Posts Tagged ‘Chicago’
body, breath, capitalism, Chicago, chicago yang tai chi, chicago yang taichi, Compassion, enlightenment, facebook, happiness, karma, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, mind and body, mindfulness, Peace, practice, qigong, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, wisdom, work, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago, Yang 24-form, Yang tai chi, Yang Taiji, yin and yang, zen
In About our center, Compassion, Stress reduction, Tai Chi, Taiji on January 28, 2011 at 11:53 am
#10 Reason to get ready for World Tai Chi and Qigong Day …. 
It’s FREE! You can get ready for this world-wide day of healing and it’ll cost you nada, zero, zip, the big goose egg ….
ok, we confess – it’ll cost you the loss of some stress.
Bummer dude.
41.853820
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body and mind, breath, Chicago, Compassion, enlightenment, happiness, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, mind and body, mindfulness, Peace, qigong, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, work, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago, Yang tai chi, Yang Taiji
In Meditation, Stress reduction, Tai Chi on January 27, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Just a flash of insight from practice the other day. Like many of my realizations, nothing earth shattering on the surface but buried in its simplicity is a deep thing.
Let’s see if I can put it into words.
Tai Chi (taiji) and meditation allow us to start the day mindfully and without stress
Every day I get up at 5:30 and do some qigong, tai chi and standing meditation to start the day. What happened was, as I looked at the clock on the wall in the center, I knew there was only 40 minutes to practice. At 6:40 a.m. I HAD to be DONE, because the drive to work can take a long time. The Deadline? Be at the desk no later than 8:30. But as often happens with tai chi and meditation, it feels so good and I want to stay and keep going.
I mean, I love tai chi and meditation even more than I like triple scoops of Mint Chocolate ice cream in a dark chocolate dipped waffle cone.
But, if I kept going, I’d be late for work. And that would cause a lot of suffering and trouble for not only for me with the boss, but for colleagues who rely on my presence to get their jobs done.
So, at 6:40 I turned off the light and locked the door to the center. I walked to my car carrying my breath and mind in each step, full and empty, full and empty.
Quan Yin reminds me to balance compassion with wisdom, to do what the next truly appropriate thing is, not just what I want to do.
There was the pleasure of a clear mind from practice and the knowledge that the decision to stick to the schedule was a benefit to me and those around me.
The deep lesson. There is a time for everything. A time for tai chi and a time to drive to the office. Sticking to the schedule reduces stress. The ego is reduced in size. The ego and it’s desire to selfishly pick and choose are set aside for the larger good; a more peaceful day for all the interdependent beings.
Try to live blamelessly, without causing trouble for the self or others.
Do you have times like that? Where you have something you have to do but would rather do something else? How does that play out for you? Are some times harder than others to be disciplined with? Why is that?
41.852973
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body, body and mind, breath, Chicago, meditation, meditation center, mind and body, mindfulness, multi-tasking, multitasking, Peace, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, zen
In About our center, Meditation on January 24, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Great, clear results from yet another study that shows meditation is good for the brain, helps you learn better and see reality more clearly. Plus, it’s a great stress buster. And no, you don’t have to sit like that!
Introduction to meditation, 8 week class starts in Feb. at Calm Chicago. call us to learn more and register.
41.853820
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body and mind, Chicago, Compassion, facebook, happiness, karma, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, Metta, mind and body, mindfulness, multi-tasking, multitasking, practice, qigong, retreat, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, twitter, website, wisdom, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago, Yang tai chi, Yang Taiji
In Uncategorized on January 23, 2011 at 2:03 pm
I just realized that the one page I started this blog with is no longer a tenable option. Looking for posts on what interests you is like looking through a mountain of paper. I’m thinking – not so much!
So, with the new year, it’s time to learn more about how to construct a more user-friendly blog. I hope this helps. Please let me know what you think. I’d love to get your input so the blog can be more useful.
thanks, wishing peace and happiness to everyone,
hillary
41.853820
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body, body and mind, breath, Chicago, chicago meditation center, chicago yang taichi, chicago yang taiji, Compassion, enlightenment, happiness, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, Metta, mind and body, mindfulness, qigong, retreat, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago, Yang tai chi, Yang Taiji
In About our center, Tai Chi, Taiji on January 22, 2011 at 5:49 am
We have a great new location in Chinatown Square. We owe many thanks to Dr. Richard Li, an excellent chiropractor who’s sharing the space with us. (So, if you need some tuina massage or an adjustment, we got you covered!)
2155 s china place unit b (above t-mobile)
Walking distance to the Red Line, Cermak and Archer buses, parking lots.
Check out our new class schedule.
We also have FREE classes to get everyone ready for World Tai Chi Day on Saturday, April 30th. Join us!
Drop by any time to see what we’re up to. Just call ahead since we’re not there 24/7!
41.852973
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Beijing short form, Chicago, enlightenment, happiness, karma, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, Metta, mindfulness, Peace, stress-management, tai chi, taiji, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago, Yang 24, Yang 24-form, Yang tai chi, Yang Taiji, Yang taiji 24-form
In About our center, Tai Chi, Uncategorized on January 16, 2011 at 1:42 am
It’s official!
Calm Chicago will celebrate World Tai Chi Day April 30, at 10 a.m. in Chinatown Square, Chicago.
Join us!
FREE classes!
Wednesdays 6a.m. 2155 S China Place
Other free classes coming soon!
Spread the love, share the peace.
41.852973
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body, body and mind, breath, Chicago, Compassion, facebook, happiness, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, mind and body, mindfulness, practice, qigong, retreat, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago
In About our center, Tai Chi, Taiji on January 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Calm Chicago has a plan for World Tai Chi Day right here in sweet home Chicago! I’ll be working with friends to organize the details, set up a special FB group as a center for all participants with the who, what, where, when, why and how!
We’re looking for 100′s of people … who have never, always, sometimes, occasionally done tai chi (taiji) or qigong or anyone who thinks doing some fun movement with a bunch of friends with great big deep breaths out in the fine spring day sounds like fun.
If you’re wondering what the heck is tai chi or taiji or qigong anyway and how the heck do you say that? This next bit is for you. Sounds like: Tie – chee (like the chee in cheese) and ditto for chee- gong. Both are ways of getting your body and breath working together with graceful motion that makes you feel great all over. Plus, tai chi helps you reduce stress, focus the mind and stay very physically healthy. And, anyone can do it. You don’t have to be a star athlete. You can be old, young, in between, able to run miles or be in a wheel chair.
It’s gonna be awesome! Look for info soon through this blog, messaging and emails. All I can say right now is that it’s going to be in downtown Chicago on April 30. Mark your calendars!
Happy breathing!
41.853495
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body, breath, Chicago, Compassion, happiness, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, Metta, mindfulness, qigong, retreat, sitting meditation, stress-management, stress-reduction, tai chi, taiji, world tai chi day, world tai chi day calm chicago, world tai chi day chicago
In About our center, Tai Chi on January 6, 2011 at 6:34 am
Saturday April 30 is World Tai Chi Day. (Thank you Bill Douglas) And Calm Chicago will be out there to celebrate the day. Plans are being made now.
Let me know what you’d like to do. All are welcome. Friends we know and those we haven’t met yet. Out of towners…
Last year two wonderful ladies joined us from Minnesota. (Come back if you can!)
Stay tuned for more info and tell me what you think is a wicked cool idea. I want to know.
peace and happiness for all beings.
41.852973
-87.641298
body and mind, Chicago, chicago meditation center, happiness, loving kindness, meditation, meditation center, mind and body, mindfulness, tai chi, tai chi 24, taiji, taiji 24
In Meditation, Mindfulness, Stress Management, Tai Chi, Taiji on January 6, 2011 at 2:06 am
Tai chi (or taiji) is not something you can learn by thinking about it or by doing some complex analysis.
Beginners and more experienced practitioners learn the same way … through direct experience. It’s through this direct experience, this intense, sharp focus, maintained throughout the form, with the total object of the mind, the body/breath/mind, brought totally together as one that does the teaching.
A teacher can guide you but even that only goes so far. It’s our own practice that is the real way to discover how to move in the very beginning and later, how to chew on the subtle nuances that take you endlessly deeper into understanding.
Then we experience ourselves, through practice what we can not otherwise describe. We are all the owners of our own practice. If we want to enjoy the fruits of tai chi, qi gong and meditation, no one can do this for us.
The great thing is that our ability to deepen our practice is always in our own hands. We have the power to make our bodies stronger, our minds more sharp and clear and our lives more soft and peaceful.
I love tai chi for so many reasons. Yes, it’s beautiful to watch a real master. It feels so wonderful to do. And it’s an awesome gateway for anyone to have a better life. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker or just want to feel really good in the body and mind.
Tai chi, qigong and meditation can help you slow your mind down, so that each day feels like it opens more slowly, gradually letting go of the frenetic buzz of contemporary life.
No fancy gear required. Soft clothes and soft soled shoes of some kind (or barefoot if you like) And you can practice anywhere.
Wishing peace and happiness for all beings.
Thanks for stopping by,
hij
41.853495
-87.640680
body, breath, Chan, Chicago, Compassion, happiness, karma, loving kindness, meditation, mindfulness, practice, qigong, sitting meditation, tai chi, taiji, wisdom, zen
In About our center, Meditation, Stress Management, Taiji on December 28, 2010 at 2:54 am
1. Calm Chicago has new beginner classes Saturday and Sunday! Pick your new class time!
2. Taiji (tai chi) is great zero-impact exercise for all ages. It helps fight chronic diseases, high blood pressure, stress-related illness and is great preventative medicine.
3. Taiji (tai chi) can be an awesome part of your resolution for a healthier more mindful, peaceful you this year. With taiji you build up a stronger body/breath and mind all while enjoying simple to learn movements that feel good from the very beginning.
41.852739
-87.619373
We have a great new location in Chinatown Square. We owe many thanks to Dr. Richard Li, an excellent chiropractor who’s sharing the space with us. (So, if you need some tuina massage or an adjustment, we got you covered!)
Wishing peace and happiness for all beings.
