“Great accomplishments seem imperfect” – Lao Tsu

 

 The Tao speaks of nature, and of us as part of nature. I have met many early childhood educators that passionately believe in the importance of a strong nature component in their classroom curriculum. As we tune ourselves into nature, we tune into ourselves, and the children. Nature teaches us about an aspect of the world to which many of us have lost connection. Knowingly or unknowingly we suffer from that disconnect.

 

My friend Stephanie Duckworth, from the Wampanoag tribe, writes in her book “Poneasequa, the Goddess of the Water” about her Grandfather encouraging her to get out of the house: “…I forgot, you would rather learn about life from things that are dead and lifeless then from living breathing things that can show you your own path and give you wisdom.” I encourage you to go outdoors with the children as often as you can. Find places as natural as you can find; places with the least of human manipulation. Spend time there in free play as well as in  teacher, parent or child directed exploration.

 

 

In the Tai Chi community there is a debate about  the practice of Tai Chi by children, while in the early childhood community there is a high level of interest in bringing such practices as Tai Chi, Yoga, and meditation into the classroom. As with most trends, we tend to forget the basics: Is what we are bringing to the children “age appropriate”? My mother believed that their are no subjects un fit for children.

Just as we do with clothes... we bring the subject to the children at the right size. If it is too big...it will not be usful!

 

 

Meditation will change your life!

Put aside 10 minutes every day for meditation. Set yourself in a comfortable and pleasant environment. You may wish to have soothing music or you may prefer quiet. Make sure to turn off phones and anything else that may distract you.

Sit, relax, breath naturally. Pay attention to any thoughts, sensations or emotions that occur but do not get involved with them. Just be.

 

Gentle Movement

If you are not feeling quite ready for meditation and/or if your body is lacking movement, moving meditation is a GREAT alternative! Take a walk in the park, stretch your body at home or out in the fresh air, Practice Tai Chi or Chi Kung on your own, with friends, or come join us in class. Moving the body -- and the energy within -- is refreshing and beneficial to body, emotions, and mind. You will be surprised how much better you will feel!

 

Relaxation

If you are not quite ready for either of the above…my next recommendation is to find a short segment of time during your day when you can relax. For example: If you are not taking time for lunch, start with 10 or 15 minutes each day where all you do is eat your lunch. When you are done eating just sit there for a few minutes. Or, try sitting for a few moments in quiet on a park bench, or do so on your couch after you turn off the TV. If you commute on a bus or a train spend 10 minutes doing nothing at all during your ride.

 

You are what you eat

So, who are you? And how can you improve your nutrition and health? You can make a small change or a total 180 degree turn. Decide which will work better for you.

Some examples: You can decide to add a green vegetable to one of your meals every day. Or, you can decide to stop consuming something you know is not contributing to your health; if eliminating it altogether seems too difficult, cut the amount that you consume in half.

Of course, making changes can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to maintain. And we all need help sometimes. Give me a call. Drop me a line. I am here to help.

Remember, you are worth the effort! And your health and wellbeing is the best investment you can make.

 

 

 

A prelude to the holiday season

 

I caught myself one morning rushing while brushing.

I thought: What’s the use? Rushing while brushing, that is no fun, that is no good, that is not what I want, if I could change it, I would!

 

In the late 80’s and early 90’s the word on the street was that computers, the internet (back then called the “Information Super highway”) and other technological developments would do much of our work and allow us (the people) more free time. I don’t know about you, but almost 20 years later I am not really feeling it. Instead of more free time, it seems we are moving at the kind of speed you see when fast forwarding a movie. And as hectic as life is for some of us here in the tri-state area, experience tells me that once again, like every year, the speed will increase to new levels with the “opening games” of the Holidays season.

 

It was in 1994 when I first realized that the official opening date of the holiday games is October 31^st. And the opening ceremony involves consuming large amounts of the Halloween candy we’ve bought for the tricksters.

 

For some of us this opening is followed by a slow yet steady build up of planning, shopping, food preparation, and family expectation, like the sounds of an orchestra tuning and warming up in our heads, growing louder every passing day as we perform the hectic holiday dance, fueled by a constant stream of sugar consumption until, finally, we crash on the first morning of the New Year.

 

I was not so happy to find myself rushing while brushing. I made a note of that. I also made a note about the “opening games” of the holiday season, and made a choice to add some time to my daily practice.

 

I reminded myself that I would like to spend as many moments as I can living in the moment, joyous and free. I wrote it in big letters.

What is it that brings me to the moment?  What is it that takes me away from it?

 

 

I am willing to change with the times.

 

Not because of the styles and trends that are constantly changing, but because I am changing, and resisting the change in me results in living in the present with my old self, and therefore not fully experiencing the moment.

 

I am willing to change with the times, and it is a great help in my relationships with children.

 

A friend once told me that looking back on the years when her children were young, she sees that many times she was a step behind the children. They have changed, and she was playing catching up.

 

Set up the game.

Observe all players moves.

Be willing to change.

 

Where I come from is in part my parents. Twice in my life so far I have deeply wondered. Six years ago it was: "Where did she go?", and now: "Where did he go?" As I say goodbye to a beautiful man to which I had the honor to call Aba (Dad) I am sharing with an essay I wrote seven years ago:

 

I AM THE DAUGHTER OF A SOLDIER

 

I am the daughter of a farmer, a soldier, and a philosopher. A kind and gentle man. My mother named him pure.

 

I am the daughter of a noble man. He does not lie or bend the truth for kids. He told me, many times, that man’s nature is to run away from fire and the army trains you to run into it.

 

He went to war more then once. He was afraid, and did not believe in killing. I do not know what he saw there. He always kept the unspoken rule that a man does not discuss the battlefield at home.

 

With his parents escaping Europe just in time to look back and see the flames consuming their past, and with his 64 years of life in the Israeli/Arabic conflict, my father believes that solutions are found in negotiation. I saw him sad, I saw him angry, but never calling for revenge.

 

When I was small we would go to the fields for the last few hours of light. He would check on the watering pipes. I would dig my bare feet in the sand, and surrender in to the warm air as day turned to night.

 

Then, later, I would follow him, probing, as you would with a mentor.  His answers are a part of who I am today. He kept me surprised, and gained my respect with his ability to give a fully thought through, direct, short, and honest answer.  Many times his answers were unsatisfying. Back then I thought it was because he was old and gave up; today I think it was because he was old and wise.

 

We grew up with on and off times of political issues very few could ignore, and everyone got to practice their thought process, opinion forming and debating skills.

 

I am whom I was born, when I was born, where I was born and to whom I was born.

 

I am the daughter of my parents, the land I walked on, the community that surrounded me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chi Kung is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focuses attention.

Chi Kung is practiced for good health maintenance, healing, and vitality. The gentle, rhythmic movements of Chi Kung reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.

Those who consistently practice Chi Kung find that it helps them regain a youthful vigor, maintain good physical and mental health even into old age, and facilitate recovery from illness.

Join us for our Free Online Chi Kung Pilot Class. The goal of this pilot is to provide feedback for us and a sneak preview for you of our online group and individual classes.

When: May 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm EST.

In order to participate, please ensure your computer is equipped with the following:

• Working webcam and microphone
• Skype 2011 version (it’s free at www.skype.com)
• Your skype name so we can connect with you before class

Register here

 

 

 

A tree

I am

 

The rain out the window

I see

 

Love inside

Love moves out

Love without.

"A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begin with a Single Step."

21 years ago it was stepping for the first time into a class room as a teacher. 16 years ago it was being a student again in Master Jou's Saturday morning class at Tai Chi Farm in Warwick New York. 9 years ago it was asking my teacher if She thought I was ready to teach the art. Today with the love and generosity of an old friend it is bringing my school into this new world of possibilities.

Welcome to Mir-Yam School of Tai Chi, Chi Kung, and Meditation. I hope to see you soon, and in the meantime Take your Meditation every day.

 

Miriam.