|
The ABC's of Autumn
“October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills
once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again." - Hal Borland
During our recent 5th Saturday Gathering on the Cloud meeting, we focused on emotional health and the practice of Tai Chi and Qigong (see more on the meeting below). As we currently find ourselves transitioning into the autumn season, emotional health deserves our attention. Not everyone is excited to see fall arrive. Some may suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while a great many others may simply feel a bit “down” as the days shorten and the sun becomes a less-frequent visitor to our days.
No matter how you personally welcome the new season, there are a few things you can do to help your mind and body adjust:
Align with the Season
The change in season is a perfect time to give yourself permission to make different choices and changes in lifestyle. The shorter days and longer nights are a great excuse to take the time to really take care yourself. Feel free to hibernate a bit, giving yourself time for you. Catch up on your reading, drink some nice tea, practice a few minutes extra each day…allow what comes.
Boost your Immune System
Autumn is the time to begin taking extra-good care of our immune systems. First, be sure to include the foods of autumn in your diet. Take advantage of the bounty Mother Nature is offering including, pumpkin, yams, parsnips, sweet potatoes, turnips and apples. Generally, the more colorful the fruit/vegetable, the better it is for your health. Fall provides us with foods in beautiful, earthy colors such as vibrant orange, deep yellows and brilliant greens. As always, plenty of water in your diet is beneficial no matter the season.
Carry on your Practice
While it may not be possible to maintain all of the outdoor activities you enjoy, don’t let the cooler temperatures stop you from moving your body. Seek opportunities to bring your activity inside. The gentle movements of Tai Chi and Qigong can be done nearly anywhere, anytime. There are evidence-based, mental and physical health benefits to both of these heart-mind-body practices. Spend some time each day focusing on awakening your Healer Within!
Autumn can be a positive time of internal reflection and a wonderful excuse to slow our pace. Embrace this seasonal pause…allow the autumn season to be a chance to nurture yourself. Align. Boost. Carry on.
Be Well,
Your friends at the Healer Within Foundation
5th Saturday Gathering On The Cloud
Our September 29 Gathering on the Cloud program was Emotional Health and the Practice of Qigong and Tai Chi. Special guests were Psychologist, Dr. Beth Berman and fellow IIQTC graduate, David Lehman. Beth and David shared a plethora of information on the topic and their ability to weave personal and client experiences into the discussion provided many helpful take-aways to those in attendance. Our sincere thanks to Beth and David!
During the presentation, David Lehman shared the informative article on Tai Chi and Fibromyalgia that inspired him to share Tai Chi with people who have fibromyalgia and help them with their physical and emotional health. This article can be found on our HWF Blog.
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! By signing up, in addition to receiving meeting information and join instructions, you will receive access to video recordings of the gatherings to watch anytime.
Also, mark your calendars for our final gathering of 2018 to be held on December 29 when we'll share, Qi and Tea Ceremony: Renewal and Recommitment. Plan to join in as we reflect on 2018 and look ahead to what 2019 may hold for each of us. Gatherings on the Cloud begin at noon PST/3:00 pm EST and last for approximately 90 minutes.
Space is limited so secure your spot on the cloud today!
*access by computer with video or by phone
HWF Needs Your Time, Talent and Treasure!
Please consider donating your time, talent an treasures as a member the Healer Within Foundation Board of Directors.
This group of individuals is passionate about fulfilling the mission and advancing the vision of HWF, and they are beginning the process of recruitment for several three-year Director terms. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Non-profit and/or volunteer board experience is helpful, but not required.
Healer Within Foundation Mission: Healer Within Foundation advances community-based Qigong/Tai Chi and other self-healing, body-mind-spirit practices through collaborations with individuals and organizations, to sponsor training, community practice groups and research.
Healer Within Foundation Vision: A world of self-healing, wellness and vitality.
Please contact Christie Ward, Healer Within Foundation Director of Operations, for more information and application. Applications are due October 15, 2018.
Lead A Group? We'd Like To Hear From You!
Do you currently lead a donation-based or low-cost ($10 or less, per person) Community Practice Group (CPG) which is not currently listed on our website? OR Are you a leader who has a CPG which IS currently listed on our website? Either way, we would like to hear from you. Simply email the following information*:
Your name (CPG Leader)
CPG Location, Day(s),Times
Participant Cost
Your contact information (Email and/or Phone)
Do you currently have a listing on the Healer Within Foundation website? Y or N
Also, feel free to send a photo of your group. We would love to show you off!
Our goal is to update our current listings and add as many new CPG's to the list as possible. We wish to help those in your community find you m ore easily and connect as many folks as possible to the CPG's in their area.
Once we receive your new listing or update, we'll be in touch, as we have a special thank you gift for our Community Practice Group Leaders. We look forward to hearing from you and we thank you, our CPG Leaders, for your very important role in, "Training thousands to improve the health of millions."
*Please respond by October 31, 2018. Thank you!
Your Gift Is Important
As the fundraising goals we set at the beginning of the year are reviewed and measured, we strive to meet those goals in order to sustain our current programs. In addition, we also continue working to develop new offerings and opportunities to better assist those in the Healer Within, Qigong and Tai Chi Easy™ community. Can we count on you to help as we continue to grow? Please donate today!
- A gift of $35 provides a one-week stipend to support a community practice group
- A contribution in the amount of $140 supports a community practice group for one month
- A donation of $225 provides a partial scholarship for Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader training, and the scholarship recipient's pledge to establish a free or low cost community practice group!
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.
Big Happenings In Big Sur
Community Practice Group Celebration
Last November, we celebrated the importance of Community Practice Groups (CPG's) while honoring the 35th annivesary of the Santa Barbara, California CPG. Today, Santa Barbara continues to be a thriving group and there are equally robust CPG's meeting accross the US, virtually and in sites all around the world!
Next month, we will again celebrate Community Practice Groups and those who lead them. Be sure to watch your email for related announcements and special happenings.
NQA Seeks Presenter Applications
 The National Qigong Association is now accepting presenter applications for the 2019 Annual Conference being held June 14-16 in Rochester, Minnesota. Proposed workshops should reflect the theme, "East Meets West: Bridging the Gap."
Click HERE for more information on submitting a presentation application. Be sure to complete your application by October 29, 2018. Both NQA members and non-members are welcome to apply.
We'll Help You Organize A Tai Chi Easy™ Training Event In Your Area!
Would you like a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader training event to be held in your area? Did you know that anyone can organize a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Training event? Yes, they can - YOU can - and HWF will be happy to help you make it happen!
If you would like to know more about organizing a Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Training event or have questions about the process contact Christie Ward for more information.
Click HERE for a full list of Practice Leader training dates and check back often as
new training opportunities are being added regularly.
Healer Within on Facebook and Flickr
Please follow the Healer Within Foundation Facebook and Flickr pages. Find our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/HealerWithinFoundation/ Our Flickr albums can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/healerwithinfoundation/albums
 
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.
|
