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The Interconnection of Happiness ~ Our Lives Depend On It

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I went to one of my morning spots in the backyard garden to begin my daily Qigong practice. This spot is in a patch of grass surrounded by our magenta pink rose bushes, two strawberry patches, one of our grandmother apple trees, three vegetable garden beds and our beautiful towering red maple tree with its rustling leaves in the early morning breeze. Usually at this hour, I enjoy the warmth of the early morning sun, but not today. It was already hot. The day before was “only” 88 degrees but the sun’s intensity, along with my looming dread for the unprecedented heat wave coming to the Pacific Northwest, even as I stood in the cooling waters of our local Tolt River, made it that much stronger. 

Earthgym: Primal Strength & Play

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In this 8-part series, join Earthgym specialist and Qigong teacher Karen Joy Fletcher and Natural Movement teacher and Internal Martial Arts expert Nate Summers on a journey into natural strength, play, and power. We will explore natural strength, training with sticks and stones, wild movement, playfulness, spontaneity, and more! Between the two of us we have over 40 years experience teaching these modalities. And it’s SOOO FUN!! Classes start June 11!

Qigong & Mother Earth ~ Learning Directly from Nature – Women of Wisdom Conference, 3/14

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What is it about Nature that calls to our souls? Why do so many enlightened sages throughout time come from the mountains? Nature reflects back to us our inner stillness, wildness and true nature. Qigong, an ancient yet evolving Chinese form of breath, meditation and movement, provides tools to touch deeply into and receive the inner silence and alchemy of Nature. And it is from this inner silence that all life, creativity, aliveness, inspiration, understanding, wisdom, gratitude and Joy arise ~ naturally, without effort. In this session, we will gain simple yet powerful exercises to return to stillness and learn directly from one of our greatest bearers of Light, our Beloved Mother Earth. Sunday 3/14/21 from 10a-12p.

Nourishing Life ~ Cultivating Vitality Longevity & Immunity During Challenging Times

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I’m excited to be teaching this class with my awesome husband, Nate Summers!! Living our life full of Nourishing Life practices, following the Nourishing Life (Yang Sheng) philosophy and sharing this with others is one of our big passions! And this class gives us the opportunity to walk this journey together with you – renewing and revitalizing our mind, body, and spirit using deep teachings from ancient medical systems including Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Indigenous wisdom, and even ancient European healing traditions. Free webinar – Oct 9th. Classes start Oct. 16th.

Qigong with Trees ~ Earthgym! 3-Class Series on Zoom

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Feeling restless with the COVID lockdowns? Ready to move your body and fill your tissues with the bubbling Joy, fragrances, beauty and exquisite new life of Spring? If so, you’re in the right place!! Join me in my first-ever online Qigong with Trees ~ Earthgym class. This will be a natural pick-me-up and you can do it from anywhere!! You can join from your backyard, balcony, porch, patio, or even your apartment with your windows open! 🙂 Thursdays, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14 from 4:30-5:15 p.m. PDT.

The Power of Play & the Wonder of Wandering ~ Women of Wisdom Conference 2/16

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Do you miss play in your life? Play is as essential for our wellbeing as sleep and in a culture that places high value on busy-ness and “productivity”, time for play, wonder and wandering are lost arts. Yet, these things, especially when done outdoors, fill our body with happy feelings, the abundant Qi of Nature, and the sense of awe and enchantment we were born with. They are keys to our creativity, aliveness and our soul’s purpose. Through simple qigong, outdoor play and a culminating quest , a solo “wonder wander” (with its roots in Chinese medicine), we will reclaim the power, vitality and joy innate to us all! Sunday 2/16 from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Wintertime Health ~ Stoking Our Inner Fire

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In this day-long immersion class on 12/7, we will look at how to face the darkness, heaviness, and stillness of the winter season by stoking our inner warmth and fire.  Drawing on nourishing life wisdom from around the world, we will look at foods, herbs, and practices that keep us alive and vital through the darkest time of year.  Why do we crave spices like cinnamon and nutmeg? Why is there a tradition of bringing greenery into the house at this time of year?

We will answer these questions and more as we sample herbal teas, learn to use mugwort as moxibustion to warm and strengthen vital areas of the body, learn about local trees and their medicinal properties, and even practice some fire meditation to strengthen the body inside and out. (Saturday 12/7, 9:30a-4p)