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.
Music: Jennifer Berezan, Video: Kim Ivy
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.
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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 Joy, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.