July/August 2025
Qigong & Mindfulness Newsletter

Embodied Joy

 

Dear Friends:  Maybe you are like me and enjoy time outdoors during these precious summer months.  If so, you will understand why I will keep this newsletter brief so we can all maximize our time soaking up the ‘fire energy’ of summertime!

 

Oh I know, some of us have had too many hot, sticky days lately, but if we learn to manage our energy wisely, even those days can be filled with light-hearted joy and beauty…maybe it’s from a window view, or a breezy spot in the garden. Me? I love floating in a cool lake to make my whole body smile!

 

Recently, I was struck by Dr. Barbara Holmes' (1943–2024) final teachings on joy as a practice and presence: Joy as embodied presence is an abiding awareness of the gift given to each and every one of us, no matter our circumstances in life.

 

She believed true joy is "a limitless, life-defining, transformative reservoir waiting to be tapped." It's a choice, not tied to circumstances. She reminded us of how Nelson Mandela found joy in prison, and how people in poverty and war-torn areas find it today.

She continued, “Ultimately, joy unspeakable is a mystery, and because each mystery begets another, it is a daunting task to describe the indescribable. Song, dance, and ritual help.”

 

She expressed it this way::

 

Joy Unspeakable 
erupts when you least expect it, 
when the burden is greatest, 
when the hope is gone 
after bullets fly. 
It rises 
on the crest of impossibility, 
it sways to the rhythm 
of steadfast hearts, 
and celebrates 
what we cannot see. 

 

So, how do we tap into this embodied joy? She suggested it's through practice and meditation. Our brains love to wander and criticize, but meditation helps us find a more peaceful state. Of course, a mindful Qigong practice would naturally fall into this category!

 

Like Thich Nhat Hanh's "Be peace," Dr. Holmes encouraged us to "Be joy." Even if you don't feel it yet, embody it. Live it. Smile it. It’s not faking; it’s holding space for a joy that’s already yours.

 

And let’s not forget the power of community! When you can't conjure joy yourself, connect with others. Civil rights workers found joy in music, coming together even in crisis. As Dr. Holmes put it, "the greatest antidote to depression and oppression is joy."

 

Let's make that choice to tap into our "joy unspeakable" this summer and help others find theirs, too!

 

Warmly,

Sandy Salvo

Scroll to find details about:

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• Newly certified Integral Qigong Teachers in our midst!

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• What is 'fire energy"?

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• Mindful Connection Gathering on August 7 at Indian Lake County Park

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• Monday Qigong via Zoom continues at 9am (No class July 7th and Aug 4th)

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• Outdoor Qigong, Wednesdays at 8:30am at Marshall Park