Waking up in the morning with your brain already racing to the schedule for the day? Speeding around physically to care for the family, while mentally distracted with the packed schedule in your life; grabbing extra coffee because you’re not sleeping well; always trying to meet the needs of those around you, and feeling resentful that being responsible for everything always lands in your lap?
Racing through not aware of days that turn to weeks,
weeks to months, and months to years
is an un-lived life.
When we find ourselves trapped in our lives it can present itself in many ways:
These factors build when we don’t care for ourselves and we can easily dive into a debilitating depression, a hospitalized health situation, or a break-up of the family.
These are big deal situations that happen when life is controlled by external events.
What would it feel like to be free, balanced, centered?
Having an inner, quiet space that is always with you - no matter what’s happening around you. Carrying that space with you, feeling secure and present in your own skin. Honoring the boundaries of that space by allowing what you love to enter, and what doesn’t serve you to kindly move on.
Moving through life’s obstacles like water in a river, always flexible to care for others but strong to maintain your own boundaries.
That inner quiet, peacefully sustaining you no matter what is happening externally.
You can live this way.
This can happen.
The practice of Taiji is life changing.
These lessons target the stresses our modern life and offer opportunities for shifting so that you find yourself living from your center, with generous amounts of joy, compassion, and heartfelt love.
With clarity and conciseness, you’ll learn in Taiji For Balance so that you aren’t just feeling good during class. This melts into the rest of your life. Easing the anxiety, lifting the depression, building awareness of your own worth. You will have a felt sense of guiding your life from your center, loving it, and loving those who share it with you.
“Lucy Bartimole changed my life. I initially came to Shift to work with Lucy for the physical benefits of tai chi, specifically balance and strength - both of which have increased over the past 3 years. However, along the way, I really began to learn and appreciate the other aspects of tai chi, specifically the mental and emotional aspects of tai chi. Learning how to pay attention to my breathing and listening my body has brought me mindfulness, an ability to choose to react (or not), and a sense of peace and connectedness to the world.”
-Mary Jo Burkhardt
Over 50 Lessons for building presence, peace and clarity
Here’s what is in Taiji for Balance Level 1:
“I was directly impacted by Lucy’s love of this meditative moving art form, which emanates from her with every breath and in each and every movement. In class, Lucy brings and shares her power pack of experience and knowledge with humility, humor, love, and compassion.
I manage systemic lupus on a daily basis. And with Lucy’s instruction on Taiji and Qigong, I have discovered deeper degrees of mental and physical clarity, along with a felt sense of focused energy. Lucy helps you build a strong foundation, and with continued practice, you can add on the many layers that make Taiji fresh and new for a lifetime.”
-Juliette Moore
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Taiji For Balance help with stress?
Taiji’s movements alone create ease. But I layer that with meditations and philosophy that bring meaning to why these movements are so empowering and how they bring awareness, peace, and contentment. Each posture will coax you into a place of peace, understanding, and rootedness. These are felt. They are cultivated within so you carry them throughout your day, present and connected.
Will I be able to learn these movements from a video?
Yes. You will be guided through each posture from different angles. You will always be encouraged to practice what feels good in your body and allow the form to fit you - never forcing your body to fit a form. In addition, this course is about cultivating the quieter gifts. Bringing purpose and meaning back into our lives. It’s a timeless, ancient practice that offers the quiet, connected, sacred time we lost along the way.
I’d love to do this, but I need accountability
Yep. I understand. That’s why I communicate with you while you’re moving through the course. I’m there to answer questions, to provide feedback, to hear your thoughts and to share mine. And you will be included in an online community of people who are practicing the form and sharing their experiences in how taiji has helped bring ease into their lives.
How long does it take to learn taiji?
Each person learns differently so it’s difficult to answer definitively. I have been studying these arts for over 30 years and still find things to learn! What I’ve found is when I let go of having a goal, a sense of wonder appears and I have the ease of a child’s mind feeling curious and open. Yet another gift of this practice: presence.
I have fibromyalgia, is Taiji okay for me to practice?
Taiji is excellent for people with arthritis, auto-immune diseases, or fibromyalgia because of its gentleness on joints and muscles. It eases tightness in the connective tissue that is a network connecting the body and helps qi flow.
It is always important to talk with your doctor about exercise programs before beginning one if you have a chronic illness or disease.
I want to do taiji outside not with a computer!
I always recommend doing taiji (or any movement for that matter) in nature when possible! When you’re learning, generally speaking, it’s a bit easier to learn in the quiet of indoor space. However, our course provides materials to take with you when you wish to be free of electronics! Taiji outside allows us to connect to a larger picture, to feel the weather, to listen to the aliveness and to feel the earth under our feet.
I want a practice that builds a quiet richness so that I can be a centered presence in my own life.
Lucy's classes and her nurturing leadership style has been a game changer for me in many ways. Every class session is a gem of content and purpose along with outright fun. She does an excellent job of making sure every student's presence is welcomed and celebrated.
-Guy Smalley
You will receive benefits from practicing Tai Chi, no matter how young or old you are. Tai Chi has helped me with my balance and self-discipline. It helps to settle the mind as well and bring balance and order.
- John Gattrell
50% Complete
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