IS IT TIME FOR A NEW TRADITION?
Itās happening all around us. Pumpkins, pilgrims, reindeer, and more are all being dusted off to go into windows and onto roofs. Travel plans are being made, menus and shopping lists prepared. The holiday season is approaching, with its myriad traditions and preparations.
These traditions can nourish a sense of certainty, belonging, and history. However, as many of us know, the holiday season can also be intensely stressful. In fact, a 2023 study by the American Heart Association reveals that over half of Americans find the winter holidays more stressful than tax season – so much so that they need weeks or even months to recover!
Why? Well, over 70% of Americans rush through the holidays without relaxing, and nearly 80% neglect their own physical and emotional needs in order to create memories for others. Ā And while statistics in other countries and cultures may differ, the fact is that we all face seasons when outside expectations and traditions pull on us so hard that our personal needs and inner worlds suffer.
So how do we enjoy this season instead of merely surviving it? How do we nourish ourselves while cultivating special memories with others? Blue Dragon Tai Chi has a few tips!
FOCUS ON CONNECTION OVER IMPRESSION
In the Chinese Five Elements Theory, studied deeply in our 1-Year Certification course, the autumn season is a time for connection and reflection. The I Ching, or ancient Book of Changes, relates this time to The Lake: a place where life teems under the surface of waters so calm that we can see ourselves and our surroundings more clearly.
During this season, nature invites us to slow down our outward movements, nourish our inner worlds, and assess the current situation honestly. So as you prepare for the holidays this year:
~ Take time to reflect on your own accomplishments and needs, along with your belovedās.
~ Sit down and ask them what their hearts really crave and what theyāre most grateful for.Ā Ā ~ Watch what they spend the most time doing or asking about.
The answers will show you what matters. And who knows? The time and the interest you pour into truly seeing yourself and others may be more valuable than the most expensive gift or the most elaborate dinner. The goal is to create memorable moments with your family and friends, not for them.
With that said, consider gifts of time and experiences, like tai chi classes that you take together, a streaming video membership for a loved one who canāt get to in-person lessons, or a course for someone who craves deeper knowledge and growth. These gifts communicate your commitment to helping others become their best selves in the ways that work for them. Why not give your favorite person – or yourself – one today?
ABSORB ANCIENT PRACTICES FOR FRESH FOCUS
Traditionally, people have used this time of year to gather in physical objects, from the turnips and ginger of the fields to the televisions and game systems people anxiously grab on Black Friday. But what if this fall you stored up wisdom and sustaining practices to help you thrive this coming winter?
Harvest time is a season to preserve and protect the fruits of your labor. So preserve your health and protect your sense of peace this month by committing to soak up tai tai chi and qigong practices, like a tranquil lake! Learn relaxing, health-giving practices during private lessons or in public classes like Tai Chi in the Park, where you can connect with your nearest teacher each week.
Don’t have a teacher nearby? Our 1-Year Certification Course has open enrollment through November 30, so you can start practicing self-care basics like warm-ups and stretches while learning your foundational physical needs – you have more of them than you think you do!
For a storehouse of learning thatās accessible any time, even for people with odd work schedules or sleeping hours, join our online membership. Members can focus on one movement – or one part of a movement – at a time, review the same video as many times as needed, and make progress on their own goals at their own pace. Steadily and intentionally deepening your knowledge of even one tai chi movement helps your body resist winter stiffness and creates a habit of self-care that effectively fights depression and the winter blues, both for older adults and for college-aged youths!
SEAL IN THE STRENGTH
Speaking of habits, letās be honest. Taking care of ourselves is hard enough without the disruptions that holiday schedules throw at us. Visitors, shopping, cooking, and other holiday tasks take time and energy away from regular exercise and even good nutrition, making it hard to find a spare moment for tai chi.
The good news is, all you really need is a moment. Five to ten minutes of practice with tai chi principles is enough to reset your mind, release stress, and realign your day. Whether youāre practicing Dan Tien Breathing as you sit in traffic or gradual weight transfer as you walk through a store, tai chi can fit into your everyday life in ways that other forms of exercise donāt.
Even better, once you get used to practicing principles on a regular basis, you can use that discipline to set up more structured practice times. Whether you do your tai chi in the morning, afternoon, or evening, you can make sure holiday activities donāt stop you with tips like these:
ā¢Ā Don’t rush through or apologize for taking time for yourself. A relaxed, attentive host is far more enjoyable than a prepared but stressed one. Be bold in protecting this time that nourishes everyone you encounterā¦and see how it inspires others to take better care of themselves, too.
ā¢Ā Set a clear intention for each session, even if it’s simply to calm your nerves or to feel the joy of movement for 20 minutes. A manageable goal will help you remember why you do tai chi and stay motivated.
ā¢Ā Lock the door. Find a place where you wonāt be interrupted. If outdoors, make it far enough from home that going there feels like a special ritual. If indoors, find or make your space similarly peaceful and sacred.
ā¢ Silence distractions – and share responsibilities. Turn off devices and find a trusted person to catch important calls. Delegating holiday tasks invites others to contribute and shows your trust in them.
ā¢ Remind yourself of the stakes. Print or write out headlines about the benefits of tai chi – including those contained Ā in this newsletter – and post them where you can see them. Consider the places where you feel most tempted to skip a session, and put your reminder in big, bold colors.
ā¢Ā Invite the ones you love to join in. We call it āplayingā tai chi for a reason! A little time together gives family and friends a peek into your passion and builds intimacy. Feel free to start small and try seated tai chi instead of standing, if needed.
ā¢Ā Work with your inner weather, not othersā expectations. Not a morning person? Try an afternoon practice to smooth out your rising energy. Sleep better with an evening workout? Join Tai Chi in the Park or practice online as the sun sets!
NEED GUIDANCE & INSPIRATION?
Check out our new Blue Dragon Tai Chi website! We recently updated with a new look, fresh photos, and streamlined layout to make it easier for you to find information and book lessons. Whether you want to find out how Blue Dragon got started, login for your daily practice session, or catch up on the content for one of our courses, you’ll find the new site super-smooth to use – like tai chi!
MOVE OF THE MONTH: KAN & LI
This month’s movement doesn’t actually require you to move much at all – it’s one of the many meditations and visualizations taught in our 1-year course! Enjoy this inner practice of Kan & Li, or Harmonizing of Water and Fire, to bring forth your warming inner light, without burning up all your reserves of energy.
Want to know more about the Five Elements Theory, tending to your physical foundations and emotional needs, or doing tai chi meditation? Come to Tai Chi in the Park, sign up for a private lesson, or join a course today! Have a question you want us to answer or a topic you’d like to discuss? Email questions to Autumn, let us know on social media, or contact Li Fu today for more information!
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