Really thoughtful reflection on how much of our health and experience sits beneath what we can see, and how easily we overlook it until life forces us to pay attention.
You are truly an inspiration, Ilona--curious and interested in expanding possibilities to live more fully. I'm sorry to hear about the car accident, and I'm relieved it led you to healing and this new path.
Paulette, the accident was such an unexpected teacher, and intro to Qigong. I had already signed up for the training when the accident happened. I'm grateful it led me here too. Thank you for seeing that. 🙏
So forgive my ignorance but is this different from Tai Chi? I took a class once and I never went back because it was just too hard for me to follow and most of the other students were not beginners.
I should have explained this! It's a very common question. Tai Chi is choreographed, very precise and a preparation for the martial arts, specifically Kong Fu. Qigong movements are simpler. You stay in one place most of the time. This class is for beginners. You can come and see how I explain things.
It’s been a strange mystical journey since asking that question. I will spare you the months of research and rabbit holes and share my definition.
Qigong (pronounced Chee-gong) is a body movement practice that includes mobility exercises, breath work and meditation. Its goal is to bring focus on your internal energy — Qi — throughout the body and release any areas where it may have gotten stuck.
If you read anything about Qigong, the Qi is subject to a variety of definitions. I will tell you the one I landed on and am currently embracing: Qi is the functional energy responsible for your body, mind, and spirit.
Gong means work. Qigong is the work of managing your life force energy.
We are born with the energy of our parents, but it isn’t a lifetime supply, and we can’t make more of it. We can only protect it by building our own Qi through food, air, sleep, and the way we choose to live. And here is what I know about midlife women: we have not been living that way. We have been spending.
We have been recklessly generous in giving our energy away for decades. To our children, our partners, our jobs, our aging parents, our communities. Society taught us, the good girls, to pour out and keep pouring, without ever asking if we had anything left in the vessel.
I spent the better part of this year studying, practicing, and eventually getting certified as a Qigong teacher. Last Saturday morning, I stood in Tobi’s beautiful studio in Asbury Park — the same place where my healing began — and taught my first class."
I loved the Qichong class I attended a few weeks ago with you, Ilona and am looking forward the new Sunday sessions. Thank you for being you!
Aw, thanks, buddy, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the Qigong.
Really thoughtful reflection on how much of our health and experience sits beneath what we can see, and how easily we overlook it until life forces us to pay attention.
Spot on, Frank! Life has a way of making us pay attention whether we're ready or not. Thank you for reading so closely.
You are truly an inspiration, Ilona--curious and interested in expanding possibilities to live more fully. I'm sorry to hear about the car accident, and I'm relieved it led you to healing and this new path.
Paulette, the accident was such an unexpected teacher, and intro to Qigong. I had already signed up for the training when the accident happened. I'm grateful it led me here too. Thank you for seeing that. 🙏
Oh, I believe it was. I’m not a fan of saying "the universe has a way of showing us what we need," but occasionally it really genuinely does.
So forgive my ignorance but is this different from Tai Chi? I took a class once and I never went back because it was just too hard for me to follow and most of the other students were not beginners.
I should have explained this! It's a very common question. Tai Chi is choreographed, very precise and a preparation for the martial arts, specifically Kong Fu. Qigong movements are simpler. You stay in one place most of the time. This class is for beginners. You can come and see how I explain things.
Are you in the USA? I’m in Scotland.
I’ve started a qui gong class recently and enjoy it very much.
Yes! The class is at 9:30 am est or New York time. That would be fun to see you.
This is amazing Ilona!
"What is Qigong?
It’s been a strange mystical journey since asking that question. I will spare you the months of research and rabbit holes and share my definition.
Qigong (pronounced Chee-gong) is a body movement practice that includes mobility exercises, breath work and meditation. Its goal is to bring focus on your internal energy — Qi — throughout the body and release any areas where it may have gotten stuck.
If you read anything about Qigong, the Qi is subject to a variety of definitions. I will tell you the one I landed on and am currently embracing: Qi is the functional energy responsible for your body, mind, and spirit.
Gong means work. Qigong is the work of managing your life force energy.
We are born with the energy of our parents, but it isn’t a lifetime supply, and we can’t make more of it. We can only protect it by building our own Qi through food, air, sleep, and the way we choose to live. And here is what I know about midlife women: we have not been living that way. We have been spending.
We have been recklessly generous in giving our energy away for decades. To our children, our partners, our jobs, our aging parents, our communities. Society taught us, the good girls, to pour out and keep pouring, without ever asking if we had anything left in the vessel.
I spent the better part of this year studying, practicing, and eventually getting certified as a Qigong teacher. Last Saturday morning, I stood in Tobi’s beautiful studio in Asbury Park — the same place where my healing began — and taught my first class."
Thank you, Lolo! I appreciate the restack, too.