March 09, 2004

Living in the Flow Newsletter March 2004
Carolyn Cooper's
LIVING IN THE FLOW NEWSLETTER
Published by Tai Chi Flow, Inc.

Welcome to our premier issue!
March 2004

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Contents:
1) WELCOME
2) Featured Article:
Tai Chi During Pregnancy
3) Think about it
4) Workshops at Red Mountain Spa
5) Remembering Wholeness
6) Closing Breath

1) Welcome to the Premier Issue of “Living in the Flow” Newsletter! Each month we will bring you informative and fun articles dealing with health, fitness, qigong/tai chi, abundance, energy therapies, upcoming workshops, and many other interesting and motivating ways to help you create a life that flows!
Do a good turn; forward this on to a friend!

2) Tai Chi During Pregnancy
Spread your wings, soar like an eagle, feel that sense of freedom, claim your own power.” These inspiring words are taken from the Dance of the Five Elements which is a moving meditation used as a “closing breath” at the conclusion of all my tai chi classes and videos. These phrases are especially relevant to pregnant women because the ability to relax and “glide” through pregnancy and labor, while owning her power, is key to creating a rewarding birth experience.
Pregnancy is a time when we need to stay healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. The smooth, gentle movements of tai chi, a slow-motion martial art form, address all three of these areas. It is interesting that the descriptive words we use while practicing tai chi, i.e.: soften, release, melt, open, let go, blend, fall away, make room, make more space, flow with it, are the same words often used during labor.
Another theme found in tai chi as well as birthing, is “yield and be strong”. This simply means our strength lies in not fighting against things. During labor especially, to fight against each contraction will wear down your energy quickly, whereas visualizing each “contraction” as rather an “expansion” of not only the breath, but literally the body, realizing that the body is doing exactly what it needs to do to get the baby out, can help things move along much smoother. Similarly, in life when we back off and relax into the flow, simply breathing through the trials (contractions), while affirming all things are working for our highest good, we experience an expansion of our strength.
I love being pregnant, and as a mother of five children I know personally the ups and downs that pregnancy can bring with it. This is a powerful time in a woman’s life, and playing such an active role in the miracle of birth is truly an honor. Although my last pregnancy was very planned, it was also much different from my previous ones. I was approaching my 40th birthday and I hadn’t had a baby for nearly eight years. I embraced those facts. However, I was very sick; something I had not experienced to that degree before. To take my mind off the nausea, I would lie in bed and listen to meditation tapes. Other times I would sit on the edge of my bed and do the qigong breathing and the tai chi movements. This routine helped me so much, and got me thinking how great it would be if there were a video of these things so I wouldn’t feel so isolated doing my exercises alone every day. Well, there wasn’t one on the market-YET! I believe everything happens for a reason, and part of my reason for being so sick was to be open to the inspiration to make these exercises available to other women. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to yield to the sickness and learn to flow with it, seeing now how it has become a strength to me to be able to help other women. You see, as the Dance of the Five Elements goes on to say, “…..remember, we can’t control the winds, but we can always adjust our wings.”

3) Think about it:
Never think less of yourself, but think of yourself less.”

4) As a fitness instructor and Tai Chi teacher, I have worked at Red Mountain Spa for 10 years. In that time, I have taught thousands of classes, many thousands of guests, and I have seen the facility grow from an “institute of health” to an “adventure resort and spa.” It has been an enjoyable journey for me!
Recently, new workshops have been added to the schedule, including Tai Chi for Healthy Aging and Tai Chi Flow. What sets these apart from the Tai Chi classes regularly offered on the schedule is the fact that for the first time, these workshops will be offered to the general public and not Spa guests only. These 1 hour and 45 minute workshops are obviously much longer than the 50 min. classes. They also require a fee of $55.00 (for guests or public) which includes a Tai Chi Flow Video. Advance sign-up can be done by calling the Spa at 435-673-4905, or guests may sign-up upon arrival. Walk-ins are also welcome. Upcoming workshops for April will be 4/20/04 and 4/22/04 at 7:00-8:45 p.m. Other workshops in this series (taught by other instructors) include Yoga and Pilates. For workshop descriptions and dates go to:
www.redmountainspa.com/events/carolyncooper.html
Red Mountain Spa, located in gorgeous Southern Utah, offers the perfect setting to start or renew your health and fitness goals. The peace and solitude of the facility, daily fitness activities, adventure hiking and biking in the beautiful red rock canyons, healthy gourmet cuisine and an array of wellness classes will set you on the path to lifelong fitness and health. For more info. go to www.redmountainspa.com

5) Have you read Carol Tuttle’s book, “Remembering Wholeness” yet??
I have been an energy medicine practitioner for over 7 years, so I was thrilled when I was led to this book. I felt as if Carol knew my thoughts and feelings and put them into writing! My clients who read this book have a much better understanding of the role they play in creating the life they choose. It’s about being accountable and empowered by accepting the blessings given to us. Carol herself says it will either push your buttons and make you mad, OR it will change your life! So if you are ready for some positive changes in your life, I highly recommend this book!
www.caroltuttle.com

6) The best way to live is to be like water
For water nourishes all things
And is in competition with none.

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