Temple Qigong by Grandmaster Ho'o

Nine Temple Qigong Exercises

The Temple Qigong (Chi Kung) form consists of nine exercises.  It was popularized by Grand Master Marshall Ho'o (1910-1993) of Los Angeles, California.  It is also referred to as the Nine Temple Exercises, or the Marshall Ho'o Temple Exercises.  

My webpage on Temple Qigong provides a bibliography, links, the names of the movements, and an explanation of each movement.  

Standing Meditation, Resting Position: Wuji

1.   Turning the Prayer Wheel

2.   Rotating the Knees

3.   Crossed Arm Rotation

4.   Picking Fruit

5.   Swinging the Leg

6.   Leg Bounce

7.   Retreat and Advance   

8.   Grinding Corn

9.   Polishing the Mirror

Closure: Collecting and Storing Energy 

Marshall Ho'o wrote a book 1968 which included an explanation with photographic illustrations of the Temple Qigong set.  The black and white photos in that book were of poor quality and the editing was unsatisfactory.  An instructional DVD also teaches this form.  

"Dr. Ho'o was instrumental in the certification of acupuncture in the State of California. He was the first Tai Chi Master to have been elected to the Black Belt Hall of Fame.  He was Dean of the Aspen Academy of Martial & Healing Arts, on the faculty of California Institute of the Arts, and taught Tai Chi and Acupressure at many educational institutions.  In 1973, he created a series for KCET public television, in Los Angeles, teaching Tai Chi.  He was a consultant to Prevention Magazine's The Doctor's Book of Home Remedies.  A Chinese American, Dr. Ho'o was America's first Tai Chi Chuan Grandmaster.  His influence is far-reaching in both the fields of healing and martial arts."
-  The Lineage, Teachers of Two Birds Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan  By Marshall Hoo.  Burbank, California, Ohara Publications, Inc., 1986, 1993.  111 pages.  ISBN: 0897501098.  VSCL.  The Nine Temple exercise set is briefly described in this book on pages 18-42.  Each movement is clearly illustrated by four to eight clear black and white photographs of a woman doing the form.  The Taijiquan is the Standard 24 Form in the Yang Style. 

Tai Chi Chuan: The 27 forms by Marshall Hoo .   Instructional DVD, released in 2005, by Marshall Ho'o.  Black Belt Videos, 90 minutes.  Includes the Nine Temple Qigong.   

World Tai Chi Chuan Celebration Day

Tai Chi Chuan enthusiasts celebrated "World Tai Chi Chuan Day" in Vancouver, WA, on April 29th.

Over 100 Taiji players gathered together today at Clark Community College in downtown Vancouver.

I spent time talking with many people at the event.  

The Oldest Living Being

The Curse of the Methuselah Tree
The Oldest Tree on Earth, 4,800 Years Old
The Bristlecone Pines
White Mountains, 11,000 + Feet, California

Zen and Altered States of Consciousnes

 "It is often emphasized that the goal of Zen Buddhism is not some kind of altered states of consciousness.  On the contrary, the aim of Zen Buddhism is to become immune to being conditioned into altered states.  In this context, furthermore, "altered states" are defined more rigorously than in conventional psychological theory, from the perspective of the pure original mind rather from that of the local parameters of conventional consciousness.  Guishan (Isan), another great Chinese Zen master of the Tang dynasty, said, "The mind of people of the Way is straightforward and unartificial, neither ignoring or inclining, with no deceptive errant mind; at all time their perception is normal.  There are no further details.  Also, don't shut the eyes and ears; as long as the feelings don't stick to things, that is enough."

As suggested by this statement, Zen Buddhism does not teach escapism, chronic withdrawal, or denial of ordinary reality. The late Tang dynasty master Caoshan (Sozan) said, "There is no need to escape anything; just know about it. that's enough.  If you try to avoid it, it's still affecting you.  Just don't be changed or affected by things, and you will be free."

-  Rational Zen: The Mind of Dogen Zengi.  1993, p. 5-

Fred's Magic Strings

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 20

Fred’s Magic Strings

Fred lived along the Umatilla River at the eastern edge of the Blue Mountains in northeastern Oregon.  He had been a truck driver for decades between the Walla Walla, Tri-Cities, Hermiston, Boardman, Portland, and Pendleton areas.  He was retired now, and living in Pendleton.  He enjoyed the small town cowboy culture of Pendleton, the forests of the Blue Mountains, the vast wheat fields, the hardy local whiskeys, and the Indian powwow events. 

Years ago, Fred had taken up the hobby of using cotton string to create figures and shapes.  This activity of using the hands and fingers to manipulate a string can produce many interesting string figures.  Playing string figure games in the Winter months was popular among American Indian Tribes in the Northwest. It was a relaxing leisure time activity for old Fred.  

He had purchased a string figures book from the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute and Museum on the Umatilla Indian Reservation, practiced, and learned many string figures.  He shared his skills and art with others at various gatherings. 

Fred felt like he was creating something out of nothing.  The circle of string was pure potential, pure Yin.  The hands and fingers begin to move the string: twisting, turning, interchanging, grabbing, releasing, turning, looping, exchanging, dropping … Yang emerging. Then, suddenly, a figure appears: Four Stars, a Rabbit, a Butterfly, a Blanket, a Fly, a Lizard, Sunrise, Fisherman's Net, Fireplace Burning, ….

Yes, it is something from something, and also something from nothing.  Profane/Sacred, Ordinary/Holy, Skills/Art. 

Artists or writers facing a blank canvas or blank paper sense this moment: the state of the empty canvas before them, nothing done, a blank, the beginning.  Then, emerging from the Fingers Moving and the Mind/Ideas/Intentions Moving and the String, Paint Brush or Pen Moving … Something New Appears, or we just imagine that it appears.  For the Artist: Just Doing It, Making It, Creating It, Showing It, is the Great Challenge!

Young and old enjoyed watching Fred’s string figures skills and listening to his storytelling.

A hot summer's day in Pendleton

A Student’s Considerations:

What hobbies should one choose in their life?
Simple arts may bring great creative pleasures.
A Confucian gentleman cultivates and treasures the Arts.
Sharing the Magic: performing, entertaining, creating, doing.
Aesthetes, literati, scholars, artists, and writers are found amongst
    some Taoists, Buddhists, and Confucians.
How do pre-literate cultures differ from cultures with libraries?
What “Arts” are necessary in the Fireplace Nexus?

 

Related Links, Resources, References

String On Your Fingers  By Michael P. Garofalo. 
String figures, tricks, and knots from many lands. 
https://www.gardendigest.com/string/index.htm

Pendleton, Oregon and Umatilla Indian Reservation

Koans:

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Brief Spiritual Lessons Database Project: Subject Indexes

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Lessons and Stories

Matches to Start a Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

The Roshi's Clapping Cell Phone

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 19

The Roshi's Clapping Cell Phone

"What is the sound of one hand clapping? asked Hakuin Ekaku in 1740.

Thousands of monks and householders have introspected this famous Zen Koan Case since 1740.  They pounded on tables with one hand, tapped their staff against the floor with one hand, and came up with many wordy replies to reveal the sound of one hand clapping.  

After years of study with Hakuin, after satisfactory revealing the spiritual and psychic impact of the koans, after achieving enlightenment, and after following the Dharma Path thereafter, Hakuin would award his close friend/student, his Dharma heir, with a painting of a whisk and dragon staff.

 

Of course, the mind does the clapping itself, patting ourselves on the back with one hand, cheering us on, applauding our daily efforts.
Bravo! With one hand or two hands clapping, no matter, show your respect and appreciation for all our good work.  

Haikuin painted with one hand, and applauded his student's efforts and achievements.   

My Roshi has a Apple cellphone.  His ring tone is the sound of clapping. Naturally, he holds the phone with one hand.  

I applaud his Dharma efforts!  He needs a pat on the back.  

A Student's Considerations:

Different centuries, different ideas and things at hand.
Applaud, clap for, cheer on the good efforts of everyone.  
Talking is the father of metaphors.
Practical realists would say that a single hand makes no clapping sound; but, poets and mystics favor playing with entangling expressions. And,
we all hear the sound and know the direct meaning of a pat on the back.
Occasionally, the wrong answer is revealing in new ways. 
Even if a pat on the back is not forthcoming, keeping working.      

Related Links, Resources, References

Koans:

Virtue Ethics

Gratitude

Time Movement Change Transformation Mortality

Process Philosophy

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Brief Spiritual Lessons Database Project: Subject Indexes

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Lessons and Stories

Matches to Start a Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 27

 Dao De Jing, Laozi

Chapter 27

"The skillful traveler leaves no trace behind him,

The skillful speaker says nothing that falsely jars,

The skillful counter keeps no checks to remind him,

The skillful locker requires no bolts or bars,

And the skillful binder no cords, or knots or strings,

Yet to afterwards open or loose are impossible things.

So the sage in his goodness is ever a saver of men,

No man he rejects or loses,

And alike in his goodness a saver of things, for then

He everything saves and uses,

And this is the inner enlightenment again,

Which comprehends and chooses.

So the good instructs the bad, the bad in turn

Is material for the good; and not to prize

One's own instructor, not to love, but spurn

One's own material, would confuse the wise.

This mutual help and love make all men kin,

And mark the spirit divine, within."
-  Translated by Isaac Winter Heysinger, 1903, Chapter 27

"The skillful traveler leaves no traces of his wheels or footsteps.
The skillful speaker says nothing that can be found fault with or blamed.
The skillful reckoner uses no tallies.
The skillful closer needs no bolts or bars, while to open what he has shut will be impossible.
The skillful binder uses no strings or knots, while to unloose what he has bound will be impossible.
In the same way the sage is always skillful at saving men, and so he does not cast away any man;
He is always skillful at saving things, and so he does not cast away anything.
This is called 'Hiding the light of his procedure.'
Therefore, the man of skill is a master to be looked up to by him who has not the skill. 
He who has not the skill is the helper of the reputation of him who has the skill.
If the one did not honor his master, and the other did not rejoice in his helper, an observer, though intelligent, might greatly err about them.
This is called 'The utmost degree of mystery.'"
-  Translated by James Legge, 1891, Chapter 27 

"Good (shan) running leaves no tracks,
Good speech has no flaws,
Good counting uses no counters,
A good lock uses no bolts yet cannot be opened,
A good knot uses no rope yet cannot be untied.
Hence the sage is always good at saving people,
Therefore no one is rejected.
He is always good at saving things,
Therefore nothing is rejected.
This is called following the light (ming).
Therefore the good person,
Is the not-good (pu-shan) person's teacher.
The not-good (pu-shan) person,
Is the good person's capital.
One who does not honor (kuei) the teacher,
Or love (ai) the capital,
Is greatly confounded though knowledgeable (chih).
This is called the important mystery (miao)."
-  Translated by Ellen Marie Chen, 1989, Chapter 27 


"One may move so well that a foot-print never shows,
Speak so well that the tongue never slips,
Reckon so well that no counter is needed,
Seal an entrance so tight, though using no lock,
That it cannot be opened,
Bind a hold so firm, though using no cord,
That it cannot be untied.
And these are traits not only of a sound man
But of many a man thought to be unsound.
A sound man is good at salvage,
At seeing that nothing is lost.
Having what is called insight,
A good man, before he can help a bad man,
Finds in himself the matter with the bad man.
And whichever teacher
Discounts the lesson
Is as far off the road as the other,
Whatever else he may know.
That is the heart of it."
-  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 27 


善行無轍迹.
善言無瑕讁.
善數不用籌策.
善閉無關楗而不可開.
善結無繩約而不可解.
是以聖人常善救人, 故無棄人.
常善救物.
故無棄物, 是謂襲明.
故善人者, 不善人之師.
不善人者, 善人之資.
不貴其師, 不愛其資, 雖智大迷.
是謂要妙.
-  Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 27



shan hsing wu ch'ê chi.
shan yen wu hsia chai.
shan shu pu yung ch'ou ts'ê.
shan pi wu kuan chien erh pu k'o k'ai. 
shan chieh wu shêng yo erh pu k'o chieh.
shih yi shêng jên ch'ang shan chiu jên, ku wu ch'i jên.
ch'ang shan chiu wu.
ku wu ch'i wu shih wei hsi ming.
ku shan jên chê, pu shan jên chih shih.
pu shan jên chih, shan jên chih tzu. 
pu kuei ch'i shih, pu ai ch'i tzu, sui chih ta mi.
shih wei yao miao. 
-  Wade-Giles Romanization, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 27


"Good travelers leave no trace nor track,
Good speakers, in logic show no lack,
Good counters need no counting rack.
Good lockers bolting bars need not,
Yet none their locks can loose.
Good binders need no string nor knot,
Yet none unties their noose.
Therefore the holy man is always a good savior of men, for there are no outcast people.
He is always a good savior of things, for there are no outcast things.
This is called applied enlightenment.  
Thus the good man does not respect multitudes of men.
The bad man respects the people's wealth.
Who does not esteem multitudes nor is charmed by their wealth, though his knowledge be greatly confused,
He must be recognized as profoundly spiritual."
-  Translated by Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki and Paul Carus, 1913, Chapter 27 


"A good traveler leaves neither ruts nor footprints;
A good speaker makes neither slips nor errors;
A good calculator uses neither wooden chips nor bamboo chips;
A good door-shutter has neither latch nor lock,
Yet, the door he shuts cannot be opened;
A good knot-tier has neither rope nor string,
Yet, the knot he ties cannot be untied.
Hence, the sage man
Was constantly good at rescuing men
So that there were no cast-off men;
As for things,
There were no cast-off goods.
This is called surpassing insight.
Hence, good men are good men's teachers;
Evil men, good men's wealth.
He who neither values his teachers,
Nor cherishes his wealth,
Though crafty, is but a big fool.
This is called subtle essence."
-  Translated by Chichung Huang, Chapter 27 

"Un buen caminante no deja huellas.
Un buen orador no se equivoca ni ofende.
Un buen contable no necesita útiles de cálculo.
Un buen cerrajero no usa barrotes ni cerrojos,
y nadie puede abrir lo que ha cerrado.
Quien ata bien no utiliza cuerdas ni nudos,
y nadie puede desatar lo que ha atado.
Así, el sabio siempre ayuda a los hombres,
por eso a nadie desampara.
El sabio siempre salva a las cosas,
por eso a ninguna descuida.
De él se dice que está deslumbrado por la luz.
Por esto, el hombre bueno no se considera maestro
de los hombres, sino que les enseña;
y el hombre que no es bueno estima como buenas las
riquezas que de los hombres obtiene.
No amar el magisterio ni la materia de los hombres,
y aparentar ignorancia, siendo iluminado,
Este es un principio esencial del Tao."

-  Translation from Wikisource, 2013, Capítulo 27  


"A good traveler leaves no tracks.
A good speaker is without flaw.
A good planner does not calculate.
A good doorkeeper does not lock, yet it cannot be opened.
A good knotter does not use binding, yet it cannot be undone.
Therefore, the sage is good at his earnest demands upon people.
So no one is left out.
No talent is wasted.
This is called being in the tow of enlightenment,
And it ensures the good person.
For everything that is good is the teacher of the good person.
Everything that is bad becomes a resource for the good person.
No need to honor the teachers.
No need to love the resources.
Though knowing this is a great paradox,
It is the subtle principle."
-  Translated by Tao Huang, Chapter 27 



A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes over 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.   

Chapter 27, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey  

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Instruction in Vancouver WA

 

Michael P. Garofalo teaches Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan in Vancouver, Washington.

He teaches in the Orchard's Five Corners area of northeast Vancouver, Clark County, WA.

He teaches at his home.  He is retired.

Mike's Qualifications

Fees: $20.00 per hour per person

From 2000-2023 he has taught:

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Traditional 108 Long Form

Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan Standard 24 Short Form

Yang Style Eight Immortals Cane Form

Various Chi Kung and Warmup Sets

E-Mail for Mike Garofalo

Phone for Mike Garofalo: 530-200-3546

Sozan's "Flowers or Seeds?"

 

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 18

Sozan's "Flowers or Seeds?"

Sozan was trying to decide between doing a painting of a branch of chrysanthemum blossoms or a display of various seeds.  He was drawn to the different sizes and colors of the seeds.  Seeds had a special meaning for him: Beginnings and Endings.  

Then, he recalled many old discussions about how differences and distinctions and preferences are rooted in how we think; and, how statements can be true or false at different times. He was a Zen man and a dedicated painter.  

While painting the seeds, his thoughts rambled:

Flowers and seeds both here and now, for the time being.
Flowers blooming then seeding.
Blooms beautiful, blooms not beautiful.
Seeds not beautiful, sees beautiful.
Flower seeds growing into plants with flowers blooming.
Flowers before seeds, seeds before flowers.
Flowers after seeds, seeds after flowers.
You must have seeds before you can get flowers.
You must have flowers before you can get seeds.
Fruit often comes in to cover the difference.
Wishes are like seeds, few growing.
  
And, on and on, for a few moments more,
then stopping thoughts, not thinking, just doing,
just painting.

A Student's Considerations:

What came first: the flowers or the seeds?
Some questions are poorly or incorrectly asked.
Understand the question before formulating an answer.
How does temporal specificity for statements effect truth?
Our very lives, our existence, our being-time,
depends on these flowers, fruits, and seeds.
Endless interconnections carrying on, carrying on.
Get to work, don't think and fret so much.  

mums flowering, 

zinnias seeding--
   just wondering

“Plucking chrysanthemums along the West fence. 
Gazing in silence at the East Cascade foothills. 
The Canada geese flying in formation overhead, 
Through the soft valley air of morning―
In these things there is a deep meaning, 
But when we are about to express it, 
We suddenly forget the words.”  

- My rephrasing of lines from an unknown Chinese poet
from verses found in 'The Wisdom of Insecurity,’ by Alan Watts, 1951

Related Links, Resources, References

Koans: 

Ito Sozan Painter (1884-1944) 

Just Observing in Chrysanthem Time

Dogen says, " Mind Here and Now is Buddha" [Soku Shin Ze Butsu #6 Book 1]

Time Movement Change Transformation Mortality

Process Philosophy

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Brief Spiritual Lessons Database Project: Subject Indexes

Time in Dogen's Thoughts:

Each Moment is the Universe: Zen and the Way of Being Time. By Dainin Katagiri. Shambhala, 2008, 256 pages. VSCL, Paperback.

Being-Time: A Practitioner's Guide to Dogen's Shobogenzo Uji. By Shinshu Roberts. Wisdom 2018, 321 pages. VSCL, Kindle E-Book.

Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo. Translated, edited, comments, notes by Kazuaki Tanahashi. Shambhala, 2013, 1280 pages, Hardcover.

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Lessons and Stories
Matches to Start a Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

A Gardener's Pictorial Memories

The Spirit of Gardening 

A Million Aprils Came and Went

"How many million Aprils came
before I ever knew
how white a cherry bough could be,
a bed of squills, how blue
And many a dancing April
when life is done with me,
will lift the blue flame of the flower
and the white flame of the tree
Oh burn me with your beauty then,
oh hurt me tree and flower,
lest in the end death try to take
even this glistening hour..."
- Sara Teasdale, Blue Squills, 1920



"The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven—
All's right with the world!"
- Robert Browning, The Year's at the Spring


Spring: Quotations, Poems, Sayings

Silk Reeling Exercises (Chan Si Gong)

"Silk reeling (pinyin chánsīgōng, Wade-Giles ch'an² ssu¹ kung¹ 纏絲功), also called "Winding Silk Power" (chansijing) (纏絲勁), as well as "Foundational Training"(jibengong), refers to a set of neigong exercises frequently used by the Chen style, Wu style and some other styles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. The name derives from the metaphorical principle of "reeling the silk from a silk worm's cocoon". In order to draw out the silk successfully the action must be smooth and consistent without jerking or changing direction sharply. Too fast, the silk breaks, too slow, it sticks to itself and becomes tangled. Hence, the silk reeling movements are continuous, cyclic patterns performed at constant speed with the "light touch" of drawing silk.
In common with all Qigong exercises, the patterns are performed in a concentrated, meditative state with an emphasis on relaxation. However, rather than being isolated exercises purely for health benefits, the focus is on strengthening and training the whole body coordination (nei jin) and grounded body alignment that is used in the Tai Chi form and pushing hands. Silk reeling is commonly used in Chen style as a warmup before commencing Tai Chi form practice, but its body mechanics are also a requirement of Chen Style Tai Chi throughout the forms. In other styles, silk reeling is only introduced to advanced levels. Many schools, especially those not associated with the orthodox Tai Chi families, don't train it at all."
- Silk Reeling - Wikipedia


Dragon Qigong

Silk Reeling
Bibliography, Quotes, Notes, Videos.  Compiled by Mike Garofalo. 

Chan Ssu Gong, Chan Szu Chin, Chan Ssu Kung, Chan Si Gong, Chan Si Jing
Chen Style Taijiquan and Qigong
Spiraling Energy Exercises, Spiral Energy Qigong

 

Our New Travel Plans

For the past three months, Karen and I have been at home in Vancouver.  We both had medical problems and surgeries.  No travel during this period of 2023.  

Karen and I plan to stay two nights in Pendleton, Oregon, in late April
Trip with Mick and April to Long Beach WA for clamming in May.
Karen and I plan to stay three nights at Quinault Lake, Washington, in May.

Here is a Cloud Hands Blog repost from September 2022.  It was a trip to Cape Disappointment State Park for Yurt camping.  

I was very surprised to find that the campground was full of trailers, RVs, large vans, small vans, trucks with campers, and a few folks in tents.  Very overcast, foggy, and cool all day.  I walked around all day in the Park and accumulated 10,945 Steps.  Drizzling at times: rain expected on Wednesday.

I enjoyed practicing Taijiquan in a flat area along the North Jetty at the Mouth of the Columbia River.  The North Jetty is nearly two miles long.  A paved road leads halfway, and many sandy trails take you out to Benson Beach and the Park campgrounds.  I made some decisions about my Taijiquan goals for 2023 and 2024.  

Few stores were open in Port Ilwaco.  I did enjoy browsing at "Time Enough Books" in Ilwaco.  I purchased two excellent books about the Sea:

"The Sea and Civilization: A Maritime History of the World."  By Lincoln Paine.  Vintage Books, 2013, 744 pages, extensive notes, bibliography, and index.  VSCL.

"Waves and Beaches: The Powerful Dynamics of Sea and Coast."  By Willard Bascom and Kim McCoy.  Patagonia, 1964 and 2020, 401 pages, index.  VSCL. 

Home for four days, Yurt Y88, Cape Disappointment State Park.

Inside, dry, locked tight, warmed by a small electric heater.
I bring my own 2'x3' desk, chair, books, Jackery power, toys, games, crafts.
I bring plenty of extra lighting.
For food I eat oranges, apples, dried apricots, nuts, crackers, coffee, dried beef, cookies.

Cozy Yurt Camping.
Y88 had a sturdy small 3'x3' table and two woods chairs. 
Sofabed OK.  Used bunk bed to store all my gear.  No wastebasket.

I drove and walked the road
along the North Jetty.  Very windy.

My Taijiquan practice area.

200 yards west of my Yurt Campsite
is a couple of miles of sandy beach.
Lots of driftwood from King High Tides.

 

There is a long drive from the Visitor Center
to the Yurt Campsite.  Many sloughs, lagoons, lowlands, trees, shrubs,
mosses, and grasses along the roadway

Black Lake north of Ilwaco
Many trails around the lake.

Cape Disappointment State Park  CR  Camping, Yurts, Fishing, Trails     Images

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse  In operation since 1856. 

Cape Disappointment Weather

Lewis and Clark Interpretative Center   History     Wikipedia

Discovery Bicycling and Walking Trail

Fort Canby State Park is the old name for Cape Disappointment State Park   

Travel Adventure and Ghost Tales and History  

North Head Lighthouse     Images

U.S. Coast Guard Station  

"Cape Disappointment State Park (formerly Fort Canby State Park) is a public recreation area on Cape Disappointment, located southwest of Ilwaco, Washington, on the bottom end of Long Beach Peninsula, the northern headlands where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. The state park's 2,023 acres (819 ha) encompass a diverse landscape of old-growth forest, freshwater lakes, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and oceanside tidelands. Park sites include Fort Canby, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, North Head Lighthouse, and Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.[2] Cape Disappointment is one of several state parks and sites in Washington and Oregon that are included in Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.[3]"

   I have camped here twice.