In these times, we want to reconnect with nature — using a stick to connect with heaven (aspiration) and earth at the same time (“tenshijin” in Shintaido). And I add a tip on working from home while staying active.
Getting Outside: Exercise with a Stick
So many of us longing to get out of the house. Thought I’d show a few simple Shintaido exercises you can do with a stick and connect with nature.
Quarantine Social Life Haiku, 3/22/20
Such a firm body / reaching high and still rooted — time to hug a tree (Notes: what can I say? We’re all so social and connected, and suddenly from nowhere, in person-connection pulled from our days. Yes, we find ways to connect, doing a lot of dance on Zoom, happy hours with friends connected electronically in our separate homes. … Read More
Haiku 3/22/10
Still running through woods / but with social distancing / from my own shadow (Notes: I was struck by the shadow of my own head on the small tree in the foreground as I was running by. My own shadow in the deep woods — a lot of material for poetry in there. We hear the phrase “social distancing” so … Read More
Haiku 2/16/20
they’re still coming up / ignoring all quarantine / their emerald glow (Notes: this is one of my favorite things in springtime — to see the sun light up leaves in an emerald glow. I’ve written about it before and will write again…(https://travelswithastick.org/jewel-words-shining-in-the-world/ ). But now, especially at this time where the world seems to get more isolated all the … Read More
Haiku 3/13/20
a break in the clouds / and a chance to go outside / and run with the stick (Notes: this was a few days after it began to dawn on us all how much life would change with coronavirus. This photo is a classic “cutting the sky with sword” exercise we do in Shintaido — “eiko”. It can be exhausting … Read More
Haiku 3/12/20
all those little waves / made by ducks across the pond / paddling little feet (Notes: It’s the third day now after everything seemed to change: cancellations one after another as we all seemed to collectively realize covid-19 is a major serious threat that will change our lives. And yet…there are those little ducks across the pond, paddling their little … Read More
To pull the moon inside myself with my sword…
I think I was partially successful in a very very small way
Haiku 2/22/20
to be sunlit waves / to be the round stones below / to belong to this (Notes: I had a couple things going on here…I had been doing some Shintaido exercises at Lake Massapoag that connect to nature with a staff — reaching up to the sky, down to the earth, out to the horizon. And I have been participating … Read More