Good morning, all! Just a quick note to let you know that I am back in town and to talk briefly about what I learned last week. Right to it!
Refinement
First, and foremost, I’m grateful. I always enjoy going to my training sessions. I get to directly reconnect with my Qigong family. We are on this journey together and refreshing this bond is incredibly important.
I’m also grateful for my Shifu for his patience and teachings. He is a great motivator, comedian, fellow music lover, and mentor. I rely on his wisdom and keen ability to correct my practices. I am better for having found him.
Last week, I learned (and relearned) some subtle structural/postural adjustments. These help me become more grounded, more in touch with both heaven and earth. Breathing is not easier, per se, but definitely directs my focus in a more intentional manner.
Another key take-away from class is to not try to fit it all in concurrently. Incidentally, this lesson also came through during my last taijichuan class, so that’s a happy coincidence. Anyway, trying to fit everything in all at once induces a little frustration in me. Partly, I believe, this is my inner perfectionist talking. But also, it takes time to settle into new routines, no matter how minor. Which segues nicely into my next thought, patience.
Patience
I’ve stated before that qigong is a journey. And a life-long one, at that. There are dangers in proceeding too quickly or forcing things before truly ready. Guilty on both counts.
Keeping the journey itself in mind proves critical for me in avoiding this. It is one thing to say “I know it’s going to take a long time”, but another all together to feel it in your bones. And yet another to be ok with that.
During my meditation this morning, I completely stopped during one section to focus solely on a particular aspect of the movement. I took maybe 20 seconds to complete what I normally would in 2 or less. And this was just to work out how to incorporate a single change. I need to do this for a few days to lock it into muscle memory. Then check that off before I add the next piece to this one movement. That sounds crazy when I read it. But at the same time, it makes total sense. It also feels good. I’m going to take the win because it wasn’t a setback. It was just refinement; and I’m patient. Because if just the one change makes it better, imagine what all the changes will be like. Once incorporated.
And I stop to laugh. Inevitably there will be more adjustments after I’ve “mastered” these. It truly is a journey.
And another mental segue (insert self-congratulatory back slap): We are all on our own journey. As I progress with mine, I wish you the best on yours as you continue to realize your greatest potential.