On January 30 a small group gathered in Aptos, California for a three hour Blossoms in the Spring workshop with Narrye Caldwell. Sitting in a circle with a view of the redwoods, we started with qigong basics then proceeded through the three sections of Blossoms, taking hourly breaks for tea and conversation. Though it felt more like a retreat than a workshop, by the end of the afternoon everyone could move through the entire set with confidence, even those who had no previous qigong experience. As we completed the final move and hands came to rest gently in laps, one person breathed a big sigh and said, “oh, that’s so beautiful!”
Keep an eye on this site for information about future Blossoms workshops.
We do it in some circumstances and then forget that we do it at all. My wife thinks I am like a dog because, when I am sick, I don’t need nursing so much as retiring to a dark room to lie and wait. My world shrinks and my “being” does, too. I draw inward: which is a little different from just withdrawing. Everything is still in there. I’m not pulling away from anything, I’m just consolidating my-self.(more…)
Recently an old friend, who has years of Tai Chi and Qigong experience, asked me if it would add anything to his practice to come to an afternoon workshop to learn Blossoms in the Spring. This is an excellent question. When I thought honestly about it, I realized that the answer is no, not really. When you have a qi practice that you love and follow every day, and when your health is good, and you feel complete and balanced in your life, why add anything?
So I replied in this “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” vein. But then I added the following perspective: On the other hand, I also need only one teapot. But I have a beautiful collection of them. Each one has a special feel, and speaks to me of the special moments, alone or with a dear friend, that I’ve spent in its company. Or there’s that old funny shaped pot that still carries the fragrant memory of an amazing rare tea I once brewed in it. None of this is necessary. One functional pot really is enough. But what of nuance? What of beauty? Does it add anything to our lives?
I think so. And I think there are some qigong practices that are like those rare and special teapots in my collection. Blossoms in the Spring is one of those.
Sunday, January 17th, the Academy of Martial Arts in Santa Cruz, hosted an “in house” seminar just for students and friends. Over two dozen participants attended many who had little or no Qigong training. The two-hour seminar went by fast with everyone finishing the form literally at the last minute. There were a lot of questions, correction, laughter and many repetitions of this ancient Qigong routine. Next seminar, hosted by Narrye Caldwell: invitational group only on January 30, Saturday from one to four. Call 408 489 8268.
Happiness has many approaches. Some of them take us far away from the happiness we feel into a land of speculation, almost like gambling. There are some paths to happiness that are shorter, more direct. To see these more direct ways it is often helpful to look at our present life, our real life. And when we do that we notice (more…)
A frequent question that comes up for people learning and practicing Qigong is the relation of Taoism (Daoism) to goals and methods of Qigong. Here’s a seven minute interview with Ted Mancuso that will add some understanding on the common source for Qigong and Taoism.
We’ve had a number of questions about practicing qigong with a partner. So we asked Ted Mancuso to comment on some of these. Here’s what he had to say …
Q: What about doing qigong with another person there in the room with you? (more…)
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Visit us at Blossoms in the Spring for hand-picked books and DVDs on the fine art of Qigong (Chi Kung).
On January 30 a small group gathered in Aptos, California for a three hour Blossoms in the Spring workshop with Narrye Caldwell. Sitting in a circle with a view of the redwoods, we started with qigong basics then proceeded through the three sections of Blossoms, taking hourly breaks for tea and conversation. Though it felt more like a retreat than a workshop, by the end of the afternoon everyone could move through the entire set with confidence, even those who had no previous qigong experience. As we completed the final move and hands came to rest gently in laps, one person breathed a big sigh and said, “oh, that’s so beautiful!”
