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Good Love
“Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do." – David Wilkerson
No other organ in the human body measures up to the human heart in popular culture. There are songs, sonnets and poems all centered on the connection between our cardiac system and the emotion of love. This month, the heart takes center stage as Valentine's Day approaches and reminders of love are - quite literally - everywhere.
However, no purchase of candy, cards or flowers is required to reap the benefits of love! Scientifically, the act of loving one another - whether a friend, partner, spouse, sibling or pet - actually has a positive impact on your cardiac health.
Research has found that just spending time with loved ones can actually lower blood pressure. Holding hands has been shown to calm nerves and laughing makes your blood flow more freely. Hugs help the body release the "feel good" hormone, oxytocin, which has the power to reduce stress hormones and lower blood pressure, too.
We join with you in gathering and sharing the healing powers of love, and we send you loving wishes - for good health and abundant Qi - this month and always!
Be well,
Your friends at the Healer Within Foundation
5th Saturday Gathering February 29th
Our first 5th Saturday Gathering on the Cloud of 2020 will take place February 29th. Our topic will be, Finding Inspiration Through Compassion and Love for China, the Birthplace of Qigong and Tai Chi.
The Birthplace of the practices has been in the news, and our hearts go out to the people of China who are affected by the stress and chaos of the coronavirus situation. The World Health Organization has declared the situation a state of emergency. As a community of practice, we recognize this important opportunity to feel our connection to China and extend the Qi of Compassion to the situation that is now taking place on the world stage. China's history is rich and complex, and love may be the answer to containing the current situation. In the face of world panic, we can appreciate our connection to China and choose not to add to the chaos and distress. Instead, we can choose to visualize China and its people whole and well. We can send the Qi of our thoughts and care…this matters.
Our connections to China can then be a source of healing and compassion, when we give our attention to China's great culture and history, which include the birth of Qigong and Tai Chi, the very practices we share with others. This way, we find inspiration and love where we may least expect it at the moment. We'll be joined by guest panelists, IIQTC Senior Trainer, Jessica Kolbe along with Tom Leichardt, MTCM DMQ, a faculty member at Five Branches University, an acupuncture and Medical Qigong school in San Jose, California. Our guests hold extensive knowledge of pursuing further study through training, China study, travel, and practice.
Also, mark your calendars now for this special series of meetings happening on each occurrence of a 5th Saturday in 2020:
February 29: Finding Inspiration Through Compassion and Love for China, the Birthplace of Qigong and Tai Chi
May 30: Qigong and Tai Chi for Chronic Pain
August 29: Getting Started and Keeping it Fun - Building Community with Your Practice Group
October 31: Using Social Media to Bring People to Your Practice Group
Gatherings on the Cloud begin at noon PST/3:00 pm EST and last for approximately 60-90 minutes.
If you haven't already, please sign up now to RSVP for this special series of Zoom meetings to make friends, get support, and stay in touch with others who lead practice and care about health and wellness! Space is limited so secure your spot on the cloud today!
Join The Tai Chi Easy™ Benefits Survey Research Project!
 Healer Within Foundation Board member, Ping Yang (pictured left with survey materials), is heading up the 2020 HWF Tai Chi Easy™ Benefits Survey Research project. If you will be leading a 6 to 8 week class session, we inviting you and your students to participate in this important research initiative.
The purpose of the research is to demonstrate the effectiveness of dissemination and benefits of a replicable Tai Chi and Qigong program for the general public.The research is done through the completion of a few simple survey questions, before and after each class. Completing the responses also give participants a chance to observe their own reactions to the practice and track their personal progress, too.
Instructors will receive a stipend for facilitating data collection, and participants names will be entered in a quarterly raffle drawing. Contact Christie Ward or Ping Yang to learn more.
Be Our Valentine
Contributions of any amount help us "spread the love". For instance:
- A gift of $35 provides a one-week stipend to support a community practice group.
- Just $75 can sponsor a raffle fundraiser which can raise hundreds of dollars.
- A donation of $250 provides a partial scholarship for Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader training, and the scholarship recipient's pledge to establish a low-cost or freewill offering practice group in their community!
The Tai Chi Easy™ Dissemination Project is the catalyst of our goal, “Training thousands to improve the health of millions”. Your support makes it possible for the Healer Within Foundation to bring community-based Qigong/Tai Chi and other self-healing body-mind-spirit-practices to greater numbers of people. Please consider making a donation today!
2020 Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Certification Trainings
 There are already SIX Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader trainings on the 2020 calendar, with FOUR more currently in the approval process! Remember to check the Trainings page at our website often as new training opportunities are being added regularly.
Interested in putting together a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Training event in your area? Contact Christie Ward for more information.
Become A Virtual Practice Group Leader
We are excited to share with you a new opportunity to expand your practice along with your leadership experience! You may know that Kalind Bakshi and Maulik Mankad organized and have led an online practice group, each Sunday morning at 9:00 EST, for the past two years. The group has gained an enthusiastic following!
This Virtual Practice Groups has made such a difference to those who participate and have supplied the HWF community with a rich library of archived classes. Now, the Virtual Practice Group is growing and we need your help.
Would YOU like to lead the Sunday Virtual Practice Group? If yes, we would love to hear from you! If you choose to be a Virtual Practice Leader, we will work with you to develop a course or series of courses and provide you with basic instruction and tips for leading virtual practices effectively.
Please reach out to Christie Ward if you are as excited about this opportunity as we are. We look forward to partnering with you to grow the Tai Chi Easy™ Virtual Practice in 2020!
HWF Website Login Instructions - Please Read!
We'd like to invite you to explore the Healer Within Foundation website! We continue to add new content, most recently launching the HWF Blog, which we hope you will read and add your comments, too. To login, you will first need to set up your password. Click here to update your Password. Once updated, you can login here, using your Username - - and new Password.
While you are logged in, please complete your profile (it is searchable to help other HWF community members find you)! Logging in allows you to make a donation securely, see our community member-only content such as the files on the Organize an Event page and to sign up for events such as the Gathering in the Cloud meetings.
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