As we prepare for the Present Moment Awareness Weekend with my Sifu on August 23 & 24. I thought I would share some thoughts and conversations we have had about this upcoming playful weekend.

First of all, qigong is more than movements in space. Qigong is mine, and yours, if you choose it to be—our life’s work. To integrate the principles of qigong with simplicity into the wholeness of lives, and to notice when it’s out-of-balance with the Tao.

In my personal life, I am being more consciously aware of:

• Neutrality: when speaking with another who’s views may be different than mine.
• Softness: with myself as if I were speaking to a dear friend or my child. Reminding myself there is so much strength in softness.
• Awareness: when I am doing a simple task such as washing the dishes. Simply wash them while keeping my head in the same room as my body.
• Gratitude: reminding myself how blessed I am now—not in the future—this present moment. 

Everything arises from emptiness and stillness. 

Where qi (chi) is lacking, the lifeforce is diminished. We erode our qi through various mundane behaviors: speeding, overexhursion, anger, ignorance, and displaced behaviors.

When mind and heart are not at peace and at ease, then our nature is disturbed. The big question is: how do we become present with awareness? Over the weekend you will have the opportunity to experience short glimpses many times of this awareness, and bring it home with you.

We breathe in and out whether we wish to or not, until it’s time not to breathe in and out. Simplify, in otherwords, quit multitasking, and BE present in your life, be the witness.

Qigong is not about saying I am going to class to move slowly, or I am going to sit down and meditate. What about the time when you are driving to and from? Paying attention and being the witness in the moment with what you are doing. That’s the practice of remembering what to do, where and when.

Can you practice qigong when you are stuck in traffic; in the heat of the day; when everyone seems to be yelling and something tragic happens? This is the practice.

We are all looking for something that brings us hOMe—resting so we can speed up again, with clarity.

Everyone is looking to change. As Ghandi said, “Life is not necessarily about speeding up.” We do not have to give 110% all the time. Let’s give 70% over a longer duration of time—which will be greater than that burst of 110%.

Nothing grows in the comfort zone. When you’re comfortable, you do not need to change, and this weekend is probably not for you. If you would like to stretch your mind, your body, and your senses to experience, and learn how you can integrate qigong into your everydayness, then join us.

This weekend is about movement, transformation, change, and learning how to rest in stillness.