It's said that we really only use about 10% of our mind's power. Our mind is the most powerful force on Earth. Marianne Williamson once said "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."
And indeed we truly are.
But our minds are cluttered; filled with worries and anxieties and expectations and fears. People tell me frequently that they can't sleep; that once they lie down their minds are inundated with a thousand things they should be doing, or should have done. They can't relax because their minds are concerned with things they cannot change. They are preoccupied with the past or the present.
When we think of our past, we are filled with remorse, guilt, shame, regret. When we think of the future, we are filled with anxiety, stress, worry, pressure.
How do we escape this?
We think of the now. This present moment. But how do we remain here?
We practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the ... present.
What is happening right now. Within us and without us.
Tai Chi is the embodiment of mindfulness. It is mindfulness in action, or rather, inaction.
We begin each class with a brief mindfulness meditation. We tune the mind in to the body and encourage both to relax. We find ourselves letting go of worry and stress because we don't allow those things into our conscious thoughts.
When the mind is calm, we see clearly. When the mind is calm, we think and solve problems with great awareness and accuracy. Only when the mind is calm do we switch our autonomic nervous system from "flight or fight" mode to "rest and digest" mode. We heal, we achieve clarity, we attain peace.
Then, during our practice, we continue the practice of mindfulness. We practice meditation in motion. When we are fully involved in what we are doing at this very moment, the minute things going on within each move in our form or our Qigong, we have no space for other intrusive thoughts We cannot entertain tomorrow's chores or phone calls or grocery list or daily schedule. We are in what athletes call "the zone."
We leave class calm, centered, energized, and at peace. It is only then that we realize that we had a "workout." Our exercise sneaked up on us when we weren't looking.
At the end of class today, one of students said out loud that didn't realize she had been working out until she was finished.
Join us for a class. Maybe you'll notice that your workout sneaked up on you when you were busy not looking.
Classes are as follows.
All classes are pay as you go. No contracts or commitments.
Jasper
Tuesday 6:30pm
Dubois County Museum
2704 Newton
Classes are $12.
Evansville
Wednesday 6:30pm
Tri State Holistic Wellness
500 Saint Phillips Rd 47712
Classes are $10 cash
Saturday 11:00 am
Unity of Evansville
4118 Pollack Ave 47714
Classes are $10 cash
I'm available by appointment throughout the week in Evansville for
Reiki / Acupressure
Herbalism / Nutrition
sessions. $60 cash
Message me by text, email, or Facebook Messenger to schedule an appointment.
In the Tao,
Sifu Weeg