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Celebrate your wins!

Hello there!

Wow, what a year! How do you feel about 2019?

Personally, I feel great about it.

I love where I am, and am super excited about where we are going!

I want to take a moment to acknowledge you, dear reader, whether you’re new to our list or you’ve been tuning-in for a while, I want to take a pause and acknowledge you.

You are kind, caring and compassionate.

You see the value in self-care plus what you do, directly and indirectly, helps many people.

Otherwise, you wouldn’t be where you are.

From the wise words of the late and great Ram Dass “Be here now.”

Breath in,

Breath out.

How do you feel?

Better!

Okay, now onto it…

Is it just me or does it seem like every other blogger and social media post is talking about New Year’s resolutions, how to set intentions and how to keep goals in 2020 and beyond?!

Therefore, we thought we’d change it up a bit.

We want to give you a chance to acknowledge your wins!

Celebrate your successes and cultivate more health and happiness.

What’s that you say?

Me first?! Okay, here it goes…

Here’s our list of “wins” from 2019:

– We have our first Morning Crane affiliate in the Pacific North West – Hooray!

– Qigong Teacher Training continues to grow and we recently started a QTT Alumni group on facebook – Hooray!

– We expanded upon our work with Santa Clara County, where over 22,000 county employees can access our health education workshops and classes at no cost to them. Plus worked with several Silicon Valley Fortune 100 companies. – Pinch me, I must be dreaming!

– Chris was humbly awarded 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award with Special Olympics.

– Silicon Valley Business Journey did an article on us. -WOW!

– Featured on ABC7 News with Lori Corbin

– Chris was interviewed on Good Morning LaLaLand

– Produced and published over 50 weekly videos on YouTube as well weekly emails with health and happiness tips for special people just like you!

What you think about you bring about. Therefore, focus your attention on the abundance that abounds you. Acknowledge your wins. Learn from your challenges.

Give yourself a pat on the back and know that ALL IS WELL!

We want to hear from you! Reply to this email or post in the comments below, your wins from 2019!

The next few days is a good time to relax and renew so we can do 2020 with energy and gusto!

2020 is shaping up to be even more full of abundance, love, fun and happiness.

We wish you nothing but the best.

Try your best. Forget the rest.

Love,

-Chris & Parisa

PS – We think goals are great! Here is an insightful article from one of our QTT graduates on How to Find Your Why for a Happier New Year

PPS – Calling changemakers! Qigong Teacher Training Level 1 starts January 13^th. Join the QI revolution

Make this season merry AND meaningful

Tips for Overcoming the Holiday Blues

Holiday lights are twinkling in your direction. The malls are screaming your name. And in-laws remain the same.

‘Tis the season for festivities, family and fun. Or is it?

If you’re inwardly groaning about family gatherings going bananas this holiday, take a big, deep slow breath.

Now do that again. Breathe in slowly and mindfully. Breathe out slowly and mindfully.

There. All your holiday blues have been banished! (I know: I wish it were that easy too.)

Celebrations like Christmas and New Year’s can be tremendously painful, at best terribly awkward, for people navigating their way through family feuds, big loss or financial stress.

For a lot of us, the holidays are a time not of merry shenanigans but nasty mayhem.

There are the “primitive angels” at our dinner table and around our Christmas tree causing plenty of stress.

But we’re also coming to the holiday table already depleted.

Why?

When we are in most need of more sleep, wholesome food, mindful meditation, healing movement, positive visualization and loving self-care (aka Qigong!) most of us grunt, “Bah Humbug!” and load up on sugar, salt, carbs and television.

For weeks.

(If you think sugar, salt, carbs and television sounds like the perfect holiday, I am sort of crying inside. And suggest you put down the Christmas cake and have a nap.)

Yes, the holiday season is loaded with people who are naughty, nice or numb.

Since time began winter has signalled a season of reflection and hibernation. You’ve likely noticed you’re not alone in your desire to cozy up and fatten up this time of year!

Slowing down during the winter is a natural cycle built into our cells, but mindfulness is nearly impossible to find inside the mall or under the Christmas tree.

Making the time for a spiritual practice, whether that’s doing Qigong, sitting in meditation or reading a high-vibration book, is a restorative and loving act of holiday magic.

Putting yourself first means cultivating a loving space within, which can uplift other people.

When we take care of ourselves, we have access to deep love and true acceptance of family, friends (and foes!) when they act more like Scrooge than Santa.

All forms of holistic self-care are acts of courage and love.

Love for yourself.

Love for the family and friends who care about you.

Love for the people who press your buttons and cause you to grow, grow, grow.

As the 12 days before Christmas unfold, here are 12 tips for staying merry, joyful and bright this holiday season and always.

“Haaaaaa” through stress. Qigong’s healing sounds clear up and clear out difficult emotions.

Get enough sleep. Let sugar plums dance in your head. Sleep like a baby in the manger.

Say “Fuuuuu” you. Your kidneys really need your help this time of year. Give ‘em energy.

Never go shopping on Christmas Eve. Your wife will know. They always know.

Fasting all day doesn’t justify eating 3000 lbs of turkey. ‘nuf said.

Take naps. Channel your inner cat. Snuggle up for 20 minutes, recharge and purr.

Chew your food. Gulping down forkfuls with iced water? Stop. Use your teeth. Slow down.

Find your flock. Toxic people suck… your energy. Spend more time with friendly birds.

Bust the myth. Because you were born into a family you “have to show up.” Not true. Only go if you want.

Add scent to your stocking. Aromatherapy is so old Santa probably invented it to de-stress.

Write, not roar. Journaling helps you reflect, respond and receive gifts from the Universe.

Meditate don’t medicate. Go for a walk. Lay off the booze and TV. Breathe in, breathe out.

This holiday season celebrate being alive. Appreciate what you have. Express gratitude to the people who energize you.

Choose the bright side of life.

Be a child again.

May you look forward to a season of good tidings of great joy, magic and many blessings.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas. Thank you for making our year merry and bright!

Chris, Parisa… and Santa too

p.s. Say buh-bye to the pigs! We’ve had 12 months of piggy images celebrating 2019 as the Year of the Pig.

And next year? A new 12-year cycle begins. Kicked off by the Year of the Rat. Don’t be surprised if what wasn’t working, suddenly goes away before the start of this new rat year.

p.p.s. Are you reading my newly updated Qigong book and feeling like you want more? We’ve put together a new video series that supercharges the Qigong routines so your body-mind-spirit transformations happen quickly and deeply.

You can check out the series (and merry hohoho bonuses) right here

There’s A Hole In Your Bucket

Like the Leaves, Let Go This Season

Have you ever heard the adage that the richest place in the city is the graveyard? It’s where all our treasures are buried.

Today is Remembrance Day – 11 11. Powerful numbers. My favorite numbers too.

Sometime today give yourself a gift.

Take a moment and celebrate the life you’re leading right now.

Yup, the highs and the lows.

Life is a gift, a privilege and, most days, a pleasure and delight.

The freedoms we enjoy today didn’t come for free.

To soldiers seen and unseen: Thank You.

No matter how life is unfolding for you today, keep perspective and look to nature for help.

When we are birthing new projects, we are Spring.

When we are active and building, we are Summer.

When we are slow and hibernating, we are Fall. (That’s now!)

When we are reflective, collecting and decay, we are Winter.

As we shift into a new season, remember to adjust your mindfulness practice. As the seasons change, we change.

Five-Element Theory says so. And so do I.

The Qigong routines you were practicing this summer might differ from what your body-mind-spirit wants this fall.

Go with the flow. Be in the flow. Be like water, my friend.

Follow your nature. Let go like the leaves. Cuddle up like a bear. (Resist chubbing up like a bear!)

Let’s get back to the graveyard and those treasures buried deep.

Substitute the word “treasure” with “bucket list.” Your treasures are what’s in your life now. Your treasures are your dreams realized.

Your brightest, most precious, priceless jewel? No, not your dog! Your health.

We all have millions of wishes, dreams and To Do’s when we’re healthy and strong.

But when someone is sick or in pain, that suffering person has only one wish: to feel and be healthy again.

As Parisa and I celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary today – hooray! I told you 11 11 was my favorite number – I am grateful for the healthy and happy relationship we have with each other and with the special people in our lives.

You’re part of that friendship circle. You are a treasure to us and to our Work in the world.

One of the greatest blessings and ways that I fill “my bucket” is through Qigong; not only through the health transformations I’ve experienced and shared, but from the nourishment and Joy I receive teaching Qigong to others.

I am grateful. Recovering from deep physical and emotional suffering has gifted me with deep and profound compassion for people with chronic pain who believe there is no hope.

There is always hope. There is always a way to deepen your practice, remove root cause, balance, release and heal.

Don’t let the cold fool you. The warmth of good health and freedom are within you and around you.

I hope this winter you’re able to shed whatever feels heavy or dark in your life.

Negative thoughts and people feel heavy because they are heavy – they weigh us down and kick holes in our bucket.

Our “bucket” (or battery) is where we hold our good health, good intentions and good moods.

Rather than blaming that barking dog or snarling mother-in-law as negativity to ditch this winter, consider this:

What can you let go of from within?

Can you let go of being so hard on yourself?

Can you let go of temper tantrums?

Can you let go of hating your body?

Can you let go of impatience?

Can you let go of listening to, watching or debating negative news?

Can you let go of caring about people’s opinions of you?

Can you let go so the Light gets in?

Sending you lots of love, laughter and Light this fall.

Love,

-Chris

p.s. Want to know more about how the seasons affect your health?

Get your FREE copy of our Qigong book here (only pay shipping).

What scares you about your personality?

Learn how to discover your authentic self

‘Tis the season of tricks and treats!

Halloween may remind us of sweet childhood memories, masks and monsters, and tons of sugary candy.

But about those masks and monsters….

Most adults this time of year already have stomachaches, not from junk food, but from deadly dread and monkey-mind madness.

Where’s the dread and stress coming from?

As the weather cools so can our enthusiasm for monster-big social gatherings.

Family Thanksgiving dinner is simply not as stress-free as a sunny beach picnic, right?

So often we feel obligated to put on masks over our true selves before ringing doorbells that habitually lead us into fear and discomfort.

We struggle into costumes like “happy daughter” or “thoughtful son” in the name of safety, protection or boundaries.

When we hide ourselves away from Who We Truly Are, we are effectively – and with our permission alone – shutting down, shutting up, and shipping out from true transformation and self-empowerment.

Let me be clear.

I miss plenty of opportunities to grow throughout the course of my day and absolutely this time of year.

Why grow when I can put on a mask and go with the flow – and I know I can take it ALL off once I’m at home safe and sound!

I don’t always relish family gatherings. Or awkward conversations with staff. I sometimes don’t even like how my monkey mind behaves?

Life gets spooky-strange-scary with all these monsters running around.

Monster mother-in-law, monster-brother-in-law, monster mother, monster father, monster best friend’s boyfriend, monster motherfu… you get the idea.

As we roll up closer and closer to spending time with precious, precious people who drive us CRAZY — they’re called “spiritual teachers,” by the way – consider the Five Elements.

(Bet you didn’t see that coming, did you?)

If you’ve taken the quiz you know about the Five Elements.

If you’re a student of mine, you know a LOT about Five Element theory.

If you’re new to this world, welcome!

In simplest terms: Mother Nature is within our nature and honoring that connection builds vitality, health, well-being and Joy.

The Five Elements within our personality manifest in varying degrees, life seasons and moderations. They are… <drum roll, please>.

Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water.

(I’ve put a little cheat sheet at the very end of this post for y’all.)

Now let’s get back to those masks and monsters.

The next time you’re having an absolutely fabulous encounter at a family gathering, work meeting or stoplight, take a break and be a witness to your mind, body and spirit.

When you’re stressed, anxious, angry or resentful, reflect and check in on yourself using the lens of kindness and patience – and plenty of deep breaths and some Qigong moves too.

Ask yourself, which of the Five Elements is active and playing trick-or-treat on me?

Happy Halloween!

Love,

Chris

All Treats No Tricks:

The Five Elements and YOU… at your natural best

WOOD element symbolizes the beginning of life, breaking through, like a sprout breaking through the earth, awakening, and generating. The Wood element is also expressed by the movement of thunder breaking through thick clouds. Just as the first clap of thunder in the spring has a way of awakening the animals and plants in hibernation, thunder (Wood) also has a way of awakening a person from their delusions and egocentric self.

FIRE element symbolizes full growth, life-force expanding, radiance and beauty. The energy of fire is also represented by being explosive and hot. Fire burns bright then burns out. Flames have a way of beautifying whatever it touches, for the most part. Examples of Fire energy include bonfires, firecrackers and internal combustion engines. Fire can roar! Emotionally the Fire element flares up as untamed anger; quick, consuming and explosive.

EARTH element is harmonizing, grounding, nurturing. It’s the root of prosperous growth. The energy represented by Earth is stability without being rigid. The Earth element is reliable and dependable. Although unmoving, Earth is not stagnant. The Earth element is symbolized as a centered state of being. An example of the Earth’s energy is the foundation of a house; upholding and supporting the structure while offering safety and shelter.

METAL element represents the collecting, reversing, retreating and introverting cycles of life. The energy of Metal is described as contracting and heavy. Metal’s motion is inward, which can appear as cold and stagnant. An example of Metal energy is an overcast day in winter. Metal’s power and strength can be symbolized as the alchemy required to change free-flowing water into rock-solid and unmoving ice.

WATER element is represented as the reverting phase of contraction. Water is all about collecting and re-gathering of old into new. Water waits, percolates and welcomes new breakthrough of understanding and creativity. This element has the characteristics of fluidity; an inherent and natural tendency to flow easily (usually downward) and toward the roots of true growth. Water’s movement can be gentle and slow or smooth and fast-moving.

May we reap what we sow

Celebrate the link between action and nonaction.

Right now, all across beautiful California, hardworking farmers are reaping what they’ve sown.

The seeds they planted in spring (to sow) are now ready for harvest (to reap).

This is the time of year when the Earth Element, which is associated with the stomach, spleen and pancreas are in the most need of attention.

When your Earth element is in balance you are grounded, centered and have an openness to guide those whose harvest needs help.

Look at the bounty coming from the fields to our tables right now:

gourds, asparagus, artichokes, sweet potatoes, pumpkins (not only to decorate but more importantly to nurture your Earth element).

That’s just a taste of what the land is set-and-ready to provide us.

So often we hear the proverb “you reap what you sow” delivered in a tone that promises judgment and pain.

You do bad things and bad things will happen to you.

Let’s turn that frown upside 🙂

Today as we step into the First Day of Fall (September 23), I invite you to “count your blessings” and celebrate the goodness you’ve helped bring to fruition.

Maybe you volunteer at your kids’ school, help your elderly neighbor with yard work or resist flipping the bird at all those bad drivers in your way!

Life feels good when we do good.

The quickest, most effective way to reap bountiful harvests of creativity, positive energy, goodwill and Joy is to access our biggest and most delicious basket of bounty: inner peace.

And yup, I’ve got a Qigong app for that! <wink>

The Renewal of Spirit Meditation honors not only the changing of seasons, but allows us to renew ourselves, both within and without, on all our cycles: daily, weekly, monthly and yearly.

When we accept the perfect unfolding of our daily lives, we settle down and settle into deeper states of mindfulness and rejuvenation.

Think of Qigong, and all forms of internal cultivation, as a way to plow, de-weed, plant and harvest the delights of your mind, body, and spirit.

This past Saturday, September 21 was the International Day of Peace and Consciousness San Jose festival.

A globally shared day encouraging peoples around the world (all 7.7 billion of us!) to expand our consciousness, commit to peace above all differences and uplift humanity.

You shall reap what you sow is good news.

The kindness and love you show to yourself by how you think, feel and what you put into your body has a ripple effect.

Your good deeds in the world are like fresh fruits and vegetables: nourishing, colorful, delicious and appreciated.

The good in you is what makes life sweet and wholesome.

As we celebrate a new season of gratitude and serenity, may you “break bread” (gluten-free) with the friends and family at your table and celebrate all that you’ve grown into and away from.

Well done, kind heart. I knight you an honorary farmer!

Here’s to sowing and reaping forever,

-Chris