One of the new seniors recreation groups which started up this week is a Poetry Club. Lately I've felt a hankering to try writing some poetry again, so I joined it. Five of us showed up and we had a marvelous time!
I also began a fun Qigong class which teaches the gentle and meditative stretching, strength and balance routine known as The Eight Pieces of Brocade. We covered the initial two exercise movements in the first class: "Two Hands Holding Up the Sky" and "Drawing the Bow to Shoot the Hawk." This cute little GIF shows the routine's eight movements in simplified form --
The album I've been listening to this week is the just-released debut by Aigul Akhmetshina, a 27-year-old Russian mezzo-soprano who made a big splash recently in Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Royal Opera House in London. She is at the start of a huge international career! Although born in Russia, Aigul plans to become a British citizen.
I would give the exercises a go
ReplyDeleteWhat a voice!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the 8 pieces of brocade (although it immediately makes me think of my blue paisley brocade bar mitzvah tuxedo).
ReplyDeleteI know that as Eight Pieces of Silk, and I've been doing them for years. They're a wonderful emotional release as well as a physical one. My favorite is Punching with Angry Eyes!
ReplyDelete@ Boud -- Oooooo, I'm looking forward to that one too, LOL!
DeleteAkhmetshina is wonderful!
ReplyDelete..."The Eight Pieces of Brocade," the last one looks good to me.
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit that I first thought the eighth piece of brocade was giving me permission to do what I always do during exercise...a little fart release...it's unavoidable and feels so good!! 😚ðŸ¤
ReplyDelete@ Cleora Borealis -- Hahahahaha, it happens to the best of us!
DeleteHow can she make that sound when all i get is a squawk? That quigong looks fun! I like the little bear.
ReplyDeleteI did a Qigong class. My movement was Lifting a Gin Glass.
ReplyDeleteAnd I caught Aigul Akhmetshina's performance of Carmen recently when PBS aired the whole opera a few weeks ago. She was incredible.
@ Mistress Maddie -- Oh, droll, very droll! And damn! I missed that PBS broadcast!
DeleteI do those exercises and they rock!
ReplyDeleteI believe Aigul Akhmetshina was featured on the Going Gently blog a while ago. She's very good.
ReplyDelete@ Kirk -- I think that's where I first heard of her too!
Deleteoh the opera singer is astounding. Love the lower range. Her face is paint worthy too. loved the little bears. I used to do tai chi along the banks of the Hillsborough river in Tampa, on Saturdays. I got to know all the participants well, and although I can't do much now, I can "hold the ball" and still connect into my energy .
ReplyDeleteLeeAnna
Aigul has a powerful voice without a giant body to propel it.
ReplyDeleteYou've had quite an enjoyable week, Debra. I loved the gif of the Eight Pieces of Brocade routine. I enjoyed doing Qigong years ago, but then the P. E. teacher at our school left to teach overseas. Aigul has a beautiful voice. Have fun with your poetry group.
ReplyDeleteWe do those exercises in our yoga class. That last one is called Crunching the Cockroach.
ReplyDeleteI think you had busy and beautiful week going by :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to read some poetry from you: )
Loved the gif❤
Great physical and mental exercise i agree
Best wishes
What a cute picture of how to do the exercises. Have fun with your poetry class.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous voice! Love the idea of a poetry group!
ReplyDeleteGotta follow her. I love a good opera singer.
ReplyDeletethe polar bears were quite soothing to see.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. What a voice. I love the adorable teddy bears
ReplyDeleteThis music is very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think it's very good that you started writing poetry,
I like it a lot and I think it's a good exercise for the mind.
So are gentle stretches.
I love how new beginnings bring a renewal to our lives!
Have a great week Debra!
This post gives me such a warm and content feeling!
ReplyDeletePracticing Qigong will make you healthier. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLook at you, staying active and involved in your community. I love the stretching exercises and you'll have to start sharing some of your poetry.
ReplyDelete