Although I was thrown up in the air for only a fraction of a second, it was long enough for me to have a whole internal discussion. I experienced complete stillness as my body flew through the air and within that stillness I had a life-changing dialogue with myself. — The Way of Joy
Twenty-four years ago I was hit by a car while walking across the street — a game-changing moment to say this least. I learned a lot by that cosmic kick-in-the-butt, and even though my mind forgets to commemorate that moment of awakening, my body manages to remind me every year. Although I made this video a year ago, I went through the same cycle this year as once again I felt a vague unease in my body…
“Renegade-Woo” Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, brings together East Coast Attitude and West Coast energy consciousness as a master teacher, transformative speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life
“The shadow side of acceptance, resistance can be both destructive and constructive. Our resistance is destructive when it causes more suffering, when it functions as denial, a refusal to accept “what is.” Refusing to “accept” has the same impact as refusing to hear feedback, which leads to stagnation.
On the other hand, you may find at times that your resistance is incredibly useful, even when it seems to hold you back, because, if you look at it more closely, it contains information you do not have readily available. Resistance can actually be a hidden part of your discernment that, like the friction of a tire against the pavement, moves you forward.” —The Way of Joy
“Renegade-Woo” Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, brings together East Coast Attitude and West Coast energy consciousness as a master teacher, transformative speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
To my dismay, that old familiar shy monster had an unexpected grip on me again when I was suddenly asked to speak publicly about my show, What’s Wrong with a Mouse?
I love that the etymological root of courage actually traces back to the Latin word for heart. I believe it is so critical that when I (or you) start to hide, it is time go back to the heart of the matter, your deepest motivation. Well, that…and a little intentional break-through energy…
Where do you need to break out your voice and deliver your message this week?
Vicki Dello Joio, founder ofThe Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life. On-line videos you can use to supercharge your energy in less than 4 minutes a day: From Muck to Mastery.
Inner demons are the protectors of the gates of transition.Way of Joy
I’ve been feeling my knees a lot the past few days. It could be because I kinda over-extended myself physically last weekend, but I also know I’ve been going through some major growth spurts. A Qigong master teacher once told me that our knees represent climbing to a new level of understanding and empowerment.
It has been interesting to me how quickly and inexorably my doubts come crowding in when I achieve a certain level of success or visibility — for example after recently receiving the honor of being inducted into the “Women’s Martial Artists Hall of Fame”.
Now these aches have been making me ask, “can you have growing pains even at the ripe old age of 60?” Given what I’m feeling right now, I’d say the answer is, “YES, absolutely!” Better get back to my practice!
Vicki Dello Joio, founder ofThe Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
I had the opportunity this weekend to attend my first conference with the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructors (AWMAI) in Las Vegas. It was not only a privilege to be among such highly skilled professional leaders in the field, but I also received the honor of being inducted into the Women’s Martial Artists Hall of Fame.
There was something about being recognized in this way that moved me to my core. Even more important, I was reminded that while I’ve followed my own trajectory with my qi practices over the years, I’m not alone. As I looked around the room of beautiful smiling faces, I could literally feel in my very bones what it had taken for each and every woman there to reach their (our) level of achievement.
One of the big highlights of the conference for me was an hour of demonstrations by extraordinarily talented women, ranging from hard “external” combative forms to “soft” internal arts. I had the opportunity to offer this short qigong demonstration.
I especially want to offer a bow with deep gratitude to qi sister, brilliant Qigong Tai Chi master teacher, Kim Ivy, from Embrace the Moon in Seattle, not only for nominating me for the Hall of Fame, but for being a consistent and encouraging heart companion along the way.
Are you a Bay Area Wise Women ready to Take Off? Check out this new LIVE class series beginning March 4!
Vicki Dello Joio, founder ofThe Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
The end of the Year of the Dragon and beginning of the Year of the Snake is a potent time for transition and renewal. Just as the Snake sheds its skin, you are being called to release any excess layers that are no longer vital to your well-being so you can take your next step in bringing your gifts to the world around you.
The Dragon’s natural home is Heaven. This expansive realm sparks us to travel to new levels of awareness, inspires and guides us to set off on uncharted paths. Here we’ve been able to dream what is possible in our world and in our lives.
Now in the Year of the Snake, we come down to Earth, bringing our focus to make those visions real. Picture the intense energy and intention a snake has right before it strikes. Then sharpen your own commitment to go for what you want.
As Qigong master teacher and author Dr. Roger Jahnke says so eloquently in his blog on Year of the Snake, “it could be said that whatever any one or any group nourished with psychic and emotional energy last year, would now have the potential in this year to transform into the solid, real, practical and applied — the manifestation!”
As Jean-Luc Picard used to say on Star Trek: “Make It So!”
Calling all Bay Area Wise Wild Women: Check out this new LIVE class series beginning March 4!
Vicki Dello Joio, founder ofThe Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
