November-December schedule

Hello fellow Qi cultivators!

Here's our schedule for the next few months:

Nov 4: Class is on
Nov 11: No class, I'll be in Colorado for a qigong training
Nov 18: Class is on
Nov 25: No class due to holiday
Dec 2: no class, I'll be out for meditation retreat
Dec 9: Class is on
Dec16: Our Last class till January 2010

Seasonal Balancing

Hello folks,

As we transition from season to season, there are many things to consider in order to keep healthy. Many traditional systems of medicine including Chinese medicine state very firmly that people are more likely to become ill at the change of each season, because our natural environment influences our health. Our geography influences our health as well. We are best to adapt to local conditions, and to eat what grows in season, locally. The energy of food grown in El Salvador may not resonate with my energy here in Maine.
Seasonal changes alter the energy around us, and we transition from season to season with internal energetical movements as well. For example, as fall becomes winter, the predominant energy of Lung, in the metal element, must transition to Kidney, in the water element. A smooth transition helps ensure health.
Qigong and diet are two ways we can help move the energy along gently. Acupuncture is another method. We'll talk more about this in upcoming classes.

End of September Update

Hi All,

Next weeks class, sept.30, will be cancelled, as I'll be out of town. We'll resume the following week. Below are a few links for some enjoyable videos related to meditation and qigong...


http://www.pemachodronfoundation.org/bill-moyers-with-pema-chdrn/

http://www.shambhala.org/meditation/


See Ya'll soon!

September Update

Hello All,

This coming wednesday, sept. 2, class will be cancelled, as I'll be out of town. However, class will resume next week with a new set of yoga postures designed to warm us up for seated meditation. I hope to see you there!

Max

PS:
Currently reading: The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying by Sogyal Rinpoche, Highly Recommended!

August Update #2

Hello All,

August 19 and 26 class will be cancelled, as I'll be out of town on both those dates. I hope everyone has a personal meditation session instead :)
As this class evolves, I find myself inclined to emphasize meditation over Qigong. It is my belief that for the most part, we need to work on our minds more than our bodies. Given that the mind controls the body, and that happiness and suffering are truly "all in our heads", perhaps we all need to meditate more.
Most situations we find ourselves in, throughout our lives, will be outside our control. What is within our control is our mental response to them. That is completely within our control, if we train our minds properly, which takes us back to meditation.

This class is an introduction to meditation and Qigong. For those interested in pursuing either more seriously, some of the links posted below may help.

August Update

Hello All,

Please note that class on Wednesday, August 19'th will be cancelled, I'm off that week for a meditation retreat.
If you are looking for some light reading on the topic of meditation, let me recommend "Turning the mind into an ally" by Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. This is a great intro book which puts into perspective the importance of meditation.

For meditation cushions, visit www.samadhicushions.com

Recommended Qigong and Meditation schools

The following are some of my favorite schools and teachers whom I have personal experience with. If you are looking for further studies in authentic Qigong or meditation, from distinct lineages, check these out.

www.Shambhala.org/
www.daoist-qigong.org/
www.taichiheart.com/aboutsifu.html

Local to Maine, see www.shambhalabp.org/ and www.karmecholing.org/