Qigong Class Schedule: Dec. 14 - 20 , 2025

 “… it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness.”

                                                                                          Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities

 

Wudang Mt Sunrise

I used to dread the dark days of winter. Then a friend whose birthday is December 21, the very shortest day of the year, changed my perspective. “I love having a birthday on the solstice. It’s the moment when the days begin to lengthen,” he explained.

If you feel glum on dark, cloudy days, it helps to remember the ancient Chinese pictogram for winter. It depicts the sun captured under a glass, showing how even during the coldest, darkest times, the warmth is still there, contained deep within us.  

You can nourish the bright, warm energy within by beginning each day with a simple practice. It’s borrowed from the famous Taoist Wudang Temple in China, which sits high on a cliff facing the rising sun. When you awaken, find the brightest spot in the sky, and stand facing it. Close your eyes. Feel the light penetrate through your forehead (third eye) deep into your brain, illuminating it with warmth and clarity. Breathe there for a few minutes, with your palms over your abdomen. Feel warmth and light flow deep into your body, mind, and spirit. In essence you’re filling your energetic reservoir with the cheer and brightness of the Sun.

Other wintertime Qigong practices circulate and enhance the warm energy contained within us by moving the joints of the body in smooth, circular patterns. Qi often gets “stuck” or stagnates in those deep spaces where the bones meet. As we move, relax, and breathe more fully, the stiff, chilly creakiness in the joints begins to soften and then melt, just as ice melts into water.

There are a few tricks I like to employ when the dim, cold days start to sap my qi: One, I light a candle, to change a bad mood into a good one. I also discovered years ago that fairy lights strung around a window or bookcase work like magic to brighten my spirits, holiday time or not. A cup of tea is another effective mood changer, especially when shared with a friend.  White tea is nice because it is the least processed of green or black teas, has more antioxidants, and less caffeine. It has a soft, gentle taste. Prince of Peace Organic White Tea is one brand that’s widely available and very good. Cheers, everyone! I look forwards to practicing with you on this year’s winter solstice, this coming Sunday!

Schedule for December:

Final December Millbrook Library Free In-person/Zoom Qigong: Friday Dec.19th, 10 - 11am.  Please register for this class by contacting Millbrooklibrary.org.

Holiday Schedule: Our final online Qigong class this month will be Sunday, December 21. Classes will resume Sunday, January 4.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS NEWSLETTER WITH FRIENDS!

Zoom Qigong Classes
Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 9:30 am EST

https://zoom.us/j/411186166

If you are joining us for the first time, please subscribe to my website:
www.criscaivano.com

There is no commitment, single classes may be taken whenever you like