Summer has flown by! We have been enjoying sharing qigong with some new friends at our Wednesday 10AM Renewal Qigong class at James Barrett Pilates. This coming week, July 31, will be the final class for summer. I am traveling during August so let's all take the opportunity to cultivate a daily practice at home. You will be amazed at how great you will feel!
September will bring the start of the school year and then the holidays loom before us, starting right out with a long weekend for Labor Day. We will have our first fall session class on Wednesday, Sep 4 at our usual time and place. An evening class for Renewal Qigong on Mondays at 6:30PM will begin on Sep 9.
No other classes are scheduled at this time. If there are enough requests for additional forms and times, they will be added and posted here.
Continue to work on cultivating a state of qi with the Three Intentful Corrections, Self Massage Acupressure, Knee Qi, Fragrant Buddha and Shibashi TaiChi Qigong practice. Even a few minutes of qigong, practiced consistently, will bring results. You will notice improvement in your physical as well as emotional health.
We have also had some fantastic essential oil classes over the summer. We hope to have a more regular schedule of both basic and continuing education classes to teach you how to be healthier and happier through the fall and winter months.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Moving Forward
The month of February has been more challenging than usual for me. In the midst of many new and exciting happenings, I lost track of my "qi-o-meter" and let my energy become depleted to the point that became ill. This happens so rarely that it is always a huge learning opportunity. I have been creating so many new things to work on and enjoy that even practicing regular qigong did not keep my immune system at the normal secure level. When I am ill, I always learn to be more compassionate with myself, and more patient. I become more focused on wellness and find new uses for favorite essential oils. I had no idea that diffusing lime oil would help a cough! And, missing class and my time with each of you helps me to be even more grateful for you.
We are back on track now and wellness is comfortably settling into my body. The heavy snows we received the past few days were a reminder that it is not quite spring yet - but we can still look forward to it with eager anticipation. Yet our focus should remain on preserving our qi, looking inward and cultivating vitality.
I have some new ideas for our qigong classes that will be brought forth once it is actually spring. For now, I can tell you a little about them as I work on them and try to find new ways for you to experience and enjoy qigong. There are so many ways to cultivate the life force and build strength and flexibility.
I recently became very interested in Walking Qigong and all the many ways that is practiced. My research on this topic has been eye opening, to say the least. I learned that there are some very specific forms of Walking Qigong that are quite famous and are practiced globally. And I also discovered that qigong can be a moving meditation and can be very simple and powerful. With that in mind, I have been working on a set of movements to be practiced while walking. This is so appealing to me because I am anxious to be out in nature, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. I have also learned that it can be a benefit to my balance and coordination. Even some of the movements that we easily perform while standing take on a whole new meaning when done while walking. I also think we can all benefit from moving our bodies more. So stay tuned for more details. If you walk for exercise regularly, you are one step ahead, so to speak! Continue to walk as much as possible and when we start adding qigong movements, it will be easy for you. I have a location in mind that is a great outdoor spot with lots of space to move about, trees, birds, and moving water. I think you will like it!
My other goal is to bring a new form that is practiced while seated. Many people who are ill or have not exercised in some time find even the simplest standing qigong to be a challenge. I have a beautiful form that comes from Master Li Junfeng of the International Sheng Zhen Society. It is simply called Healing Qigong and you can view it on YouTube. It is a long form with three parts, but all done while seated. I am currently working on being able to offer the first part in a class for those interested.
Last, I want to mention that the new website is finally published but by no means complete! It is a work in progress. I invite you to stop by and would welcome your feedback on what you would like to see included. The address is www.sdtwitchell.com. I hope to have information and resources for qigong, essential oils, massage and reflexology and nutritional healing.
Namaste,
Sherril
We are back on track now and wellness is comfortably settling into my body. The heavy snows we received the past few days were a reminder that it is not quite spring yet - but we can still look forward to it with eager anticipation. Yet our focus should remain on preserving our qi, looking inward and cultivating vitality.
I have some new ideas for our qigong classes that will be brought forth once it is actually spring. For now, I can tell you a little about them as I work on them and try to find new ways for you to experience and enjoy qigong. There are so many ways to cultivate the life force and build strength and flexibility.
I recently became very interested in Walking Qigong and all the many ways that is practiced. My research on this topic has been eye opening, to say the least. I learned that there are some very specific forms of Walking Qigong that are quite famous and are practiced globally. And I also discovered that qigong can be a moving meditation and can be very simple and powerful. With that in mind, I have been working on a set of movements to be practiced while walking. This is so appealing to me because I am anxious to be out in nature, enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. I have also learned that it can be a benefit to my balance and coordination. Even some of the movements that we easily perform while standing take on a whole new meaning when done while walking. I also think we can all benefit from moving our bodies more. So stay tuned for more details. If you walk for exercise regularly, you are one step ahead, so to speak! Continue to walk as much as possible and when we start adding qigong movements, it will be easy for you. I have a location in mind that is a great outdoor spot with lots of space to move about, trees, birds, and moving water. I think you will like it!
My other goal is to bring a new form that is practiced while seated. Many people who are ill or have not exercised in some time find even the simplest standing qigong to be a challenge. I have a beautiful form that comes from Master Li Junfeng of the International Sheng Zhen Society. It is simply called Healing Qigong and you can view it on YouTube. It is a long form with three parts, but all done while seated. I am currently working on being able to offer the first part in a class for those interested.
Last, I want to mention that the new website is finally published but by no means complete! It is a work in progress. I invite you to stop by and would welcome your feedback on what you would like to see included. The address is www.sdtwitchell.com. I hope to have information and resources for qigong, essential oils, massage and reflexology and nutritional healing.
Namaste,
Sherril
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Long Life Is In Store For You
Exactly! When you cultivate a daily qigong practice with mindfulness and intention you will have a longer, happier, healthier life. This is the promise of qigong. So I was pleased when I opened my fortune cookie yesterday to find this message - a reminder, in fact, of why we practice. I was celebrating my 63rd birthday and enjoying a some good Chinese rice and veggies and an outing with my husband. How perfect was this little slip of paper for me to find tucked inside my fortune cookie!
I hope that you are finding your life to be better with qigong as well. I truly feel better at 63 than I did years ago. Since qigong became a part of my life, I have much less pain and inflammation from post polio syndrome. I feel happy and grateful for such an awesome life.
And I am truly grateful for each of you. Having people to share qigong with enriches my life in so many ways. It holds me accountable to practice more and become a better teacher. Every single person who shows up to our classes teaches me how to teach. So keep practicing and keep coming to class to refine your technique. As our group grows, it will give us the opportunity to offer more forms and more class times. We now have 4 classes per week, on a trial basis. In response to requests, there are two evening classes. The attendance has been a little up and down, but since it is new, I am going to keep at it for awhile longer. Here is our current schedule:
Monday 10:00 AM One Thousand Hands Buddha and Eight Treasures
Monday 6:30 PM One Thousand Hands Buddha and Eight Treaures
Wednesday 10:00 AM Renewal Qigong
Wednesday 6:30 PM Renewal Qigong
All classes follow the same format, with a long warm up session of self-massage acupressure and foot & knee qi acupressure. This seems to be very helpful for most people. In fact, I would consider some briefer sessions of just the warm-up qigong exercises. Our classes are running almost 90 minutes now to get all this in, so we can offer some times to practice just the basics. Let me know if that appeals to you.
And please invite your friends to come and try qigong. The first class is always free and we will continue to have the First Saturday Free Qigong Demo Day. Next one will be on Feb 2 at 10:30 AM. Of course all of you are welcome to come and help show qigong to the community, even if you have been practicing for awhile. Share the blog with people and also tell them what qigong does for you.
As always, I wish you best qi and happiness.
Namaste,
Sherril
I hope that you are finding your life to be better with qigong as well. I truly feel better at 63 than I did years ago. Since qigong became a part of my life, I have much less pain and inflammation from post polio syndrome. I feel happy and grateful for such an awesome life.
And I am truly grateful for each of you. Having people to share qigong with enriches my life in so many ways. It holds me accountable to practice more and become a better teacher. Every single person who shows up to our classes teaches me how to teach. So keep practicing and keep coming to class to refine your technique. As our group grows, it will give us the opportunity to offer more forms and more class times. We now have 4 classes per week, on a trial basis. In response to requests, there are two evening classes. The attendance has been a little up and down, but since it is new, I am going to keep at it for awhile longer. Here is our current schedule:
Monday 10:00 AM One Thousand Hands Buddha and Eight Treasures
Monday 6:30 PM One Thousand Hands Buddha and Eight Treaures
Wednesday 10:00 AM Renewal Qigong
Wednesday 6:30 PM Renewal Qigong
All classes follow the same format, with a long warm up session of self-massage acupressure and foot & knee qi acupressure. This seems to be very helpful for most people. In fact, I would consider some briefer sessions of just the warm-up qigong exercises. Our classes are running almost 90 minutes now to get all this in, so we can offer some times to practice just the basics. Let me know if that appeals to you.
And please invite your friends to come and try qigong. The first class is always free and we will continue to have the First Saturday Free Qigong Demo Day. Next one will be on Feb 2 at 10:30 AM. Of course all of you are welcome to come and help show qigong to the community, even if you have been practicing for awhile. Share the blog with people and also tell them what qigong does for you.
As always, I wish you best qi and happiness.
Namaste,
Sherril
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
More Qigong!
The new year is bringing us more qigong and more people to share it with! This is good news. Our First Saturday Free Qigong Demo Day kicked off on January 5. Even though we had a modest turn out, the newspaper has been helping get the word out. A nice article appeared both online and in the Sunday edition of the Idaho State Journal. The response has been fantastic. People are calling, asking questions, and coming to classes.
Another class has been added to the schedule so that people who work during the day can experience qigong. Renewal qigong is now offered Wednesday evening at 6:30PM as well as at 10:00AM.
The new punch cards are out, too. You can still pay $7 at each class but the punch card is a bargain at 12 classes for $60.
With the cold weather comes a great deal of fear about becoming ill. In Five Element theory, winter is associated with the kidney meridian system and the emotion of fear. I would encourage you to turn off the news when they begin talking "Flu" and go do some qigong. Keep your mind on what you want (wellness) and off of what you don't want (illness). You will get what you place more attention on. Keep warm, eat warm food, and of course do lots of qigong to build your "wei qi" or protective qi that bolsters the immune system.
I have been including some information about essential oils in our classes and extending the opportunity to try some of them. This is another way to promote wellness and stay healthy. I teach classes on these oils and will be sending invitations to you by email. They are free of charge and often include samples and recipes for making your own personal care products. I have used oils in my healing practice for many years and can't say enough about how powerfully they work to promote good health.
Remember that you can also book healing sessions with me for many types of massage, reflexology, and energy healing. All these therapies work together to your benefit of wellness.
See you soon. Be warm and well.
Namaste,
Sherril
Another class has been added to the schedule so that people who work during the day can experience qigong. Renewal qigong is now offered Wednesday evening at 6:30PM as well as at 10:00AM.
The new punch cards are out, too. You can still pay $7 at each class but the punch card is a bargain at 12 classes for $60.
With the cold weather comes a great deal of fear about becoming ill. In Five Element theory, winter is associated with the kidney meridian system and the emotion of fear. I would encourage you to turn off the news when they begin talking "Flu" and go do some qigong. Keep your mind on what you want (wellness) and off of what you don't want (illness). You will get what you place more attention on. Keep warm, eat warm food, and of course do lots of qigong to build your "wei qi" or protective qi that bolsters the immune system.
I have been including some information about essential oils in our classes and extending the opportunity to try some of them. This is another way to promote wellness and stay healthy. I teach classes on these oils and will be sending invitations to you by email. They are free of charge and often include samples and recipes for making your own personal care products. I have used oils in my healing practice for many years and can't say enough about how powerfully they work to promote good health.
Remember that you can also book healing sessions with me for many types of massage, reflexology, and energy healing. All these therapies work together to your benefit of wellness.
See you soon. Be warm and well.
Namaste,
Sherril
Friday, December 28, 2012
Welcome 2013! The western calendar will be ringing in the new year in just a few days. The Chinese New Year won't appear until February 10, 2013. Whichever you observe (or even if you celebrate both!) a new year offers us a clean slate, a way to start fresh with new intentions and resolutions. As you might guess, my intention is to bring qigong and healing to more people in the coming year. I also hold forth the hope that this will be the year I can return to study with Master Liu He at the Ling Gui International Healing Qigong School. More important to me than the certificate I will receive as a "senior" healing qigong instructor is knowing that it will deepen my practice and be wonderful just for the experience of sitting with other teachers and learning more from our wonderful Master Liu. I also begin another "Kickstart" in nutrition on January 1. I have been participating in the PCRM(Physicians Committee For Responsible Medicine) Kickstart for a couple of years now, three to four times a year. As my health continues to improve, I also notice how much I enjoy conscious eating. The Kickstart is designed to help people try plant-strong eating for 21 days and see if it makes a difference in how they feel. This year I am giving myself a new challenge: I will do 21 days gluten (wheat) free! Several of my closest friends eat this way, so I am halfway there because I only bake with spelt flour in order to share the goodies with them. As I see more and more research on how many people are truly sensitive to the hybridized wheat we know today, the more obvious this choice becomes for me.
What about you? Have you given much thought to how you will make your life even better in 2013? I would recommend to you that you sit with that question and meditate upon it. Think about what would make you feel better and enjoy life more. Then create a Vision Board for yourself. Just a simple poster board (from the Dollar Store) and some pictures cut from magazines, maybe a few photgraphs and key words that symbolize what you truly desire for your life. You will be surprised at just how powerful this can be. I usually perform this fun little ritual on New Year's Day, but this year I got an early start and did it in December with a group I am working with. I put the finished project up next to my bed so that I look at it when I first wake up and the last thing before I go to sleep.
If one of your intentions is more qigong, then I have good news for you. The new qigong class will begin on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. It will be two of the Liu Family forms: 1000 Hands Buddha and 8 Treasures. We will follow a similar format to our other class, Renewal Qigong, which will continue on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
I am still hoping to offer a women's retreat during February, but have not found the perfect place. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Our very first Free Qigong Demo Day will be on Saturday, January 5 at 10:30. This is an open invitation to the community at large to come and find out what qigong is by experiencing it. All students are invited to come and help me demonstrate qigong on the first Saturday of every month.
Carroll Klinger, the owner of our beautiful practice space, has decided to join in by offering free classes on the first Saturday, also. So you can try Cycling at 7:00, TRX at 8:00 and Yoga at 9:00. What a gift!
I have our new qigong punch cards ready to go, too.They give you 12 classes for $60 which is a fantastic deal. If you prefer to pay for individual classes, the cost will be $7 each. We have a new sign-in system so I will be helping you remember to use the sheet on the clipboard when you arrive. If you need to make some special payment arrangements, please speak to me. I never want anyone to miss qigong due to a financial concern.When we add more classes (exciting thought!) I will give you an option for "unlimited monthly classes" but with only the two, it does not seem indicated.
So bring your friends to First Saturday Free Qigong Demo Day (and all of Carroll's as well) and invite them to our classes. The first class is still always free.
Hope to see you all becoming healthier and stronger in the coming year!
Namaste,
Sherril
What about you? Have you given much thought to how you will make your life even better in 2013? I would recommend to you that you sit with that question and meditate upon it. Think about what would make you feel better and enjoy life more. Then create a Vision Board for yourself. Just a simple poster board (from the Dollar Store) and some pictures cut from magazines, maybe a few photgraphs and key words that symbolize what you truly desire for your life. You will be surprised at just how powerful this can be. I usually perform this fun little ritual on New Year's Day, but this year I got an early start and did it in December with a group I am working with. I put the finished project up next to my bed so that I look at it when I first wake up and the last thing before I go to sleep.
If one of your intentions is more qigong, then I have good news for you. The new qigong class will begin on Monday, January 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. It will be two of the Liu Family forms: 1000 Hands Buddha and 8 Treasures. We will follow a similar format to our other class, Renewal Qigong, which will continue on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
I am still hoping to offer a women's retreat during February, but have not found the perfect place. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
Our very first Free Qigong Demo Day will be on Saturday, January 5 at 10:30. This is an open invitation to the community at large to come and find out what qigong is by experiencing it. All students are invited to come and help me demonstrate qigong on the first Saturday of every month.
Carroll Klinger, the owner of our beautiful practice space, has decided to join in by offering free classes on the first Saturday, also. So you can try Cycling at 7:00, TRX at 8:00 and Yoga at 9:00. What a gift!
I have our new qigong punch cards ready to go, too.They give you 12 classes for $60 which is a fantastic deal. If you prefer to pay for individual classes, the cost will be $7 each. We have a new sign-in system so I will be helping you remember to use the sheet on the clipboard when you arrive. If you need to make some special payment arrangements, please speak to me. I never want anyone to miss qigong due to a financial concern.When we add more classes (exciting thought!) I will give you an option for "unlimited monthly classes" but with only the two, it does not seem indicated.
So bring your friends to First Saturday Free Qigong Demo Day (and all of Carroll's as well) and invite them to our classes. The first class is still always free.
Hope to see you all becoming healthier and stronger in the coming year!
Namaste,
Sherril
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Travel always challenges my practice, even when I think I am mentally prepared and absolutely confident that I will practice everyday, no matter what. This trip has been no different. I did have some time while waiting at the Salt Lake airport to do a little qigong. I found it really easy to do some foot and knee qi and self massage before I headed to the boarding gates. The terminal is spacious it felt really great to do qigong after the shuttle bus ride from Pocatello. We were packed in there like sardines!
Since then, I have done a little qigong here and there but certainly not what I envisioned. I really thought I would do some full forms every day. But I know it is important to be easy on myself and just keep moving forward. That is part of practicing, too. Just keep setting your intention and acting "as if". Qigong is always with me and I can take it wherever I go. It is not just something I do, but something I am.
I am really looking forward to being back with all of you next week. Class will resume on Wednesday, December 12 at 10:00AM.
Below is a link about meditation that you might enjoy. Qigong is a meditation, whether you are doing a seated form or a standing form. It changes our consciousness both while we are performing it and after. It makes us more compassionate, calmer and more peaceful. It raises our awareness and creates better health and longevity in our bodies. So even if you only have 5 minutes and do the Three Intentful Corrections, a little knee qi or self massage, you are ensuring that you will have a better day.
See you soon!
Scientists Prove Meditation Benefits Practitioners Even When They Aren’t Meditating www.thealternativedaily.comThe Alternative Daily | Featured, Health and Wellness, Natural Health
Since then, I have done a little qigong here and there but certainly not what I envisioned. I really thought I would do some full forms every day. But I know it is important to be easy on myself and just keep moving forward. That is part of practicing, too. Just keep setting your intention and acting "as if". Qigong is always with me and I can take it wherever I go. It is not just something I do, but something I am.
I am really looking forward to being back with all of you next week. Class will resume on Wednesday, December 12 at 10:00AM.
Below is a link about meditation that you might enjoy. Qigong is a meditation, whether you are doing a seated form or a standing form. It changes our consciousness both while we are performing it and after. It makes us more compassionate, calmer and more peaceful. It raises our awareness and creates better health and longevity in our bodies. So even if you only have 5 minutes and do the Three Intentful Corrections, a little knee qi or self massage, you are ensuring that you will have a better day.
See you soon!
Scientists Prove Meditation Benefits Practitioners Even When They Aren’t Meditating www.thealternativedaily.comThe Alternative Daily | Featured, Health and Wellness, Natural Health
Monday, November 19, 2012
Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving! Keep practicing a little every day and notice how it makes you feel. We can all use a little extra qi during the holiday season.
I am off tomorrow, heading for LA and then Sacramento. I can't wait to see my children and grandchildren and enjoy time together. I am taking my doTERRA essential oils and my qigong form books. It is always nice to be able to practice outdoors in the fresh air when in a nice, warm climate.
Below is a little advice from Master Liu He about turkey and other Thanksgiving foods. Just follow your own good judgment and be well.
"Balancing your Huo Ji "Fire Chicken" (Turkey)
Now, tips for your holiday meal. The word for Turkey in Chinese is Huo Ji or "Fire Chicken". From this word we get a sense, from an energetic perspective, that a Turkey is Fire Yang in nature. This means the best way to balance it's nature is to prepare with a Yin method - boil in water versus a Yang method of roasting or deep frying. When you roast or deep fry this Yang Turkey, you create a "double fire" which is too much for your body. However, I know most people like roasted turkey. If you do eat in this way, please make sure you do not drink alcohol or eat additional spicy foods together. To balance out this "double fire", add some daikon radish, pear, and other cooling vegetables to your meal. Enjoy a balanced and digestible meal!
Happy Thanksgiving with Qigong! "
I am off tomorrow, heading for LA and then Sacramento. I can't wait to see my children and grandchildren and enjoy time together. I am taking my doTERRA essential oils and my qigong form books. It is always nice to be able to practice outdoors in the fresh air when in a nice, warm climate.
Below is a little advice from Master Liu He about turkey and other Thanksgiving foods. Just follow your own good judgment and be well.
"Balancing your Huo Ji "Fire Chicken" (Turkey)
Now, tips for your holiday meal. The word for Turkey in Chinese is Huo Ji or "Fire Chicken". From this word we get a sense, from an energetic perspective, that a Turkey is Fire Yang in nature. This means the best way to balance it's nature is to prepare with a Yin method - boil in water versus a Yang method of roasting or deep frying. When you roast or deep fry this Yang Turkey, you create a "double fire" which is too much for your body. However, I know most people like roasted turkey. If you do eat in this way, please make sure you do not drink alcohol or eat additional spicy foods together. To balance out this "double fire", add some daikon radish, pear, and other cooling vegetables to your meal. Enjoy a balanced and digestible meal!
Happy Thanksgiving with Qigong! "
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