Flower cascadeInner 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!


“What’s Wrong with a Mouse?” is one of Two Women, Two Stories: San Francisco March 20.

Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The 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 JoyCD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.