Many of us feel off, but don’t know why.
We’ve lost our sense of inner direction. We feel flat or overwhelmed, irritable or numb. We crave meaning, but feel disconnected—from purpose, from spirit, from our own body.
Does this sound familiar?
Your days revolve around tasks, not meaning
You’ve lost joy or a sense of creative spark
You feel emotionally overwhelmed—or oddly shut down
Your body holds tension in some areas, and emptiness in others
You’re exhausted, easily triggered, or just going through the motions
I’ve been there too.
And what I’ve learned is that we’re not missing anything—we’re just out of touch with what’s most true.
It’s about returning to the Essence that’s already whole within you.
Try this little movement. It's a short practice that once you learn, you carry with you everywhere you go, and your Essence is all you need.
A meaningful practice goes beyond the physical movement. You have to be moved in every way - physical, emotional and mental - in order for your spirit to thrive. Join me and connect to your own inner quiet and wisdom that comes from the full depth of a mindful movement practice.
Please note: All offerings are VIRTUAL unless noted
Our upcoming class list is being developed for the Winter season!Â
All classes will begin at the end of October and the beginning of November.Â
Our classes are rooted in Daoist Philosophy with a focus on health and healing through the 5 Elements, creating inner harmony not just through the physical movements of the form, but in our mental, emotional, and spiritual facets of our being.
This creates a interconnectedness within, but also an interconnectedness among each other as we build our capacity to understand what is happening within us, around us, and beyond us.
All classes are currently online through Zoom. This allows people from many times zones, walks of life, and backgrounds to gather together in a thoughtful community setting.Â
Check back soon for the updated schedule, online descriptions of classes, and how and where to register!
The work we do to transform our lives cannot be done alone. We are rich resources that can learn, rely on, and share with each other. This is what the SWL Community is all about.
This is a free-access online place to explore mindful movement and the ancient philosophies that support it.
We all try to use language that is rooted in the culture of the practices we do daily, but we explain those in terms that our Western upbringing has in common.Â
This liminal space is special.
Western Mindfulness tends to focus on stress reduction (e.g., Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, MBSR), science-based approach, and therapy, with a focus on practical and goal-oriented results.
Eastern Mindfulness is rooted in spiritual traditions connected to deeper spiritual development and involves meditation as a path toward wisdom and insight, focuses on the interconnectedness of life, and looks to a holistic balance of mind, emotions, body, and spirit.
What we see when we create a ven diagram of these is that we all want the kind of internal harmony that emanates outward toward others. Both approaches have great gifts.
Simply put, a compassionate, non-judgmental space reduces anxiety and stress on its own. It creates community, safety, and connection.
I hope you join me here.
I remember back when I closed my brick-and-mortar studio. It was one of the most difficult decisions I ever had to make.
My mother was suffering from dementia and her husband had terminal cancer. I didn't think I had the capacity to continue building a business and caring for someone with whom I had had a difficult past.
I loved the studio with it's suspended wood floor (heated in the winter!) giant light-filled windows, flower and herb garden, but mostly the incredible students I had learned so much from.
I couldn't fully let it go, so I chose to move my classes to an online/virtual space. It was a lot of work and I had great help.
Two months later, COVID arrived.
I look back on those hard days and decisions and realize how grateful I am for the path that emerged.
Students continued to learn as I taught virtually and joined my in-depth online courses through membership to continue their learning.
Having 24/7 access was vital to them. The non-judgmental approach felt like they were still in the studio. Being able to review and relive the in-depth information was priceless.
If their comments sound like what you're looking for try the membership for free for 30 days. You won't be charged unless you stay with us.
With a monthly membership you'll have 24/7 access to Taiji For Balance - Levels 1 and 2; Baduanjin Qigong; Meditation, Select Workshops Recordings, and future courses.Â
And if you aren't sure, you can read more about it below:
Hi!
My name is Lucy. And over 25 years ago, Taiji saved my life.
It shifted my perspective and brought awareness, clarity, and love. I am forever grateful.
I now teach these practices to anyone longing for genuine openness, ease, and a fulfilling life.
My guided meditations, easy to follow videos, understandable philosophy will gently shift you away from anger and guilt, releasing behavior that no longer serves you.
Taiji For Balance: Learn More“Lucy Bartimole changed my life. I initially came to Shift to work with Lucy for the physical benefits of tai chi, specifically balance and strength - both of which have increased over the past 3 years. However, along the way, I really began to learn and appreciate the other aspects of tai chi, specifically the mental and emotional aspects of tai chi. Learning how to pay attention to my breathing and listening my body has brought me mindfulness, an ability to choose to react (or not), and a sense of peace and connectedness to the world.”
-Mary Jo Burkhardt
Tell us where to send the link and then try this gentle movement during a quiet moment you carve out for yourself.