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 January/February 2026
Qigong & Mindfulness Newsletter

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Scroll to find details about:

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  • Monday Qigong via Zoom continues at 9am Central Time using NEW 2026 Zoom link!

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  • An Invitation to Connect: Qi and Tea Party at Gilda's, Tuesday, January 6th, 2-3:30pm for ALL Qigong class members - hope you can join us!

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  • Rgistration is OPEN: 9 Phases of Cultivating Qi Workshop Series at Holy Wisdom Monastery, February 5, 12, 19 from 10:15-11:30am.

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  • ​Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Part 1

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  • Monthly Mindfulness Meditation at Harbor Wellness 11-11:30am January 28th and February 25th following weekly Qigong at 9:45am.

 

  • Slight increase in class fees - see below.

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Creation's Wheel

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Dear Friends:  As the new year calls us into a time of reflection, let us remember that WE ARE ENOUGH - just as we are.  There is nothing you need to reinvent about yourself to begin this new year.

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I received a beautifully written set of reflections yesterday called, "Spirit Wheel: Meditations from an Indigenous Elder" written by Steven Charleston, a leading voice of justice for Indigenous peoples, the environment, and spiritual renewal.  He writes:

     I stand in the midst of creation's wheel

       And watch in wonder the quiet majesty of its turning.

     We are in the care of a love without limit or definition

       Under the protection of a love that never looks away.

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I hope you feel this deeply in your soul.

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Many blessings on your journey into 2026,

Sandy Salvo

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P.S. I'm taking a course on Meridians and plan to share bits and pieces with you in this newsletter over the next few months - see Part 1 below...

 

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As we say good-bye to the Year of the Wood Snake, may we freely shed our old layers and embrace the momentum and forward motion of the Year of the Horse!

Nine Phases of Qi Cultivation:
A Progressive Qigong Series for Home Use

Holy Wisdom Monastery
Thursdays, Feb 5, 12, 19 from 10:15-11:30AM

Join Sandy Salvo, Sr. Trainer for the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, in a three-part series to learn nine simple yet powerful Qigong movements for cultivating your life force energy. By understanding the philosophy behind the Nine Phases Practice you will be able to more fully integrate your body, heart/mind and spirit to promote health and well-being.

 

Leave feeling vibrant and centered, ready for the joys and challenges of your day. No experience or equipment necessary. All are welcome!

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Event Schedule

Session 1, Feb. 5: Philosophy behind the 9 Phases plus learn and practice Phases 1-5
Session 2, Feb. 12: Review Phases 1-5 and learn Phases 6-9
Session 3, Feb. 19: Integrate the 9 Phases with Intention and Affirmations

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Fee: $40 with proceeds supporting the mission of the monastery.

To Register:  CLICK HERE

It's not too late to R.S.V.P.

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Registrtion is Open!
Transitions and New Beginnings Retreat
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April 10-12, 2026 

St. Anthony's Spiritual Retreat Center, Wausau, WI  

Eight Extraordinary Meridians  Part 1

"Deep within you lies an ancient network of energy pathways - the Eight Extraordinary Meridians—designed to help you transcend the ordinary and embrace a life of vitality, balance, and inner power. Working with these meridians unlocks a deep, primordial energy that flows through you—the very essence of life itself. While this energy moves invisibly, like the wind through the trees, it animates every part of your being. Its presence is undeniable: the vitality in your movements, the spark in your emotions, the force that keeps you connected and alive."   -Lee Holden

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​Overview

The Eight Extraordinary Meridians have to do with your power and potential within your body, mind and heart.  They circulate primordial Qi or source energy.  We must tend to it (breathing, eating, moving, hydration) with post-natal Qi or we risk losing our primordial Qi.

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The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are like reservoirs that hold a very potent healing and life-giving energy. They are: Du Mai, Ren Mai, Dai Mai, Yin Wei, Yang Wei, Yin Linking, Yang Linking, and Chong Mai.

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Activating these meridians creates wholeness and activates the Healer Within. When you create wholeness, you create a healing affect for your body beyond just ‘healing your knee', for instance.  This healing power creates a cascade of healing throughout the entire self.

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The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are about Source Energy, Divine in nature - the same light that is in the universe is within you.  The light of the stars is the same light that is within you!  When we can feel the oneness of life from an energetic perspective, Qigong becomes more of a spiritual practice cultivating divine love and compassion. 

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Our lower vibration energy  feels heavy in our body, emotions and mind – the alchemists call it lead, or weighted energy. We feel pain, achy, confused, and lethargic. We experience a lack of clarity, and more oppressive thoughts.

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The Eight Extraordinary Meridians provide higher vibrational energy, which feels light and inspired – it 'transforms lead into light'.  We feel blissful vitality, and passionate energy, which shows up in all of our Three Treasures (body, emotions, mind).

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Our bodies are organic, allowing us to compost the lower vibrational energy and transform it with a skillful approach (The 'gong' of Qigong!).  These different energies are not separate, we simply transform them through Qigong. For instance, a negative thought (mind) affects our emotions (heart center), constricts our energy system and eventually creates some problem in our body.

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We have been working with our Dai Mai (belt channel) Meridian, among others, in class. It helps you feel safe and secure.  To learn more, CLICK HERE.

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Weekly Qigong Classes:

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Monday 9-9:45am CT: Qigong via Zoom

 

Click Here for:

Monday 9am Qigong w Sandy 2026

Meeting ID:  846 2504 4824

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Wednesday 8:30-9:15am: Qigong at the Lake

Meet near the Boathouse, Marshall Park, Middleton

Will Resume Spring 2026!

 

Refer a Friend, Get a Free Class Yourself!

Any time you refer a friend who tries a free Qigong class, you will receive a free class yourself!  It’s that simple - you keep track on your own. Let’s keep spreading the word about this amazing form of self-care!😊

 

Suggested Qigong Class Fees for 2026*

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One-time drop in:  $13/class

Class-Bundle of 6:  $64 ($10.70/class)

Class-Bundle of 10:  $90 ($9/class)

Class-Bundle of 15:  $109 ($7.26/class)

 

*These rates apply to weekly online Zoom classes (Mondays, 9am) and weekly outdoor classes March-October (Wednesdays, 8:30am).  Feel free to mix ‘n match as your schedule allows.  Unused classes carry over into the next year.

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Payment Options:

PayPal

Or mail check to:

Sandy Salvo :: 7521 Oak Circle Dr, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562

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Venmo option available by request.

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Mark Your Calendars: 

Mindfulness Meditation Pop-Up Sessions

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Harbor Wellness Center , Middleton, WI

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January 28, 11am: Learning to Trust the Waves

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February 25, 11am:  Metta or Loving Kindness Practice​

Check out the menu bar at the top of this newsletter to explore my website further:
Centered-connections.com
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"Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness."
~ Mary Oliver

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