I chose Savannah because it is one of my favorite cities, esteemed for many reasons but close to the top of the list is its colonial history--some of the cobblestones in River Street are actually ballast stones from sailing ships that once docked here.
I like it too for the European look and feel with its network of welcoming plazas and historic fountains, and the fact that it's the most walkable city I've found in America--it's a pleasure to park your car and forget it until you say goodbye.
The first morning in Savannah, I was in the park overlooking the Savannah River, between Bay Street and River Street. It was early--before dawn--and the only people moving about were the city sanitation workers and the homeless.
On a park bench near where I was performing morning salutations, one of the latter was just waking, stirred to life no doubt by the noise of the garbage trucks.
As I moved through Wuji Swimming Dragon and Waves on the Water, I realized that he was watching me and by the time I was ready to begin Separating Earth and Sky, he was walking my way.
"Morning," I said.
He returned the greeting and then said, "What is that you're doing? Are you a martial artist?"
"It's called qigong," I said, "and it's an ancient Chinese healing exercise."
"What's that?" he said.
I explained that qigong is many things and that its benefits include improving physical health and mental clarity.
"I need that," he said.
"It's easy," I said, "just do what I do."
I began my routine again and he followed along, surprising me by staying with me for all eight of the wudaos. When we finished I asked, "What do you think?"
"I think those ancient Chinese knew something," he said.
I understood exactly what he meant. Qigong has become the cornerstone of what I now call Fierce Living, a set of principles that I use to manage the physical pain of arthritis and the emotional pain of bipolar disorder.
Only since that day have I been able to truly say that I've found the solution to life's challenges and that I'm free from the limitations of yesterday. Life has truly become a qigong odyssey.
I haven't been back to Savannah since but when I do return I would love to find that the homeless of Savannah are practicing qigong on the river.
Life comes hard and fast--be ready for it--Fierce Qigong!
I like it too for the European look and feel with its network of welcoming plazas and historic fountains, and the fact that it's the most walkable city I've found in America--it's a pleasure to park your car and forget it until you say goodbye.
The first morning in Savannah, I was in the park overlooking the Savannah River, between Bay Street and River Street. It was early--before dawn--and the only people moving about were the city sanitation workers and the homeless.
On a park bench near where I was performing morning salutations, one of the latter was just waking, stirred to life no doubt by the noise of the garbage trucks.
As I moved through Wuji Swimming Dragon and Waves on the Water, I realized that he was watching me and by the time I was ready to begin Separating Earth and Sky, he was walking my way.
"Morning," I said.
He returned the greeting and then said, "What is that you're doing? Are you a martial artist?"
"It's called qigong," I said, "and it's an ancient Chinese healing exercise."
"What's that?" he said.
I explained that qigong is many things and that its benefits include improving physical health and mental clarity.
"I need that," he said.
"It's easy," I said, "just do what I do."
I began my routine again and he followed along, surprising me by staying with me for all eight of the wudaos. When we finished I asked, "What do you think?"
"I think those ancient Chinese knew something," he said.
I understood exactly what he meant. Qigong has become the cornerstone of what I now call Fierce Living, a set of principles that I use to manage the physical pain of arthritis and the emotional pain of bipolar disorder.
Only since that day have I been able to truly say that I've found the solution to life's challenges and that I'm free from the limitations of yesterday. Life has truly become a qigong odyssey.
I haven't been back to Savannah since but when I do return I would love to find that the homeless of Savannah are practicing qigong on the river.
Life comes hard and fast--be ready for it--Fierce Qigong!