Blog from Joan and Paul on Q&As ~ (Jul 2022)
Blog Posts
7 Things to Do in Northampton, MA
If you live in or are visiting Northampton, Massachusetts this summer, there won’t be a shortage of things to do. And if you’re one of the millions of Americans feeling stressed about everything from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to inflation prices, it makes sense to center your summer activities around physical and mental wellness. Here are some ideas for fun, relaxation, and rejuvenation:
8 Things to Do in Cheltenham England This Summer
If you’re a resident of Cheltenham, UK, or will be visiting this area in England this summer, count yourself lucky. This inviting Regency town has plenty to offer, including activities geared toward boosting your mental and physical wellness during unusually troubling times. Here are some wellness activities for rest, relaxation, and recovery in Cheltenham this summer:
Healing Covid with the Help of Qigong and Tai Chi by Marina Muhlfriedel ~ (Jun 2022)
In early June, the day before heading home to California from Berlin, I took the Covid PCR test required to board my flights. Knowing the other passengers and crew on the trip to Paris and the one from Paris to Los Angeles all tested negative was reassuring, as was the confirmation the following day that I was also Covid-free.
Reasons to Take a Summer Wellness Vacay
What Is a Wellness Vacation?
For most Americans, typical vacations offer an escape from the fatiguing cycle of our workdays and weekend obligations. However, they don’t do anything to change our daily realities when they are over. Wellness vacations, sometimes called wellness retreats, are guided trips that provide tools and strategies for handling stress in your everyday life. They may include eating healthy foods and exploring relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, or Tai Chi.
Why You Need a Wellness Vacation
Reduce Stress with Tai Chi & Qigong
Most people are aware that practicing Tai Chi regularly helps you to improve your overall physical health, strength, and balance. However, doing Tai Chi for stress reduction is highly beneficial for your mental health as well. In fact, many aspects of mental health are interlinked with physiological processes.
Tai Chi for Seasonal Arthritis
Although arthritis can certainly flare up frequently in the wintertime and in cold climates, studies suggest that spring is the worst time of year for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The greater humidity that comes with spring rain, rising temperatures, and changes in atmospheric pressure may be responsible for this. It’s smart to be proactive about counteracting RA symptoms, and Tai Chi exercises are a great way to do this. Here’s what you need to know about Tai Chi for arthritis this spring.
What is a Tai Chi Tuning?
Most people are fairly familiar with Tai Chi as a low-impact, healthy exercise, and meditative martial art form. Qigong is tai chi distilled to its essence. It’s an excellent way for seniors and anyone recovering from an illness or injury to get exercise: it improves balance, strength, flexibility, and more without straining the joints. It’s also a practice that can help your body make periodic adjustments and realignments—just as you would with a musical instrument or vehicle. In Tai Chi and qigong, this is accomplished with a practice called a tuning.
Back Health for Tai Chi Players by Bob Etherington ~ (May 2022)
From the moment we are born and leave our environment of floating in liquid we must deal with gravity and a less dense atmosphere of air. Since gravity never stops and air isn't dense enough (under normal circumstances) to hold us up, humans are preoccupied with not falling.
Still Learning by Annita Riddle ~ (Apr 2022)
My grandchildren call me Ninja Granny. It brings a smile to my face every time I think of it. How did I acquire this name?
It all started with lockdown, following the first Covid outbreak which kept us all indoors. There was a TV advertisement at the same time. It showed a trio of pandas performing Constant Bear. I was captivated by the pandas’ graceful, flowing movements. A great calmness came over me from just watching it. I decided then and there that I’d learn tai chi and at least get something positive out of being confined to my home.