(NOTE: To read the text, with pictures inserted, Click “Read More”) December 14th: Feeling like Royalty in Vietnam on our Halong Bay Emperor Cruise. Pure gratitude for these amazing experiences with our family. December 15th: More highlights from our Amazing Vietnam Adventure. From common life to majestic… December 18th: With giant hands supporting the Golden Bridge, to Marble Mountain with marble dragons, to Coconut Forest Village bamboo basket boats, to the lantern lit charming city of Hoi An, everyday is a wonderful adventure. December 19th: Touring the Vietnam mountain country side near Dalat on motorcycles, we visited the Elephant Waterfall, Quan Yin, Happy Buddha, Coffee Farms, with highest quality Weasel Poop Coffee, Silk Farm, Flower Farms, and Cricket Farm, YUM December 20th: As we were leaving the Flower City of Dalat, leaving behind our Vietnamese motorcycle drivers, we stopped at the famous and amazing Crazy House, a true fantasy guesthouse. Taking a roller coaster down to a water fall, we left the mountains to the coast and pampered ourselves with a mud bath, hot springs and massage. Life doesn’t get any better than this. December 22nd: After leaving my peaceful daily Qigong practice site, we flew to busy Saigon and visited the Vietnam War Museum. It was very painful to see the horrific photographs of the war, how many soldiers and civilians were killed and the destruction and casualties… Today we drove to the peaceful Mekong River area, taking boat rides thru the river channels to visit villages producing coconut products: candy, milk, oil, charcoal, protective clothing… Ending back in Saigon’s congested busy life with families of 3 to 4 people riding motorcycles… December 24th: At The Chopsticks Saigon Restaurant, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam · Festive Candle Lighting with girls and family members. Happy Chanukah with Govrin family. December 26th: Cambodia, our final destination. A spiritual Buddhist country heart felt every moment. Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Angkor Tom… Pure gratitude to my sister in law Dafna for planning this miraculous trip. Thank you for traveling with us to Vietnam and Cambodia. Pure pleasure sharing this trip with all of you. Chi blessings with gratitude Dove PS: December 28th: I brought the taste of Vietnam home with us. Pamelo Chicken Salad, Chicken Spring Rolls, Chicken soup and watermelon juice… Glad to be back home after an exceptionally wonderful trip. Happy Healthy New Years
Last weekend I had the honor of teaching a Qigong workshop at our annual Wen Wu School retreat in the Redwood Grove in Ben Lomond in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I taught GRACE, aligning between Heaven and Earth, the 5 Element Tree Qigong and Dragontales Qigong. The response was very gratifying. Moving like trees in the Redwood Circle was beautiful and powerful. The photos are of the master teachers and participants. These are videos of me teaching the 5 Element Tree Qigong and demonstrating the 5 Element Qigong form. This fall I will be teaching the 5 Element Tree Qigong and 5 Elements at my Kaiser classes. YouTube https://youtu.be/3CJBYH3mQj0 YouTube https://youtu.be/SsiC7SA1Yfs
I just returned from the magical carpet ride. It was totally amazing. My Morocco Sahara Odyssey experience with OATs went beyond all expectations. Each morning sunrise brought with it a surprise. We visited old cities and new and had the opportunity to comfortably interact with many local folk from a variety of live styles. We were graciously invited into their homes, dwellings, farmers, and tents for Moroccan mint tea. I was in Awe of the elaborate architecture, facades of palaces, mosques, Riad Guest houses, temples, fortresses, hotels, banks… Hiking up sand dunes in Sahara desert, riding camels, living in luxurious tents and gazing at the stars. Eating exotic foods and wandering thru many local markets filled with multi colors and everything imaginable. Learning how farmers discover water in the desert, hand pollinate each date palm tree, being self sufficient and trading at weekly markets. Passing movie sets where Game of Thrones, Lawerence of Arabia, Gladiator, and many other movies were filmed. Learning about the Berber people and their famous carpets. Our local group leader and guide was such a mensch, a spiritual human being fasting during Ramadan in 100 degree weather, teaching us about the universal loving peaceful religious practice of Islam. In Morocco Jews and Muslims have respectfully lived in peace for centuries. I have great respect for the people and land of Morocco. Our small OAT group of 14 were very compatible and I believe some will become life long friends. Every morning I joyfully did my Qigong practice, and afterwards some group members joined me. Even at the airport local Moroccans joined me in a short Qigong practice. These 2 weeks were so rich and felt like a months journey. I return home filled with photos, new clothes, trinkets and many wonderful memories and stories to tell.
Relax and revitalize with Dove! Come experience the Ancient Art of Qigong, and its healing transformation as we do our practice in a warm natural pool. Feel your body and mind become balanced as you engage and connect with the Universal Life Energy through Wisdom Healing and Healing Dragon Qigong practices. Imagine the dragon inside of you; powerful, wise and protective, helping you transform negative energy into positive. Aqua Qigong will be held: Monday April 29, May 6, 13; June 10, 17, 24; July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26: from 4:00-5:30pm. Saturday June 22; July 20; August 17: from 3:30-5:00pm At Dove’s home in San Rafael (address given after RSVP) Cost per class is $25. 3 Classes for $65. Please RSVP as Space is limited. Call 415-484-5344 or email dove@dragonartsstudio.com For more information visit http://www.dragonartsstudio.com Dove Govrin MA. ADTR. Certified Qigong Instructor Testimonials from Dove’s Aqua Chi Students: “Aqua chi with Dove strengthens and relaxes at the same time. Dove’s teaching and beautiful backyard brings serenity to your mind body and soul.” P. Harris, San Rafael “Aqua Chi is amazingly relaxing yet energizing. Qigong forms that are difficult to do on land are effortless in the water. We exercise, we meditate, and we swim, in a warm pool surrounded by peaceful hillside. Splish, splash, I love it!!!!” C. Chapman, San Rafael Enjoy Aqua Qigong with the Water Dragon
February, the month of Heart Connections. I am feeling grateful for all the wonderful people and blessings in my life. So happy you are part of my life. Wishing you a Happy Valentines Day and Happy Chinese New Years. Chi blessings with gratitude Dove Heart Connections Dancing Hearts Double Hearts Tree Pose Reverse Warrior
I was preparing ceramic sculptures to represent the 8 Brocades Qigong. When I opened the lid of the kiln I got quite a surprise. The perfect figures I had labored to make had exploded. Staring at them I thought it was a complete disaster. I was tempted to throw it all away. The more I looked at the broken figures, the more excited I became. I began rearranging the pieces like a puzzle into something new. Something striking and meaningful emerged. I discovered beauty and wholeness in the re-creation of my wounded figures. We all have some imperfections, many have experienced traumas, and we survived. We do the best we can. We focus on our abilities, trying not to let our disabilities rule our lives. The 8 Brocades figures have transformed into a valuable teaching tool, more powerful and useful than an art piece hanging on my wall. I believe most everyone can benefit from this gentle healing Qigong practice. Each person can modify accordingly, taking into consideration their own limitations. This practice can be done standing or seated. I hope you enjoy learning, practicing and benefiting with the 8 Brocades Qigong. 8 Brocade Qigong Practice – Each Brocade Practiced 7 Times. 1) Carrying the Heavens with both Hands 2) Supporting Sky and Pushing Earth 3) The Archer’s Bow 4) Looking behind to cure Fatique and Stress 5) Bending over, Wagging tail to calm Heart Fire 6) Reaching down to dissipate Disease 7) Punch with Angry Gaze to increase Qi 8) Shake back 7 times to eliminate Disease. Click Here OR On the Picture For More Detail Click Here to Watch a Video of the 8 Brocades Qigong Practice
In our Qigong for Health classes I will be reintroducing a favorite traditional practice, The 8 Brocades Qigong. I have studied it several times with different teachers including a Shaolin monk. My favorite Qigong teacher for this practice is Mimi Kuo-Deemer. We will learn the 8 Brocades in class and I am sharing Mimi’s delightful video so you can practice whenever you wish. In our winter classes we will also practice Qigong with GRACE Chakra Balancing. This video is easy to follow and is a wonderful way to start your day. Wishing all of us a Happy and Healthy New Year. Chi blessings with gratitude Dove
Dear Friends, Students and love ones, I am participating in a Holiday Boutique, showing and selling my ceramic art work for holiday gifts. The other artists have jewelry, scarves, and other fun items all at reasonable prices. The dates are Nov 30 and Dec 1 and I will be there from 2-5pm both days. At a beautiful home in Terra Linda, 1106 Via Horqueta, off Las Pavadas in Terra Linda, San Rafael. Please mark your calendars, It will be fun, Hope to see you there. With gratitude Dove Here is a preview of some of the items:
I want to invite you to the wonderful 6th Annual Fall Art Show &Wine Tasting this Saturday October 27th, from 3:00-7:00pm, at the Marinwood Community Center, 775 Miller Rd., in San Rafael. I will be showing “Yoga Delight” A sequel to the “Me Too” Exhibit which is showing at Falkirk in San Rafael thru Thursday October 25 from 1:00-4:00. Hope to see you on Saturday. Chi blessings with gratitude Dove
Summer has arrived. Time to go to the beach and practice Qigong To warm up, energize the body, for greater strengthen, flexibility , And balanced wellbeing. You are welcome to follow along and enjoy. Chi blessings with gratitude Dove