Chrysanthemum Tea

 I have joined a Tai Chi class that meets thrice weekly in the park by my youngest grandkids' school. I've been doing Qigong in the park while my grandkids play a little while after their morning school time, then a friend invited me to join the group practice. 

It's been lovely to revisit the Yang Long form, which I first learned nearly 40 years ago, during my massage training. My mentor suggested Tai Chi as a life long practice, and way you learn good ergonomics. She was so right! 

A week or so ago, the friend who invited me brought me this lovely treat Tea Pot and flowering tea from Numi! I often steep tea in a glass tea cup with matching strainer - but this provides such an elegant experience! Each tea "ball" can be stepped several times, and I often as some of my own tea leaves for additional batches.

Tea pot and flowering tea

This little of year I'm often dreaming about new varieties for my garden, and was pleased to find Bo Jo Hua Chrysanthemum tea plants at my friend Melissa's Van Hevlingen Herb booth at the Farmers Market! She had two varieties, which bloom in the late fall like otter Mums. Bo Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum morifolium) doesn't set reliable seed, so is only available as plants - I'm excited to add these to my garden! 

I found several blog posts about these plants and the flowers, which support the liver, eye health, and are good for the heart, type 2 diabetes and easing headaches (Sage Garden Theory) on a Growing Tradition, Thomas recounted his search for the plants and success. 

Bo Jo Hua Chrysanthemum

Melissa said the plants bloom on Halloween, and into November. The flowers are first collected mid day, and dried then stored. I think they will be lovely to steep in the little round pot! 

12 Days of Fitness Challenge - Day 6

Catherine Basu in Texas is hosting a fitness challenge - here's the link to the Facebook group - though we're halfway through the challenge, there's always room for one more - please join us!! This is a nice way to get a head start on those intentions for the New Year, which often include eating better, getting in shape ...

Today I went to work!
Now, probably most of us went to work in some way, in an office, at home with kids ....

I'm a massage therapist.
Most working days, I'm with my toddler grandkids in the morning, then go to my office & see clients in the afternoon, so on a 'good day' I generally see 2 or 3 clients. Today I had five sessions, back to back (15 minute breaks), two of the sessions were 90 minutes; total: 6 hours of massage. I generally schedule a longer break midday, at least 1/2 hour - but our receptionist scheduled the last 2 before thinking of that ... kind co-workers had extra snacks (inc a great green smoothie!)

Years ago, we were told that offering massage ranked up with professional dance in terms of energy spent. And a calorie counter suggests I burned ~ 1450 calories doing those 5 sessions ....

My massage mentor had polio as an adult, & stressed we MTs need to have good body dynamics - or ergonomics - whenever we perform sessions. I took my first Tai Chi class at her (strong) suggestion, as she felt the principles of movement in that form would translate well to massage - & it does!
I bend my knees, & take a wider stance, rather than bending my back. I use my body weight for deeper work (especially when I'm offering Ashiatsu 'barefoot' massage)

During one of my breaks today, I did one round of the Cherokee (Tsalagi) Dance of Life /Dance to the Directions. I learned this in a workshop combining Cherokee & Buddhist teachings ~ 18 years ago, & as the commentary explains, it looks like Tai Chi or Qigong!

Live Long & Prosper

Today on Wishcasting Wednesday, Jamie's prompt is 'what do you wish for your PROSPERITY?' With a lovely picture of Chinese Lanterns!

The first thing that comes to mind is Spoc's Vulcan Greeting: "Live Long & Prosper!"

Today, I'll attend the memorial for the husband of one of my long time Massage clients - (I've been her therapist for about 20 years!) ... Joan is 90, & such a delightful, witty, creative being! A calligrapher, artist - we took watercolour & calligraphy workshops together in the mid 80s - & uses a beautiful hand to write the monthly check for her session 'series!'

One of my Square Dance sisters is 101 or 2, & STILL attends dances, & is out there on the floor! 

Prosperity -

• abundance of time with family & friends
• a life filled with joy, creativity, dance, flowers, fragrances
• resources to meet my daily needs, share with others, be a good steward
• blessings of community
• love, kindness, peace

What do YOU wish for your prosperity? 

Wishcasting Wednsday - how do we NOURISH ourselves?

It's been quite awhile since I participated in this LOVELY practice of self-discovery.

Jamie's Wishcasting Wed question: "How do you Wish to NOURISH" yourself?

I think of being in (via transporter or flying carpet!) in the Hot Springs, soaking in the far meadow pool ... being fed lovely OG & GF meals, joining friends to dance, chant, doing Qigong under the trees ...

Yesterday when a client forgot HER appointment, I received a massage a co-worker - wonderful self-nourishment! & later picked up my luscious, fresh from the OG farm CSA veggies - having fresh, local OG food as the mainstay is very nourishing & uplifting for me.

Spending time with the lovely grandkids, esp my five & 1/2 month old grandson most weekday mornings ...

& just sitting on the couch with a comforter & book

Doing Qigong in the sweetness of my living space

Dancing, singing & signing with friends

Bliss!

How do you wish to nourish yourself?