard to overcome. But, I have great courage and inspiration now. Born A Healer is Master Lin's book introducing Spring Forest Qigong. The first part of the book is the story of his early life and how he came to be a Qigong master. I'ave wanted to write something but the only words I can utter is "wow" and "Wow!"

If I ever thought my childhood tumultuous or painful; I am humbled by his. What's even more incredible is that someone who endured all that darkness and evil could transform his very soul and spirit into something so loving and healing. The very pages of the book in my hand felt like a blessing. Need proof of a higher power? His life should serve well.

I can't really understand it with my brain. My heart tells me that the simple sharing of his story begins the healing process. It is empowering and encouraging once you let go of the deep pain and tragedy. It reminded me of reading Dante's Divine Comedy. I am eager to meet Chunyi. I know I will be able to do little more than smile and send him waves of energy. What could I possibly put into words?

I listen to a lot of these healers and spiritual folk.  Few strike me as genuine. Many are, like myself, on the road or in process of becoming. But, Chunyi has arrived. And, it is such a beautiful, powerful place of genuine love, balance, and strength. It gives me hope.

I'm sure my path will wind through the Spring Forest. Eventually, I'd like to have a practice healing others and teaching them to heal harmonizing the modalities of qigong, Anthroposophical medicine, essential oils, and biography. This is not a new path. I think this is the path I have been on since I was very young. Though I have taken side routes and byways. I feel at this age the universe guides me and I trust it to bring me to where I should be.

Feeling Moony

moonrise in Alaska from my deck

When I was a teenager, I discovered the poetry of a fellow Minnesotan, Robert Bly. This was before Iron John and his fame as translator of Pablo Naruda. His words touched me. I hauled his books of poetry to our cabin on Big Sandy and always had one tucked in my pack.  Imagine my surprise today when we began the K12 Earth Science lesson on moon phases and it begins with poetry from Robert Bly.

After writing poems all day,
I go off to see the moon in the pines.
Far in the woods I sit down against a pine.
The moon has her porches turned to face the light,
But the deep part of her house is in the darkness.

One of my earliest memories is seeing the moon over my Dad's shoulder as he carried me home to my bed after the store closed. "My moon!" Mother moon was full and extraordinarily close when my Dad was  called home on the shores of Lake Superior. He was born in a twin city, lived his whole life in twin cities, and died in a twin city. Our lives go through phases and sometimes we reflect more light than other times.

I do my Tai Chi in moonbeams - full, crescent, gibbos, and wuji.

The Sun Breaks Through - Easter

After the dreary day of freezing rain yesterday, the sunshine was a blessing for Easter. The piles of snow are melting into liquid earth. It looks solid but it isn't. Reminds me of learning to step back. I used to struggle with it. The movements were painful emotionally and physically because I was concerned about stepping into insecurity. But, now, the forms and movements are coming to me faster. I have more confidence in my stance and strength in my intention. In fact this week I managed to learn two lessons and several movements in the Chen form at Internal Gardens.

 I love doing form so much that sometimes I have to force myself to do the daily Qigong exercises like Ba Duan Jin. They've become like brushing teeth or doing scales on the piano. I know they're important but they require so much attention and dedication. I eat my spinach but I make it into a smoothie. Sometimes it seems like the Qigong isn't supposed to be sugar coated. But, if I relax and just enjoy the movements without belaboring every imagination, I tend to spend more time. Somewhere there is balance.

Mom reminded me that I have a tough week ahead and that the improved weather and sunshine will make the tasks ahead easier.

- just about to movement 30 of the Chen form - so excited.

Repulse the Monkey

Chen and Bagpipes?

Mull of Kintyre (Scotland)

I've found music to be very motivating for practicing my form. Spotify is the greatest invention for putting together custom playlists. I think I must have squandered several hours last weekend building a taiji playlist of bagpipe and Scottish tunes.  And, it's a work in progress so there are a few of my favorite Asian flavored tunes lingering on the list in case I decide to play longer. I can't figure out how to share here on blogger; but it is on my tumblr and in Spotify.

Lots of my old favorites from childhood:

• Dark Island
• Skye Boat Song
• Mull of Kintyre
• Muckin' O' Georgie's Bryr
• Road to Dundee
• Northern Lights of Aberdeen
• Star of the County Down
• Piobraicheachd of Donald Doughal

Nice slow airs great for meditation and maintaining balance and slow breathing. 

Mull of Kintyre - the place I desire

Of course there is a beach song playlist for goofing off and really playing with the Qi. 

All this will come together on the solstice - Mull of Kintyre is top of the list for the video right now; but that can change.

The more parts of the Chen form I learn the easier it becomes to learn and remember. I still panic when I see that I'm only 1/4 into the whole form. I just take it one at a time and work until I feel ready to learn a new part. Some days are better than others. I am nearly ready to move on from Green Dragon Flies Up from Water & Push with Both Hands to the next part.  I love the Chen form. It is very different from Yang. I will need to live with both for a while before I can feel the connection.