Beginning on Tuesday, July 14 at 5:30 you are invited to join in breathing together, moving together, listening together and sharing together. We will be combining gentle Chi Gung movements with listening to and reflecting on poetry. All the Chi Gung movements we will be doing can be done seated or standing. In addition, if you have limited space or mobility, the movements can be modified to accommodate that. As my Tai Chi instructor said the important thing is using your attention and intention.

Each group will reflect on a different poem. The poems we will be using will be sent out in advance so that you can print them out before the meeting if you would like to. The group will last for about an hour. You can attend all the sessions or just a few. More details about the flow of each session and Chi Gung are below.

In our first session we will be doing a special Chi Gung movement celebrating July’s new moon. In Chinese philosophy new moons are good times for beginnings. The Lunar New Year begins on a new moon. This July new Moon is in Cancer which emphasizes home, family and nurturing relationships. Cancer’s energy encourages trusting your feelings and emotional healing. We will also be looking at a poem by Judy Brown called Our Music and closing with a song by Carrie Newcomer entitled Singing in the Dark.

Meeting time and dates: 5:30—6:30pm, Tuesdays, July 14—August 11, 5 sessions

Log into UCH Zoom site to join: Meeting ID: 424 325 0026

Passcode: weloveUCH

The Flow of each Session

Opening: Chi Gung movement. These are slow simple exercises designed to turn your attention inward to your breath. They can be done seated or standing.

Listening: We will use a Lectio Divina approach to listening to a poem. This is a spiritual practice of listening to a reading, often scripture, several times paying attention to what resonates with you. We will be using poems from a variety of poets whose themes focus on paying attention to our hearts, accepting what is and celebrating our gifts.

Reflection & Sharing: There will be time to reflect silently and conversationally with the group. Sharing will be by invitation, sharing what you want to about what is speaking to your heart.

Closing: We will close by listening to a song on chant.

What is Chi Gung (also spelled Qigong)?

In Chinese Chi or Qi means life force or vital energy. It is a central concept of Chinese philosophy and medicine. Chi circulates through our bodies and through all life. Gung or gong means skill, practice or achievement. When you put the two words together it means “energy work” or “energy practice”—the practice of connecting with and moving the life energy through our bodies.

There are many different styles and versions of Chi Gung. Some are focused on healing the body, others on meditation, others on developing strength for martial arts. We will be exploring styles focused on meditation and healing. Each week we will do something a little different. All movements can be done seated.