The recent Earthquake in Chile is one of the top ten strongest earthquakes ever recorded. Numerous international organizations already operating in Chile can act the most quickly and can use the most immediate support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

•Save The Children — Save The Children is sending an emergency assessment team to Chile, and they are asking for contributions to their Children’s Emergency Fund to aid these efforts.

•American Red Cross — The Red Cross has made an initial pledge of $50,000 from their International Response Fund, which you can contribute to to further assist.

•AmeriCares — Vice President of Emergency Response, Christoph Gorder, says AmeriCares is sending medical supplies and humanitarian aid to Chile. Make a direct contribution to AmeriCares’ Chilean earthquake fund.

•World Vision — World Vision is sending emergency relief supplies and staff to Chile to help injured survivors. Donate to World Vision’s Disaster Response Fund to directly contribute to aid heading to Chile.

•Habitat for Humanity — Habitat for Humanity has a continual presence in Chile, where they’ve helped construct over 1,300 homes. They will be essential in reconstruction efforts, especially in hard-hit rural areas. Donate to Habitat For Humanity or text CHILE to 25383 to donate $10.

•Direct Relief International — Direct Relief International has offered to provide assistance in the form of medical aid to Chilean authorities and to emergency relief organizations in the area. Give to Direct Relief International and type “Chile” in the “Designation” field if you wish to specify your donation.

•International Medical Corps — IMC has a presence in dozens of countries around the globe, providing immediate medical care to those affected by natural disasters. They are currently deploying resources to Chile. Contribute to their emergency response fund. Further updates on IMC’s potential presence in Chile coming soon.

•United Way — Through its affiliate in Chile, Corporacion Sociedad Activa, United Way is planning strategies to provide long-term relief to the region. Donate to the United Way or text CHILE to 864833 to give $10.

•Architecture For Humanity — The design services nonprofit is collecting money on behalf of Colegio de Arquitectos to support the 700 volunteer architects at Flatform Arquitectura. You can donate to this effort through AFH’s Chile Earthquake Reconstruction Fund.

•Operation USA — Operation USA is sending emergency relief to Chile following the earthquake. Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA’s Chile disaster relief efforts or donate online at opusa.org.

•Mercy Corps — Mercy Corps is working to ease trauma to children in Chile through a partnership with Educación Popular en Salud, a Chilean health organization. The program is part of Mercy Corps’ Comfort for Kids initiative, which originally worked to help children in post-9/11 New York City. Select an amount to donate and make sure “Chile Earthquake Response” is highlighted in the “Designation” field.

•Oxfam — Though Oxfam recently ended their ongoing work in Chile, the organization is sending water engineers and logisticians to assess the situation and determine what sort of ongoing aid is needed. Oxfam is currently pledging to help local partners in Chile to better facilitate their work. Donate to Oxfam here.

•ShelterBox — International disaster relief agency ShelterBox has mobilized a team to bring aid to Concepcion, Chile’s second largest city, that likely witnessed the worst shaking. Donate to ShelterBox.

•The Salvation Army — The Salvation Army has pledged to give food, water and other resources for distribution in Chile. Text “CHILE” to 52000 to donate $10 or make an online donation to the Salvation Army’s Latin America Disaster Fund.

•Convoy of Hope — This relief organization may deploy some of its resources to Chile from the Caribbean region. They provide food, water and other essential resources to suffering areas. Make a donation to Convoy of Hope.

You can send a donation by texting with your cell phone:

Text CHILE to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross via text to donate

Text CHILE to 23583 to donate $10 to Habitat for Humanity via text to donate

Text CHILE to 20222 to donate $10 to World Vision via text to donate

Text CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Friends of World Food Program via text to donate

Text CHILE to 52000 to donate $10 to Salvation Army via text to donate

Text REBUILD to 50555 to donate $10 to Operation USA via text to donate

Text 4CHILE to 50555 to donate $10 to Convoy of Hope via text to donate

Text CHILE to 864833 to donate $10 to United Way

Sources: NPR, and The Huffington Post

Tantric Qigong

Personal training is currently available as well as classes and seminars for your professional or spiritual group.

aka Tantric Qigong Internal Shovel Method

Is it time to dig ourselves out of a frozen funk?

I would like to discuss the little known and rarely explained Secret Taoist Internal Shovel Technique.  This is a method for “shoveling” more Qi on the embers of your life force, resulting in enlightenment and a clear walk and driveway. This technique is in distinct contrast to the usually dis-empowering Rail Against Inadequate Government Services Rant Method, the effect of which is debilitating and ultimately pointless.

All levity aside, injuries caused by shoveling deep snow can sometimes be significant, even though they are more likely to be just nagging, minor musculo-skeletal irritations such as strains to the back, shoulders, and arms.  This is because we are overtaxing the muscles and connective tissue through poor body mechanics and inadequate respiration. As I mentioned in Winter and Spiritual Practice, aggressive exercise during the winter can be invigorating, but may result in a net energy loss, leaving one open to exhaustion and illness.  Performing the chore of shoveling snow as a kind of Qigong or T’ai Chi exercise reduces the likelihood of fatigue and injury, while making your toil a bio-mechanically correct moving meditation

First of all, get yourself an ergonomically correct snow shovel. These really do make a significant difference, especially if you are tall. However, if you are going to have to break up ice, these plastic ergonomic shovels are not very helpful. You will need a metal shovel, what we used to call a coal shovel, which was used to shovel coal into the carbon-ly incorrect coal-fired furnaces in the first half of the 20th century. (Even though you got emphysema from breathing coal toxins, at least you were toasty warm).

Now, armed with the proper tool, approach this task as if you are a professional T’ai Chi-ist:

–Warm up with some Tantric Qigong, Yoga, or T’ai Chi
– Make sure all movement is commanded by the Tan Tien.
– Bend your knees instead of your back. Use your leg muscles to lift.
– If you have knee problems that prevent you from bending your knees a lot during this travail, take a wider stance so your torso is closer to the ground.
– Instead of using the shoulders and upper back to twist and throw the snow, rotate the torso from the Tan Tien, using the power of the entire body to torque and heave the snow.
– If the snow is only a few inches, use the shovel like a snow plow, pushing the snow to the side rather than lifting each shovel full.
–If the snow is deeper, make sure to use belly – chest breathing. Inhale deeply as your shovel bites into the snow, exhale forcefully as you throw the dang stuff.
– Take frequent breaks, making sure your straighten your posture, breathe, and root through the feet.
– Hydrate. To avoid annoying and painful cramping later on, drink apple or orange juice and eat bananas, all are rich in the cramp-busting nutrient potassium.

Now your winter chore can be a lifeforce-generating and emotionally balancing meditation.  © 2010 Keith E. Hall and www.inner-tranquility.com. All rights reserved.

More About Tantric Qigong

Personal training is currently available as well as classes and seminars for your professional or spiritual group.

Tantric Qigong Classes

Learn how to improve your health and well being in as little as 10 minutes a day!
Boost your immune system, rejuvenate yourself, and create serenity within.

Tantric Qigong, Sedona

The 8 Treasures system of Tantric Qigong can be learned by almost anyone, regardless of his or her physical condition. Practicing these simple exercises results in increased vitality, flexibility, mental focus, and alertness.  Tantric Qigong will noticeably reduce stress levels, and is a gentle non-impact aerobics routine for cardiac and respiratory health.

The class will employ elements of Taoist and Bioenergetic practices. Classes may also include some aspects of T’ai Chi, pranayama (conscious breathing), and meditation forms for creating a relaxed body and mind. You will learn to develop your vital energy and personal power to nourish your mental, physical, and spiritual health. Upon completion, you will be eligible for certification.

Tuition: $149 (includes Training Manual & Log)

.

Learning stages of Tantric Qi Gong include:
1. Relaxing & aligning the body
2. Controlling the breath
3. Focusing the mind-Transmuting the
emotions
4. Moving the Chi
5. Development of the Spirit

Rev. Keith Hall has taught T’ai Chi, Qigong, Tantra, and meditation for 30 years.  He is a senior student of Master Yung-ko Chou, with permission to teach. Rev. Hall has studied at various Mystery Schools and with Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas, S. Saraswati, and others. He has also taught Bioenergetics, Tumo, Vipassana, Zen, Spiritual Bodywork, various Yogas, and other Eastern and Western psychospiritual disciplines. Rev. Hall has published articles on East - West disciplines in numerous journals.

Sundays, Starting – February 21, 2010 12:30-1:30 PM Register online

More About Tantric Qigong

Personal training is currently available as well as classes and seminars for your professional or spiritual group.

Well it looks like the snow should be under control in the next day or so, so we are going ahead with the Tantra workshop, see below:

Valentine’s Tantra Experience February 13, 2010, 7 PM Olney, MD

You are invited to a special Valentine’s Tantra Experience! Join us for an evening of Tantric Bliss, joy, & rediscovering our essential selves. “Tantra” means weaving together the Earthly and the Divine. By expanding our consciousness, we stretch the boundaries of our self-definition, & so discover our higher nature. Taoist Tantric Kriya Yoga is an accelerated path toward mastery of emotional, physical, mental & spiritual energies. Experience a small taste of this powerful, joyful practice and unite your earthly and spiritual selves! This is both an introduction for beginners and sadhana for initiates.

–  Learn how you can Play your Way to Enlightenment!
–  Learn techniques for generating & transmuting energy.
–  Transform your relationships into Spiritual Communion.
–  Unfold the Divine in yourself.
–  Open your heart to Infinite Love.
–  Be introduced to powerful techniques for Evolution,  Empowerment & Spiritual Bliss.
–  Connect with others interested in the Tantra Yoga Path.
–  Experience serenity, & the joy of connecting  your heart & soul with others.
–  Use your life-force to improve your physical, emotional, &  spiritual well being

This workshop is for singles and couples. You will learn Taoist and Tantric techniques that you can do at home with or without a partner. Rev. Keith Hall combines the experience, wisdom, & compassion developed over 30 years of teaching with his natural ability to quickly lead people to an experience of higher states they may not have known before. There is nothing like an evening of celebration and community with this gifted teacher. Wear loose clothing, bring a yoga mat / blanket, pillow / backjack & a friend if you wish! Limited space, register soon.  Bring a vegetarian potluck dish.

“Delightful play of energy, love, joy, and sharing” - PG, Baltimore, MD

“A loving, safe space.” - HR, Rockville, MD

“I would recommend it to anyone” - WJ, Potomac, MD

” The safe space…made all the difference, not to mention your most marvelous hearts!”- CM, Gaithersburg, MD

.

.

Give Yourself a Valentine’s Gift of Agape!

For more information call 301-774-1961. Discount for early registration. Click here to register online

Olney Yoga & Wellness  16650 Georgia Avenue, Olney MD 20832 301-774-1961

REGISTRATION FORM
Couples: $50      Singles: $35   Amount enclosed_________________
Send check payable to “Olney Yoga” and completed, SIGNED form to: Olney Yoga & Wellness  16650 Georgia Avenue, Olney MD 20832.
NAME (S)________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________
PHONE: (DAY)________________________________________   (EVENING)__________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________________

For more information call 301-774-1961.

Presencing - The Power of Now

Learn Tantric Qigong

Well, it looks as if there will be quite a bit of snow Friday evening and Saturday,

accumulating 18 - 24 inches. I am still willing to conduct the Qigong workshop, but I am cognizant of the fact that travel conditions may prove less than ideal. Please let me know if you intend to come to the workshop or not.

Intro to Tantric Qigong
Saturday February 6, 1:00 PM

Discover how to improve your health and well being in as little as 10 minutes!

Learn to boost your immune system, get grounded and
empowered, and accelerate your spiritual evolution!

Find out why millions of people have practiced this exercise for thousands of years. Easier and more gentle than T’ai Chi, Qi Gong (Chi Kung) consists of conscious breathing and very gentle meditative movements that generate and circulate life force and consciousness. Appropriate for anyone who can breathe and move his or
her arms!

The 8 Treasures system of Tantric Qigong can be learned by almost anyone, regardless of his or her physical condition. Practicing these simple exercises results in increased vitality, flexibility, mental focus, and alertness.  Tantric Qigong will noticeably reduce stress levels, and is a gentle non-impact aerobics routine for cardiac and respiratory health.

Tuition: $35

Learning stages of Tantric Qi Gong include:
1. Relaxing & aligning the body
2. Controlling the breath
3. Focusing the mind-Transmuting the emotions
4. Moving the Chi
5. Development of the Spirit

Rev. Keith Hall has taught T’ai Chi, Tantric Qigong, Tantra, and meditation for 30 years.  He is a senior student of Master Yung-ko Chou, with permission to teach. Rev. Hall has studied at various Mystery Schools and with Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas, S. Saraswati, and others. He has also taught Bioenergetics, Tumo, Vipassana, Zen, Spiritual Bodywork, various Yogas, and other Eastern and Western psychospiritual disciplines. Rev. Hall has published articles on East - West disciplines in numerous journals.

Feb. 13:  Intro to Tantra: A Valentines Day Celebration!

Register for any of the above online at www.olneyyoga.com - Go to “schedule” then “workshops /events” to sign up.

Level 1, 2, 3, & 4  courses are offered.

Learn more about Tantric Qigong here.

Intro to Tantric Qigong
Saturday February 6, 1:00 PM

Discover how to improve your health and well being in as little as 10 minutes!

Learn to boost your immune system, get grounded and
empowered, and accelerate your spiritual evolution!

Find out why millions of people have practiced this exercise for thousands of years. Easier and more gentle than T’ai Chi, Qi Gong (Chi Kung) consists of conscious breathing and very gentle meditative movements that generate and circulate life force and consciousness. Appropriate for anyone who can breathe and move his or
her arms!

The 8 Treasures system of Tantric Qigong can be learned by almost anyone, regardless of his or her physical condition. Practicing these simple exercises results in increased vitality, flexibility, mental focus, and alertness.  Tantric Qigong will noticeably reduce stress levels, and is a gentle non-impact aerobics routine for cardiac and respiratory health.

Tuition: $35

Learning stages of Tantric Qi Gong include:
1. Relaxing & aligning the body
2. Controlling the breath
3. Focusing the mind-Transmuting the emotions
4. Moving the Chi
5. Development of the Spirit

Rev. Keith Hall has taught T’ai Chi, Tantric Qigong, Tantra, and meditation for 30 years.  He is a senior student of Master Yung-ko Chou, with permission to teach. Rev. Hall has studied at various Mystery Schools and with Dhyanyogi Madhusudandas, S. Saraswati, and others. He has also taught Bioenergetics, Tumo, Vipassana, Zen, Spiritual Bodywork, various Yogas, and other Eastern and Western psychospiritual disciplines. Rev. Hall has published articles on East - West disciplines in numerous journals.

Feb. 13:  Intro to Tantra: A Valentines Day Celebration!

Register for any of the above online at www.olneyyoga.com - Go to “schedule” then “workshops /events” to sign up.

Level 1, 2, 3, & 4  courses are offered.

Learn more about Tantric Qigong here.

The Three Jewels of Taoism: Qi

In traditional Chinese culture, the second of the Three Jewels (also known as The Three Treasures) is Qi (Chi), an active energetic principle that is part of all living organisms.

Chi or Qi can be thought of as life-force energy – the energy which vitalizes our bodies, and which empowers our movement.  This movement consists not only of locomotion, but also includes the movement of the breath and lungs, the coursing of our blood through the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, digestion, and the functional movements of all of our organs.

Qi is associated most particularly with the Liver and Spleen organ systems. If we think of Jing as a candle, then Chi is the candle flame - the energy produced via the transformation of the wax into fire. In our computer analogy, if Jing can be said to be your computer hardware, then Qi is the electricity that powers the system. Qi is the energy or life force that “boots up” our bodies.

In Tantric Qigong, we say that there are three types of Chi: Heavenly Qi, Earthly Qi, and Personal Qi.  Heavenly Chi is the robust energy that resides in the air or atmosphere and is sometimes known as the solar principle. Heavenly Chi is related to the naturally occurring negative ionic charge that is generated by the atmosphere and its interaction with solar radiation. One reason we feel revitalized in the mountains or at the beach is that these areas are naturally abundant with Heavenly Qi. In some systems, Heavenly Chi is thought to be closely related to the evolution of Cosmic Consciousness. It is sometimes thought of as the Masculine Principle.

Earthly Chi is resident in the earth and may be more naturally accessible in geographic areas with crystalline formations or vortices, such as those near Sedona, Arizona. Sometimes thought of as the Feminine Principle, Earthly Chi seems to have a grounded, generative, and healing quality. In Tantra Yoga, this earthly polarity is said to be directly linked to our sexual energy, so it would have some direct interface with what the Taoists call Jing (Ching).

Ordinarily, in persons not trained in Tantric Qigong, Earthly Chi is absorbed and transported within the body through the digestion and metabolization of food. Heavenly Qi is absorbed unconsciously through the process of autonomic breathing. Part of Tantric Qigong training and discipline is to learn how to master and absorb these energies more consciously and powerfully through certain Chakras and meridians. In some forms of External Qigong, Qi is the energetic force which can be radiated from a Master’s hands for healing purposes. This type of Chi is called Emitted Qi.

Earthly Qi interacts with Heavenly Qi to form our Personal Chi, which is a combination of these energies that abide within our bodies vitalizing our Soma and empowering our Psyche.  The relative levels of our vitality, intelligence, and the plane that our consciousness evolves to are partially determined by our ability to consciously absorb, transmute, and direct this Qi. Thus, one who masters the absorption, generation, and direction of Qi will have a tendency towards improved health, higher intelligence, and ease of spiritual evolution.

Next: The Three Jewels of Taoism:  Shen

Presencing - The Power of Now

Instruction & Coaching email for info on instruction

Learn Tantric Qigong

The Three Jewels of Taoism: Jing

The Three Jewels (sometimes called the Three “Treasures) - Jing, Qi and Shen – are energies cultivated through the practice of Tantric Qigong (Chi Kung, Chi Gong), T’ai Chi, and certain Yoga and Tibetan disciplines. Jing (Ching), Qi (Chi) and Shen, may be translated as Essence, Vitality, and Spirit.

A Tantric Qigong practitioner studies techniques to convert Jing into Qi and then into Shen (the path of transmutation) – and also to transmogrify Shen into Qi and Jing – (the path of generation or manifestation). The Three Jewels can also be thought of as three frequencies of a common energy. Practitioners of the Inner Alchemy of Tantric Qigong (Neidan or Neigong) learn to control and transmute the frequency of their energy and consciousness along this spectrum – choosing the wave length they desire as we might we might choose a particular TV or radio station.

Jing
The most concentrated or densely vibrating energy is Jing. Of the Three Jewels, Jing may be the one associated most closely with our physical body. Jing is said to reside in the lower dantian (Tan Tien), or the Kidney System (sometimes thought of as kidney essence), and manifests itself partly as the reproductive energy of the sperm and ova. Jing can be stored in the kidneys and is the most primal energy within the body (Chi or Qi and Shen are progressively “lighter” or more refined in their vibration). Jing is said to be the basis for our physical bodies and is yin in nature, which means it is nourishing and cooling to the body. Jing is also thought to be the vehicle of our heredity - a concept similar that of DNA.

Jing is often considered the root of our life force, the physical substance out of which our life evolves. Jing may be likened to a wire through which the electricity of Qi is transmitted. One can also think of Jing as being analogous to the hardware of a computer – the physical foundation of an operating system. In this metaphor, Chi would be the electricity, and Shen the data that appears on your monitor.

Jing is consumed continuously by the activities of daily life, stress, illness, substance abuse, sexual excess, fear, pain, anxiety, etc. In addition to the practice of Qigong and T’ai Chi, Jing can be restored through dietary and herbal supplements, and balanced through acupuncture.

In women, Jing can be depleted through abnormally heavy menstruation and pregnancy. Some Taoist lineages promote exercises to diminish menstruation, reserving and recycling the energy that would be lost through the menstrual blood. There are corresponding Taoist and Tantric exercises for men.

In men, generation and replacement of semen lost through excessive sexual activity resulting in ejaculation contributes to the depletion of Jing. Some ancient texts actually define Jing (Ojas in the Tantra Yoga tradition) as semen, although this metaphor is not quite accurate.  Semen contains and is energized by Jing energy, but Jing can also be expressed as ova, sexual energy in general, and bone marrow. In addition, through the practice of Taoist sexology and certain Tantric Kundalini techniques, the Jing or Ojas can be withdrawn from the semen, preventing its depletion.

Most ancient masters consider Jing to be the raw material of Qi (Chi), though some have said that Jing is an expression of Chi. Obviously, vitality and sexual energy are closely related, so it may be a bit pedantic to argue which came first, sex or life force, chicken or egg. Even in the Tantra Yoga tradition, these energies of the lower chakras are so closely related and wired together that artificial distinctions are ordinarily not that valuable. © 2010 Keith E. Hall, www.inner-tranquility.com All rights reserved.

Next: The Three Jewels of Taoism: Qi

Presencing - The Power of Now

Instruction & Coaching email for info on instruction

Learn Tantric Qigong

Valentine’s Tantra Experience February 13, 2010, 7 PM

You are invited to a special Valentine’s Tantra Experience! Join us for an evening of Tantric Bliss, joy, & rediscovering our essential selves. “Tantra” means weaving together the Earthly and the Divine. By expanding our consciousness, we stretch the boundaries of our self-definition, & so discover our higher nature. Taoist Tantric Kriya Yoga is an accelerated path toward mastery of emotional, physical, mental & spiritual energies. Experience a small taste of this powerful, joyful practice and unite your earthly and spiritual selves! This is both an introduction for beginners and sadhana for initiates.

–  Learn how you can Play your Way to Enlightenment!
–  Learn techniques for generating & transmuting energy.
–  Transform your relationships into Spiritual Communion.
–  Unfold the Divine in yourself.
–  Open your heart to Infinite Love.
–  Be introduced to powerful techniques for Evolution,  Empowerment & Spiritual Bliss.
–  Connect with others interested in the Tantra Yoga Path.
–  Experience serenity, & the joy of connecting  your heart & soul with others.
–  Use your life-force to improve your physical, emotional, &  spiritual well being

This workshop is for singles and couples. You will learn Taoist and Tantric techniques that you can do at home with or without a partner. Rev. Keith Hall combines the experience, wisdom, & compassion developed over 30 years of teaching with his natural ability to quickly lead people to an experience of higher states they may not have known before. There is nothing like an evening of celebration and community with this gifted teacher. Wear loose clothing, bring a yoga mat / blanket, pillow / backjack & a friend if you wish! Limited space, register soon.  Bring a vegetarian potluck dish.

“Delightful play of energy, love, joy, and sharing” - PG, Baltimore, MD

“A loving, safe space.” - HR, Rockville, MD

“I would recommend it to anyone” - WJ, Potomac, MD

” The safe space…made all the difference, not to mention your most marvelous hearts!”- CM, Gaithersburg, MD

.

.

Give Yourself a Valentine’s Gift of Agape!

For more information call 301-774-1961. Discount for early registration. Click here to register online

Olney Yoga & Wellness  16650 Georgia Avenue, Olney MD 20832 301-774-1961

REGISTRATION FORM
Couples: $50      Singles: $35   Amount enclosed_________________
Send check payable to “Olney Yoga” and completed, SIGNED form to: Olney Yoga & Wellness  16650 Georgia Avenue, Olney MD 20832.
NAME (S)________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________
PHONE: (DAY)________________________________________   (EVENING)__________________________________________________
Signature_____________________________________

For more information call 301-774-1961. Discount for early registration. Click here to register online

Presencing - The Power of Now

Learn Tantric Qigong