What the Heck is Qigong?

"Qi what?? Never heard of it." That's a typical response when I mention I teach and practice qigong. Not as well known as its cousin, tai chi, qigong is starting to make inroads in the Western Hemisphere. Over 2,500 years old and practiced by millions of people each day, qigong is centered on opening one's meridians, or channels, and keeping our internal chi (energy) flowing. This is the cornerstone of Chinese medicine. In East Indian medicine, Ayurveda, it revolves around the 7 chakras and prana (energy).
Qigong is best described as training our internal energy. We keep it moving freely and strengthen it to keep us healthy. If you've never "felt" your chi before, it is a life-changing moment. You can never go back after that experience. One begins to understand the undercurrent of life that exists in everything, from plants to places to the universe. The concept that we are all one becomes clear and obvious. Our relationship with ourselves becomes deeper and collaborative.
I am NOT a touchy feely kind of person, everyone who knows me will attest to that. I started qigong with an open mind, but not expecting anything. I came out with a deeper self-awareness and a changed view of the world and how I affect it and fit into it. Your experience may be different. What you receive from qigong will be exactly what you need.
My qigong teaching schedule is as follows: YMCA Scottsdale/PV-Starting April 6th, once a week for 5 wks Mondays 8PM. * Fountain Hills Trufit Studios, check flyer posted on this blog.

Sugar and Spice, and Everything Nice

Well, maybe not the sugar part. A student lent me a book titled "The Raw Food Life Force Energy Diet" by Natalia Rose . No, I am not going raw. I like filet mignon too much. The book did get my wheels turning on nutrition and how I could improve mine. I started cutting out sugar, and although the first couple of days were tough, by the third day I noticed my cravings for the white powdery substance had subsided AND my food cravings evaporated. I made the connection that ingesting sugar was actually increasing my hunger in general! I've lost weight as a side benefit and have more energy to boot.

By sugar I mean corn syrup and artificial sweeteners as well. Cookies, cakes, candy, chocolate (except for 70%+ cacao dark kind), jellies and jams, ice cream...Well, you get the drift. All the tasty sweet stuff. When I do have a craving for something sweet, I reach for naturally dried fruits, 70% min. dark chocolate, nuts and green tea. Sometimes, all of them at once!

Returning our bodies to a more homeostatic level keeps us healthier both physically and emotionally. Try cutting something out of your diet over the next week that is not healthy for you. Be it sugar, alcohol, sodas, designer lattes... pick your poison. Notice the changes in your body as you go through the week. Become an observer of the signals your body sends you, filtering out the negative ones (ex.- craving sugar) and focusing on the positive ones (ex.- more energy). Living a healthier life starts with small changes.

Take the Hit as a Gift

even if you feel like a punching bag these days. Research studies show that people with a positive attitude in life are happier and weather hard times better. When large "hits" strike, find the gift amid the turmoil. Ask yourself these questions: Where is the life lesson in this experience? What spiritual growth may I attain? What opportunity does this open for me? Answer these questions with positive verbiage. Avoid using no, can't, won't, never, etc... Your responses can serve as positive affirmations you repeat to yourself as you go through this difficult time. If you are lucky enough not to be going through a hard time right now, practice these questions on small "hits" (small unexpected and unwelcome events).
My small hit came last year when I went against my better judgement and got a really, really bad haircut at a beauty school. Granted, not the end of the world, but unwelcome and definitely unexpected. I learned I was way too attached to my hair, I was vain and my ego needed a good ass-kicking. It presented me the opportunity to look within and clean house, so to speak. And yes, my hair grew back. It only took 7 months. I told you it was a bad haircut.

Go Ahead, Infect Others

with your smile.
An old sales tactic says to smile into a mirror and then pick up the phone to make that cold call. Studies showed that even the eliciting of a fake smile released positive vibes onto the caller. After a few calls, I didn't have to fake it anymore.
Giving to others needn't always involve volunteering, donating money or gifts. It can be as simple as smiling at a stranger or holding the door open for someone. Genuinely asking them how their day is, and listening to their response.
When economic times are tough, we all need more understanding and kindness. Kindness begets kindness, cruelty begets cruelty. Try this over the next week, at least once a day with someone you encounter out in your world. Notice their response, but don't attach judgement to it. Give, even if you don't receive back. But trust me, you will be surprised at the positive effect you have. If you make someone's day better, do you think that maybe they will make someone else's day better, and so on?
We affect people every day, whether we are aware of it or not. Our interactions with the world matter, at all levels. Our actions count as much as our inactions. As human beings, we need to connect. Why not make that connection a positive charge instead of a negative one? So, go ahead, pass on that infectious smile and hope it spreads!