It is virtually impossible to live a life that straddles East and West, as we do, geographically, without straddling East and West, philosophically.
There are many layers of philosophical / world view differences, and the purpose here is not to catalog all such differences. But we do want to confront the concept of Qi.
Qi (pronounced chi) loosely translates as “energy”. Qi has many names, but yogis recognize the concept as “Pranayama”, also translated as energy, or life, or life energy.
This is not at all a remote concept for us. In fact, for years Pete and I have turned to Chinese medicine (in lieu of Western medicine) ~ not always, but whenever possible and appropriate. (Not recommended for ailments requiring antibiotics such as strep throat or an ear infection). Neither of us take any daily pharmaceutical medications and we do our best to avoid having to take antibiotics or even aspirin, if possible.
We have plenty of personal empirical evidence of positive experiences with Chinese doctors, acupuncture, cupping, reflexology and Chinese herbal medicine. As we travel, we always seek out Chinese practitioners whenever possible. ( In Chicago, San Francisco, Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Thailand to name a few places that come to mind that we have benefited from Chinese medicine.)
Doctor Li ~ our “go to” Chinese ‘magician’ in the Vietnamese neighborhood of Chicago. She is selecting a “cocktail” of Chinese herbs for Peta, who at the time had a sore throat and headaches.
A few ingredients are identifiable, namely dried mushrooms, goji berries, tree bark.. But most are not recognizable to the Western eye.
The West is increasingly well served by availability of foot reflexology and acupuncture. In both cases, the acupuncturist or the foot reflexologist apply well known techniques to release blocked energy, or Qi. Increasingly, the concept of “Meridians” ~ the invisible, but critical infrastructure of energy vessels that parallel the nervous and blood vessel systems.
A diagram which illustrates the meridians.
Let’s delve into the Qi or Pranayama topic…
Whilst in Hoi An, Viet Nam, we attend a once a week, 3 hour “Energetic yoga workshop”, (taught by our friend and therapeutic yoga teacher Brook Skillman.) This leads us to wanting to understand further and articulate this pervasive, life-critical concept of Qi and what we might do moving forward, as our Asian hosts tend to, to manage our Qi, for optimal health and energy.
Brook Skillman, has a unique ability and talent to incorporate anatomy of yoga with physical therapy treatment and a thorough understanding of energy flow and meridians ~ Qi.
Ben taking a shirvasana during the workshop… (Not quite ready for that pose!)
Some description of Qi is required…
How to bridge Eastern and Western basic understanding of the human “body”? A succinct explanation is provided in “The Root of Chinese Qigong” by Jwing Ming Yag.
“At this time, there is no clear explanation of the relationship between all of the circulatory systems and the Qi circulatory system. The Western world knows of the blood system, the nervous system and the lymphatic system. China added a Qi circulation system. Chinese medical society believes that the Qi and blood are closely related. Where Qi goes, blood follows. It is believed that Qi provides the energy for the blood cells to keep them alive. As a matter of fact, it is believed that blood is able to store Qi and that blood helps to transport air Qi especially to every cell of the body…. If you compare the routes of the blood circulatory system, the nervous system and the lymphatic system with the course of the Qi channels, you will see that there is a great deal of correspondence. ”
Perhaps it is useful to give a metaphor:
“The human body is composed of two major parts – the first part is the physical body, and the second is the energy supply which the body needs to function. Your body is like a factory. Inside your body, are many organs, which correspond to the machines required to process the raw materials into the finished product. Some of the raw materials brought into a factory are used to create the energy with which other materials will be converted into finished goods. The raw materials for your body are food and air, and the finished product is life.
The Qi in your body is analogous to the electric current which the factory power plant obtains from coal, oil, wind, solar… The factory has many wires connecting the power plant to the machines and other wires connecting telephones, intercoms and computers. There are also many converter belts, elevators, wagons and trucks to move material from one place to another. It is no different in your body, where there are systems of intestines, blood vessels, complex networks of nerves and Qi channels to facilitate the supply of blood, sensory information and energy to the entire body.
In a factory, different machines require different levels of current. It is the same for some organs, which require different levels of Qi. In order for a factory to function smoothly, it will no only need high quality machines, but also a reliable power supply. Qi is affected by the quality of air you inhale, the kind of food you eat, your lifestyle and even your emotional make up and personality. The food and air are like the fuel or power supply, and their quality affects you. Your lifestyle is like the way you run the machines and your personality is like the management of the factory.”
OK enough context, lest we lose our audience. Qi is very much a concept that weaves through our lives and we are even more aware of it, living in Asia. It is very common in most of Asia to see locals doing Qi related exercising in parks in the early hours of the morning. Chigong, Tai chi, yoga and stretching are a part of every day life for a majority of the population.
Getting one’s Qi to flow can take many forms. One of the more amusing ones: laughing yoga (at dawn in a park in Hanoi). Pete is in the back row, third from the back, in case you didn’t spot her.
Yoga and Meditation are directly connected to the concept of Qi.
Qi flows easily in nature. Brook on An Bang beach.
Meditation retreat in Chiang Mai, Thailand led by a Buddhist monk. (P back row)
We have both been doing yoga for about 16 years and incorporate stretching and breathing whenever possible into our daily lives.
http://www.greenglobaltrek.org/2016/06/international-yoga-day-2016-green-global-trek-retrospective.html
Massage Therapy
Massages, in the U.S., are somewhat of a luxury. At $100 to $150 per hour long session, it is for most of us something that falls into the category of a special treat. Of course the value of massages goes well beyond the one hour of treatment, but one should not expect magic either. Massages are part of a holistic approach to wellness.
The fact that high quality massages can be had in Vietnam for $15/hour, and for $25 in Sri Lanka means that we are able to integrate massage as part of a complete approach to health, without breaking the bank.
So what does massage have to do with Qi?
For this, we turn to writings by Suzanne Friedman, who wrote in ‘Massage Today’ some useful tidbits of Chinese medicinal history…
“The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon (Neijing) was compiled in 200 BC, and it is still considered the bible of Chinese medicine today. The Neijing discusses four major healing modalities: acupuncture, pharmacology (herbs), massage and qi gong.
Early Chinese medicine and Daoist texts frequently grouped massage and qi gong together as the two most powerful methods of self-healing.
Qi gong became an official part of Chinese court medicine by the Tang dynasty, and it is likely that massage therapists were already part of court medicine before that time.”
Massage and qi gong are two complementary approaches to bodywork. It is said that qi gong balances the energy, blood and body fluid flow from the inside, and massage strengthens the flow from the outside.
Qi gong uses intention and particular body movements to guide the qi in healthy directions, while the physical pressure and body manipulation of massage help to do so from the outside.
Daoist masters and early Chinese medicine doctors saw the value of this internal-external approach to balance the body and harmonize the interior and exterior.”
We look forward to learning more about the practice of Qi Gong. Ben doing some basic Qi Gong exercises before breakfast on the rooftop of our hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Nutrition and diet
Some might call Peta passionate about her thoughts on the optimal food supply source and in particular her advocacy in favor of a fruit and plant-based diet. That resonates fairly well through out our family ecosystem, with most of our boys having gradually shifted from a somewhat meat-centric diet, to a meat “accented” diet. Taming Ben’s French tastebuds remains a challenge, especially in a country like Vietnam where there are phenomenal pork-skewers, banh mi (baguette stuffed with cuts of pork) and a host of other delicious bites to be had. On the whole, Ben does enjoy veggies more than the average.
Qi is energy. The prominence of uncooked (live) greens and herbs in Viet Nam’s, and no dairy, makes it a good place to connect with one’s Qi through healthy nutrition. (That is of course, if you can avoid the MSG that sneaks into Vietnamese food quite often.)
An abundance of greens: lettuce, micro greens, watercress, bean sprouts, basil and many more… Harvested and delivered to market twice a day, every day. The more vibrant greens in one’s diet, the better the energy (Qi) flow.
Peta selecting goodies, at the incredible Hoi An fruit, vegetable and herbs market.
Fresh coconut water is a life source in and of itself. Used in Cambodia in lieu of IV’s a way of sustaining life, when traditional medicine was not available. Asia, having a tropical climate, one can usually find coconuts pretty easily.
Qi and spirits
There is a direct link in the Chinese understanding of life and death and the spirit world, and Qi.
Much has been written about what happens to the Qi upon one’s death. In fact the Chinese perspective is that the relationship between the two goes in multiple directions. In some cases, one’s diminished energy, is the cause of an eventual winding down of the body, often due to age. But conversely, a premature accidental death, would result in the remnant of Qi and this is one of the conditions that results in a prolonged existence of the spirit, even if the physical body perishes.
In Viet Nam, most homes have an indoor altar to generations passed and as well, an outdoor shrine for attracting positive spirits.
Lighting incense at a temple shrine in Hoi An. Whether called Qi, energy, spirits, ghosts… the basic idea is that energy (Qi) changes form but is ever present.
Fruit and flowers are offered for the spirit world.
We are learning about a more subtle world where the line between the human world and the spirit world is more blurred than in the West. Bali, Indonesia.
For more on evidence of an ongoing conversation about the Spirit world: http://www.greenglobaltrek.org/2013/09/ancestors-and-the-spirit-world.html
Qi and manifestation
The final dimension of Qi we’d like to acknowledge is the connectivity between Qi and “manifestation”.
The West has discovered the concept of manifestation through the best seller book “The Secret”. Marketed in the west as some kind of a revelation and a breakthrough, the concept of manifestation is nothing new in Asia. The concept of being able to affect one’s future through clear thoughts and intentions is one that is difficult for most Westerners to digest and accept. This is because the West tends to see the world in black and white terms, especially when it comes to life and death . Secular, science-based reality here, religious or spiritual intangibles there.
For many Westerns (most?) the notion that one can affect one’s own life trajectory by just “wishing it so”, might seem absurd. And the only thing that comes remotely close to this concept is the religious concept of “praying” for certain outcomes to be granted from the big guy in the sky.
But not so absurd when you take into consideration the concept of Qi.
In fact, we are squarely on the side of Albert Einstein, who in his unique and authoritative way addresses what would seem like a philosophical perspective. For Einstein, though, it’s a simple matter of the physics of energy. He explained:
“Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is NOT philosophy. This is physics”. Albert Einstein.
So what to make of this? The Chinese practitioners of Qi describe the same phenomenon by talking about how to align one’s internal Qi (Einstein’s “frequency”), with external Qi, and … the hoped for reality manifests itself.
We are both conceptually and empirically convinced that there is something true and real about the ability to manifest a future reality.
So with this in mind, we might as well put our money where our Qi is:.
Peta’s frequency and intentions for our new lives in Sri Lanka:
* Play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population
* Create a vegetable/herbal/ayurvedic garden
* Have our Sri Lanka nest become a destination for our 4 sons (and their partners)
Ben’s “frequency” and intentions for our new lives in Sri Lanka:
* Successfully close on business pursuits to assist the Sri Lankan Government with its ability to deploy Sri Lankan troops in support of UN Peace Keeping Operations
* Play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka’s wild elephant population.
* Set up a Sri Lanka based think tank to address international security and climate change issues
Tuning in our Qi to this multi-dimensional future reality. We will update periodically on these manifestations…
Yes, yes and yes! Would love to use some of your words to describe Qi in my next workshop series as you made it so visual with words to understand something so subtle with sight. I loved the explanation of the spirit realm and Qi. Manifestations have definitely become a reality for you two. Being around both of you realigns my planet because there is no question when it comes to wishing for something to take place. There is only envisioning and watching it unfold. You two have taught me so much about energy/chi/qi/prana and I look forward to manifesting with you and watching your manifestations come true!
Gracias amiga! We learnt so much from you about meridians and how to move energy through the body at your workshop in Hoi An. And you inspired us to articulate our current thoughts about Qi.
We have done enough manifesting together to know, that directing focus and energy and intention towards a clear goal, is 90% of achieving said goal.
B&P
I’ve never had acupuncture and the only massages I’ve had have been supplied by massage chairs rather than a skilled practitioner. (I tried a massage chair at an airport one time and the best I can say about it is it didn’t actually kill me.) I like the look of the laughing yoga. It seems to be within my ability level and I’ve heard many times before that laughter is very good for us.
Bun Bun, it is high time for you to go and treat yourself to a good massage. Skilled hands are way more beneficial than the mechanics of an automated chair ~ however, when exhausted at an airport, those are definitely a good way to spend layover time.
As for laughter, it does increase the production of natural serotonin and endorphins, which are known to reduce the effects of stress. So yes, it is great for you. We participated in the ‘laughing yoga’ on our very first morning in Viet Nam in Hanoi, when we were rather jet lagged and therefor up at the crack of dawn. It was definitely a ton of fun and a great launch into a many month Vietnamese adventure. The best part was the joyous reaction of the women ~ they told us afterwards that they had never had a foreigner join in with them and they were delighted by our participation.
B&P
That was an interesting read, PETA. Thanks! I was familiar with some ways of thinking, but definitely not all. I’m feeling hungry now as well, seeing the market scene in Viet Nam. Healthy food is a big part of our lives. After Mark’s cancer, we are eating even more healthy than before, following a plant-based diet. Mark for obvious reasons, me (now only eating chicken breasts as meat I take), because it makes me feel better mentally and physically.
Thanks Lisbet for your comments. I have always been a pretty healthy eater, but, I too had cancer (ten years ago) and after that experience I was fortunate to meet Dr. Gabriel Cousins, author and renowned expert on “live foods” ~ I learnt a great deal from him on the benefits of an organic plant based diet, and as well the elimination of dairy (for the most part), sugar and caffeine. (Check out his book “Conscious Eating” it has so much valuable information.)
Peta
Wonderful thoughts, arriving here at the perfect time. I’m reminded how much I miss living in Asia and how I need to get back to honoring the Qi in my body and life on a daily basis. Through your words — and Einstein’s! — I feel as I’ve just realigned my focus. Thank you.
Thanks Kelly. Glad we somehow participated in your realignment.
It is true that Asia gets “under your skin” once you spend any type of extended time. The only solution for you is to return, of course.
Peta
Almost didn’t get past the first backbend photo. Wow! Have been working on back bending for twenty years. A good lesson in not getting attached. Thanks for this wonderful lesson on Qi and Meridians. Cheers —
I know! I am very happy with that photo of Brook. I wish I could do “wheel”pose like that in full glory. But alas, not happening – it is a work in progress. So glad you enjoyed this post.
Peta
Oh dear! I’ve arrived here feeling terribly unhealthy because I love dairy, coffee and sugar 🙁 I could forsake meat quite easily but I’d hate to give up cheese. I don’t know a huge amount about Qi but I do engage in t’ai chi pretty regularly. 🙂
Jo, you are too funny… for years I started my day with a cup of English breakfast tea with milk and two teaspoons of sugar.It was only after I had a brush with cancer that I started to do research into prevention and the role of food and it’s connection to overall health. Cheese was pretty hard to give up, although at the time, we were living in Nicaragua and they did not have very much in the way of good cheeses, so that it made it easier. These days, I do treat myself occasionally to some good cheese, inevitably when visiting my French mother in law.
Tai Chi is ALL about Qi, so whether you were aware of it or not, you are certainly moving energy around the body in a deliberate way.
Peta
Fascinating read there! Your thoughtfulness in action inspires, as always. Thanks. And I don’t doubt for a second that you both are sympatico with yogi Brook on matters of life-energy. May you grow and flourish together:) I do want to add to the pot the dimension of Qi embracing other beings, whether dear friends or elephants or the next person you happen to meet — it feels so possible to me to point ourselves towards fully mutual energy flows, greater than the sum of their parts, and be drawn on by those resonances. How wonderful, whenever that happens! If all is energy, there are no degrees of separation. Ben, I love the think-tank. I’m in!
Oh my Peta! What an interesting life you lead. I am going to enjoy reading you and your husband’s blog.
Well thank you so much. Glad you are enjoying reading us….
Peta
Super interesting post. I had heard about Qi through yoga but did not fully understand its significance or other dimensions. All makes sense to me. Yoga has become an important part of my life and I sure wish that massage could because it is the ultimate de-stressor for me (except later when I pay the Visa bill). Maybe I should try laughing yoga! The Einstein quote and interpretation are fascinating.
Wish me luck in finding fresh, healthy greens as we’re currently in Arizona/Utah visiting the awesome canyon lands but eating in less awesome dining places! No complaints though… two weeks of sun is recharging me!
Thanks Caroline. Learning about the meridians in the body and how energy can be blocked or flow, just makes so much sense. Massage really is an amazing way to re energize. Of all the different types of massage, I think shiatsu (which focuses on the pressure points along the meridian), is the one I like most. One of the best parts of living in Asia is for sure the availability of quality massage/body work at reasonable prices.
Enjoy Arizona and Utah and the gorgeous canyons… even if you can’t find fresh greens, maybe some delicious fruit will come your way. Sounds like a great trip!
Peta
If anyone can bridge East and West, it is you, Peta. You and Ben have adapted yourselves into Asian culture in a most positive way. Wonderful explanation of Qi and how everyone can enhance their health and lifestyle by adopting a more holistic approach. In my case, baby steps. I’m not ready for a big leap, but baby steps are fine. Thank you for a very enlightening article.
Thanks Sharon for the flattering comments, and for reading us. Glad you enjoyed our post on Qi.
Peta
Another good reminder I should unwrap that Tai Chi video course I picked up a couple months ago, but never seem to get around to trying…
Dave, that’s funny! Yeah, just do it. A few months back I watched an elderly gentleman in a park in Chicago, who looked rather frail, start doing his Tai Chi practice… It was absolutely beautiful to watch as he transformed into graceful and easy flowing poses. Made me think that Tai Chi appears to be a wonderful way to stay limber and to move all one’s Qi around in positive ways.
Peta
Wonderful descriptions, well-written, and well-lived — great post, and photos were great too.
Thanks Jet for the lovely compliments. So glad you enjoyed this post.
Peta
Good posts, beautiful blog.
Congratulations.
Welcome to see my creations:
http://paintdigi.wordpress.com
Thank you and thanks for inviting us to take a look at your creations. Your photographs are beautiful. You might enjoy our blog entries on one of our favorite places in the world ~ Essaouria, in your home country….
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2015/01/essaouira-a-painters-paradise.html
Peta
Hi Peta, I’m very impressed what you built up in your lives and I’m looking forward to see photos of your new home in Sri Lanka. You must have a lot of energy that you were able to built up what you did in America and now in Asia. I think I need to know more about your sources of energy.
Such an informative article about Qi, and Qi Gong too. Energy is all around us, outside and on the inside, and for us to lead a healthy life with a healthy mind – and stay grounded spiritually and emotionally – we need to harness all this energy as best as we can.
It is interesting to read massages don’t cost much in Asia, but for $100-$150 for one hour in the Western world, that is quite a bit of money. In Australia, there are tons of massage parlours all over shopping malls that are run by the Chinese, Vietnamese or Thais, most of them running short massage sessions about ten to fifteen minutes, targeting certain body areas like the neck or shoulders. I’ve often wondered how effective are these services, I’ve never tried them myself.
I do agree that our qi is shaped by what we eat, exercise and the choices that we make. MSG in Vietnamese food 😀 It is also hard to avoid in Chinese food especially when you are eating out. There was a point in my life when I was very worn out, but the moment I started cooking my own meals at home, I felt much more energised and alert after a few weeks. Coupled with taking up hiking, I feel as if I’m bringing in good energy and putting good energy out, and that makes me feel positive and good all round 🙂
Mabel thanks for your thoughtful and interesting comments.
I think that short massages ~ particularly foot reflexology ~ are definitely beneficial as the meridian lines of qi run through the body and culminate in the feet. There are also 29 bones and joints in the feet, as well as a mass of nerve endings.
Nature is definitely a place for humans to “recharge” their batteries! You might enjoy this earlier post on nature in Sri Lanka.
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2016/04/tissa-lake-sri-lanka-nature-connectedness.html
Peta
It is interesting to hear that you emphasise the feet and foot reflexology. I heard that if your feet are cold, then you will be cold. That is, heat or cold have a habit of traveling up from the feet to the rest of the body. So the feet is probably one of the most important parts of our body and it can affect our health considerably 🙂
Fascinating article Peta. I know enough about this subject to be dangerous and would love to learn more. I have been practicing Tai Chi Chih with a friend for several months and love it. And nutrition has always been a big part of my life. Just wish I had the financial resources to always lean towards alternative medicine. It is just so expensive here in California. 🙁
Thanks LuAnn. We are also at the beginning of the curve of learning. It always seems that the more one learns, the more one realizes that there IS to learn, no matter the topic.
If you are in San Francisco, or Los Angeles…both have China Towns with some excellent offerings of Chinese foot refloxogly as well as Chinese doctors and herbalists.
Peta
One of my favorite GGT articles yet… That pic of peta in the tai chi laughter yoga conga line is amazing. Look at that smile!
Thanks Ez. That experience of early morning laugher yoga with a group of Vietnamese women was memorable. We had just arrived, were jet lagged, on a stroll of the city when we came upon these women in a park. The best part was how friendly they were and how much they enjoyed the fact that we joined in with them!
Peta
Some day I’ll get it all together and fully embrace these ideas. I read about them quite a bit, practice for a while, then fall back into my less advantageous routines when work or life stress mounts – just when I should NOT be falling out of them! You guys are awesome the way you approach life; I’m a fan!
Aw thanks Lex. It’s always good to have “fans” out there. You make a great point about the ease of slipping out of virtuous practices when external life events mount up.
P
Peta I am off for a massage shortly and have benefited from acupuncture and yoga a great deal. I am a nurse so conventional medicine has been a big part of my life but I definitely see the value of looking at all aspects of health and wellness.
Sue, I am totally in awe of the work that nurses do. When I went in for breast cancer surgery in 2005, it was the nurses that were omnipresent, hardworking and caring and the ones that I felt so very grateful to.
Thanks for your comments.
Peta
Hi Peta and Ben,
Love this post, thanks so much! So many interesting tidbits about qi, energy, Chinese meds and therapeutic yoga poses. I’m also inspired by your intentions for Sri Lanka… may they all come true.
I started my morning off with a little qi gong, some (Iyengar) yoga poses; and I’m heading back to my American acupuncturist/Chinese osteopath down south in a couple of days. With $18 massages, a pool nearby, a treasure trove of almost-organic produce at weekly market, I’d like to imagine that I’m doing the best that I can for my body too.
I hope the house is coming along well 😉
Nice to hear from you Amit and get an update from your life in Ubud, Bali ~ one of my very favorite places in the world. Such a great spot for healing and healthy living, really there is no other place where we are both as healthy as when in Ubud. NO doubt! It certainly sounds like you are taking advantage and doing the best for yourself and your health.
House is coming along really well, even though we have only been here a week. Working every day to finish the reconstruction project to a point that the house is “comfy living”. Step by step, brick by brick and twig by twig we build our new nest.
Peta
I found this article very interesting, not least because, I’ve just begun to read “The Tao of Physics” by Fritjof Capra. It explores the relationship between Eastern mysticism and modern physics. I’ve grown increasingly sceptical of western medicine, but have never actually used Chinese medicine. I do believe in the power of movement (in whatever form), non-processed foods and sleep as essential to good health. I started t’ai chi just over a year ago, and notice a difference in my level of energy and mood if I don’t do it. It always makes me smile. Some beautiful pictures of you.
Thanks Safar for your thoughtful and lovely comments.
It is interesting when one opens up to the possibility that Western medicine is both advanced for specific procedures yet fundamentally lacking in its failure to take a holistic approach to diagnostic and health remedies. One pet peeve is the absence of nutrition in Western medical training which is evident both in the lack of nutritional advice and knowledge provided by most doctors in the context of their medical treatment. And the nutritionally sub par food that most hospitals offer up to recovering patients.
Ben & Peta
Love this article…I have been doing acupuncture for 15 years now and swear by it and all that it entails…love it!!
Thanks Kirt. Ben has also used acupuncture to treat a number of ails over the year with great results. Personally, I prefer shiatsu massage. I think the key is in finding what works for you as an individual.
Peta
Thank you for writing such an informative and concise post here. I loved reading it all. I’m a true believer in acupuncture. However, when my acupuncturist does ‘energy work ‘ on me, I get light-headed and nauseous. I don’t know the cause, so I avoid acupuncture. Massage is lovely but, as you say, expensive in the U.S.. I love imagining my inside and outside Qi, and with meditation, yoga, love and kindness, hope to bring it to its full dimension. Your manifestations are marvelous.
Thanks for your thumbs up on the post and our manifestations. Stay tuned for more updates.
Peta
Interesting read. I don’t understand all of it, I’ve never been a very spiritual kind of person but over the years, with Lissette, we’ve done yoga and even took a vacation in a yoga center in Costa Rica many years ago (I was worried about the vegan food and going hungry -it was actually fantastic).
One of the things I’ve been curious about is how people’s energies are so different and how energy affects us. Lissette is more clued in to her feelings than me and can react quite strongly, either positively or negatively to people. She’s met people where it’s almost like they’ve been close friends in another life and others who can make her physically sick by their presence. You also talk about Qi and energy: she’s warm blooded (I mean literally always warm) while I’m always cold. How can that be physically? Hard to get the head around it.
As I say, we could do a lot more to get in touch with our more mental/spiritual side and maybe that’s something we have to make time for. We’ve done yoga and meditation but especially since we’ve travelled full-time (while also working) we’ve been negligent. We know however that it has always been good for us, we’ve always come out of yoga and meditation happy and feeling at peace with the world. I’m sure that’s all tied in to Qi.
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank, it is interesting to read about Lissette’s instant energetic reaction (positive or negative) to people she meets. I have to say that I (Peta) have the same experience. This is not always a good thing, as it happens that the discomfort from spending time with negative people can definitely make me fill physically ill. The solution is less exposure to that energy (obviously and if possible) and to change the energy by doing something positive afterwards… For example, a walk in nature, eating really good food… etc.
About feeling good after yoga ~ we have started going to Yin yoga which is different in that it requires holding various poses for long amounts of time from 2-10 minutes. It might appear passive at first however, it is actually challenging and it does move energy.
Ben claims to not like yin yoga as much as hatha or vinyasa, but I can see the difference in him after he does it ~ tranquil and relaxed!
We have been doing yoga for 16 years together now and it really has become a core factor for us especially while traveling as nomads. No matter where we are, we either seek out yoga centers or do our own yoga practice. Connecting into a center allows us to meet like minded people and that adds another dimension to our travels.
Frank, thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment.
Peta
This is a beautiful and inspiring post, Peta. I first encountered the concept of Qi almost 30 years ago. It made perfect and intuitive sense and has guided my life all these years through my practices of yoga, meditation, a healthy diet, and lots of time in nature. Herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage are an integral part of our health care. Lucky you to have massage available for such a reasonable cost!
Love your weaving together of Qi and manifestation. I completely agree with you (and Einstein :-)). What a wonderful path you’re on!
Hear, hear!…..kindred spirits.
Can you imagine if the majority of Americans understood this fundamental truth about energy, in terms of the impact on the health care system?
Thanks for your lovely comments!
Peta
When I read your previous post in Vietnam and you mentioned your friend and you guys posed doing half moon, I wondered if she were a yoga teacher…is this the same lady? Is that you doing scorpion? Dang, how do you get up there? Let alone stay there!
Yes, my friend Brook is the yoga teacher we visited in Puerto Rico some time back. One and the same!
http://www.greenglobaltrek.com/2016/06/rain-forest-river-and-bamboo-puerto-rico-part-2.html
We offered her the use of our apartment for a few weeks before we arrived in Viet Nam. Smart girl, she jumped at the opportunity. Then we spent a month living there together.
Ha ha nope nt me doing scorpion pose. I wish! That’s Nikki from San Francisco.
Peta