There are many techniques, methods and styles of "Meditation." Taijiquan is often called "Moving Meditation." If you practice Taijiquan on a regular basis, you can expect some of the following results or improvements that many people believe are beneficial:
Calmness and poise under a variety of circumstances.
Increased sensory awareness of external conditions and circumstances.
Improved skills in deflecting or avoiding opposing or stressful forces.
Ability to concentrate on immediate tasks.
Being more present and accepting.
Mastery of a traditional art.
Completion of self-assigned tasks and self-discipline.
Enjoyment of "Peak Experiences."
Encouraging spontaneity, flexibility, playfulnes, and openness.
Patience in learning new skills.
Friday, May 08, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Loosen Up with a Smile
"What allows the energy you work with, gather and create a life of its own is humour. Humour is a lightness that admits of other possibilities. Combine that admission with hearty connectedness and those possibilities become incorporated into a body teeming and seething with life. If humour is maintained then those incorporated possibilities – each one a thread of energy if you like – remain in some way distinct – do not agglutinate into one amorphous mass – and there quickly comes a point where the combined intensity and complexity of these interacting threads develops into what feels like awareness.
Humour is not taking things, especially the self, seriously. It confounds the logical, rational, linear mind, which always struggles to force your movements into some preconceived template, with an element of play which revels in the surprises inherent in the unfolding of creative and natural processes. In a way humour is the most valuable possession you have because it allows you to put up with anything, not with resignation but with a smile – a mood and energy that is always opening and searching not for comfort and ease but for those threads that can be brought into the whole to transform it into a vehicle capable of thrusting you to the next level; humour finds fuel everywhere. Humour also admits that sneaking feeling that you are getting it wrong – that your efforts to do and to make are coming from a part of you – your conditioning – foreign to your essential nature. Humour is a natural and gentle way of applying shocks to your conditioning – unsettling it and loosening its iron grip sufficiently for your essential nature to momentarily peek through. This essential nature, so used to being plastered over, pushed into the background and over-ridden by the bullying conditioned and conditional mind, has a completely different relationship with reality than that mind: soft, playful, interactive, ringing with laughter – imagine children at play – but it needs years of gentle coaxing and encouragement before it will venture forth and take the lead in your life. Scars don't heal overnight. Humour – the touch of lightness that refuses to linger for too long and never repeats itself (jokes are rarely funny second time round). Your conditioning needs repetition to survive and it uses up most of your vital energy in the process of constantly reviewing and recounting its domain – imagine the lonely miser pointlessly counting his money each evening before he can sleep. Your conditioning is telling you the same joke over and over and because you don't realise it's a joke you listen and approve. Humour is the only effective way to cut through this – because it is so gentle its blade is very keen."
- Steven Moore, 6/11/06, Tai Chi Heartwork
Humour is not taking things, especially the self, seriously. It confounds the logical, rational, linear mind, which always struggles to force your movements into some preconceived template, with an element of play which revels in the surprises inherent in the unfolding of creative and natural processes. In a way humour is the most valuable possession you have because it allows you to put up with anything, not with resignation but with a smile – a mood and energy that is always opening and searching not for comfort and ease but for those threads that can be brought into the whole to transform it into a vehicle capable of thrusting you to the next level; humour finds fuel everywhere. Humour also admits that sneaking feeling that you are getting it wrong – that your efforts to do and to make are coming from a part of you – your conditioning – foreign to your essential nature. Humour is a natural and gentle way of applying shocks to your conditioning – unsettling it and loosening its iron grip sufficiently for your essential nature to momentarily peek through. This essential nature, so used to being plastered over, pushed into the background and over-ridden by the bullying conditioned and conditional mind, has a completely different relationship with reality than that mind: soft, playful, interactive, ringing with laughter – imagine children at play – but it needs years of gentle coaxing and encouragement before it will venture forth and take the lead in your life. Scars don't heal overnight. Humour – the touch of lightness that refuses to linger for too long and never repeats itself (jokes are rarely funny second time round). Your conditioning needs repetition to survive and it uses up most of your vital energy in the process of constantly reviewing and recounting its domain – imagine the lonely miser pointlessly counting his money each evening before he can sleep. Your conditioning is telling you the same joke over and over and because you don't realise it's a joke you listen and approve. Humour is the only effective way to cut through this – because it is so gentle its blade is very keen."
- Steven Moore, 6/11/06, Tai Chi Heartwork
Monday, May 04, 2009
Doorway into the Liminal
"I suppose the simple truth of the matter is that I have always been enthralled by doorways, windows, gates, thresholds, hearths, chimneys, hidden forest trails, gaps in the hedgerow, garden hollows and portals of any kind. It isn't unusual to find me standing lost in thought in front of a newly discovered gateway or curled up in my Morris chair at home with a mug of tea and a faraway look in my eye, thinking about such places and where they go. I'm entranced by their situation, their architecture, the materials of which they are formed, and even their color, as much as I am by what lies beyond them.
Liminal spaces can be compelling, and they can exert a powerful tug on the sensibilities. Every hero's journey or heroine's journey begins with a call to adventure, with one breathtaking, serendipitous, watershed moment in which she or he recognizes a liminal space, responds to its eldritch music and steps across the threshold into another realm. No hero or a heroine here (at least in this lifetime), but the presence of a gateway, any old gateway, calls to me in a voice as lyrical and compelling as that of the mythic sirens, a mere glimpse or a casual mention of one, and off I go.
Mircea Eliade once wrote of doors and thresholds as being both symbols and passages, as places where the passage from the profane to the sacred world becomes possible. The philosopher Martin Heidegger described thresholds as joinings or spaces between two worlds, potent common or middle grounds which hold, join and separate two worlds, all at the same time. In other words, thresholds are sacred places which form a boundary between what is "here" and what is "there", but they are in themselves neither here or there.
Within the seemingly empty space of a doorway or a threshold, one sometimes senses ancient, wild and chaotic forces in motion, and thresholds have the power to open a cranny or passage between this world and the other side, allowing those tumultuous forces to blow through. Cultures from ancient times to our own knew it, and they took special measures to secure such places, carving arcane protective sigils on their door lintels, inserting sprigs of rowan and Brigid's crosses into the doors themselves, burying pins and needles beneath their hearth stones, sweeping and blessing their thresholds, and nailing horseshoes above their doorways."
- Kerrdelune, Beyond the Fields We Know III
When I begin a Taijiquan form, moving from standing still (Wuji) to raise hands and then lower hands (Yang and Yin), this is a threshold or doorway for me. Through this beginning movement I enter into a new level of being and open myself up to new experiences. I leave the realm of the ordinary and step into the realm of the spirit.
Liminal spaces can be compelling, and they can exert a powerful tug on the sensibilities. Every hero's journey or heroine's journey begins with a call to adventure, with one breathtaking, serendipitous, watershed moment in which she or he recognizes a liminal space, responds to its eldritch music and steps across the threshold into another realm. No hero or a heroine here (at least in this lifetime), but the presence of a gateway, any old gateway, calls to me in a voice as lyrical and compelling as that of the mythic sirens, a mere glimpse or a casual mention of one, and off I go.
Mircea Eliade once wrote of doors and thresholds as being both symbols and passages, as places where the passage from the profane to the sacred world becomes possible. The philosopher Martin Heidegger described thresholds as joinings or spaces between two worlds, potent common or middle grounds which hold, join and separate two worlds, all at the same time. In other words, thresholds are sacred places which form a boundary between what is "here" and what is "there", but they are in themselves neither here or there.
Within the seemingly empty space of a doorway or a threshold, one sometimes senses ancient, wild and chaotic forces in motion, and thresholds have the power to open a cranny or passage between this world and the other side, allowing those tumultuous forces to blow through. Cultures from ancient times to our own knew it, and they took special measures to secure such places, carving arcane protective sigils on their door lintels, inserting sprigs of rowan and Brigid's crosses into the doors themselves, burying pins and needles beneath their hearth stones, sweeping and blessing their thresholds, and nailing horseshoes above their doorways."
- Kerrdelune, Beyond the Fields We Know III
When I begin a Taijiquan form, moving from standing still (Wuji) to raise hands and then lower hands (Yang and Yin), this is a threshold or doorway for me. Through this beginning movement I enter into a new level of being and open myself up to new experiences. I leave the realm of the ordinary and step into the realm of the spirit.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Fully-Functioning Individual
Characteristics of the More Fully-Functioning Individual
Nonconformity and Individuality
Self-Awareness
Acceptance of Ambiguity and Uncertainty
Tolerance
Acceptance of Human Animality
Commitment and Intrinsic Enjoyment
Creativity and Originality
Social Interest and Ethical Trust
Enlightened Self-Interest
Self-Direction
Flexibility and Scientific Outlook
Unconditional Self-Acceptance
Risk-Taking and Experimenting
Long-Range Hedonism
Work and Practice
- Albert Ellis, The Albert Ellis Reader, p181-194.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Walking on the Earth
"Walking meditation means to enjoy walking without any intention to arrive. We don't need to arrive anywhere. We just walk. We enjoy walking. That means walking is already stopping, and that needs some training. Usually in our daily life we walk because we want to go somewhere. Walking is only a means to an end, and that is why we do not enjoy every step we take. Walking meditation is different. Walking is only for walking. You enjoy every step you take. So this is a kind of revolution in walking. You allow yourself to enjoy every step you take.
The Zen master Ling Chi said that "the miracle is not to walk on burning charcoal or in the thin air or on the water; the miracle is just to walk on earth." You breathe in. You become aware of the fact that you are alive. You are still alive and you are walking on this beautiful planet. That is already performing a miracle. The greatest of all miracles is to be alive. We have to awaken ourselves to the truth that we are here, alive. We are here making steps on this beautiful planet. This is already performing a miracle. But we have to be here in order for the miracle to be possible. We have to bring ourselves back to the here and the now."
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Resting in the River
The Ways of Walking: Quotations, Bibliography, Guides
The Zen master Ling Chi said that "the miracle is not to walk on burning charcoal or in the thin air or on the water; the miracle is just to walk on earth." You breathe in. You become aware of the fact that you are alive. You are still alive and you are walking on this beautiful planet. That is already performing a miracle. The greatest of all miracles is to be alive. We have to awaken ourselves to the truth that we are here, alive. We are here making steps on this beautiful planet. This is already performing a miracle. But we have to be here in order for the miracle to be possible. We have to bring ourselves back to the here and the now."
- Thich Nhat Hanh, Resting in the River
The Ways of Walking: Quotations, Bibliography, Guides
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Taiji Kung Fu Fan
We enjoyed a vacation in Portland, Oregon, last week. We visited with the families of our daughter and son. We also camped at Cape Lookout State Park on the coast near Netart's Bay in northwest Oregon.
Lately, I've been researching the Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, created by Professor Li Deyin in 2001. This is a popular Internal Martial Arts fan exercise routine for middle aged persons and seniors.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, List of Movements. List of the 52 movement names in English.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, Section I, List of Movements. List of Movements 1-26 in English. Our Tai Chi Studies Group in Red Bluff, California, will begin the study of practice of Section I in May of 2009.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, List of Movements in Five Languages. The names of the 52 will be given in Chinese (Pinyin, Romanized), Chinese characters, English, French, German, and Spanish. I intend to complete this list by June, 2009.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form: Notes, Comments, and Research.
Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu Fan (Shan) Exercise Routines. Guides, Bibliography, Links, Research, Quotations, Instructions.
Lately, I've been researching the Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, created by Professor Li Deyin in 2001. This is a popular Internal Martial Arts fan exercise routine for middle aged persons and seniors.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, List of Movements. List of the 52 movement names in English.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, Section I, List of Movements. List of Movements 1-26 in English. Our Tai Chi Studies Group in Red Bluff, California, will begin the study of practice of Section I in May of 2009.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form, List of Movements in Five Languages. The names of the 52 will be given in Chinese (Pinyin, Romanized), Chinese characters, English, French, German, and Spanish. I intend to complete this list by June, 2009.
Taiji Kung Fu Fan Form: Notes, Comments, and Research.
Tai Chi Chuan and Kung Fu Fan (Shan) Exercise Routines. Guides, Bibliography, Links, Research, Quotations, Instructions.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Form by Professor Li Deyin
Tai Chi Fan: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Notes, Lore, Quotations. 65Kb+. Research by Mike Garofalo. I welcome any comments, suggestions, additions, or ideas regarding this webpage.
Does anyone know more about this popular fan form? When was it created? Are there other resources available for studying this fan form?
Our Tai Chi Study Group in Red Bluff, California, will begin studying this Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Form in May of 2009. I will prepare notes and handouts for our group was we progress in our studies of this form.
Tai Chi Kung Fun Fan Form created by Professor Li Deyin (1938-)
52 Movements Fan Dance Form
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Instructional DVD by Professor Li Deyin. Narration in English. "A fan routine, created by Professor Li, which combines the gracefulness, centrality and continuity of Taiji with the power, speed and fierceness of Wushu. It is designed as an addition to the exercises for health, and has received massive interest and support throughout the world. In this DVD, Professor Li provides in-depth teaching with Mrs. Fang Mishou performing detail demonstration." Vendor 1. Cost: $35.00 US.
Does anyone know more about this popular fan form? When was it created? Are there other resources available for studying this fan form?
Our Tai Chi Study Group in Red Bluff, California, will begin studying this Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Form in May of 2009. I will prepare notes and handouts for our group was we progress in our studies of this form.
Tai Chi Kung Fun Fan Form created by Professor Li Deyin (1938-)
52 Movements Fan Dance Form
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Dance, Form I
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan. Routine 1, created by Grandmaster Li Deyin (1938-). Instructional DVD, 65 minutes, by Master Jesse Tsao. Tai Chi Healthways, San Diego, California. "The most popular Tai Chi Fan form ever practiced in China. The routine was created by Grandmaster Li Deyin, Jesse Tsao's teacher since 1978. There are 52 movements in the whole routine based on the characteristic Tai Chi posture with the fan's artistic and martial functions. Master Tsao presents demonstrations at the beginning and end. He teaches step-by-step in slow motion, in English. There are plenty of repetitions of movements in both front and back view. It is a good reference for home study, or a resource for instructor's teaching preparation." Cost: 35.00 US. Demonstration.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Instructional DVD by Professor Li Deyin. Narration in English. "A fan routine, created by Professor Li, which combines the gracefulness, centrality and continuity of Taiji with the power, speed and fierceness of Wushu. It is designed as an addition to the exercises for health, and has received massive interest and support throughout the world. In this DVD, Professor Li provides in-depth teaching with Mrs. Fang Mishou performing detail demonstration." Vendor 1. Cost: $35.00 US.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. List of 52 movement names, directions, instructions, and notes by Mike Garofalo.
Tai Chi Kung Fun Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 4:02 min. Lady in white on a stage in Japan. My favorite! "First Form of the Xiyangmei Taiji Kungfu Shan (Taiji Shan). Recorded in Tokyo, Japan when the group headed by Li Deyin went to give an exhibition in 2006."
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 3:59 min. Three performers in white outfits.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 3:59 min. Demonstrated by Patty Lee. Lady in a yellow outfit in a field with a backdrop of mountains.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 4:02 min. Lady in black practicing in a dance studio. What is the song used in many of these videos (by Jackie Chan)??
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 3:42. A group of Master Fay Li Yip's students performing outdoors.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 3:53 min. A group in black outfits performs outdoors in Madrid, Spain. Some members need more group practice.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video, 5:57 min. Two ladies in red outfits perform outdoors in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. 中國太極功夫扇
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan, Form 1. UTube Video Subject Search.
Monday, April 06, 2009
The Heart of the Matter
I don't know about the accuracy of the following "facts" about the heart, but, if true, they are quite amazing:
Bodies Revealed
"What a piece of work is man! How like an angel, how like a god.
The beauty of the world."
- William Shakespeare
I find the following book quite useful: Strength Training Anatomy. By Frederic Delavier. Champaign, Illinois, Human Kinetics, 2001. 124 pages. ISBN: 0736041850. Revised edition of "Guide des mouvements de musculation" Paris, Ditions Bigot, 1998. An outstanding illustrated guide to muscles at work. Both male and female models are used.
- "The entire blood system is estimated at 62,100 miles.
- There are 12 pints of blood in an adult male and 9 in an adult female.
- 5 - 10% of the body's total energy is used to keep the heart beating.
- 5 - 7.5 gallons of blood are pumped per minute during strenuous exercise.
- A heart contracts 2.5 billion times during the average lifetime.
- The heart pumps 3.1 billion gallons of blood over a lifespan of 75 years.
- 46 of the world's largest oil tankers could be filled with blood pumped by the human heart in a normal lifetime.
- There are about a billion red blood cells in 2 - 3 drops of blood.
- 300 million cells die each minute. Two percent of blood cells die each day and are replaced."
Mew Hing's 18 Daoist Palms System
Think about it! Like this fellow once did:
Bodies Revealed
"What a piece of work is man! How like an angel, how like a god.
The beauty of the world."
- William Shakespeare
I find the following book quite useful: Strength Training Anatomy. By Frederic Delavier. Champaign, Illinois, Human Kinetics, 2001. 124 pages. ISBN: 0736041850. Revised edition of "Guide des mouvements de musculation" Paris, Ditions Bigot, 1998. An outstanding illustrated guide to muscles at work. Both male and female models are used.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Baguazhang #3
I was slowed down somewhat this week by a strained calf muscle. I reduced my training, applied heat, and massaged the calf. I did do quite a bit of weight lifting, but less walking.
Watched the DVD on Chen Pan-Ling's Bagua and Bagua Staff (very long at 6:32 min). Comments added to the Way of the Short Staff webpage on Chen Pan-Ling's staff forms.
Found some beautiful 1 pound stones for Bagua training at Gaumer's Rock Shop in Red Bluff.
I did a bit more reading and re-reading. I recommend:
Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang: Foundation Practices, Volume One.
South District Beijing's Strongly Rooted Style. By Zhang, Jie. Contributions by Richard Shapiro. Blue Snake Books, 2008. Glossary, xxix, 232 pages. ISBN: 1583942181. Professor Zhang, is very knowledgeable about the philosophy, history, and art of Bagua Zhang, and has a deep appreciation for many aspects of traditional Chinese culture. This book provides a very good introduction to this style of Bagua in the line of Cheng Ting Hua, Liu Bin, and Liu Xing Han. After providing an informative introduction to the history and philosophy (I Ching, Yin/Yang, Morality, etc.) of Bagua, Dr, Zhang gives clear instructions on circle walking, single palm changes, and twenty four movements of the eight animals. Emphasis is placed on a slow, rooted, and deliberate pace with enhanced awareness. The instructions are very clear and detailed, and keyed to accompanying black and white photographs. An unique part of this book are the sixteen Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation) exercises, and the considerable emphasis and explanations on inner work, chi gong, and mind training. Most of the emphasis in this book is on providing clear instructions on how to practice essential Bagua so as to stay fit, improve the mind, harmonize with nature, build strength and balance, and enhance one's understanding of Chinese philosophy. Dr. Zhang lived and worked his whole life in China, and published many books in Chinese. He currently teaches Chinese culture, calligraphy, chi gong, martial arts, and Tui Na massage in Seattle, Washington. A good book for older persons seeking a sound introduction to Bagua.
Watched the DVD on Chen Pan-Ling's Bagua and Bagua Staff (very long at 6:32 min). Comments added to the Way of the Short Staff webpage on Chen Pan-Ling's staff forms.
Found some beautiful 1 pound stones for Bagua training at Gaumer's Rock Shop in Red Bluff.
I did a bit more reading and re-reading. I recommend:
Liu Bin's Zhuang Gong Bagua Zhang: Foundation Practices, Volume One.
South District Beijing's Strongly Rooted Style. By Zhang, Jie. Contributions by Richard Shapiro. Blue Snake Books, 2008. Glossary, xxix, 232 pages. ISBN: 1583942181. Professor Zhang, is very knowledgeable about the philosophy, history, and art of Bagua Zhang, and has a deep appreciation for many aspects of traditional Chinese culture. This book provides a very good introduction to this style of Bagua in the line of Cheng Ting Hua, Liu Bin, and Liu Xing Han. After providing an informative introduction to the history and philosophy (I Ching, Yin/Yang, Morality, etc.) of Bagua, Dr, Zhang gives clear instructions on circle walking, single palm changes, and twenty four movements of the eight animals. Emphasis is placed on a slow, rooted, and deliberate pace with enhanced awareness. The instructions are very clear and detailed, and keyed to accompanying black and white photographs. An unique part of this book are the sixteen Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation) exercises, and the considerable emphasis and explanations on inner work, chi gong, and mind training. Most of the emphasis in this book is on providing clear instructions on how to practice essential Bagua so as to stay fit, improve the mind, harmonize with nature, build strength and balance, and enhance one's understanding of Chinese philosophy. Dr. Zhang lived and worked his whole life in China, and published many books in Chinese. He currently teaches Chinese culture, calligraphy, chi gong, martial arts, and Tui Na massage in Seattle, Washington. A good book for older persons seeking a sound introduction to Bagua.
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Tai Chi Fan
A number of my Taijiquan students have asked me about a Tai Chi Fan Dance.
I know little about the subject. Therefore, I started to do some research on the subject.
I saw quite a bit online about the Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Dance, Form 1, created by Professor Li Deyin.
I welcome your comments, observations, ideas and suggestions about learning a Tai Chi Fan form or teaching seniors a Tai Chi Fan form.
I know little about the subject. Therefore, I started to do some research on the subject.
I saw quite a bit online about the Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan Dance, Form 1, created by Professor Li Deyin.
I welcome your comments, observations, ideas and suggestions about learning a Tai Chi Fan form or teaching seniors a Tai Chi Fan form.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Tai Chi Chuan Classes in Red Bluff, California
Taijiquan and Qigong Class and Practice Schedule
Red Bluff, California
Mike Garofalo, M.S., Instructor
Starting April 1, 2009
Indoor Classes:
Indoors, Mondays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm, Tehama Family Fitness Center
Indoors, Saturdays, 9:30 - 11 am, Tehama Family Fitness CenterTehama Family Fitness Center
2498 South Main Street, Red Bluff, California
Adjacent to St. Elizabeth's Hospital and Medical Complex
530-528-8656
Outdoor Practice and Lessons:
Outdoors, Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 am, Valley Spirit Taijiquan CenterOutdoors, Fridays, 7:00 - 8:30 am, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Center
Outdoors, Saturdays, 7:30 - 8:30 am, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Center
Outdoors, Sunday, 6:00 - 7:30 am, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Center
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Center
23005 Kilkenny Lane
Red Bluff, CA 96080
Phone: 530-200-3546
Instruction Offered:
We practice the Yang Style of Taijiquan (24 Form and 108 Form), 32 Sword Form and Eight Immortals 36 Cane Form; and the Sun Style Taijiquan 73 Competition Form.
Currently I am studying Ba Gua Zhang with Shifu Kent Howard, the Shaolin Kung Fu Cane form as taught by Shifu Ted Mancuso, and reviewing the Sun Taijiquan 73 Form. I began my studies of Taijiquan and Qigong in 1986, and have been teaching Taijiquan and Qigong since 2000.
Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.
Taijiquan Class Indoors Information
Taijiquan Class Flyer
Taijiquan Outdoors Practice and Class Information
Cloud Hands Website
Class Schedule Changes
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Curriculum, Instructors, Class Schedule
Call Mike for more information at: 530-200-3546
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Shoes for Yoga Practice
A yoga student of mine asked me why I wore shoes during yoga practice. She said that she thought that yoga was supposed to be done barefoot.
I use the Feiyue brand shoes for yoga, taijiquan, pilates, and qigong practice indoors. The room where I teach yoga and taijiquan at the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, recently was remodeled and now has laminate wood floors. The room previously had a rug with a pad underneath. At home, indoors, on laminate wood floors I use the Feiyue shoes. When doing weight training, spin cycling, cardio kick boxing, or aerobics indoors, I wear a sturdy cross training style of shoe.
When walking, or doing Taijiquan, Bagua, calisthenics, or short staff weapons training outdoors, I wear a sturdy cross training style of shoe. When these shoes wear out a bit, they become my gardening shoes.
I did yoga barefoot on a rug for two years. Unfortunately, I would get fissures in my toes. The fissures would get infected and then I would need help from my podiatrist as well as extra daily efforts at cleaning my feet, soaking my feet, applying medicine to my feet, and applying bandages to my feet. Since I am a Type II diabetic, foot injuries are a more serious issue for me. To prevent these foot problems I started wearing Feiyue shoes. I have not had one problem with my feet in five years since I started wearing Feiyue shoes.
Feiyue brand shoes are very light, very flexible, and grip the floor well. They will not slip or slide on smooth floors. They will not scuff floors. They are very inexpensive. They have both black or white colored versions for purchase. Feiyue offers a couple of styles. These shoes look cool! For my indoor training needs, these shoes are perfect. A number of my students now also use Feiyue shoes and feedback from them is very positive.
Other internal martial arts bloggers have also written about the topic of training shoes:
Wujimon Blog
ChanSiGong Blog
I purchase Feiyue brand shoes at Amazon.
I use the Feiyue brand shoes for yoga, taijiquan, pilates, and qigong practice indoors. The room where I teach yoga and taijiquan at the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, recently was remodeled and now has laminate wood floors. The room previously had a rug with a pad underneath. At home, indoors, on laminate wood floors I use the Feiyue shoes. When doing weight training, spin cycling, cardio kick boxing, or aerobics indoors, I wear a sturdy cross training style of shoe.
When walking, or doing Taijiquan, Bagua, calisthenics, or short staff weapons training outdoors, I wear a sturdy cross training style of shoe. When these shoes wear out a bit, they become my gardening shoes.
I did yoga barefoot on a rug for two years. Unfortunately, I would get fissures in my toes. The fissures would get infected and then I would need help from my podiatrist as well as extra daily efforts at cleaning my feet, soaking my feet, applying medicine to my feet, and applying bandages to my feet. Since I am a Type II diabetic, foot injuries are a more serious issue for me. To prevent these foot problems I started wearing Feiyue shoes. I have not had one problem with my feet in five years since I started wearing Feiyue shoes.
Feiyue brand shoes are very light, very flexible, and grip the floor well. They will not slip or slide on smooth floors. They will not scuff floors. They are very inexpensive. They have both black or white colored versions for purchase. Feiyue offers a couple of styles. These shoes look cool! For my indoor training needs, these shoes are perfect. A number of my students now also use Feiyue shoes and feedback from them is very positive.
Other internal martial arts bloggers have also written about the topic of training shoes:
Wujimon Blog
ChanSiGong Blog
I purchase Feiyue brand shoes at Amazon.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Ba Gua Zhang Notes #2
Yesterday morning, I enjoyed another Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) lesson from Shifu Kent Howard at the Kodenkan Dojo in Chico this morning. I would be willing to carpool with martial artists from Redding, Anderson, Cottonwood, Red Bluff, or Corning (California) who would like to take this excellent baguazhang class on Sunday mornings from 9-10:30 am.
In the beginner's group, of which I am a member, we worked on the First Palm Change (Crouching Tiger) and the Double Palm Change (Snake Crawls Through the Hole, 360 Turn).
My notes:
Keep moving at all times
Turn the hands to the middle at the very end
Keep the weight in the back leg more
Walk like your sneaking up on someone
Attention to keeping feet closer
Flowing, turning, collapsing, coiling/uncoiling, evading, folding, untwisting
Index finger of forward hand points directly up to the sky
Push up from below with open hand using the legs and waist, not just the arms
Practice with arms rounded in front to work on fluidity with leg movements
Be sure to turn with the waist
Practice movements in linear as well as circular manner
Walk a smaller circle of about 6" in diameter, one full step from center of circle
Ba Gua Staff
I watched the Chen Pan-Ling Baguazhang staff form performed by his son Chen Yun-Ching. Shifu Howard told me that he studied this form.HTML clipboard
Bagua Nine Posts Training
Professor Hermann Bohn, from the National Kaohsiung First University for Science and Technology, Taiwan, was kind enough to send me the following information about bagua training using a group of nine posts set into the ground.
Baguazhang: Bibliography, Resources, Notes, Guides
In the beginner's group, of which I am a member, we worked on the First Palm Change (Crouching Tiger) and the Double Palm Change (Snake Crawls Through the Hole, 360 Turn).
My notes:
Keep moving at all times
Turn the hands to the middle at the very end
Keep the weight in the back leg more
Walk like your sneaking up on someone
Attention to keeping feet closer
Flowing, turning, collapsing, coiling/uncoiling, evading, folding, untwisting
Index finger of forward hand points directly up to the sky
Push up from below with open hand using the legs and waist, not just the arms
Practice with arms rounded in front to work on fluidity with leg movements
Be sure to turn with the waist
Practice movements in linear as well as circular manner
Walk a smaller circle of about 6" in diameter, one full step from center of circle
Ba Gua Staff
I watched the Chen Pan-Ling Baguazhang staff form performed by his son Chen Yun-Ching. Shifu Howard told me that he studied this form.
Bagua Swimming Dragon Staff Form. Created by Chen Pan-Ling. Demonstration DVD by his son, Chen Yun-Ching. No. 1: Dragon Lifts His Head. No. 2: Dragon Emerges from the Sea. No. 3: Dragon Turns Its Body. No. 4: Dragon Looking Behind. No. 5: Dragon Shakes Its Tail. No. 6: Dragon Playing Roughly. No. 7: Dragon Rolls Over. No. 8: Dragon Displays Its Invincible Prowess. This a long staff set of 6:32 seconds. The staff is an eyebrow staff length.
Bagua Nine Posts Training
Professor Hermann Bohn, from the National Kaohsiung First University for Science and Technology, Taiwan, was kind enough to send me the following information about bagua training using a group of nine posts set into the ground.
"No, I don't have a research source for the 9 pole training, but I remember that I read somewhere about an American Bagua teacher, who had these posts. And of course, the Adam Hsü people should know more about.
It is the magic square of numbers (Luoshu 洛書) which looks a bit like this:
4 9 2
3 5 7
8 1 6
We start with one of the eight palms at the right side of 1, go to the left side of 2 and around, pass above 5 under 3, turn around to the right side of 4, circle it, pass again 5 at the left hand, get to the left side of 6, circle it, turn to the right side of 7, cirle there also, get to the lower side of 8, circle it, trun upward along the right side of 5 and finish at the right side of 9.
This is Shun, but there is also Ni, just the opposite direction, starting with the left side of 1. I'm sure you figure out the rest of the way.
First we do one palm on each post, then we add a 360° turn inbetween with the snake down. Then we do the second palm and so on and so on. Finally, you also could do one palm at any different post (leaving out 5 as the centre), connected with the snakes. And then the whole thing in Ni direction.
Striking is possible, but not necessarily the main point. IMO, it is all about flexible application of all palms in all directions, in such a way, that you confuse your self, letting natural reflexes emerge. A wonderful training, realy expanding the circle walk a whole lot."
Baguazhang Training Notes of Mike Garofalo
Baguazhang Training Notes of Mike Garofalo
Baguazhang: Bibliography, Resources, Notes, Guides
Friday, March 27, 2009
Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic
The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic
"The Supreme Medicine has three distinctions:
Ching [essence], Qi [vitality]. and Shen [spirit],
Which are elusive and obscure.
Keep to nonbeing, yet hold on to being.
And perfection is yours in an instant.
When the distant winds blend together,
In one hundred days of spiritual work
And morning recitation to the Shang Ti,
Then in one year you will soar as an immortal.
The sages awaken through self-cultivation;
Deep, profound, their practices require great effort.
Fulfilling vows illumines the Heavens.
Breathing nourishes youthfulness.
Departing from the Mysterious, entering the Female,
It appears to have perished, yet appears to exist.
Unmovable, its origin is mysterious.
Each person has Ching.
The Shen unites with the Ching,
The Shen unites with the Qi,
The breath then unites with the true nature.
Before you have attained this true nature,
These terms appear to be fanciful exaggerations.
The Shen is capable of entering stone;
The Shen is capable of physical flight.
Entering water it is not drowned;
Entering fire it is not burned.
The Shen depends on life form;
The Ching depends on sufficient Qi.
If these are neither depleted nor injured
The result will be youthfulness and longevity.
These three distinctions have one principle,
Yet so subtle it cannot be heard.
Their meeting results in existence,
Their parting results in nonexistence.
The seven apertures interpenetrate
And each emits wisdom light.
The sacred sun and sacred moon
Illuminate the Golden Court.
One attainment is eternal attainment.
The body will naturally become weightless.
When the supreme harmony is replete,
The bone fragments become like winter jade.
Acquiring the Elixir results in immortality;
Not acquiring it results in extinction.
The Elixir is within yourself,
It is not white and not green.
Recite and hold ten thousand times.
These are the subtle principles of self-illumination."
The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic. The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality.
Translated with commentary by Stuart Alve Olson. Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions, 2003. Index, bibliography, 216 pages. ISBN: 0892811358. Revised Edition, 2003. Includes translations of "The Immortals" by Ko Hung, and "The Three Treasures of Immortality" by T'ien Hsin Chien. The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal was added to the Taoist Canon between 912 and 1116 CE. Reference: pp. 114-115. This book by Mr. Olson provides excellent, informed commentary on these Taoist works and the Taoist concept of immortality.
Taoist Quotations
Taoist Classics in Taijiquan and Qigong
"The Supreme Medicine has three distinctions:
Ching [essence], Qi [vitality]. and Shen [spirit],
Which are elusive and obscure.
Keep to nonbeing, yet hold on to being.
And perfection is yours in an instant.
When the distant winds blend together,
In one hundred days of spiritual work
And morning recitation to the Shang Ti,
Then in one year you will soar as an immortal.
The sages awaken through self-cultivation;
Deep, profound, their practices require great effort.
Fulfilling vows illumines the Heavens.
Breathing nourishes youthfulness.
Departing from the Mysterious, entering the Female,
It appears to have perished, yet appears to exist.
Unmovable, its origin is mysterious.
Each person has Ching.
The Shen unites with the Ching,
The Shen unites with the Qi,
The breath then unites with the true nature.
Before you have attained this true nature,
These terms appear to be fanciful exaggerations.
The Shen is capable of entering stone;
The Shen is capable of physical flight.
Entering water it is not drowned;
Entering fire it is not burned.
The Shen depends on life form;
The Ching depends on sufficient Qi.
If these are neither depleted nor injured
The result will be youthfulness and longevity.
These three distinctions have one principle,
Yet so subtle it cannot be heard.
Their meeting results in existence,
Their parting results in nonexistence.
The seven apertures interpenetrate
And each emits wisdom light.
The sacred sun and sacred moon
Illuminate the Golden Court.
One attainment is eternal attainment.
The body will naturally become weightless.
When the supreme harmony is replete,
The bone fragments become like winter jade.
Acquiring the Elixir results in immortality;
Not acquiring it results in extinction.
The Elixir is within yourself,
It is not white and not green.
Recite and hold ten thousand times.
These are the subtle principles of self-illumination."
The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Classic. The Taoist Guide to Health, Longevity, and Immortality.
Translated with commentary by Stuart Alve Olson. Rochester, Vermont, Inner Traditions, 2003. Index, bibliography, 216 pages. ISBN: 0892811358. Revised Edition, 2003. Includes translations of "The Immortals" by Ko Hung, and "The Three Treasures of Immortality" by T'ien Hsin Chien. The Jade Emperor's Mind Seal was added to the Taoist Canon between 912 and 1116 CE. Reference: pp. 114-115. This book by Mr. Olson provides excellent, informed commentary on these Taoist works and the Taoist concept of immortality.
Taoist Quotations
Taoist Classics in Taijiquan and Qigong
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Aging and Taijiquan
At any age, the objectives are the same:
Feeling vital and energetic
Playing with gusto and enthusiasm
Becoming delighted by creative play
Reducing stress
Sharing activities and helping others
Learning something interesting and valuable
Trying to do your best
Learning about Chinese internal martial arts
Having some fun and pleasure
Presenting a cheerful and upbeat demeanor
Adjusting performance to limitations and setbacks
Having a positive, open minded, and grateful manner
Mastering an art or practice
Respecting the achievements of older Taijiquan players
Becoming strong, flexible, and conditioned
Developing positive and uplifting habits
Remaining in good health
Preventing accidents and disease
Facing death and dying with courage, poise, dignity, and compassion
Both qigong and taijiquan books frequently show persons over 70 practicing these movement arts. Some books feature masters who lived to be 100 years of age. The enhanced vitality and athletic exuberance of these seniors is an encouragement to everyone; and if longevity is an additional benefit, then so be it.
Martial Arts and the Art of Aging
Rogue Scholarship on Aging
http://uofugeron.wordpress.com/2009/01/18/martial-arts-and-the-art-of-aging/
Fitness and Aging Well
Recommend Reading List by Mike Garofalo
1. Superior perception of reality.
2. Increased acceptance of self, of others and of nature.
3. Increased spontaneity.
4. Increase in problem-centering.
5. Increased detachment and desire for privacy.
6. Increased autonomy, and resistance to enculturation.
7. Greater freshness of appreciation, and richness of emotional reaction.
8. Higher frequency of peak experiences.
9. Increased identification with the human species.
10. Changed and improved interpersonal relations.
11. More democratic character structure.
12. Greatly increased creativeness.
13. Certain changes in the value system."
Toward a Psychology of Being. Abraham Maslow. New Jersey, Van Nostrand, 1962. 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1998. 320 pages. ISBN: 0471293091. pp.23-24
Liang Tung-Tsai (T. T. Liang) (1900-2002)
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