Experience is “my path” and every Person a Teacher

Sharon Fierro - Wellness Qigong

Meditating during World Tai Chi & Qigong Day

My experience this year has been predominantly as a student. With the awareness that each experience is “my path” and every person a teacher, I was blessed with many valuable teachings in 2012. So, I would like to share some of the many sources of my learning. My hope for the coming year, is to expand my teaching and work in the community to reflect these lessons.

My time caring for my aging parents in their final stages of life has been my greatest source of joy, sadness, reflective learning and healing. My mom has shown me the love, courage, wisdom and grace of a caring, compassionate woman of character. My dad has shown me the sweet vulnerability and strength of a man who has devoted his life to “taking care” of his wife and family. My brother has shown me another way of healing with his equanimity, sense of humor and devotion to our family as a whole. The practice of being present, accepting life “as it is” (and people as they are), reconnecting with my family and compassionately facing our loss has opened my heart.

During this time, a good friend contributed this valuable insight: “Sharon, this part of our lives requires a lot of resourcefulness, fortitude, compassion and patience and you seem to have deep reserves. Unconditional love just isn’t good enough…”

The generous teachings, support and kindness of Elizabeth Wenscott, Lisa Hish, my tai chi family and many friends helped create and restore these reserves, as well as inspire an awakening of the divine wisdom and teacher within. The writings of Zen teacher, Ezra Bayda in his book “Zen Heart” and Taoist , Michael Saso in “The Gold Pavillion-Taoist Ways of Peace, Healing and Long Life” served as inspiration as well. Thank you, divine teachers…. “Kindness of the Heart…Breath of Life…I bow to you, again and again. Lotus sitting on the water, beyond time and space, this is your way this is your grace…” by Snatum Kaur.

Wellness Qigong Growth

Sharon Fierro

WELLNESS QIGONG GROWTH

This year proved to be a year of significant personal growth. The challenges and changes of 2011 created many opportunities to apply my tai chi, qigong and meditation practices, as well as the teachings from the I Ching. Overall, these taoist practices provided the foundation for greater strength, clarity, understanding and joyful connection with family and friends. And for this, I am most grateful!
Some of the experiences that positively influenced my teaching and my life in 2011 included: (1) an increased commitment to my weekly tai chi, qigong & meditation practices; (2) studying the I Ching, Book of Changes, under Elizabeth’s direction; (3) focusing on harmonizing with the seasons for health and well-being utilizing the 5 Elements Theory, under the direction of Lisa Hish; (4) training Jackie Morhlein, a qigong student, to teach qigong and implement a qigong program for seniors @ the Breakers; (5) successfully working with qigong students with significant health issues; and (6) studying Six Healing Sounds Qigong (with Don and Elizabeth) with the intent to offer this class in 2012.

Sharon Fierro - Newsletter 2010

WELLNESS QIGONG GROWTH

Our Saturday qigong program continued to grow in 2010 reaching new levels of participation in our wellness qigong classes. We reached just over 30 different people this year by offering group, semi-private and private qigong to students of all ages and stages. We experienced an increased number of referrals, principally from current students of the school; although, several new students came from other business sources currently being developed. We participated in school events, including World Tai Chi & Qigong Day and Ravenswood Art Walk, which increased awareness and participation. The Tai Chi Qigong Healing Institute published my article on Mindful Body Conditioning (with an emphasis on such practices as qigong, tai chi, yoga and meditation) providing an additional opportunity to build awareness.

VEHICLE FOR FUTURE GROWTH

In 2010, I created Mindful Body Conditioning (Path to a Fit Body & Clear Mind) to build awareness and help individuals achieve balanced strength, health and wellbeing through the blending of Eastern and Western mind/body fitness practices. By providing high quality qigong instruction, custom designed fitness programs, leadership and guidance as a coach, educator and motivator to a committed group of clients and students, I hope to expand the reach of The Tai Chi Center programs in 2011 and beyond.

QIGONG PROGRAM EXPANDS TO INCLUDE 8 BROCADE QIGONG

In November, we expanded our qigong program offering to include 8 Brocade Qigong. Although we launched this new form to those with wellness qigong experience, it is open to all. Those participating in the first of two 8 Brocade seminars and the related ongoing semi-private classes are finding this form challenging, a little more “Tai Chi like” and “artistic”. The group seems pleased to be expanding their qigong knowledge and practice. The 2nd 8 Brocade seminar will take place in January 2011. As a part of the ongoing 8 Brocade classes, I am also introducing Open Channel Qigong.

2010 CONTINUING EDUCATION

In June, Don Tomei and I had the opportunity to study further with Dr. Aihan Kuhn. We received advanced qigong instructor training designed to initiate the process of understanding and learning how to be a qigong healer. The subjects that were introduced in this seminar were the body’s meridian system, the five elements and yin yang theory. This is complicated stuff which requires further study. I am looking forward to continuing my studies with Dr, Kuhn, Elizabeth and Lisa. In addition, we learned several forms of qigong designed for more specific needs including: total body/brain; brain & memory; emotional balance and nervous system and autonomic function. With further education and training planned for this next year, we hope to incorporate what we have learned into our classes at The Tai Chi Center in the near future.

During this past year, my Tai Chi work continued and expanded to include Tai Chi Sword, Neigong Meditation and Ta Lu. This work continues to expand my knowledge of these ancient healing arts, as well as to inform my teaching. I am grateful to Elizabeth for these generous gifts. My work with Lisa Hish over the past year has also provided a wealth of knowledge and insight which has proven invaluable personally and professionally. Thank you both!

In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank my other teachers at the school: Don, Chris, Sas and Dan, as well as my students and tai chi brothers and sisters who have contributed significantly to this year of personal and professional growth. You make it a joy and it is my pleasure to work with each of you!

I continue to be inspired and moved to action by the Tai Chi Center community. I am excited to begin again, after a 30 year hiatus, learning and playing the guitar..yet another gift joyfully received!

2011 PLANS

Looking forward to 2011, my plans remain constant. I hope to continue to foster a peaceful/healing class and personal practice. My goal, in concert with Don and Elizabeth, is to contribute significantly to the enhancement and expansion of the qigong class offerings/program. My intent is to build awareness in our community of the many benefits of the practice of qigong and tai chi through as many avenues as practical. By reaching out through the Tai Chi Center, The Tai Chi and Qigong Healing Institute and Mindful Body Conditioning and targeted wellness centers, I hope to expand the number of people we serve. With careful listening and attention to the voices and needs of our community, I will focus on more formal methods of information sharing and communication. Continuing education in both eastern and western exercise, wellness and spiritual practices will continue to serve as a cornerstone of my life. I look forward to sharing, giving and receiving the gifts of qigong and tai chi, while keeping a smile in my heart.

Sharon Fierro - Newsletter 2009

SHARON FIERRO
Wellness Qigong

In the fall of 2008, The Tai Chi Center added a Saturday morning qigong class to the schedule. Elizabeth and Don offered me this wonderful opportunity and their support. This event launched my qigong teaching career. It was not the first time I found myself in the role of teacher, mentor, coach and guide. As a university faculty member and in my corporate finance career, I had fulfilled this role for many years. However, never had I been required to fully and creatively express myself in so many ways in subjects and areas so very new to me. Quickly, I realized the challenges and joys of self expression and communication with movement, words and heart in an extraordinarily open way.

Motivated by the beauty and health benefits of eastern exercise practices and this challenging teaching responsibility, I simultaneously began six months of intensive study to become certified as a personal trainer. My goal was to have an educational and practical foundation in western exercise science and nutrition to support my qigong practice/teaching and to provide custom-designed fitness programs to clients based on their health and mind/body fitness needs. I believe the qigong class experience for my students was enhanced, as the breadth and depth of my knowledge expanded and my teaching skills improved.

We have a core group of 5 committed students who have been practicing Qigong on Saturday mornings for the last year. It has been my great privilege and pleasure to see the progression of their individual and group practice. I am touched, moved and inspired by their commitment to this practice. Over the last few months, we have 5 or so new students who have also embraced the practice. Our core group welcomed the expansion of our community by extending their kindness and the generosity of spirit that is inherent in the qigong practice. Together, we are building a peaceful, healthy community, with ties to the overall Tai Chi center community, based on mutual caring, trust and respect. Internally, we have seen ourselves in each other as both students and teachers with our fears, strengths and weaknesses revealed, faced and accepted. Our separateness is dissolving as we are present to one another and as we learn, grow, heal and practice these ancient healing arts together.

In the late spring of 2009, I began to study Tai Chi. After months of resistance, a trusted moment of listening and an open heart revealed the possibilities. Are these teachings proving to be a path to truth and my life’s purpose? Is this form of self-expression and this supportive environment allowing me to be vulnerable, let go, be humble, accept, find compassion and rediscover my true nature? Am I finding my voice, creativity, passion and courage? I am challenged on so many levels; however, experiencing personal growth and feeling inspired to action, compels me to continue. I am just now beginning to feel the positive impact of this practice on my deeper understanding of myself, my relationships and my teaching of qigong.

In the fall of 2009, we sponsored Qigong workshops with Dr. Aihan Kuhn, CMD and Tai Chi and Qigong Master. The events were open to the public, as well as current qigong, tai chi and yoga students. Many of us attended the 8 Brocade Qigong workshop in anticipation of offering classes in this new form in the future. The weekend proved to be successful in building awareness and providing further education and training to The Tai Chi center teachers and students.

Looking forward to 2010, I hope to continue to foster a peaceful/healing class and personal practice. My goal, in concert with Don and Elizabeth, is to contribute significantly to the enhancement and expansion of the qigong class offerings/program. My intent is to build awareness in our community of the many benefits of the practice of qigong and tai chi through as many avenues as practical. By reaching out through the Tai Chi Center, The Tai Chi and Qigong Healing Institute and my Mindful Body Conditioning practice, I hope to expand the number of people we serve. With careful listening and attention to the voices and needs of our community, I will focus on more formal methods of information sharing and communication. Continuing education in both eastern and western exercise, wellness and spiritual practices will continue to serve as a cornerstone of my life. I look forward to sharing, giving and receiving the gifts of qigong and tai chi, while keeping a smile in my heart.

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