Greetings, Reader!
Remember how I said last week that winter is a time for rest and replenishment? Well, it turns out the universe had other plans, because this first week of the year has been a doozy.
I was planning on writing this week about the symbolism of the Bear in qigong practice from the perspective of rest, but it seems more fitting this week to talk about the Bear's purposeful rage.
Rage is sacred, and it is the appropriate response to injustice. When rage arises, it comes from the heart. Just think about the amount of love that is present when a Mama Bear takes a stand against something that is threatening her precious cubs.
Bear teaches BOUNDARIES
Anger is a sign that something has threatened what matters most to us. Bear is not randomly aggressive, but she will clearly take a stand and defend what matters when her boundaries have been crossed.
Bear teaches PRESENCE
Bear takes up space and has a quiet, commanding presence. She is steady, rooted, and solid. She demonstrates clarity about when it is time to act and when it is time to witness.
Bear teaches INSTINCTS
Bear is attuned to her environment. She listens to her instincts and trusts her intuition. She can sense when a threat is lurking and she isn't afraid to stand her ground.
Bear teaches CONSERVATION
But Bear also knows that she must balance action with rest. Because she is rooted and situated in herself, her nervous system does not remain hypervigilant. She knows she must recharge so that she will have the strength to act when called upon. She also knows what fights are worth fighting, and she is willing to retreat to her cave to wait out the harshest parts of winter. She recognizes that self-defense also requires protection.
Bear teaches PATIENCE
When Bear rests during winter, she trusts that growth requires incubation and darkness before turning towards the light. She reminds us that constant tending and expansion are counterproductive for growth.
Bear teaches TRUST
She goes into hibernation trusting that she will know when the time is right to emerge. She knows when to push and when to rest; when to clench her fist and when to soften. She reminds us that our bodies know what they need, and invites us to trust that wisdom.
Right now, if t feels like there are too many battles to fight, I hope you remember that this is by design.
An overwhelmed nervous system will shutdown in an effort to protect you. I know it may seem counterintuitive, but tending to your nervous system is one of the most important things you can do to remain engaged with the world.
Whether you are feeling mobilized or immobilized from fear and rage, working with that energy will help you move forward.
Qigong is energy work. The word qi means energy, and the word gong means work or skill. The intention isn't to stretch the body (although the movements do unwind the fascia and lengthen the tissues); it is to skillfully and intentionally work with the energy that is present in your life.
Winter qigong practices balance action with rest, and strength with ease. They invite presence, deep listening, and connection to an unshakeable, values-based inner confidence.
I'll be teaching some of the Bear practices in my classes over the next few weeks. These practices leave will leave you feeling strong, rooted, and intentional.
Join qigong practice on Saturdays at 7:45 am or Mondays at 7 am online.
In love and solidarity,
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Rachel
Doctor of Physical Therapy & Integrative Pain Specialist
Build a resilient nervous system to help you flow through the seasons of your life with courage, wisdom, and compassion.
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PS: Two small shifts I'm exploring right now include sending my newsletters on Fridays instead of Sundays, so I can preserve Sundays as a sacred pause.
I've also decided to teach my winter series fully online. This allows for more ease, and it feels lovely to stay warm and cozy in the mornings. In the first week of the winter series, this has already felt like a gift. After the first practice on Saturday, everyone stayed for more than 30 minutes connecting, talking about the water element and how that energy is showing up in our lives, and genuinely enjoying the opportunity to build community. My heart was so full hearing about how the water element practices helped people feel more centered, relaxed, and present.
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Invitations to Work Together
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