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Tai Chi and Qigong Weekend, February in Berlin
Tai Chi for Yoga Teachers (and practicers) – Online, begin any time
200+Hour Yoga Teacher Training – Online, begin any time

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I have another conversation to share with you, this one is from a yoga teacher friend, talking about qigong, yoga, and what we’re all aiming for in these practices.

It reminds me of an old saying: “What you measure is what you get.” It tells me that what my goals are, with something like qigong or yoga, in so many ways set up what I’ll get from these practices. I think my friend has some brilliant ways of talking about this, I’ll share some with you here . . .

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“The way you spoke about Qigong really resonated with me. It’s not about being perfect at it, but simply coming back to it, again and again, because it’s good for everything. 

This idea connects so well with my experience in yoga, where it’s less about mastering a specific pose and more about the journey towards it. I find this perspective so helpful. When I first started teaching yoga, I struggled with the idea of being a “good” teacher, especially since I couldn’t do certain advanced poses like forearm stands or handstands. I used to think a good teacher had to be able to do these things. 

Over time, though, I’ve realized that the heart of teaching isn’t in the poses themselves, but in moving well, leading with compassion, and focusing on connection. It’s something that I feel isn’t talked about enough in the yoga community, so I’m really grateful that you and Tara keep addressing this in your training and on your app.”

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Like I said, my friend is brilliant. It took me so long to figure out what she’s understanding here. And it definitely wasn’t how I was doing things in my first ten years of yoga. I’m slow, but getting there. Her words now are reminding me of something else my old teacher would often say to me . . .

And from here, once you see something – maybe too much tension in some place, an old protected injury that needs mobilizing, a posture or position that isn’t so supportive – the same practices help with what you see in you, to give what you need.

Another old friend of mine shared something about this when we all got together for some tai chi at the new farm studio in Rhinebeck a couple months back . . . I think it was something like . . .

“I love that these practices are diagnosis and treatment all at the same time.”  

I really love this too. Maybe as much as anything, it’s why I’ve kept coming back to these practices again and again, for more than 40 years now. Among many things, tai chi has taught me that it’s ok to see me, exactly as I am. And, it’s shown me that wherever here is, it can always be transformed into something better.

We can make it better to be here. And, we can make here better.

Don’t miss your chance to join this wonderfully supportive group for some tai chi together-time coming up! In-person is magic, our next is a tai chi weekend in Berlin, I’ll share that link with you here . . .

Tai Chi and Qigong Weekend, February in Berlin

And if you’re looking for online, we have a “tai chi for yoga teachers” course, as well as a longer 200 hour yoga program, you might really love right now. Both include a whole year of live Zoom sessions, so we have lots of chances to see each other and share together. I’ll copy a couple more links below, and always if you need help with joining, that’s easy, just let me know.

Tai Chi for Yoga Teachers (and practicers) – Online, begin any time

200+Hour Yoga Teacher Training – Online, begin any time

Thank you friends for being here in these wonderfully transformative, enabling, and empowering practices together. I hope we all keep having many chances to share in this, for many many years to come.

Mike