Author Archives: admin

50th summer

50th summer

2022. The year of war and my 50th birthday.

I was born in the forest. 

Actually in the hospital built in the beautiful forest, not far from my hometown.

I think this forest has been with me whole my life. After my mum delivered me to this world there, I visited this place only once, in my 20s, and I recognise all of it. It seems at once strange and natural. 

The bond with the nature is so essential for our life. Even when we are lost and hallucinating on the fumes of the philosophers’ ideas. It gives as strength to survive, to strive, to try –

To breathe and swim under the open sky with the stars above you. To breathe in the wonderful smell of pine trees which surround you is like a blessing from heaven. 

That was my birthday gift. 

In July, I was lucky enough to join our Tai Chi Tuczno Camp in this incredible place. Being there makes me melt, thaw, loosen. Being surrounded with tai chi, true friends and nature does this unlike any other thing. And the LAKE. The lake, I tell you, the lake is a thing of splendour. Pure and gorgeous.

Then I went homeJust few kilometres from the forest I was born into. My family and friends prepared such a perfect celebration for me that I still can’t believe it happened. Bone fires, candle lights, music, a film about my being here 50 years, my mum’s garden in the background I felt like Greg Zorba dancing whole night, being drunk on our friendship and love. (And a little bit of alcohol.)

Then, I returned to work. 

You know, this place where we spent most of our lives? 

But not for very long.

After 2 weeks I went to Zlatý Kopec in Prague. 

That was an adventure. At the time, all the travel issues, due to Corona, Brexit and all the Other Shit went mad. It was a long circle to get myself there. It was long enough to meet past, present.

How long do we have?

The very non virgin male vestals lit the bone fires for me. We had celebrated just in front of the Milky Way. We have great view at it, straight from “Zapraži”. The songs were sang in five languages, and there was more than enough of laughing. All the secrets kept quiet for a moment. Will they be still silenced when the winter arrives?

Tai Chi Life 2021/2022

Tai Chi Life 2021/2022

The last practice of 2021 in my secret place. It has been another strange covid year with plenty of Tai Chi to keep me sane, but no Tuczno, nor Zlatý Kopec, nor International push hands meetings in Prague.

Let’s hope 2022 will be kinder to all of us.

Zofia Polak Tai Chi
Shapes of Balance
Thomas Nowakowski
Tai Chi System

There is hope though, although January, one can smell springtime in the air 🌞🍀

#ThomasNowakowski #ShapesofBalance #TaiChi #London

Merry Christmas 🤶

Merry Christmas 🤶

What A Year! I bet you have the same feeling…

We’ve finished it in big style though. Such a great results, and such a great team.
Happy to manage and be a part of it 🙂
I wish All of You very Merry Christmas and

Happy New Year!

Design Team Janus Zofia Polak

Zofia and

Design Team of Janus International Europe
#design #team #janus

Preparing for new “no fuel” order

Preparing for new “no fuel” order

Preparing for new “no fuel” order

Human world has been crazy place as long as we know. But we had those hopes, that we are going in the right direction after disastrous first part of 20th century. 2nd part wasn’t that great for eastern Europe neither, but it didn’t stop us, and at the end, we changed plenty. Changed for better. Why we forget this so easily? 

Last week I attended Fedessa Conference, Yearly Self-Storage meeting, which was absolutely great after whole lockdown life. 
Fedessa Conference

One of the topics was “listening”. I think we should try to learn much more about that.

Stop lecturing world. Start to listen.

Funny enough one of the exercises within this lecture, was to try communicating in such a way that one person is talking about your favourite hobby, when another is only nodding, and not allowed to say anything.

Try for yourself to see how Difficult it is.

I happened to be one who talks, and realised once more, that actually swimming and not taking is one of my favourites.

You know, I do Tai Chi a lot. I started in 1995, the year I also finished my architectural studies. 

Daily practice keeps me sane when the pressure is getting mad..meaning every second day 😉 

But my weekly swim gives me special kick. 

Just water, me, and deep cleansing breath.

Plus, smart watch to see how far I can go 😉

It is nice to see improvements every week.

Hopefully I will get so good I could cross English Chanel if needed 😉

Architectural Hand Drawings

Architectural Hand Drawings

I visited my old architectural office and had lovely meeting with architect Janina Dunal. We have worked together for almost a decade, and done so many cool projects. At the beginning I was still drawing by hand! Can you imagine?
I must be 100 years old 🤣🤣🤣
Look at that:
#architecture #design #projects #construction

ARCHITECTURE
Janina Dunal
Zofia Polak