If the only prayer you said in your whole life was 'Thank You ' that would suffice.

   
                                        Meister Eckhart

The Healing Powers Of T'ai Chi

Yesterday my physiotherapist told me that the improvement in my fingers was in the top three she had treated over the last twenty years. The little finger had the most damage having stitches in a very deep cut close to the break and the joint.This meant that when I would try to work on the exercises Norma had given me the finger would swell throb and hurt a lot! So I began to direct energy into the fingers during my practise and at the end of a session close my eyes and visualise doing the exercises feeling into the muscles tendons bones and ligaments as best I could. I'm so grateful to my accident for showing me yet again the wonders of T'ai Chi

Heartwork

The institute of Heart Math whose work has been verified in studies conducted by Stanford University among others ,has found that our hearts generate an electromagnetic field around us that is several feet in diameter and five thousand times greater then the field generated by the brain.

This is no surprise to me or to you either I'm sure as it just confirms the expansion we've all experienced in the presence of an open warm, loving heart and the contraction felt in an atmosphere of fear.

One measure of your hearts' activity that reflects your emotional state is called heart rate variability, which shows variations in the intervals between heartbeats.In Studies researchers have found that people's heart patterns look different when they're happy then when they are angry,frustrated or sad.
(See graphs below)
Negative emotions cause erratic patterns called heart rhythm incoherence which has a damaging effect on the body. Feeling angry,frustrated or sad leads to the release of stress hormones and cholesterol into the body.Your heart pumps faster and your blood pressure rises. In contrast feelings of appreciation and love create heart rhythm coherence ie smooth even patterns in the heart rhythm's. According to research heart rhythm coherence increases production of good hormones, normalises blood pressure, improves cognitive functions and strengthens the immune system.

Heart Coherence Excersize

Step 1: Heart Focus

Gently focus your attention on your in the area of your heart.It may help to place your hand over your heart. If your mind wanders just keep bringing your attention back to the area of your heart.

Step 2:

Heart Breathing

As you focus on the area of your heart , pretend your breath is flowing in and out through that area. This helps your mind and energy to stay focused and your respiration and hearth rhythms to synchronise. Breath slowly and gently, until your breathing feels smooth and balanced.

Step 3:

Heart Feeling

As you continue to breathe, recall a positive feeling, a time when you ' felt good inside.' Now try
to re experience the feeling. This could be a feeling of appreciation or care toward a special person, a pet, a place you enjoy, or an activity that was fun. Allow yourself to really' feel ' this good feeling of appreciation or care. If you can't feel anything, it's okay, just try to find a sincere attitude of appreciation or care. Once you have found a positive feeling or attitude, you can sustain it by continuing your heart focus, heart breathing, and heart feeling.

Since my accident in January I've found this exercise great while waiting in doctor's surgeries etc. It's made me much more concious too of those occasions in my day when my heart opens spontaneously. It actually feels that it's happening more often or maybe thats's just more evidence that what we pay attention to grows!

I remember Steven telling me about John's practise of recalling all his loved ones as he stands in attention before beginning the session or form. Is it any surprise our practice can be called 'Heartwork'

Nano Nagle Workshop

                WARD OFF ENERGY

      Lets Investigate the energy of Ward Off

                       in

        LEGS ARMS HEART MIND BETWEEN BEYOND


Nano Nagle Centre March 8th 12-6 60 euros Evening Meal Chez moi

Satsang

Satsang is the Indian practise of sitting together with a teacher who directs the attention past the mind to pure presence. People ask questions and the teacher keeps pointing their attention from the false identification with the impermanent self, to our true nature beyond thoughts and concepts.


Satsang is much broader though than the group session; any meeting where ones spirit is nourished and encouraged to shine is Satsang. So I consider practising Tai Chi with others to be our 'Satsang'. I love the way this term includes both the silent practise and the dialogue. In our practise both are also important in a session.



For more information on Satsang : http://www.satsangbhavan.net/