I believe that we are all connected to and kept alive by an invisible energy that permeates everything. Intangible but real, it is what we feel when we sit by the ocean, under a tree, climb a mountain or see a sunset. Ancient people were more familiar with it; but they lived closer to Nature than us modern folks.

I’ve always been sensitive to this energy. I imagine it comes from sitting in my oak tree when I was young. In my 20’s and 30’s I forgot about it as I pushed to be what I thought was expected: a 9-5 job in a business environment. When I quit that job and decided to explore my talents in other ways, the energy again became noticeable as I slowed down, moved away from the city and began to spend time in Nature, sitting by the ocean on the wonderful huge rocks and absorbing something so powerful that words do not describe it.

I reacquainted myself with the energy I felt as a child coming from my hands, relaxing and intentionally opening up, I could feel it all around me, moving through my body. I was in awe but still did not really tell anybody… years of being a bit different had me shy about pointing out any other weirdness!

It was not until my cat was very ill with a tumor in his leg that I took this ability seriously. The tumor was cutting the circulation to his paw. As I held my hand over his leg, the paw became warm again. That got my attention and I confided in my wonderful chiropractor about this weird quality of mine. He assured me that it was a blessing, not a curse and referred me to a Reiki master to explore how I could further develop this ability. Reiki is a Japanese method of relaxation, one of many modalities that allows for opening up to replenish the energy one uses to stay alive. I went on to become a Reiki master myself to be a channel for this universal energy to myself and others.

Fast forward several years.. my dad was ill and I moved home to help mom care for him. Since he had dementia and mom wanted to care for him at home, I started looking for something I could do for income that would give me the flexibility to check in on them throughout the day. As I was mindlessly bopping around the internet, I came across a short form of Tai Chi that intrigued me. This form included many of the ancient Qigong movements that were very powerful and focused. It was low impact and, on seeing it demonstrated, I knew it was something I could teach others – helping them to relax, release built up stress and tension, thus opening up to their body renewing lost energy.

I have been teaching Tai Chi Qigong for over six years. In a very wonderful way, it is a primary tool I use to introduce students to the energy that is so critical to their health and well being, invisible and unnoticed when they are moving fast and stressing out with the intensity of today’s lifestyle.

While meditation has been and continues to be popular, it is not easy for many. We tend to be programmed to always accomplishing something. the idea of sitting still doing nothing is just not possible for some. Tai Chi Qigong is moving and using muscles, developing muscle tone, balance and strengthening the mind/body connection. It is focused and slow, intentional but relaxing. It is using your brain to slow your movements and specifically let go of tension and stress.

Our bodies are amazing. As the stress of our lifestyle depletes internal energy, our bodies replenish, but ONLY if we relax. That is where Tai Chi Qigong provides a very easy and enjoyable solution. It is both relaxing and energizing – a balance of what appears to be opposites, emulating the balance in Nature as perceived many thousands if years ago by the people who created this simple form of movement.

So fish swim in water and we swim in energy…. happy swimming!

jani