Bonding on Zoom
Bonding on Zoom
Last night was bittersweet. It was the last session of my10-week Zoom series: Journey into Qigong for Self-Healing. This series began at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 and was supposed to run for 10 weeks, but actually we just ended our 40th week.
Never could I have imagined how important this group of women would become to each other over the last year and a half. Yes, they came online to learn about and practice Qigong for healing themselves on all levels: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, but the bonding that took place among a group of women who for the most part had never met in person was nothing less than miraculous.
It was obvious when the first 10-weeks were about to end that they wanted to continue. So, I created 3 more 10-Week Programs: The Ten Phases of Qigong, Internal Qigong, and Using Qi in Your Everyday Life. I am now developing the fifth 10-week Program, Practicing Wellbeing, that will begin again in September 2021.
As I said, last night was bittersweet. It was bitter because we all decided to take a summer break and I will miss seeing and working with this group of 18 amazing women for the next 2 months. It was sweet because I realized the impact we had on each other’s lives and that we would all be together again in the fall.
Reflecting on the months together I realize that we represented the “Flow of Life”. Each woman started with her own story and whatever she was dealing with in her life that was blocking her flow and causing havoc. As the weeks evolved and the stories unfolded the blockages dissipated with the magic of sharing and the alchemy of Qigong.
We bridge six generations from early twenties to almost eighty, and span many of the issues, illnesses, joys, and sorrows facing women today as we grow closer to becoming our authentic selves.
We celebrated the graduation of one woman from college into the men’s world of construction engineering, supported two women in the throes of chemotherapy and watched as they transformed from scared, angry, and helpless to oozing love, confidence, acceptance, and joy. We helped several women lessen the severe physical pain of rheumatoid arthritis and a back injury and buoyed another who was assisting in the care and preparation for death of a dear friend. We also ushered a few women into reinventing themselves in retirement.
By far the most poignant occurrence was the final “goodbye” of a beautiful lady who had healed from the inside out and was able to be fully present and full of grace and yes even joy, as she realized that she had been given the gift of being able to say goodbye to friends, just a few days before her death. She in turn gave us all a gift in witnessing her courage and faith.
Jane, one of the participants summed up the group this way…” I felt as if I was in a holy circle of the most wonderful people, thoughts, and ideas in the world. It was as if I had come home to my “Tribe”. Being with you, Judy, and the other wonderful women has been a thrilling experience”.
I am not sure how much the pandemic conditions added to the power and intimacy of this group or if it could happen again without covid, but I am willing to try.
A new group will be forming on Zoom this coming Tuesday, June 29, 2021. I know it won’t be the same, but I am willing to bet it will have it’s own brand of richness and vibrancy that only a group of “growth seeking” women can create.
I have always said, “I teach because then I have to show up”. But the truth is I teach because I always gain more than I could ever give.
Want to know more about Qigong, Judy or:
- Free Qigong classes on Zoom and at Barrett’s Park, BBH
- Workshops
- Private Sessions
Visit: judymilinowski.com