tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77523177975610998342024-03-13T07:52:38.964-07:00Nova Dawn SongIn Which I Undertake Various Quests and Write About Them for My Own AmusementMs. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-48291231175675254472018-01-18T23:30:00.007-08:002018-01-18T23:33:23.767-08:00Healing My Back - I Researched and Then I Did NothingThis weekend I sat down and watched YouTube videos on healing a bad back. It was informative. It was interesting. I learned some things.<br />
<br />
I also did some self-assessments and wrote down what I found. I felt like I was writing massage therapy notes again... Old hat and all that...<br />
<br />
"HT BL piriformis more on L side. Lat. rotated R shoulder..."<br />
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Etcetera, etcetera...<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://giphy.com/embed/BTk0bmx7bY5rO" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/massage-BTk0bmx7bY5rO">via GIPHY</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(This cat didn't ask her client for permission to massage the belly. Bad cat!)</span><br />
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Then, I looked at my book on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Somatics-Reawakening-Control-Movement-Flexibility/dp/0738209570">Somatics</a> by Thomas Hanna...<br />
<br />
I watched some <a href="https://www.feldenkrais.com/">Feldenkrais</a> videos...<br />
<br />
...and I tried to figure out how to do things that won't make my <a href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/ehlers-danlos-syndrome/">EDS</a> worse...<br />
<br />
I researched. I developed. I planned.<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>And then I did nothing.</i></span><br />
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My plan was to start with the somatics book... I would skim the chapters on how exactly somatics is supposed to work and then I would spend the next 8 days working through the 8 outlined lessons.<br />
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From there, the plan was vague, mostly because I realized that I have a lot more research to do, and then I got overwhelmed... Overwhelmed with all the billions of next steps and questions and lack of structure after the somatics step.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDavfc3HGAAGu8OHY_9nNVLkopfAoB4WmwNLwxD9GUVWh_O4mWJYXwJ1WqYl-4KhdCBZtzvMOdYim2a0X0Rb4HmcOvYL7656WL-sv2cJAszd73k3OqAqQnNYj9-98Wdip5j563moNhCV9v/s1600/7658284016_4ceb0f65f0_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDavfc3HGAAGu8OHY_9nNVLkopfAoB4WmwNLwxD9GUVWh_O4mWJYXwJ1WqYl-4KhdCBZtzvMOdYim2a0X0Rb4HmcOvYL7656WL-sv2cJAszd73k3OqAqQnNYj9-98Wdip5j563moNhCV9v/s640/7658284016_4ceb0f65f0_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are we to the download is straight into the brain part yet? (source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/83633410@N07/7658284016">CollegeDegrees360</a>)</td></tr>
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There is no way I can find THE path to healing my back in only one month or three weeks or whatever.<br />
<br />
My situation is complicated. My body is a bitch that just doesn't want to cooperate. I need to talk nice to it. I need to approach it slowly, like one would an abused animal. I need to woo it with treats and take my time, hoping to win it over. This process is not going to be figured out over night.<br />
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That's why the somatics approach is good, it's gentle, it's subtle, it's quiet. Somatics and Feldenkrais are both methods of increasing subtle body awareness. The methods effectively reawaken the body to itself. The side effects are relaxed muscles, increased ease of movement, and the decrease of pain for many practitioners of these methods.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlYMzk6W6HMU4EdyAcnWTmb-GW0cYHQQomhO4kyRP9P4WXtf6W2PfJJ0qBjHMC4p_poIs-eSLPK98eNfFA_I2XwtrnsqZjQtgc4NBZtX_FyENniTBxBADFWvgq-l_NWIe9hTsu_HgpEqR/s1600/pexels-photo-68421+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinlYMzk6W6HMU4EdyAcnWTmb-GW0cYHQQomhO4kyRP9P4WXtf6W2PfJJ0qBjHMC4p_poIs-eSLPK98eNfFA_I2XwtrnsqZjQtgc4NBZtX_FyENniTBxBADFWvgq-l_NWIe9hTsu_HgpEqR/s640/pexels-photo-68421+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops! I got too close to my own body. Okay, okay, I'm backing away very, very slowly... (source: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/nature-lion-south-africa-whitelion-68421/">Piet Bakker</a>)</td></tr>
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I considered following the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6NnVWeJ-nY">Feldenkrais videos</a> on YouTube, but I've been carrying around the Hanna Somatics book for a few years now, and I figured I should put it to good use, if only to justify its existence on my bookshelf.<br />
<br />
I've been feeling kind of bad for not jumping in with the somatics lessons this week, but I decided that it's okay for my challenge to get a bit of a wonky start this month. I began late and I wasn't completely clear about what I should do. I needed this week to realize that I was taking on too much - <i>as I do</i> - and that it is entirely OK for me to focus solely on learning the Hanna Somatics method from my book for the rest of the month, instead of trying to pile a bunch of other exercises and approaches to my healing process.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqscc5F2AFmUh3yNW5LN1sV9H3fW0zAzRjKf4pRyccnnbDBgKz24a3uESOVtpolVBgRXRaDpnSKBcO-Jg8zZ7egxbYnjgGE-c-jjvZBxRFHpNhXlrVTJQtusGHgZD5TJmeNnSfDnuu3pmD/s1600/4082110101_15584140ce_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqscc5F2AFmUh3yNW5LN1sV9H3fW0zAzRjKf4pRyccnnbDBgKz24a3uESOVtpolVBgRXRaDpnSKBcO-Jg8zZ7egxbYnjgGE-c-jjvZBxRFHpNhXlrVTJQtusGHgZD5TJmeNnSfDnuu3pmD/s640/4082110101_15584140ce_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what the ideas in my head look like. Time to Konmari that shit. (source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tallkev/4082110101">Kevin Utting</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
I know somatics works, because I used similar methods when I was practicing massage, and I've done some of the exercises before. After doing somatics, I have always felt like I'd just come away from a chiropractic visit - nice and aligned.<br />
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What I'm missing, is a deeper understanding of the "what, why, and how" and I don't have a sense of structure around what an ongoing practice would look like. That's why I like the idea of working through the Hanna book. Somatics will become a tool that I can more consciously use, like the qigong practices that I learned last month.<br />
<br />
So that's it for now. I've begun reading the chapters on "what and why" and I will start working through the somatics lessons soon.<br />
<br />
I'll probably jump on here at some point to bore you with an update.<br />
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You're welcome.<br />
<br />
<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-76830118688211177152018-01-04T11:21:00.000-08:002018-01-04T11:27:56.330-08:00Challenge #2 - Healing My BackHey folks! Not that anyone cares, but here is where I explain my next challenge...<br />
<br />
It's January 4 and now I am overdue to begin my new challenge for this month. I was all set to do 30 days of yoga, however, I have reconsidered that plan in the last few days.<br />
<br />
I have a disc bulge that is impinging on my L5-S1 nerve root on the left side. This condition causes chronic nerve irritation that goes all the way down my leg to the top of my foot, it also causes back pain. I have done a fair amount of physical therapy for the issue along with my own attempts at getting in better shape on my own and with the help of trainers. Unfortunately, compounding my problem is the fact that I have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which makes me extra bendy and prone to injury. My numerous attempts to heal my back problem have usually ended with me being either in worse pain or completely bored with PT exercises that don't feel like they're addressing my body holistically.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WU93993j035j7e3j0IT-dr5ljWDhUD3y6EdS83d8DGtDLfFB70dRFmM-CY7G5cARuJ3PRkmEVr9oGdHqjrIHR6MU7qUimpoPeE9MYF5_Kl3GSOe1V4Dkm_dVbWSOZFQlxQK24hT5eVcG/s1600/pexels-photo-573294+%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WU93993j035j7e3j0IT-dr5ljWDhUD3y6EdS83d8DGtDLfFB70dRFmM-CY7G5cARuJ3PRkmEVr9oGdHqjrIHR6MU7qUimpoPeE9MYF5_Kl3GSOe1V4Dkm_dVbWSOZFQlxQK24hT5eVcG/s640/pexels-photo-573294+%25281%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gosh, I wish my back pain was beautiful like this picture by <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/art-back-view-black-and-white-dark-573294/">Matheus Bertelli</a>.</span></td></tr>
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After struggling with this issue for 5 years, I need to take my healing journey to a whole new level. Healing my back must become top priority and after so many attempts at addressing it, I have a lot more information about how to approach it. Because this is such a specific issue, I decided that I am not ready for general yoga. Instead, I will spend this month curating a specific set of exercises, which will include core exercises and somatic movement, along with targeted visualizations and continued qigong practises to enhance my healing efforts.<br />
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I know this challenge is not sexy. It is not Qigong AF, but I need it.<br />
<br />
Besides, you're damn lucky I didn't choose my job search as this month's challenge. You would have been bored to tears with that one. At least with this challenge, I can make fun of myself and you might have half a chance at laughing. If I was writing about my job search, you would just cry the entire month like me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_UZ335k7lbkBo8nXCJOOF_7Owz0lhoeyufjNqMmPRCcRqTxAbbNvuDXybyIFsHysywxZA8X5qVoR6w6sU-c0WsTLOT4aG741KD4i3Mlg8VHaXbmtKq0VruwOtcicSNuAKoM35ULR3oRc/s1600/people-2566201_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_UZ335k7lbkBo8nXCJOOF_7Owz0lhoeyufjNqMmPRCcRqTxAbbNvuDXybyIFsHysywxZA8X5qVoR6w6sU-c0WsTLOT4aG741KD4i3Mlg8VHaXbmtKq0VruwOtcicSNuAKoM35ULR3oRc/s640/people-2566201_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I totes love searching for a job! - Said no one ever. (<a href="https://pixabay.com/en/people-man-guy-cry-tears-groom-2566201/">source</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
So what are the steps to my healing journey this month?<br />
<br />
Gosh! Thanks for asking!<br />
<br />
This is how it's going to break down starting today:<br />
<br />
1.<b> Research and Planning Phase:</b> This is where I gather information and materials in order to devise an intelligent plan for myself. This includes external information from books, websites, people... but also internal information, like where I can feel tightness and restriction in my body and where I am particularly weak - that way I can choose exercises that attempt to "even out" my body. I will give myself until next Wednesday (1/10) to compile this information, gather my resources, and make a plan. All of this gets written down... probably on this blog just to irritate you.<br />
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2. <b>Execution Phase:</b> During this phase I will begin trying out my plan. Because it is a new approach to healing my back, I expect that there will need to be tweaks and changes a long the way. During the first week (1/11 - 1/17), I will be paying close attention to what does and does not work and will make adjustments accordingly. The second week of this phase should simply be a settling in of the routine. Assuming the plan goes well, I will be in this phase until the end of the month (Wednesday, January 31).<br />
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3. <b>Review Phase:</b> During the last few days of the month (1/28 - 1/31), I will take some time to consider how the challenge has gone so far. This challenge technically has no end, because I will have to continue taking care of my back for the rest of my life, however, what I need in terms of exercises and practises will evolve over time. It will be interesting to take a look at my progress over the previous three weeks and assess if I've had the results that I want. I'll know if I was successful if I experience a stronger core and significantly reduced pain and discomfort. Terrible and excruciating pain and irritating discomfort will tell me if I've failed. Basically, failure will mean nothing has changed and then I will cry forevar!!!... and probably ask to speak to a surgeon as a last ditch effort to get relief.<br />
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So that's it. That's my next challenge and now I'm accountable to you to get it done.<br />
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Don't go easy on me. Hold me to it people.<br />
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Seriously...<br />
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You may have to spank me as punishment for slacking off...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/SpankGirls1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="656" height="478" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/SpankGirls1903.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They knew the value of a good spanking in 1903... (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SpankGirls1903.JPG#filelinks">source</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
But you need to get my explicit consent first and we may need a safe word... just sayin.<br />
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I mean isn't that what they teach in 50 Shades of Grey?<br />
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Shut up, I wouldn't know, because I refuse to read that Twilight fan fic trash, but I know you did and you loved it.<br />
<br />
But I digress...Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-64249741845847804312018-01-04T11:03:00.000-08:002018-01-04T11:24:28.362-08:00Qigong AF - Days 21 thru 30 Duuuuuude.<br />
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I did not forget about you, or about Qigong AF, or about blogging.<br />
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Life, however, did not care.<br />
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The important thing is that I'm baaaaaaaaack! And while I know that is terrifying for some of you, it is a very, very good thing for me and that's all that really matters.<br />
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So, how did I do on my Qigong AF challenge, which is supposedly at its end?<br />
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I ROCKED IT!!!<br />
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I am officially QIGONG AF FOREVAR!!!!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Chinese_woodcut%3B_Daoyin_exercises%2C_Brocade_of_the_Tiger%2C_4_Wellcome_L0038936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Chinese_woodcut%3B_Daoyin_exercises%2C_Brocade_of_the_Tiger%2C_4_Wellcome_L0038936.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is totally a self-portrait of me being Qigong AF (<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinese_woodcut;_Daoyin_exercises,_Brocade_of_the_Tiger,_4_Wellcome_L0038936.jpg">source</a>)</td></tr>
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Okay, so Christmas killed my practice for a few days, but that's because the Christmas plans got all wonky due to bugs.<br />
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Bugs that bite in the night... Muhahahaha!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pestworld.org/media/562185/bed-bug-pest-id-card_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://www.pestworld.org/media/562185/bed-bug-pest-id-card_front.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eeeeeeeewwwwww!!! I'm sorry I posted this here. (<a href="http://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/bed-bugs/bed-bugs/">source</a>)</td></tr>
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No, I do not have said bugs in my home, but my daughter's dad does and therefore, my daughter did <i>not</i> go to his place for the holidays as planned. In fact she did not go to his place <i>at all</i> during her two week winter break. That is why I haven't been blogging, I couldn't seem to find or make the time with a 5-year-old constantly vying for my attention. I did, however, do my daily Qigong with the exceptions of Christmas Day, Boxing Day (the day after Christmas for you heathens), and New Year's Eve and I call that a goddamned success!<br />
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I finished my 30 days of Qigong on New Years Day. It was a feat and I mastered it.<br />
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I will admit that my ADD brain began losing interest in the practice near the end, partly because my brain prefers novelty over repetition and partly because some elements of the practice never quite caught my fancy. I was hoping that the Center and Balance Meditation and I would eventually become friends, but alas, it was not to be. Still, I learned some very insightful and valuable stuff over the 30 day practice and I highly encourage you to check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27B9CCAY2wOurQWpATdfgA">Chris Shelton's YouTube Channel</a> to learn more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oNCVqUiZhYZ29FfJhPMfcGaCo0ek1yfFNfDtiesIQRnpZ3G578JdUDof7g0Xki9B9RNLBWLJdaY_tSmjXEVYBkVEWBNxpnccbvItMB8oFpYrrFgkcOkRwgxjr4odzUPFdFTkPi6B-nJf/s1600/bored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7oNCVqUiZhYZ29FfJhPMfcGaCo0ek1yfFNfDtiesIQRnpZ3G578JdUDof7g0Xki9B9RNLBWLJdaY_tSmjXEVYBkVEWBNxpnccbvItMB8oFpYrrFgkcOkRwgxjr4odzUPFdFTkPi6B-nJf/s400/bored.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ugh! Please don't make me do the Center and Balance Meditation ever again! (<a href="http://www.discoverfun.com/freeinfo/500fun/when_severly_bored.html">source</a>)</td></tr>
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<br />
While I don't plan on continuing to do qigong for 30-40 minutes per day, every day, I will continue utilizing some of the practices on a regular basis and I do want to revisit some of them to deepen my relationship with them over time.<br />
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Now I'm looking forward to my next challenge, which is getting a bit of a late start, but I have written up a post all about it <a href="https://novadawnsong.blogspot.com/2018/01/challenge-2-healing-my-back.html">here</a> if you happen to be curious. Look, I totally understand if you're not... I mean it would be really nice if you actually showed me you cared for once... I mean it's not like I'm asking you for the world here... come on... sheesh...<br />
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<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-43734814190012348202017-12-20T18:04:00.000-08:002017-12-20T18:05:08.862-08:00Qigong AF - Day 20 and All Those Other Days I Haven't Written About YetToday is two-thirds day, people!<br />
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I am two-thirds through my Qigong AF challenge!<br />
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I am probably as shocked as you.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3oKIPrljOVYppIrRcY" width="480"></iframe><br />
<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/thegoldengirls-hulu-golden-girls-3oKIPrljOVYppIrRcY">via GIPHY</a><br />
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Anyway, I'm going to keep this super short, because I have parental duties that I need to attend to.<br />
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I do want to say that, on reflection, I have been finding this qigong practice to be a lot deeper than I'd initially expected it to be. The sounding exercises are especially powerful and they remind me a little of the EMDR treatment that I've been getting in counseling for PTSD. I will definitely be using many of these qigong practices in my life from now on. They are easy, practical, and powerful.<br />
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I am Qigong AF and you should too!<br />
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Stay sweet, y'all!Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-42037389935989817162017-12-16T23:12:00.002-08:002017-12-16T23:31:31.766-08:00Qigong AF - Days 13, 14, and 15Chris, seriously, why do you gotta make a girl cry?<br />
<br />
I just finished day 15 - yes half way!!! - and I freakin cried during the practice. Why did I cry, you ask? Well because Chris Shelton made me, that's why!<br />
<br />
Today's practice was centered on the "Heart Healing Sound", AKA "Haaa." The deal was that you call up some kind of upset or trauma from your past and then you breathe.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I know. That NEVER turns out well!<br />
<br />
Here's some math for you:<br />
<br />
Feelings + Breathing = More Goddamned Feelings = Tears<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAUNREPWLRussHEVcKfiUr6ZVOM1Kiz2pWDMn5eW9RYCmPnx-AhpkLKw9T7LbDycI4v_9lUsIeUyEpprVVNRwGcMfwCCenuNGe5QRC2ez2ve9_SyVyLkpm_CxZ612Cq5wtNWJ2zyZ40_d/s1600/crying-baby-2708380_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAUNREPWLRussHEVcKfiUr6ZVOM1Kiz2pWDMn5eW9RYCmPnx-AhpkLKw9T7LbDycI4v_9lUsIeUyEpprVVNRwGcMfwCCenuNGe5QRC2ez2ve9_SyVyLkpm_CxZ612Cq5wtNWJ2zyZ40_d/s640/crying-baby-2708380_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you love crying? I know I do. Especially when you leak eye color. It looks so cool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, there I was remembering my most recent slight - being rejected by employers YET AGAIN - and I started to freakin cry. I mean, the job probably wasn't right for me anyway, but I'm getting so sick of being rejected! I am a freakin awesome person with good brains and a nice ass. Why can't anyone see that?<br />
<br />
Every time I get rejected for a job, I question whether I'm on the right track or not. I mean, I never, ever, once as a child imagined that I would be anything other than a singer - an opera singer to be exact. And never did I ever consider the possibility of become an administrative cog either.<br />
<br />
The point is, that I keep feeling like I missed my calling in a major way and I don't know how to get back on track, especially as my body slowly loses it's fight with gravity and the world begins to make me invisible because I'm a woman entering middle-age.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Ilona_Massey-Invisible_Agent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="325" height="640" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Ilona_Massey-Invisible_Agent.JPG" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get back in the corner because I'm almost 40? Oh, hell no! It's you who needs to get in the corner, honey!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I REALLY want to do is something far more inspired and creative than working in an office cubicle five days a week. Now, admittedly, I've so far managed to avoid ever having a job ala <i>The Office</i>, so I do have that going for me. Unfortunately, I <i>still</i> haven't figured out quite how to do what I really, really, really, REALLY want to do without the noise of <i>other </i>work getting in the way. What I would like is to be a fully paid, multi-disciplined artist/housewife/coach/performance workshop teacher/crazy tea lady... or something like that. <i>That</i> would be pure magic. Is that too much to ask for?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEmv4GwCp4s4g5CAStgwV4C-MrkYflhd8IhQCNoKSUfeIZjWje0HW-hTpCpceS_BzuBP06EdqArFN35odHsG-sqcksLnXmqntiPJFAjt7t6ysmULmKXsM88I0ziG9fZ-vcZ5iaWv7eOwq/s1600/mask-2872819_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEmv4GwCp4s4g5CAStgwV4C-MrkYflhd8IhQCNoKSUfeIZjWje0HW-hTpCpceS_BzuBP06EdqArFN35odHsG-sqcksLnXmqntiPJFAjt7t6ysmULmKXsM88I0ziG9fZ-vcZ5iaWv7eOwq/s640/mask-2872819_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm artsy AF. Can I just get paid already?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And <i>dangnabit! </i>America told me it was my birthright to be <i>"whatever I want to be!"</i> America told me to <i>"live the dream"</i> to <i>"not give up"</i> that <i>"if I try hard enough, I'll get rewarded."</i><br />
<br />
OMG, if I hear another <i>"I made millions of dollars selling dreams on the Internet and you can too!,"</i> I will take a bat to my dying iMac and smash it into the next century!<br />
<br />
Seriously America, will you shut up already? Not everybody has it in them to be the next top model or scam artist or schmoozer or whatever you want to call it. You know that your words are a Titanic-sized, earth-mover full of horse shit. You are the biggest liar I have ever met and I don't believe you anymore, <i>so there</i>!<br />
<br />
Wow... so that's me having a little tantrum all over the page... just pretend that didn't happen...<br />
<br />
But seriously, this job search makes me a little crazy and it's obviously triggering and not very good for my delicate heart qi.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k1Z9JhNHHOG1FWLlaBw03MtvBA-0FA1GBmQHyiJyB5Bmaa0WaNr68a0uB6EvjPngeI0fySGvpWOhmiq3b9V2sTvVbC3LsxCFKhcuDTGh5z7VoJg7n3A9SLn7JjevJW3eoYAUrgK0YKd3/s1600/heart-742712_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4k1Z9JhNHHOG1FWLlaBw03MtvBA-0FA1GBmQHyiJyB5Bmaa0WaNr68a0uB6EvjPngeI0fySGvpWOhmiq3b9V2sTvVbC3LsxCFKhcuDTGh5z7VoJg7n3A9SLn7JjevJW3eoYAUrgK0YKd3/s640/heart-742712_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart qi is all brown, dried up, broken, and it is apparently a leaf.</td></tr>
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The truth is that when I was a lot younger, I was very talented (aaand I'm still talented, <i>obvs</i>) and I was on track to BE the opera singer of my dreams.<br />
<br />
My beautiful dream was bolstered by well-meaning teachers, mentors, my parents..., by the fluffy lies of the American-dream narrative, and by my own naivety. I did give it a good go, but I couldn't cut it. Not because I wasn't good enough, but because I was heartbroken.<br />
<br />
Because I didn't have good life skills.<br />
Because I was distracted<br />
Because I was weak.<br />
<br />
I became a lost girl on the road to operatic tragedy... I never even made it there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNDGirepL7oRVuO0J0BfRyb8obCaLed4UkiYPIS3T9sREN_2GiYNqSZNi5-3IkIWBevnvazhU4mOVb_RKU34voW7XVH4g_4qL8WNS1-dtJSrGWa1RCBvwKrx9uqWI5YiXjghmmsM1iB54/s1600/fog-1208283_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNDGirepL7oRVuO0J0BfRyb8obCaLed4UkiYPIS3T9sREN_2GiYNqSZNi5-3IkIWBevnvazhU4mOVb_RKU34voW7XVH4g_4qL8WNS1-dtJSrGWa1RCBvwKrx9uqWI5YiXjghmmsM1iB54/s640/fog-1208283_1920.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Shit! I forgot the roadmap to success! But I do have this map to failure... I wonder where that will take me..."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The dissolution of my dream was the worst kind of heartbreak and being already heartbroken, I became a mere shell. In a stupor (mostly from booze), I stumbled through my 20s trying to find my True North again, but come it would not. At least not in the shining light, V-day, liberating sort of way I was expecting. This made me feel like an utter failure at every turn.<br />
<br />
It took a host of operatic level tragedies during my early 30s - unfortunately, none of which happened on a stage - to knock me back into myself. These trials helped me start to see the progress I'd made in my 20s towards rediscovering myself and my dreams, but now I was under a heavy blanket of PTSD and I had to claw my way out of the hole I'd fallen into and try to get back to where I'd started.<br />
<br />
Shittonnes of counseling later, I'm here, edging painfully close to 40, trying to find a job that my heart qi isn't 100% sure it wants, because I want the thing that will make me happy, the thing that I'm called to do. Because, I'm tired of being a shell.<br />
<br />
I'm tired of being lost.<br />
I'm tired of being distracted.<br />
I'm tired of being weak.<br />
<br />
And I'm goddamned tired of chasing a dream in a world that says I can have it all, but doesn't want to pay for the beautiful, soul-healing art that people make - except where it is sanctioned, where it is staid, except where it is an extravagant distraction created by the famous.<br />
<br />
I'm tired, yet I can't seem to give up on the dream.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti_-_Beata_Beatrix%2C_1864-1870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/Dante_Gabriel_Rossetti_-_Beata_Beatrix%2C_1864-1870.jpg" width="497" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dream is my opiate. (Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Siddal">Wikipedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Damn, America, that's some fine crack you've served me over the years! Like a junkie, I am constantly jonesing for my fix of dream-seeking. There's always a, <i>"What if I pursued this idea? Or... what about that one?"</i>. I tell myself to be rational, to go for the secure thing... a J.O.B. with benefits and all that fancy stuff - I mean, I do have a child to care for and all. How selfish is it for me to want to pursue my silly, pie-in-the-sky, artsy-fartsy dreams?<br />
<br />
Besides, artsy-fartsy dreams betray you, they break your heart...<br />
<br />
Look at me - I get rejected by a job and my heart qi goes all wonky, Chris Shelton makes me cry, and next thing you know I'm having yet <i>another </i>existential crisis.<br />
<br />
I can't tell if the constant job rejections are a message from the Universe that I am not on the right track. I can't tell if what I should really be doing is finding a way, SOME way to answer the calling of my heart for once - this time with better life skills, more strength, and better focus. What if these rejections are a story telling me to get creative, dig my heels in, and do whatever it takes to become that crazy tea lady/multi-disciplined artist/housewife and get paid for it? What if America isn't completely a lying bitch and I <i>can</i> be anything I want to be? Should I really keep drinking that Kool-aid?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/52/155274872_f400b3a110_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/52/155274872_f400b3a110_b.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hahahaha! What did you put in this mom?" (Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/a4gpa/155274872">a4gpa</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's hard though...<br />
<br />
I do not have youth in my corner anymore. I do not have a straight-forward work history of 9-5s and water cooler gossip and Sysiphusian latter climbing which led to a healthy stock portfolio that can fund my dreams. I do not have an abundance of time that is my own anymore. I do not have a plethora of resources which would make entrepreneurial ventures more adventurous journies and less masochistic pilgrimages. I own a car that is worth under $1000. That is the ONLY thing of value that I own. I don't get child support. My parents and family are tired of my "hair-brained" ideas and just want me to get a fucking job already.<br />
<br />
Whatever way you hash it, I <i>do</i> need some kind of job, some way to bring home the bacon. I just wish my sweet, sweet, baby heart qi could get behind one way or the other so that I can get me some dead presidents already.<br />
<br />
PS: Day 14 made me feel like a giant.Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-3027023696812531012017-12-12T17:18:00.001-08:002017-12-12T17:20:17.705-08:00Qigong AF - Days 11 &12I'm nearing the half-way point here people... woot!<br />
<br />
So I didn't post anything yesterday because I had what I'm pretty sure was an <a href="http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm">ocular migraine</a>. I didn't have any pain and it only lasted about 15 minutes, but it was weird. The vision in my right eye went all wonky and I was seeing this squiggly, strobing light pattern in what seemed to be my blind spot. Apparently this is a thing that happens.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://pics.me.me/just-rolled-my-eyes-so-hard-i-saw-my-brain-6881053.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="500" height="473" src="https://pics.me.me/just-rolled-my-eyes-so-hard-i-saw-my-brain-6881053.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe this is what happened to me...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Because this was the first time I've experienced ocular hallucinations not brought on by a wild and out of control imagination, deep meditation, or drugs, I was advised to go into urgent care where I spent an exciting hour and twenty minutes waiting to be seen (at least I got a start on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wise-Mans-Fear-Kingkiller-Chronicle/dp/0756407915">this book</a>!). The doctor made sure that my retinas were not disengaging from my brain like a Ferengi spaceship from DS9 - they weren't - and gave me a non-diagnosis of, <i>"It may have been an ocular migraine, if you have more, tell your primary care doctor."</i> Thanks for telling me something I didn't know, doc!<br />
<br />
Despite this strange phenomena, I STILL DID MY QIGONG AF! I am so HARDCORE!!!<br />
<br />
I did Day 11 right before I had to go get more drilling done to my precious teeth by a sadistic dentist. I was nice and calm when I arrived at said dentists and I used my Jedi Qigong powers to remain so despite the fact that the dental assistant was trying to stab me in the cheek with her suction wand.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-28-2015/UOmrJK.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="427" src="https://i.makeagif.com/media/5-28-2015/UOmrJK.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrifying! (GIF found <a href="https://makeagif.com/gif/little-shop-of-horrors-dentist-song-UOmrJK">here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, I waited until the last minute to do my qigong, spending my time earlier in the day at the public library instead. I went to the library in the hopes of being more motivated to apply for jobs - less distraction and more like commuting to a job. I also thought that their computers would be faster than my ancient iMac and shitty Dell laptop - they weren't.<br />
<br />
I did choose 3 jobs to apply for this week - which is my goal - however, I was not successful in actually applying for anything. It was a combination of <i>"Hmmm, maybe I should redesign my resume in Canva so that I have an eye-catching visual resume of love."</i> and <i>"OMG, who smells like they haven't washed in ten years? Please, someone, get them and a bath. That smell is killing my concentration. For the love of God everyone should have access to hot, running water, this is the US after all and I need to find a job!"</i> (<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7143/6732979945_c486d197f3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="800" height="476" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7143/6732979945_c486d197f3_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This will be me next time I use the library computers. I respect everyone's right to be there. I don't have to enjoy the smells. (Image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dklimke/6732979945">Dan Klimke</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I worked through it - the <i>"No, that's not going to work - I'm going to scrap it and start over - if only I could breathe - I'll just smell my fingers while I work."</i> And then a guy with fresh cigarette smoke smell wafting off of him sat next to me and that was the nail in the coffin. I couldn't keep sitting there in the pong any longer.<br />
<br />
Better luck tomorrow. I think I'm just going to do my job hunting from home.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to Qigong AF...<br />
<br />
So, today's qigong helped me shake it off - like the Taylor Swift song, as Chris Shelton always likes to mention - and I feel fabulous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nfWlot6h_JM" width="560"></iframe>Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-85742498668918296992017-12-10T15:14:00.003-08:002017-12-10T15:16:35.322-08:00Qigong AF - Day 10Whaaaaaat?<br />
<br />
I just did 10 straight days of Qigong AF!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/20000/velka/surprise-surprise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="541" height="400" src="https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/20000/velka/surprise-surprise.jpg" width="270" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheesh. Don't look so surprised. I can finish things... sometimes. (Image: <a href="http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=15659">Public Domain</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm sorry, but I can't hold in my excitement! I am officially a third of the way through this challenge.<br />
<br />
I'll let you in on a little secret... I've never done a single physical practice consecutively for more that 5 days in my life. Well, maybe I danced - but I never counted that as physical practice... that was just joy.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I don't have much time because I'm about to play host to my imaginary friends. We are going to have a crafting party and eat soup.<br />
<br />
Here's a gif of me celebrating my accomplishment for you:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/kbs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="390" height="220" src="https://www.reactiongifs.com/r/kbs.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I swear that's me and not Kevin Bacon in Footloose. (GIF found <a href="http://www.reactiongifs.com/kevin-bacon-spin/">here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-25647092571197669892017-12-09T16:17:00.000-08:002017-12-09T16:17:08.203-08:00Qigong AF Day 8 and 9Hello dear readers!<br />
<br />
Hello?<br />
<br />
Is there anyone there?<br />
<br />
....... ::crickets:: .......<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5227/5604789705_d04d2b4fa5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="581" data-original-width="800" height="464" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5227/5604789705_d04d2b4fa5_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me pointlessly shouting into the void trying to connect with other humans. (Image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mackenziejean/5604789705">Mackenzie Greer</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yeah, well I didn't want anyone to read this anyway.<br />
<br />
::mumbles:: <span style="font-size: x-small;">...just keep talking to myself...</span><br />
<br />
So!<br />
<br />
I did do my qigong yesterday, but I didn't feel like carving out the time to write about it. There wasn't much to say really, so there!<br />
<br />
Today, I have some much more juicy content. Yum!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3612/3597767879_9006745af1_z.jpg?zz=1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3612/3597767879_9006745af1_z.jpg?zz=1" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is really disturbing. You're welcome. (Image credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/paurian/3597767879">paurian</a>)<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I'm going to let you in on a little secret:<br />
<br />
::whispering:: I almost fell asleep doing the Center and Balance Meditation today...<br />
<br />
Shhhhhh! Please don't tell Chris. He'll be so hurt!<br />
<br />
I'm tired today and I'm beginning to realize that the Center and Balance Meditation is my absolute least favorite Qigong AF thing I've learned so far. It takes FOREVAR and it's kind of tedious. Therefore, it's probably exactly what I need.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3405/5771881708_d1530350a5_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="800" height="301" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/4/3405/5771881708_d1530350a5_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how cats (and I) do Qigong AF. (Image Cred: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/joanet/5771881708">Joan</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I also skipped past some of the video today (12/9) because it was like 42 minutes! Now I know that 42 is the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, but I didn't budget 42 minutes of Qigong AF today - I only budgeted 30 minutes and I'm tired from staying up too late... which for me is midnight (shut up).<br />
<br />
This admission also needs to be hidden from Chris Shelton. Under no circumstances, should you ever, share this with him. He may be my best friend, but there are things he just doesn't need to know.<br />
<br />
Promise! Let me hear you say it. Okay. That's better.<br />
<br />
So, I've got to go now. I have a very important mission tonight and that mission is to transform into my best witchy-self for The Harry Potter Alliance's Yule Ball. I'm gonna cut a rug to some awesome wizard rock and sneak in some fire whiskey! I'm such a naughty witch!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,w_620/v1501725186/wtfjmbt8lmwjmuzpje85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="522" height="640" src="https://c1.iggcdn.com/indiegogo-media-prod-cld/image/upload/c_limit,f_auto,w_620/v1501725186/wtfjmbt8lmwjmuzpje85.jpg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is gonna be so rad! Don't judge, you're just jealous.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Heeeey, look, you don't have to tell me I'm a nerd or a geek or whatever! I know, I know, references to the number 42 and Harry Potter... and on day 7 - Jedi. I can't help it, it's in my blood - I was raised on Star Trek and I'm named after stars.Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-60038408119577727152017-12-07T14:05:00.003-08:002017-12-07T14:06:19.666-08:00Qigong AF - Day 7I have about 10 minutes to knock this out of the park before I have to get ready to have my teeth desecrated by a dentist.<br />
<br />
Today's Qigong AF practice went really nicely. My body is beginning to accept many of the movements and exercises as acceptable and my mind is starting to deepen its relationship with the visualizations. It's like true romance!<br />
<br />
I'm still getting lost on one meditation called, the Center and Balance Meditation. By the time I get to imagining warm oil covering my feet, my brain is making plans for tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCau12mEQAoJP47CoJV30tXDddIZzbJA37tf_Jqjp387sCOcCGapdOjJ3nD2A0wHl2lutd8YDGt21yOoJMESSnHdukA7zQqzZHC4Tu9TNz4i1JpuqS1pbA7tBwa55dOkDrjmvfTPJyjMF3/s1600/22601432952_d718a1c688_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCau12mEQAoJP47CoJV30tXDddIZzbJA37tf_Jqjp387sCOcCGapdOjJ3nD2A0wHl2lutd8YDGt21yOoJMESSnHdukA7zQqzZHC4Tu9TNz4i1JpuqS1pbA7tBwa55dOkDrjmvfTPJyjMF3/s400/22601432952_d718a1c688_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Qigong AF you are."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But eventually, I'll smack that brain into submission and my focus will be that of the highest level Jedi's.<br />
<br />
If you want to try the Center and Balance Meditation, do it now!<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gj7Rgpik_sI?list=PLn50fLbyMAxDhYAEMibcfUPxtjC-QvG0g" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
That's all for now folks. I'm off the get numbed in the face - one of my favorite things to do <i>EVAR!!!</i>Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-64642318372228566092017-12-06T16:43:00.000-08:002017-12-07T13:49:06.157-08:00Qigong AF - Day 6I'm having trouble typing.<br />
<br />
The movements from today's qigong video fatigued my arms. More proof (as if I needed it) that I am weak AF.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandwichgirl/235298922" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="my arms are tired"><img alt="my arms are tired" height="480" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/87/235298922_77adad3a2c_z.jpg?zz=1" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least I'm not alone. Some Burner out there knows my pain. (Image Credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandwichgirl/235298922">sandwich</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I did, however, stand through the better part of the half-hour set of exercises and I'm noticing more strength in my core. Slight though it may be, it's getting there.<br />
<br />
I don't have much to say about doing qigong today. It was nice. I'm beginning to feel more settled into the practice. I'm still waiting for "profound results".<br />
<br />
Right now, my mind is more focused on the fact that I had a job interview this morning. I did great in the interview and I even won the Excel test which I had to take.<br />
<br />
I knew going into the interview that there would be a test, but I didn't know what it was. When they said "<i>Excel!</i>," I began having visions of terrible and torturous formulas, awful things that I did once in a class and have since buried and forgotten in some deep recess of my mind. I was certain that I was going to fail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://static.pexels.com/photos/615475/pexels-photo-615475.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://static.pexels.com/photos/615475/pexels-photo-615475.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm sorry, you said, I have to take what kind of test? I was distracted by your sexy man-beard..." <----- that kind of talk will definitely NOT get you hired. At least you showed your true colors before there had to be a messy, public scandal. (Image Credit: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/agreement-beard-brainstorming-business-615475/">Pexels</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happily, however, it was everything I know how to do in Excel! I was done before my 20 minutes was up, leaving me plenty of time to go through with a fine toothed comb to make sure every detail was just so.<br />
<br />
I feel so relieved that I won't be passed up for a job because I suck at Excel. At least I will know Excel isn't the reason for their rejection, should it come, and that is a balm for my soul. So, like with every other job that I haven't been offered over the last few months, I will be completely in the dark as to why the don't want me. It feels good knowing that a silly Excel test can't ruin that familiar feeling of utter confusion and scorn that I get when I am passed up for an interview or a position.<br />
<br />
But maybe this time will be different. Maybe this time, I'll be their first choice and for once in my life I'll be wanted by someone!<br />
<br />
Oh, I sure would like to be wanted by someone, that sure would be swell!Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-15669160305981770432017-12-05T18:15:00.004-08:002017-12-05T18:16:15.299-08:00Qigong AF - Day 5I'm tired...<br />
<br />
Because I stayed up too late.<br />
<br />
Why did I stay up too late?<br />
<br />
I'm not telling. It's not important. It wasn't that interesting.<br />
<br />
The important thing is that I'm tired today and that means I've had a terrible time myself motivated and focused.<br />
<br />
I reeeally drug my feet today. I just didn't want to do my Qigong AF practice. I just didn't want to do much of anything.<br />
<br />
So, I dilly-dallied...<br />
<br />
I wanted some tea so I made up a rooibos chai, riffing off of a recipe from this awesome book:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Lba06JNEL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="260" height="320" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Lba06JNEL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Healing Herbal Teas by Sarah Farr - Get it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Herbal-Teas-Formulated-Management/dp/1612125743/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512519812&sr=8-1&keywords=healing+herbal+teas+sarah+farr">here</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
It turned out pretty well, but I might add a bit of peppercorn for more of a kick next time. I like my chai spicy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I thought, "My back is hurting, why don't I guiltlessly enjoy my current state of unemployed freedom and read while drinking my tea and heating my back... in bed." Best idea evar. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So I read this book for a while:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41qB4X317ML._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41qB4X317ML._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witches of America - You may not like witches, but you'll like this book. Get it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Witches-America-Alex-Mar/dp/0374291373">here</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Finally, I decided to get up and go shopping because there were hardly any fresh fresh veggies in my fridge and I literally live off of that stuff. I also needed to further procrastinate on my one and only goal in life - becoming Qigong AF - because my greatest super powers are avoidance and procrastination and I have to make sure I don't lose my desperately tight grip on said powers. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Off to the store I went, getting kale, salad mix, pomegranates (I'm obsessed), and my heartburn lifesaver, kombucha - don't judge. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When I got home I had finally run out of excuses, so naturally, I acquiesced, giving in to my commitment and got Qigong AF with Chris. I have to say, it felt great and my ability to stand through the whole practice is already increasing. I only sat once for a short meditation and made it through the rest standing. Thank you muscles for beginning to reawaken like a zombie brought back to life by a necromancer!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, I pretty much got nothing else done today. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some days are just like that. Up until a few weeks ago I felt energetically contracted, like a rolled-up pill bug. I couldn't seem to get myself motivated and days would often fade away with nothing much having been accomplished. There are a lot of reasons why this was happening. I had just completed a mad two years of worker retraining at a two-year college and I was burnt out after juggling that with being a single mom. I have been struggling with various health challenges and that in itself is draining. But more than anything, I have PTSD from a variety pack of shit shows over the past 8 years and I had finally hit a spot in my healing where I was actually <i>feeling</i> things again. And all those feelings are like a ton of bricks, weighing you down.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thankfully, I have a lot of support and a lot of tricks up my sleeve, so now I've turned a corner and most days are a bit easier. My focus is better and I'm more motivated. Creating challenges like this Qigong AF quest really helps and I'm already noticing tiny changes from doing it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's to hoping that I am successful in doing all 30 days of this challenge and that qigong will become for me, as Chris Shelton says, <i>"A simple practice with profound results."</i></div>
Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-27572585767239997892017-12-04T16:16:00.000-08:002017-12-05T16:10:51.704-08:00Qigong AF - Day 4This is incredible! I have found about 30 minutes per day to do my Qigong AF practice for 4 days in a row... and write about it! (<span style="font-size: x-small;">It helps that I'm currently unemployed, but we're not going to talk about that...)</span><br />
<br />
I'm giving myself a big pat on the back, a participation award, and why not - a first place trophy cause I'm winning it!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.defense.gov/2017/May/26/2001753677/780/780/0/170525-F-DW631-1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="558" height="400" src="https://media.defense.gov/2017/May/26/2001753677/780/780/0/170525-F-DW631-1018.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I picked this trophy, because I'm a badass Viking, obvs. (image source: <a href="https://media.defense.gov/2017/May/26/2001753677/780/780/0/170525-F-DW631-1018.JPG">the Air Force</a> apparently)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I started my qigong with Chris today, I was a bit unfocused, but as the half-hour went by, I got better at doing what I was told instead of making plans for dinner. Gawd, Chris is such a task-master! I was enjoying thoughts of warm food that someone else made for me!<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Anyway...</i><br />
<br />
In today's video, Chris explained that all the organs in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_Chinese_medicine">Traditional Chinese medicine</a> (TCM) have yin and yang counterparts. For example, the stomach is yang and the spleen is yin, while the liver is yin and the gall bladder is yang.<br />
<br />
After hearing this, I was like, <i>"Aw, yes! I can tell the stomach is yang, because it is currently on fire inside me with the evil heartburn and fire is yang (at least that's what I think)."</i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/FiveElementsMeridians.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="455" height="261" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/FiveElementsMeridians.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For your learning enjoyment. (image source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/FiveElementsMeridians.jpg">wikimedia</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Anyway, day 4 involved massaging the yang organs, and man did my yang organs get a good one!<br />
<br />
I was secretly hoping that this yang organ massage would completely relieve my heartburn, and while it didn't succeed in doing so, it definitely got things moving. After completing the exercise, my stomach and intestines gurgled and I was all, <i>"Yep, they liked that."</i><br />
<br />
My heartburn is a little improved after doing the exercise, but it would be nice if it would just miraculously disappear forever. I mean I've been doing EVERYTHING to make it go away.<br />
<br />
Currently, I'm on a super, super restrictive and ridiculously healthy elimination diet, but after nearly 6 weeks, my symptoms have not entirely disappeared, which makes reintroducing foods into my diet pointless. It would be awesome if qigong could be the answer to my digestive woes, however, I fear that instead, I may have to resort to trying the <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/low-fodmap-diet">Low FODMAP</a> diet next... to which I say, <i>"Nooooooo! 5 billion times ugh!"</i><br />
<br />
But something's eventually got to give. I have to figure out what works and what doesn't work and keep hoping that there is a cure for my GERD (and all my other super annoying ailments). If there's even a thread of possibility that massaging my yang organs will eventually lead towards real healing, I'll happily hang onto it until I'm convinced otherwise.<br />
<br />
Here's to happy, blissed out yang organs!<br />
<br />
<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-48930073145667086442017-12-03T18:09:00.002-08:002017-12-05T16:08:16.445-08:00Qigong AF - Day 3Wow.<br />
<br />
I am really out of shape.<br />
<br />
I've done three days of about 30 minutes of qigong with my new best YouTube friend <a href="http://www.sheltonqigong.com/">Chris Shelton</a> (seriously, I love this guy) and none of those times have I been able to stand for the duration of the exercises.<br />
<br />
It's not hard work or anything, it's just that my core is super weak.<br />
<br />
After developing chronic GERD a year ago - because the gods hate me - I stopped my awesome swimming routine. Swimming helped my back-injured, extra-bendy, <a href="https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/">Ehlers-Danlos</a> having body stay together for the most part... and it ate up a huge amount of my precious time. So, naturally I jumped at the chance to stop exercising, be in constant discomfort from a never-ending, burning esophagus, and let all muscle tone go to shit!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/562243696_1280x720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="800" height="360" src="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/562243696_1280x720.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you just love the feeling of acid eating your insides? I know I do! (image source <a href="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/562243696_1280x720.jpg">here</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But seriously, the GERD has been keeping me busy and while it's mostly in check lately, I am just now making real time for regaining strength in my body.<br />
<br />
I began with these 30 days of qigong because I wanted to start out very gently and I have just not been feeling the crappy swimming pool at the 24 hour gym that will not be named - which was the only other reasonable choice for my getting back into shape. I know that it's only day 3 and I will be able to stand through the exercises and meditations for longer and longer as I practice, but it has been interesting for me to realize just how weak my core is. I think that kind of body awareness is hard to come by unless one is actively engaging with their body - and I wasn't doing much of that until a few days ago.<br />
<br />
Luckily, my buddy Chris who is totally hardcore with compassion makes sure his viewers know that it's okay to take care of themselves. "Sit if you need to sit, reach as far as is comfortable for you, everyone can do this." Thanks, Chris, thank you for easing my guilt, it make everything better. I love you man!<br />
<br />
::Sigh:: I feel like Chris Shelton has given me the most amazing gift. I'm loving the qigong and it definitely helps me feel more centered and clear. I'm gonna have to send him a cookie bouquet as a thank you one of these days.<br />
<br />
Yeah, I'm not going to send him one of those... I don't approve of gluten, and I bet he doesn't either.<br />
<br />
Here's Chris if you're curious. Wow! He's worked with famous people and is like famous by proxy!<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CAZmQVAiGqw" width="560"></iframe>
PS Chris doesn't actually know I exist and has no idea that he's my new best friend, but that's okay, isn't it? Yeah... of course it is! You're the BEST Chris!<br />
<br />
<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-79806531674509747032017-12-02T22:02:00.000-08:002017-12-05T16:10:23.438-08:00Qigong AF - Day 2<br />
I woke up this morning with a neck that felt like it was being strangled by a vice grip. My neck was rock solid and the pain was radiating up into my head and down into my shoulders. I hoped that it would diminish as I started moving around, but that vice was being a persistent bitch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuBtxqN-5WWs2en9SZnN1N8Ah6qAAGaXqO_GYcAiCXc3J75zUW8uVYJYum2EnihjOzGPgo4b13PhDUNu0EAaloD0YBfqst65afOv1W-dkenfvsyaLrLpXTY8As63Ft2mK28iiUAG8kWPN/s1600/screw-clamp-790474_1920.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUuBtxqN-5WWs2en9SZnN1N8Ah6qAAGaXqO_GYcAiCXc3J75zUW8uVYJYum2EnihjOzGPgo4b13PhDUNu0EAaloD0YBfqst65afOv1W-dkenfvsyaLrLpXTY8As63Ft2mK28iiUAG8kWPN/s320/screw-clamp-790474_1920.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I got my daughter up and ready to head over to a new juice bar in Vancouver on our way to her dad's place. The juice bar, Nekter, was having their grand opening with balloon animals, face painting, and $1 juices and smoothies (what?! - sooooo good). I figured that a good, healthy smoothie would help me feel better, so I was pretty stoked.<br />
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As I stood in the loud and crowded juice bar, waiting for my juice, smoothie, and ginger shot - yes I got all those because, $1! - the pain was so bad that I was getting nauseous. The ginger shot did help a bit as did my public display of self-massage and neck stretching. The roll-on essential oil mix that I keep with me for such body-pain emergencies also helped a bit, but my neck muscles still barely relented.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWsp2-wMRJVTP2YjrdYUQnG_8udRQtF5DZ4zVeEBhlwEdIK14faU1gdNRre9gbC7Z7apHv5fZBo3APu-v32S4u4dHkZhphZGvO3RDD727zkJ9ddwYSjqcbY-aULlsS5xpLffmzEdSX2VO/s1600/zombie-156746_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWsp2-wMRJVTP2YjrdYUQnG_8udRQtF5DZ4zVeEBhlwEdIK14faU1gdNRre9gbC7Z7apHv5fZBo3APu-v32S4u4dHkZhphZGvO3RDD727zkJ9ddwYSjqcbY-aULlsS5xpLffmzEdSX2VO/s320/zombie-156746_1280.png" width="163" /></a></div>
After driving for a total of 1.5 hours round trip to get my daughter to her dad, I was feeling pretty poorly. I came home, reheated some leftovers for lunch and became a Netflix zombie for the next 2 hours whilst sitting in front of the gas fireplace and occasionally nodding off. I kept thinking about doing my new Qigong AF practice with my new buddy Chris Shelton, but I was like, "Ugh... moving..."<br />
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I was eventually convinced to get off my ass after my brain told me enough times that 30 minutes of qigong might actually help me feel better. I finally dragged myself up and got Chris cued on YouTube.<br />
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As I began following the video, I did start to feel better! After 30 minutes of movement, visualization, conscious breathing, and meditation, the vice on my neck finally decided to let go! Amazeballs, right? Okay, we all know that is no surprise, because science tells us that movement makes circulation happen more efficiently and circulation helps relieve muscle tension. Yay for science and circulation!<br />
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So, now my neck feels better and I call that a win for qigong!<br />
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Unfortunately, now my knee hurts... Goddamn story of my life.Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7752317797561099834.post-82987426050603047252017-12-01T15:53:00.001-08:002017-12-05T16:09:51.089-08:00My First Quest - Qigong AF - Day 1<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyPmsDuGWbITkKqPit2D4a-1b74fKLErYwAIbXXNVySHfgCGx7JZvNu4PsAsGXeii8iK6XySXthe-f-iF2dQ01unGNFgr2C4W-RFWnVf7T0EQxL7UIunQGc7we3FxUtVlah4_h5KaWVpt/s1600/Morgan2000_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="iconic photo of Martha Graham dancing wearing a billowing white dress" border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="432" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJyPmsDuGWbITkKqPit2D4a-1b74fKLErYwAIbXXNVySHfgCGx7JZvNu4PsAsGXeii8iK6XySXthe-f-iF2dQ01unGNFgr2C4W-RFWnVf7T0EQxL7UIunQGc7we3FxUtVlah4_h5KaWVpt/s640/Morgan2000_2.jpg" title="Martha Graham" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture of Martha Graham mostly has nothing to do with this post.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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OMG, I don't have very much time because I'm a mom and I have to collect my small beast from school soon, so I have to get this post done ASAP (never mind - I made my mom go get her... this post is too freakin loooooong. Shut up already - I <i>promise</i> it's fun). Okay, here goes...<br />
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So, after a lot of pondering - I do a lot of pondering - I finally decided that I would take up my blogging hobby again so that I can better irritate my friends and family with content that they neither have the time nor interest in reading. Also, I want to get better at things and I'm certain blogging makes you better at things...<br />
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Anyway, I thought a lot about various types of blogs that I could write and all of them ended up feeling too boring, tedious, or depressing (who wants to read sad stories about single moms anyway?).<br />
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But then I stumbled on a brilliant idea! The most brilliant idea I'd had in a long time.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"What about a blog all about me? A blog all about me and all for me!"</i></blockquote>
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<i>I know right? </i>It was <i>perfect!</i><br />
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There's nothing better than a self-congratulatory weblog dripping with narcissistic fervor! Especially in this day and age when He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, the Poster Child of Narcissism Himself, POTUS 45 the Great King of the United States resides in the White House.<br />
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I mean this era is all about the narcissists and I figure if you can't beat em, join em... am I right? Of course I'm right. I know everything (and it's your fault). But I digress...<br />
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So <i>anyways,</i> there I was, glowing in my revelation, because I finally had a blog topic that I could talk non-stop about and which would never bore me. But then I realized that I still needed some more structure in order to make it a good blog... a <i>compelling</i> blog. I needed some direction on how to make this awesome blog all about me, even awesomer.<br />
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And like a flash, I got it! (Because I'm smart like that).<br />
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I would create monthly challenges for myself. I would embark upon the hero's journey or the fool's errand - however you want to put it - and by so doing, I would grow and blossom like the most fragrant of corpse flowers. And I would write all about my experiences and people would read it and I would become internet famous and I would never have to work a day in my life again!<br />
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Yeeeah... uh... anyways...<br />
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So this brings me to today, December 1, 2017, the first day of the rest of my life - for the next 30 days. Beginning today, I will be working my way through Chris Shelton's 30 Days of Qigong For Better Health on YouTube and hopefully making fun of myself whilst doing it.<br />
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You didn't see that coming, did you? Just wait... I'm full of surprises!<br />
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Okay, here's why I'm doing YouTube Qigong for 30 days:<br />
<ul>
<li>It's free and I'm broke</li>
<li>My body is broken and I figure Oigong, even badly done, might fix it</li>
<li>I'm super woo and I believe in Qi (that's a slight lie, but it's more fun to believe in magic than not to)</li>
<li>Chris Shelton bothered to map out a quest so that I don't have to think - and I don't like to think cause I'm lazy - thank you Chris</li>
<li>I like Qigong and I want to learn how to do it so that I can look badass in parks when I'm old</li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTfea9uFFvjnc2jsVKssTPivE1DDZfWdF-xz7x-hECbXXPPXKvLZt1LtEo47aB7CJMWDJQBteRSuaD4g488igpuA5bc2kL389D-i0qddrJB4ueohMhUi6441tCX6dXbZw0_h0RscqfdI7/s1600/main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Man, shirtless, covered in white paint holding a reddish ball or fruit in his hand performing butoh dance." border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTfea9uFFvjnc2jsVKssTPivE1DDZfWdF-xz7x-hECbXXPPXKvLZt1LtEo47aB7CJMWDJQBteRSuaD4g488igpuA5bc2kL389D-i0qddrJB4ueohMhUi6441tCX6dXbZw0_h0RscqfdI7/s400/main.jpg" title="Butoh guy" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me doing Qigong - butoh style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I'll be posting daily as much as I can - short posts that will be easy to scan - since I know you can't be bothered to actually read anything on the internet. I promise this will be one of my longest posts ever - mostly because I just don't have that kind of time, even if I am currently unemployed.<br />
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If you want to follow along with me and get all Qigong buff over the next 30 days, here's a link to Chris Shelton's 30 Days of Qigong: <a href="http://e.com/playlist?list=PLn50fLbyMAxDhYAEMibcfUPxtjC-QvG0g">Qigong AF</a> <------ That's what I'll be calling it from now on.<br />
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Look for more in the coming days friends - or as I like to call you - <i>myself </i>- my one and only reader. It's sure to be a crackin good time!<br />
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Now I have to go take my kid to see "Santa".<br />
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<i>Later witches.</i><br />
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<br />Ms. Nova Dawn M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/04753203063790666691noreply@blogger.com0