July 2020

Hi everyone! A couple of quick notes on class:

Classes will run as they have been in July 2020, online on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. You can view the complete schedule here. If you haven't accessed online classes yet, but would like to, please pop me a line at smithmk2@gmail.com or call (905) 521-0043.

The next guided meditation session runs on Sunday, July 5 (not the nonexistent date I originally listed, Saturday, July 5). For more information on guided meditation, read the post here.

If you're a continuing student and you haven't contacted me lately or have chosen not to attend online classes, I would like to touch base with you. Please let me know if you're available. Thanks!

A less quick note on some content we discussed the other day:

During a recent qigong class we were discussing the TCM clock associated with the organ systems of the body. We've talked a lot about the cycle of the five elements in qigong, but each of these elements also maps onto each day, creating a circadian rhythm.

This is very handy for understanding any symptoms you may have that repeat at the same time each day. (Why do I always get sleepy at 2pm? Why do I always wake up at 3 in the morning?) Lily Choi, a TCM practitioner in New York state, has a wonderful article about the organ clock, including tips and tricks for strategically supporting each organ at its ideal time, and a good image of the clock for your reference: TCM Organ Qi Cycle: Our Body Clock. Go check it out!

Guided Meditation Sessions for Summer 2020

Hello everyone,

Guided meditation sessions will continue throughout the summer, on the full and new moons each month. These are mini-workshops, lasting two hours each, and include a check-in to see how everyone's doing, a discussion of the energies we'll be working with, a guided meditation, and post-meditation discussion. (Don't worry if that sounds like a lot! We take a break in the middle.) 

Guided meditation is a wonderful way to receive a fresh infusion of new positive energies. At a time when much of our input is distressing or negative, it's great to be in a position to receive something helpful. The discussions we have around the meditation are a wonderful source of insight into working with energy and receiving guidance. We learn from each other as we work together.

The next four sessions will continue the theme we started on Friday, June 5, as we began to explore the five Taoist virtues or positive traits, and by way of doing so, the five elements, and five aspects of spiritual energy, as outlined in traditional Chinese medicine. We began on the Strawberry Full Moon with metal element / lungs / the Po or "animal soul," which is responsible for reacting to situations as they arise. 

Don't worry if you missed the first one, or if you know you can't make all of the remaining meditations: each of these sessions stands alone, and is an in-depth exploration of a beneficial energy. As one of my mentors always says, you end up coming to the sessions that offer what you need! That may be all of them, or it may be that certain meditations resonate with you. 

If you're brand new, you're welcome to attend. If you've been to my classes or these meditations before, you're welcome to attend. Guided meditation sessions are $20 per session. 

Here's the schedule for the rest of the summer:

Sunday, June 21, 2020 New Moon

6-8(ish) pm

Water

There's a ton happening on this date! It's the first full day of summer, astrologically speaking—the solstice takes place on June 20th at 5:43 pm. In traditional calendars, the solstice marks midsummer, the time when the days are longest. On the 21st there will also be a special type of solar eclipse. When aligned with the sun, the moon will cover 99.4% of its surface, creating a ring of fire effect. In other words, it should look really cool. It won't be visible from North America, but keep an eye out for photos from parts of Africa, India, and China. 

For this session, we'll be working with the water element. Water governs the kidney / bladder systems. In Chinese medicine the kidneys store Essence, what Ted Kaptchuk calls the "deep, 'soft,' 'juicy' potential in living beings." They're also responsible for the will: the decisions and commitments we make, as well as the understanding that on some level we're connected to destiny. This meditation will help balance the will and access inner wisdom. 

Sunday, July 5, 2020 Full Moon

6-8(ish) pm

Wood  

This meditation falls on the full Buck moon, also known as the Thunder moon, named for the time of year when bucks' horns pick up speed in their growth and development, and the time when thunderstorms are most likely. This year the July moon rises on Saturday evening, and reaches peak illumination or fullness after midnight. There will be a penumbral eclipse on this day—the moon passes through the outer edge of the earth's shadow, making it appear darker between 11 pm and 2 am.

All of these eclipses enhance any energy work we might want to do. On this evening we'll work with the wood element, which governs the liver / gallbladder. Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi in the body. At its best, the liver creates an even disposition. It's connected to the non-corporeal soul or Hun, and is responsible for kindness, benevolence, and the ability to recognise the humanity in others. We'll work with this aspect of the soul to help establish an open, flexible and firm sense of our own boundaries. 

Monday, July 20, 2020 New Moon

6-8 (ish) pm

Fire

This is a less action-packed New Moon than the previous month! But we'll be in a fabulous element with fire. This meditation will focus on the heart, which is the organ that governs the connection between a person's spirit or shen and their daily actions. With this meditation, we'll work on developing appropriate and timely actions and reactions, ensuring that our heart energies are strong and supple enough to allow the big picture of Spirit to guide our choices.

Monday, August 3, 2020 Full Moon

6-8 (ish) pm

Earth

This final meditation of the summer takes place on the night of the full Sturgeon moon, the time when sturgeon are most readily caught. (That Old Farmer's Almanac link has a ton of other names for this moon, including "Blueberry Moon," if you prefer something less fishy!) This moon takes place two days after the traditional holiday of Lammas or Lughnasadh, which celebrated the first wheat harvest—it's a very significant time of year for celebrating the ripe fullness of the season in the Northern hemisphere, and a great time to complete our series with the earth element!

Earth governs the spleen, which is responsible for extracting and distributing Qi. In Chinese medicine, it's considered the primary organ of digestion. On a psychological level, the spleen rules our ability to see potentials, meaning, if it's in balance, we can consider possibilities, weigh our options, and make clear-headed decisions. In this meditation, we'll explore the concept of having enough, and help ourselves to meet the world with clarity and decisiveness. 

On the Future of Classes, This Summer and Possibly Beyond

Hello everyone!

As we continue on with the new reality, I wanted to touch base with everyone who's been part of my classes online and in-person. Summer is always a time when demand for classes drops off, as we go to work in the garden and take part in more outdoor activities. I'm not sure how that will affect classes this summer, since we're all going to be a little bit more limited than usual, but I've already been seeing some reduced numbers. In any case, I'm here for you and class is here for you in its online capacity. 

In June, the schedule will remain the same as it has been. 

If it seems like there's dwindling interest in class through July and August, I'll modify the schedule to reflect that, but I plan to continue teaching until the last week of August. If enough people are still interested in training (hint: this means I need to see you at class), I'll keep the schedule as is. In September I'll be taking the same hiatus I always do, with a plan to resume class in October. More details on this will follow as the time approaches. I'll give plenty of heads up before I alter any schedules.

The unfortunate truth of our current situation is that my hands are tied with regard to starting in-person classes again. The limit on gatherings is still (wisely!) in place. Even if it lifts, there is no way I'll be taking any risks with anyone's health. Until I can rest assured that we can run in-person classes safely, I won't be resuming them. 

This could mean that we wait until a vaccine is available, or until there's some kind of unforeseen breakthrough that guarantees a sufficiently low risk to everyone. This fact is tough to face, but I mention it because I hope those of you who haven't been attending, but who do feel a need for training, will consider coming back to class. The online format is different, and can be difficult to get used to, but I don't think there's going to be a better option anytime soon for group classes. I would love to see you! As would your classmates. (If you're camera-shy we can just wave to you, knowing that you're there!) If you haven't visited us online, but you were a regular part of classes at the Regent Centre, rest assured you've been missed.

Because my time and capacity to teach at a high-quality level is limited (I do get tired after a while, y'all!), group online classes are the best way for me to continue to teach, and the best way for you to receive regular instruction and company while you practice.

That having been said, as of now I am considering requests for individual in-person training on a case by case basis. Individual training would be done outside and in a socially distanced manner, with a large buffer zone between me and any attendee(s). Obviously this is only going to be available while the weather is warm enough for training outside, essentially, through to the end of summer. 

In-person sessions won't be a substitute for regular classes. Unfortunately I can't offer them at a frequency that would add up to a full training regime for any one person. But if you feel a need to supplement what you've learned at classes past or present, if you feel like you need some individual corrections for your practice, or to ask me questions, I'm currently piloting ways to manage this safely and legally. At this time, I'm exploring one-on-one sessions only. I may expand to allow two students at a time in the future.

This service will be available for people who have attended my classes in the past, or who are attending classes now. I need to get to know you a bit before I agree to train you individually.

I'm also happy to do one-on-one Zoom sessions for those of you who feel like they need to supplement their training but aren't comfortable with in-person training. I'm continuing to offer distance Reiki for people who would like to work with this powerful healing modality in a safe manner, and group guided meditation sessions, which have been running for the past couple of months, are also going to run on the Full and New Moons for the rest of the summer.

If you're looking to join classes for the first time, Qigong training is currently open to new beginners. Learn about Qigong here. Qigong classes run on Mondays from 1-2pm and Saturdays from noon to 1pm. Guided meditation is also open to all levels.

The fee for online classes is still $40 / month, or $20 for people on ODSP, students, or those dealing with financial hardship.

Guided meditation sessions are a separate fee of $20 / session.

The fee for one-on-one sessions, in-person or otherwise, is $60 / hour. Distance Reiki is $30. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. You can reach me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. 

If you've received this message by email, don't hit "reply"—your message will go into the void! Make a separate message with smithmk2@gmail.com in the "to" field.