This is a special solo cast, reflecting on Ni-Cheng's morning in dragon boat paddling camp with Nathan Salazar, head coach of Team USA for the US Dragon Boat Federation for multiple divisions. So many lessons in paddling apply to life! Dragon boat racing originated 2,500 years ago, during the Warring States Period (402-221 BC). Duan Wu Jieh or the Duan Wu Festival when dragon boat racing traditionally occurs originates from the story of Qu Yuan, who was a poet and high-ranking official of the Warring States Period who drowned himself out of sorrow at the defeat of his court by corrupt kin. To honor him, villagers went out in the river with boats and drums and threw sticky rice dumplings (zongzi) into the water to prevent fish from eating his body. The date of Qu Yuan's death is the same day of the Duan Wu Festival. Dragon boating became popular again in 1976 in Hong Kong and now is internationally renowned for being a sport of inclusion especially for cancer survivors. At least seventeen studies have proven that women who have undergone axillary lymph node dissection and, can be able to safely engage in strenuous, repetitive upper body exercise without fear of lymphedema, and furthermore, the upper body exercise has positive benefits on muscle strength, body composition, self-esteem, quality of life.

The life lessons from paddling:

1. Take time to pause and settle before embarking.

2. Unburden your boat of life. How can you shift some baggage to help you move forward, instead of continuing to weigh you down?

3. Slow down and fully experience

4. Stay close to your heart

5. Show up with your full self: mind, body, and spirit, and allow them all to help you, guide you, and pivot you.

I'd love to take you out paddling either in a kayak or paddleboard before our Mindful Healers Connect in Nature Retreat- we are continuing this new tradition of optional paddling before the official start of the retreat to play, to connect, and also to give you the opportunity to experience some paddling wisdom in the flesh. We are half full! Please find out more here: https://www.jessiemahoneymd.com/retreat-connect-in-nature

And please accept this as an official invitation to try out paddling- be it kayak, paddleboard, dragon boat- the potential benefits for mind, body, and spirit are huge.

If you want to find calm, contentment, and a clear and meaningful path forward in areas of your life beyond relationships, I invite you to explore private mindful coaching with Dr. Mahoney www.jessiemahoneymd.com

If you want to develop a mindfulness practice, reach out to Dr. Liang www.awakenbreath.org

*Nothing in this episode should be considered medical advice.