Qigong Class Schedule: March 9 - 15, 2026
Keep your soul in its body
"Picking Cherries" baby style!
Can you keep your soul in its body,
hold fast to the one,
and so learn to be whole?
Can you center your energy,
be soft, tender,
and so learn to be a baby?
Tao Te Ching, v.10, Ursula K. Le Guin translation
Recently I’ve been extra grateful for our Qigong practices, both online and at the libraries. The news continues to be disruptive and spirit-taxing, but when we play Qigong together, its tension-clearing, refreshing movements help switch our focus. We breathe deeper and shift our attention from worry and fear to the flow of transformative aliveness within us and all around us. We begin to think more clearly, and become easier to live with. We learn to redirect the stress before it makes us harsh and brittle, which can be a true lifesaver, as anyone who struggles with stress-related physical symptoms like high blood pressure knows.
Qigong is meditation through movement, specifically movement that “keeps our soul in its body”. I was reflecting on this in relation to the interest many of you have shown in the gentle, Yoga-like Tao Yin stretches done on the floor, as well as the “Strength Building, Qigong Style” videos you’ve requested. Both stretching and strengthening “workouts” are really “work-ins” when done with relaxation and mindfulness. That’s what I mean by “Qigong style”. We learn to center and focus our energy. We learn to avoid excessive effort and strain, which are counterproductive to both strength and flexibility training. It’s almost as if, as Lao- zu wrote above, we learn to be like a baby, in that we approach movement challenges—or any challenges---from a place of curiosity and soft yet keenly focused attention. This is a formula to thrive, whatever life throws your way.
Note: To purchase a down-loadable copy of last year’s deep-dive 90-minute workshop “Strength Training Qigong Style”, including a separate, 20-minute workout video of only the exercises, write to me: cris@criscaivano.com. It teaches the basics of how to mindfully “push the envelope” of your strength without getting injured. I highly recommend it if you’re new to strength training! $20 - Paypal, Venmo, and personal checks are all accepted.
Schedule Updates for March:
PLEASE NOTE CLASS CANCELLATIONS!
Classes are cancelled this coming Thursday, March12 and Sunday, March 15 while I recover from minor hand surgery.
Next Millbrook Library Free In-person/Zoom Qigong: Friday, March 20th,10 - 11am. Please register for this class by contacting Millbrooklibrary.org. The library will send you a reminder a few days ahead of time.