A special treat for you: Below, our fellow “Qigonger” Babette Lazarus generously shares the story of how she learned to feel energy while practicing Qigong. Babette has studied with me from the beginning. We’d stand in Riverside Park, facing the river, ignoring the traffic noise, cyclists, and passing runners. Sometimes it was only the two of us, but those were the roots of our ever-growing Qigong classes today! Now, enjoy reading how her personal practice has deepened and expanded in the ensuing years.
“I’ve been participating in Qigong classes with Cris for a number of years and wanted to share a recent realization about my experience of practicing. While I always enjoyed the classes, even back when we were practicing down by the Hudson River (!), I sometimes felt a bit impatient or even bored in moments when asked to move slowly or do a lot of repetitions. I was eager to move on to the next exercise. I do other physical activities that require a different kind of effort including Argentine Tango, Persian dance and strength training. Qigong was asking something else of my body and mind. Not all at once and it is still something that is definitely evolving, but I am now in a place where moving slowly and with minimal effort now feels comfortable, nourishing and well, downright heavenly! I find I'm more of a believer in the motivation for moving slowly which is tapping into the healing Qi that is in us and all around us. I can actually feel that happening during practice. All my activities are now informed by what I'm learning in Qigong. That wonderful ability to be present, calm, and open to the flow of energy. And don't we really need that in our lives, and especially in these times?
My gratitude to you Cris and to all your students who are going along for the ride.”
