Sandy's December 2022
Qigong Newsletter
Drawn to the Light
Dear Friends and Fellow Searchers,
The month of December has always been one of my favorites – a time for family traditions, renewing friendships, preparing our hearts, gift-giving (and receiving!), and decorating the house with extra lights, inside and out. I absolutely LOVE sitting in silence with just the mantle and tree lights aglow. It’s mesmerizing!
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But I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that I’m finding my thoughts and emotions quite scattered today, having just returned from Missouri where I traveled with my brothers for the funeral of a dear family friend and old Navy-buddy of my dad’s. At age 92, Bernard had lived a long and generous life and has left behind a beautiful legacy of kindness and laughter for his numerous grand and great-grandchildren.
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But the hole that his death leaves behind is also immense. And his funeral reminded me of many other funerals over the past several years that have directed affected some of my closest friends and family members, including three deaths last December. And my heart fills with sadness for what that means for each person affected as the holidays approach.
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It also brought up memories of something my own mother shared with me the day before she died, something I had never heard her talk about before. When I gently asked her what she thought her ‘passing’ would be like, she said she imagined it would be similar to what she saw happen to my dad nineteen years earlier – that he was drawn toward a bright tunnel of light.
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“What? You saw dad being drawn into a tunnel of light on the day he died?”, I asked her with eyes and ears wide open, and she replied, “Yes, I saw your dad heading toward the light as I was being driven away from the hospital that day.” I am still in awe of this revelation, seven years later, and I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing this private conversation with all of you.
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For it strikes me today, in the midst of my chaotic emotions and scattered thoughts, that we are ALL drawn toward the light, both in life and in death. Perhaps when we are the furthest thing from being in a state of ‘peace and calm’, it is exactly when we need it most.
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So please, take time to embrace and experience each and every emotion, honor them for as long as seems healthy, and then release them into the Light. Be gentle with yourself and others during this precious season.
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And take good care, so you can be fully present for those you love this holiday.
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Drawn to the Light,
Sandy Salvo
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P.S. If the holidays are difficult for you, I’d be honored to have you join me on Wednesday, December 21st at 7:15pm for a “Longest-Night” Advent Service at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Cross Plains. Many faith communities will also be offering similar opportunities for you to know...you are not alone.
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Embodying Your Emotions
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Learning to sense into your body and identify sensations, feelings and emotions is a helpful skill for long-term health and well-being. It doesn’t happen overnight, but rather is a subtle skill that you can practice and cultivate overtime.
While daily Qigong movements done mindfully are extremely helpful, a seated meditation practice can also help you grow this awareness. If you would like to learn more or have been drawn to this type of practice, feel free to try one or more of these guided body awareness meditations:
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Happiness Break: Connect with Your Body (6 min) Greater Good at Berkeley
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Body Scan Meditation with (18 min) with Sean Fargo
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Tranquil Body Scan (10) with Sean Fargo
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20 Minute Guided Meditation: Full-body Relaxation and Active Body Scan with Caroline McCready
Qigong Practice followed by Winter Solstice Meditation
Wednesday, December 21st at Harbor Wellness Studios, 2711 Allen Blvd, Middleton, WI.
Free to members, guest pass required for non-Harbor members.
Restorative Qigong 9:45-10:30am
Winter Solstice Meditation 10:30-11:00am
Cross Plains Area
Mindfulness Meditation Group
All are welcome to join this open learning community focused on exploring mindfulness meditation practices to cultivate compassion and mutual understanding while enriching our personal faith journeys. No experience necessary.
Meeting monthly on the 3rd Monday of the month, 6:30-7:45pm on a drop-in basis. St. Martin's Lutheran Church, 2427 Church St, Cross Plains, WI.
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December 19: Centering Prayer
January 16: Loving Kindness Meditation
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Questions?
Contact Sandy at sandy@centered-connections.com
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Come as you are.
Come when you are able.
Weekly Qigong Classes:
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Monday 9-9:45am CT Qigong via Zoom
(no class December 26)
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Meeting ID: 882 7461 0012
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Wednesday 8:30-9:15am Qigong at the Lake
Meet near the Boathouse, Marshall Park, Middleton
Taking a break Nov-Mar.
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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!😊
Gifts of Health and Vitality
Many of you were introduced to Qigong through the generosity of a friend. If you have someone in mind who you think might benefit from joining our regular class and one of the existing Class-Pass Bundles doesn’t fit your ‘gift budget’, how about gifting a friend with a 3-Class Pass for $30? (Since a person's first class is always free, this actually means they can practice with us four times for $30).
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Suggested Qigong Class Fees for 2023*
After three years it is time to adjust fees slightly to cover increases in insurance, PayPal and Zoom fees, training costs and gas prices (for in-person classes). Since most of you pay with a Class-Pass Bundle, your fees are going up $1/class or less. If this increase creates a burden on your budget, please simply pay what you can.
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One-time drop in: $12/class
Class-Pass Bundle of 6: $54 ($9/class)
Class-Pass Bundle of 10: $80 ($8/class)
Class-Pass Bundle of 15: $102 (6.80/class)
*These rates apply to weekly online Zoom classes (Mondays, 9am) and weekly outdoor classes April-November (Wednesdays, 8:30am). Feel free to mix ‘n match as your schedule allows.
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Your Current Class-Pass Bundle Takes You into 2023?
No worries, if you have already renewed your Bundle, I will honor the old fees until your classes run out.
Tight Budget in December?
For those who are up for renewal of a Class-Pass Bundle in December, feel free to wait until January and know that the old rates still apply through all your December classes. Never let class fees get in the way of staying healthy with a regular Qigong practice throughout the holidays and into the new year.
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Payment Options:
Or mail check to:
Sandy Salvo :: 7521 Oak Circle Dr, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
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Centered-Connections Website
For more information about my services, please use the menu bar at the top to explore my website!
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