Moving Chi

  Some of my joys when I lived and worked at Breitenbush Hot Springs were going to sleep to the song of the river, being fed lovely organic meals, and walking everywhere! 

My daily commute was across the footbridge, to the 30s style wooden cabin where we offered massage, Reiki, and a mineral water soak and wrap.  

Prayer flags in the woods

Then options included heading to the dining hall for meals, to the sauna or one of the mineral pools for a steam or soak, to the Sanctuary for a daily well being session, to the lodge for a visit, or the trails for a hike - all of these accessed on foot! I got good boots, rain hat and warm coat - and I was set! (With geothermal lines under the paths,  those melted first when we had snow. 

That first winter, our Events Coordinator asked another practioner and me to offer Tai Chi as well-being classes for our holiday guests. I came to his session for ideas, as I'd not taught yet, and was used to doing a complete form ... The next spring I began offering drop-in style Tai Chi/ Qigong classes weekly, inviting folks to connect with their bodies, breath and vital energy, their Chi! 

Snowy day in the woods

Movement brings harmony through several mechanisms, including neurogenesis (the creation of new neurons), mood enhancement, and endorphin release. It's ideal to do some form of exercise that significantly raises your heart rate for 30 minutes, at least four times a week.

In this computer age, it's good to break up  time spent sitting, and to move frequently during the day! It is common in the Blue Zones of healthy longevity for elders to do chores, walk, and move about. 

Our health and Reiki practices benefit when we incorporate Qi/Chi building movement. Here are a few simple 3-7 minute options: Grounding and Clearing  Pressing Palms and 3 Palms Rising ! All can be done seated, if you have limited mobility. 

Spirals of life

At Breitenbush I was also introduced to Edgu - developed by a staff member to treat his own spinal injures, and to Breema. Live self-Breema classes are offered virtually at no charge 6 days weekly - I join several weekly, and attend the in person workshop at the Oregon coast in the spring. A number of the practioners also do Reiki, and it's a wonderful, supportive community!

What's your favorite movement practice?

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