12 Days of Fitness Challenge - WE DID I!!

We did it!!

Catherine Basu has been hosing a 12 Days  fitness challenge! Here's the link to the Facebook group! The official challenge began Chrismas Day, but some folks began later, and are sill going

Catherine encourages us to move a bit more each day, 'Even if it's just a 10 minute walk!'

I began my morning with Qigong, and a little bit of Edgu, 'spinal maintenance' which originated with my friend Jeffery 'Page' Redmond, who teaches seminars at Breitenbush. I've never taken the seminar, but have taken quite a few Edgu classes! Basically - the posture is a wide 'Jockey stance' with the hips stable, while your spine/core moves. I love 'carrying plates' with forearms at hip level, gently twisting side to side, & the figure 8s of the Sun & Moon mobius - here's a little video from a teacher in Eugene, Nancy Hopps.
Since 'best times' for Qigong are 5-7 (AM or PM) & 11-1, I did one round at the earlier time, & one at the end of the day, after my nice Epsom Salts bath!

I've been preparing for a Reiki Level 1 Class for a month or so, since a couple of friends attended the Body Mind Spirit Expo, & scheduled sessions with a gal who integrates Reiki into her work. When we talked about learning, they were game for a class, so I put one together! I invited people who had already taken Reiki 1 to refresh or 'audit' the class, we had 5 students & 5 gals auditing. WHAT A LOT OF ENERGY!

Yesterday was THE DAY for that as well, & so we moved massage tables, & got some stair exercise (I parked out front, there's a SHORT flight of stairs to the room we were using; friends bringing the other tables used the elevator)

So - what's Reiki?

In the West, we use the word 'Reiki' to denote a healing system, generally 'hands on,' but also just off the body or 'sending' over distance of space & even time. I've utilized it for myself & in my bodywork practice for over 25 years, & it both energizes me & enhances my work.

The founder of our Modern Reiki System, Mikao Usui didn't use this term, his teachings were more commonly called 'Usui Do' (the Way of Usui) and the healings 'Usui teate' or Usui's form of hands-on healing. Later, the word Reiki was added or substituted, to signify the system utilized spiritual energy.

In Chinese, the same two kanji are used for 'Ling Chi'  
"Ling Chi is the subtlest and most highly refined of all the energies in the human system and the product of the most advanced stage of a practice, whereby the ordinary energy of the body are transformed into pure spiritual vitality. This type of highly refined energy enhances spiritual awareness, improves all cerebral functions, and constitutes the basic fuel for the highest level of spiritual work." (Ling Gung: Harnessing the Power of the Universe - Daniel Reid)

Congratulations to the other Fitness Bloggers - let's keep in touch!!
& thanks, Catherine, for helping get 2014 off to a great beginning!

12 Days of Fitness Challenge - Day 9

Catherine Basu in Texas is hosting a fitness challenge, to give us a head start on New Years intentions - here's the link to the Facebook group! Catherine encourages us to move a bit more each day, 'Even if it's just a 10 minute walk!'

Today I was back in the pool for Deep Water Aerobics - one last class before I return to babysitting Tuesday & Thursday mornings next week! My friends Emily (a school counsellor) & Nancy (teacher) were also lamenting that with school starting next Monday, they'll also miss these classes. There ARE evening classes - but more folks attend, & I'm often doing a massage at that time.

It was a good class, and welcome after the gym time yesterday! & the hot tub was open (hadn't been on Tuesday) our 'reward' for a good workout. I walked around town a bit before having lunch out with friends, then RECEIVED a massage between the two I gave this afternoon!!

Now I'm working on the hand-outs for my Reiki Level 1 class, coming up on Sunday. I have 8 students registered, plus several folks 'auditing' (reviewing) the class. And decided it was time to get my materials updated. I've been blogging about Reiki over on King's Touch Reiki & used those writings and other materials I've used in the past as a jumping off point.

So just finished printing them at my daughter's, & will take them to the copy shop tomorrow.

What was your workout today?

New Horizons

In late October, I jumped on board with the Ultimate Blog Challenge, & began my new blog: King's Touch Reiki. You can find my first post here.  I've always loved the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, & this quote  "King, did you hear that? The hands of a healer, I say."  Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkein 


And though the challenge is only 'official' in some months, the Face Book Group decided to continue in November, & I've been faithfully posting! Over the last 5 or so years, I've taught few Reiki classes, & done more one-on one trainings with client/students, but now I'm wishing to offer more classes. I've  been looking into what space(s) will work best for that. My office, while great for sessions, doesn't lend itself to hosting classes. Recently, a friend has offered to help me with promotion, & getting the ball rolling. I am grateful!

With my renewed dedication to blogging, I dusted off my 'Wishcasting' shoes, & have been revisiting that practice & rekindling my own interest in this blog. & decided to re-join Wishcasting Wed, led by Jamie's prompts. Well & good.

Last week I wrote about Prosperity, & this week when I saw the general prompt of "What Do you Wish For," I thought of my work with Reiki, & with my new blog (possibly that little Reiki Book I've thought of writing? What a good beginning!)

But as I read on, I realized that venue is also morphing: Jamie wrote: "In December, I’ll be launching the e-course so that you can receive wish prompts in your inbox every week for a year! And with that, and this is so hard for me to say, Wishcasting will be transitioning away from its Wednesday spot at the Studio. It’s time to open up the space. It’s time for new ventures to have room to grow and new adventures to begin."

So this week, my wish for myself is that opportunities to teach Reiki, Qigong, making & using Flower Essences and perhaps other self-healing & nurturing modalities manifest easily, & that students be attracted to & benefit from my classes & workshops. I wish for my practice to gradually transition from offering bodywork sessions to more teaching & mentoring.

My wish for Jamie - that all her ventures flow & prosper! Blessings - & thanks for the inspiration!