A Big Welcome to The Davis College Night Classere Are The First Few Lessons Of The Mini Form

   

 
                              Can You Love The One Who...

                             There’s one in you who’s sweet.
                             There’s one in you who’s mean.
                             Can you love them both?
                             Can you let them both be seen?

                             Can you love the one who tries?
                             And love her when she fails?
                             Can you love the one who lies?
                             And love the one who wails?

                             Can you love your tears?
                             Can you love your worry?
                             Can you love your darkest fears?
                             Can you love your fury?

                             Can you love indifference?
                             Love the one who clings?
                             Can you love the vibrant one?
                             Love the one who sings?

                             Can you love your addict?
                             Can you love your thief?
                             Can you love your vanity?
                             Can you love your grief?

                             Can you love your inner child?
                            And your body as you age?
                            Can you love your wild side?
                            Release her from her cage?
                            Can you love the one fulfilled?
                            And the one who’s not?

                            Can you love the one who’s chilled?
                            And whose temper’s hot?
                            Can you love the weakling?
                            The one who’s sometimes sick?

                            Can you love the warrior?
                            Who fights through thin and thick?

                            Can you love your crazy?
                            Can you love your sane?
                            Can you love your foolish heart?
                            Love your scattered brain?

                            There’s one in you who’s bored.
                            And one who’s often stressed
                            Can you love them both at once?
                            And she who tries her best?
 
                            If the answer’s “no.”
                            To some of the above
                            Then can you love the one in you
                            Who’s learning how to love?

                               -Leah Pearlman

Tai Chi in Mallow Library

We have been invited back for more Tai chi in Mallow Library.

The practice will be happening next Saturday February 2''nd  at 2pm.

Looking forward to seeing old friends and new.

The Short Form video from last year is below.

A " Love " story from John Connell

Why We Shout In Anger"

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled 'n asked.

'Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?'

 Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout.'

'But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.' asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained, .

'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper 'n they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other 'n that's all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

He looked at his disciples and said.

'So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.'

Why Gratitude Us Healthier Makes and The Mini Form for Tai Chi Beginners

Why Gratitude Makes Us Healthier
--by Ocean Robbins,

Our world is pretty messed up. With all the violence, pollution and crazy things people do, it would be easy to turn into a grouchy old man without being either elderly or male. There's certainly no shortage of justification for disappointment and cynicism.
But consider this: Negative attitudes are bad for you. And gratitude, it turns out, makes you happier and healthier. If you invest in a way of seeing the world that is mean and frustrated, you're going to get a world that is, well, more mean and frustrating. But if you can find any authentic reason to give thanks, anything that is going right with the world or your life, and put your attention there, then statistics say you're going to be better off.
Does this mean to live in a state of constant denial and put your head in the sand? Of course not. Gratitude works when you're grateful for something real. Feeling euphoric and spending money like you just won the lottery when you didn't is probably going to make you real poor, real quick. But what are you actually grateful for? It's a question that could change your life.
Recent studies have concluded that the expression of gratitude can have profound and positive effects on our health, our moods and even the survival of our marriages.
As Drs. Blaire and Rita Justice reported for the University of Texas Health Science Center, "a growing body of research shows that gratitude is truly amazing in its physical and psychosocial benefits."
In one study on gratitude, conducted by Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D., at the University of California at Davis and his colleague Mike McCullough at the University of Miami, randomly assigned participants were given one of three tasks. Each week, participants kept a short journal. One group briefly described five things they were grateful for that had occurred in the past week, another five recorded daily hassles from the previous week that displeased them, and the neutral group was asked to list five events or circumstances that affected them, but they were not told whether to focus on the positive or on the negative. Ten weeks later, participants in the gratitude group felt better about their lives as a whole and were a full 25 percent happier than the hassled group. They reported fewer health complaints, and exercised an average of 1.5 hours more.
In a later study by Emmons, people were asked to write every day about things for which they were grateful. Not surprisingly, this daily practice led to greater increases in gratitude than did the weekly journaling in the first study. But the results showed another benefit: Participants in the gratitude group also reported offering others more emotional support or help with a personal problem, indicating that the gratitude exercise increased their goodwill towards others, or more tehnically, their "pro-social" motivation.
Another study on gratitude was conducted with adults having congenital and adult-onset neuromuscular disorders (NMDs), with the majority having post-polio syndrome (PPS). Compared to those who were not jotting down their blessings nightly, participants in the gratitude group reported more hours of sleep each night, and feeling more refreshed upon awakening. The gratitude group also reported more satisfaction with their lives as a whole, felt more optimism about the upcoming week, and felt considerably more connected with others than did participants in the control group.
Perhaps most tellingly, the positive changes were markedly noticeable to others. According to the researchers, "Spouses of the participants in the gratitude (group) reported that the participants appeared to have higher subjective well-being than did the spouses of the participants in the control (group)."
There's an old saying that if you've forgotten the language of gratitude, you'll never be on speaking terms with happiness. It turns out this isn't just a fluffy idea. Several studies have shown depression to be inversely correlated to gratitude. It seems that the more grateful a person is, the less depressed they are. Philip Watkins, a clinical psychologist at Eastern Washington University, found that clinically depressed individuals showed significantly lower gratitude (nearly 50 percent less) than non-depressed controls.
Dr. John Gottman at the University of Washington has been researching marriages for two decades. The conclusion of all that research, he states, is that unless a couple is able to maintain a high ratio of positive to negative encounters (5:1 or greater), it is likely the marriage will end.
With 90 percent accuracy, Gottman says he can predict, often after only three minutes of observation, which marriages are likely to flourish and which are likely to flounder. The formula is that for every negative expression (a complaint, frown, put-down, expression of anger) there needs to be about five positive ones (smiles, compliments, laughter, expressions of appreciation and gratitude).
Apparently, positive vibes aren't just for hippies. If you want in on the fun, here are some simple things you can do to build positive momentum toward a more happy and fulfilling life:
1) Keep a daily journal of three things you are thankful for. This works well first thing in the morning, or just before you go to bed.
2) Make it a practice to tell a spouse, partner or friend something you appreciate about them every day.
3) Look in the mirror when you are brushing your teeth, and think about something you have done well recently or something you like about yourself.
Sure this world gives us plenty of reasons to despair. But when we get off the fast track to morbidity, and cultivate instead an attitude of gratitude, things don't just look better -- they actually get better. Thankfulness feels good, it's good for you and it's a blessing for the people around you, too. It's such a win-win-win that I'd say we have cause for gratitude.

Off to Tai Chi

Catch up with Ruth on my way to Tai Chi

Passing Dervish where I investigate the subtleties of the Short Form with Ray and give Reconnection treatments.

Shandon's steeple calls me.

Across the river

And up Shandon Street  for an on going investigation of the Long Forms,  Figire 8's and  other Tai Chi topics.

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It's already dark when we head back across the river and I'm looking forward to even more Tai Chi in Blackrock.

Anybody can have their dreams come TRUE , just find your dream and work at it.  Believe and when you need help just go ahead and Ask . The Universe is always looking for ways to give Us our best life.

What an inspiring email from a Tai Chi friend

Dear Ann
I took a brief look at your website this morning.  I like the simple thought that what we give our minds to will grow, and I have found it true.
I always believed I couldn't sing, although sometimes by myself in the kitchen I recognized that the noise I was making wasn't altogether bad, but if I tried to join in with a carol, I felt I had no idea how to pitch my voice, and just grumbled they always played everything too high.  Then a few years ago - when I was 75 or 76! - I went along to a 'Third Age' group and plucked up the courage to sing.  I kept that up, and was surprised to find my voice revealed itself as stronger than I had imagined, and also I could cope with the high notes.
I've enjoyed it so much, that last September I joined a 'Singing from Scratch'  evening class, because I can go more frequently there, and there is more teaching.  Now, at 81, I've discovered I am a soprano!  It's like a new lease of life, and a whole new persona I didn't suspect was in me.  Around Christmas we did a couple of concerts where all the singing groups perform.  At one of them I was the only soprano who turned up, so I sang the tune and the rest harmonised with me.  I still can't believe it.
Tai Chi is the basis of my singing, not only because of the posture, but because I realised that to reach the high notes I had to relax and sink, as well as projecting out of myself to whoever was listening.
This is a lot about me, and in some ways seems the opposite of what you are saying, but I thought you might be interested .  It is not the amount of time that  we give directly to our interests that is important, is it?  All kinds of things in my life came together once I overcame the fear and led me to what I had always longed to do.  It's never too late.
Best wishes to John and your daughters, and love to you.
Pat

This weeks lesson and a winter walk.

Here is the beginning of the Mini form for the Monday and Tuesday classes.

 

  Last night's snow fall  transformed our morning walk.

                                The  field looks new to me.

Garry is bouncing with excitement !

               

Turning for home the sky takes my breath away !

So blessed to have had this walk.

My story of Garry

Here he is , Ruth (my daughter the history lover )  named him Garabaldi , but we mostly call him Garry.

Just look into his beautiful loving eyes, he is the most affectionate dog I have ever met.

Always ready to roll over and open himself completely to the cuddle.

              He loves to come off for the morning walk.

Splash around in the stream.

                                                And play with Susie.

                He leads the way home, bounding along  too far ahead
                                      to be caught on camera.

                                                 

     
   This is different where have we come today?

 
       We are in Blarney John's car needs its NCT

    It is a nice to see the sky from down here.

     You are right its a whole different perspective.

  And I like  the big picture too .

   

Come on Susie we must go home .

Someone wants to be  reconnected.

Video Lessons for this weeks classes are below the text.

"What we pay attention to in our lives  grows " !  I have found this to be true.
Lester Levenson says " If you are spending time ' figuring out your problems ' you are just planning to have them again. " It took me a while ( maybe even a year or two ) to fully understand this statement. Now I can see that it is just another  way of saying,  " What we pay attention to in our lives grows. "

 But don't take my word for this try it out in your own life.
 Begin by writing a gratitude list every day , start to pay more attention to all the aspects of your life that are working for you.
 If you are reading this you are one of us lucky people who can read and have access to a computer .
 How lucky are we to have had the opportunity to learn these skills. How lucky are that someone provides us with electricity so our computers ,  laptops etc work.
 Reflect just for a few moments now on all that you have around you , take the time to notice and appreciate your surroundings. Be specific , say Thanks for your favourite coffee cup , the scarf you love,  the look of love in your pet's eyes, all  those things in your life that make your day.
 I have found that by reflecting on them and writing them down I'm more aware of them during the day  ( paying attention to what is working for me) and since I have been doing this I seem to be getting more and more of what works in all aspects of my life. It's as if appreciation is a fertilizer that allows more good to grow.






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Attention preparation beginning . The first posture of the Short Form .









Front and rear views of our lesson for Monday night's class.

Happy practice !

Mini Form for Monday Morning's Class

Here is the beginning of the Mini form we did  this morning . This clip goes further than we did in the class but just hearing   it or joining in  (as bast you can ) will help you learn the form.
Such a lovely group this morning great to have some people back from last term and also fab to have new faces . I love the mix of old and new it sparks us all and adds new vibes.
So looking forward to this term,  sharing this amazing practice again.

The Hall of One Thousand Mirrors

Here is a little parable about mirroring I came across and really liked.

Somewhere in a land far away, there was a temple that housed a hall of one thousand mirrors.
One day it so happened that a dog strayed into the hall  Suddenly confronted with  one thousand of his mirror images, he growled and barked at these presumed enemies. These, however returned his growling
and teeth flashing a thousand times over.The dog in turn got even more aggressive ,and as the situation got more and more heated, the dog got more and more out of control, and finally reached such an extreme state of aggression that he dropped dead.
Some time passed and along came another dog who  got lost in the temple and arrived at  the hall  of a thousand mirrors. This dog too, saw that he was surrounded by a thousand of his own kind. He then started to wag his tail with joy at these other dogs and , in return one thousand dogs happily wagged their tails back at him. Happy and encouraged the dog found a way out of the temple.

Dig deep inside and you will find inspiration and love.

Practice brings clarity, insight and  joy beyond words.

Googles can  relax just about anywhere. She has had an interesting life so far and always seems to land on her feet. I love to watch her as she rolls over and stretches tummy up (for a rub ). She always has a great welcome for herself ( even if it's 4 am and she has called me to let her out )  it is as if she is saying ," Aren't you so delighted  to see me ? "  She seems to relish each moment of this life , stretching, relaxing, prowling , purring. I'm always  learning from her.

Enough looking back for now. The new year is well here. Let's set our aspirations for 2013

It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in the giving.

- Mother Teresa -

August was opening my mind to vast new worlds

During our training with Eric Pearl he kept reminding us that this is new and is different and to watch for ways in which this shows up for us and to us.  John my husband is sensitive , is very aware of vibes,  of peoples emotions etc. We were chatting when he came back from a trip to Cork the other day and I began to tell him of a " Heart Math " experiment I had seen in  ' The Living Matrix '. In the experiment people were wired up to detectors which would read bodily responses to images on a computer screen. The experiment was designed to investigate which responded first the heart or the brain. The images were varied some of beautiful scenes some of accident victims . The computer programme was set so that the images would appear in a  random order so nobody could predict what image would show up next. The results were very interesting. Firstly they showed that the heart responded before the brain and secondly and amazingly the heart responded before the image appeared on the screen. Yes that is true the heart  ' felt ' the next image BEFORE it appeared.  I found this fantastic and amazing and strangely reassuring.
 Anyway , when I finished speaking , John said that is strange wait until I tell you what happened in Cork.  " I had some time to pass before I could come home so I went to a graveyard ( John loves history and  likes to wander around old graveyards ) . I knew some of my relatives were buried there and thought I'd wander around and maybe come across one  of the graves.  I was walking up and down the aisles reading some headstones not really expecting  much . Then I turned in to one lane and got a very strong  'strange' feeling from the ground  up through my legs and I knew there was something along this path. Sure enough  a short walk later there was a grave belonging to our relatives. "
What was new and different about this for John. Firstly , he was amazed that I was telling him this synchronous story when he just came in, secondly he said he has never had such a strong physical sensation to alert him to or to confirm a hunch or vibe.
One of the theories about Reconnection is that it connects us to higher frequencies or higher intelligence so our structure becomes better aligned.  Maybe this is what is happening the more aligned structure is picking up the signals and consciously registering them. A bit like what I was referring to yesterday we become more open and connected to information which may have remained subconscious previously.



Healing on Skype

Having heard and read about healing at a distance I was keen to give it a go. It surprised me that the feeling was the same as when healing with someone present . The sensations that accompany the 'energy' were every bit as strong in me. Here is how it felt for my client.

Yes, of course I can provide a feedback of my experience:
To start with, I tell you about my problem. I have found out that my upper spine reaching into my head is too straight, probably from sitting in front of a computer all the time...The spine and the upper jawbone have an effect on my eardrum. If I tense up, the membrane starts vibrating. I experience this as a pulsating noise, which is very inconvenient when you want to be quiet, concentrate or e.g. read a book.

With yoga exercises for my spine and jaw and taichi exercises on my head, I have found some movements that enable me to get rid of the vibrations. However, they tend to come back, especially, when there is stress and tension (which is not so surprising).

What happened when you did the healing session was the following. I was sitting relaxed on my tatami mat and just thought of nothing, didn't expect anything, as I didn't know much of what you would do.
After a few minutes, I could suddenly feel an incredible relaxation in my upper spine on the part between the neck and the shoulder, which is exactly that part that plays a role in my tinnitus experience. Thereafter, there were a number of similar events of relaxation in my bones along the spine and shoulder. It is hard to describe, but maybe it can best be described as the feeling when the doctor pulls or turns on a dislocated joint and it falls into place again.

I had about 5 such sensations and my body felt extremely relaxed thereafter.

I cannot say that my problem is fully gone, but it has done a extraordinary job on my problem, because it has relaxed me so much and relocated some joints.

July a magical time

It is so interesting to read this post from July and to realize that, that was just the beginning .
What a fascinating time it has been since my Reconnection it just seems to get more and more interesting.

Today John ( a friend's son studying film) made film of the Short Form with all the lessons can't wait to see how it looks. Am hoping it will be clear and good. Hopefully it will be easier to follow as we will all the sound later rather than having me give the instructions while practicing the Form .

I came home from Barcelona and the ' Reconnection ' workshops late last night.
I feel different my house looks  different to me.  It's a good different.
 This morning while chatting with John I suddenly became aware of how beautiful the colours in the room  looked in the morning light.
 Some students came around for Tai Chi lessons and they seemed different to me also.  It was as if another part of me was watching us work and knew how to make  adjustments to the form so it would flow more smoothly.  I have the sense of being the observer of the day moving by.  It even feels strange to me to  be writing like this now , it usually takes me ages to process my experiences and then I write from a more detached or distant ' space '. Here I am spilling out today's experience while it is still ongoing. Why am I doing this, maybe because the reconnection  feels real to me. I do feel reconnected I want to tell you about it.  I want everybody to know that it is possible to feel amazing and new, reborn to the beauty in every aspect of one's life.