If you're looking to harmonize your stress away and seriously get in touch with your inner peaceful warrior, then Scott County has got a pretty chill offering. They're serving up some Outdoor Qigong at Cleary Lake Regional Park on Sunday, August 24, from 11 AM to noon, and it's got a price that can't be beat: free. Not sure what Qigong is? No sweat. It's a bit like its more popular cousin, tai chi, a practice of aligning breath, movement, and awareness for exercise, healing, and meditation.
For this al fresco session, local wellness guru Scott Stafford is on deck to guide both newbies and the more seasoned practitioners through the motions. Expect to take a deep breath (or many) and perform a series of fluid movements designed to be in sync with nature's vibe. In a description provided by Scott County’s announcement, Stafford promises to "offer techniques for quieting the mind and easing the body," complete with "seated and standing sequences from tai chi and qigong forms to promote overall well-being and balance." So if you’re down to actively relax, mark that calendar.
There's also a bit of thematic underpinning to the event, with a special focus on the seasonal transition, which—let’s face it—is quite apropos as we wave goodbye to summer and eye the autumnal horizon. Can you think of a better way to simply let go of seasonal blues than immersing yourself in tranquility? You'll just need to bring a yoga mat or a towel to sit on if you’re planning to take a breather on-site. Oh, and it's important to remember that the whole shebang is intended for anyone 18 and over.
While it’s definitely not for everyone, if embracing the call of the outdoors to find some zen sounds like your jam, this could be just what the doctor ordered. And the fact that it's being held entirely outdoors isn’t just a nod to the current wellness trends, but also gives you a chance to really bond with nature. In other words, there’s no indoor backup plan, so you might want to maybe pray to the weather gods for sunshine and clear skies. Or at the very least, check the forecast before you head out.
