Last month marked a celebration of landmark birthdays for the “father” and “mother” of Ai Chi at the 2017 ATRI Spring National Aquatic Therapy Conference, Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort. Jun Kono and Ruth Sova both turned 70 this year. What a delightful international gathering highlighting Jun’s mantra, “However it turns out is how it was meant to be.” We did Ai Chi with a Puerto Rican dazzle and Ai Chi with a southern twang. We gracefully followed Ai Chi Russian ballet moves and learned about clinical applications of Ai Chi in China. Ruth presented progressions of traditional Ai Chi and Jun shared the healing evolution of his original practice to Ai Chi Zen in response to the 2011 tsunami. And all the while the restorative beauty of palm trees and pelicans, dolphins and osprey surrounded us.
Happy birthday, Ruth and Jun!
Thank you for your gifts to the world. You have made this world a little calmer, a little less stressed and a little more peaceful, which means so very much. Just look at what you have started!
Perhaps this is the most important thing for me to take back from beach living: simply the memory that each cycle of the tide is valid; each cycle of the wave is valid; each cycle of a relationship is valid.
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Gift from the Sea
