Will Finds a Way

"Any significant long-term change requires long-term practice, whether that change has to do with playing the violin or learning to be a more open, loving person. We all know people who say that they have been permanently changed by experiences of a moment or a day or a weekend. But when you check it out you'll generally discover that those who ended up permanently changed had spent considerable time preparing for their life-changing experience or had continued diligently practicing the new behavior afterward."
- Michael Murphy and George Leonard

"Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning."
- Benjamin Franklin

"The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center. So does a person."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand."
- Confucius

"A will finds a way."
- Orison Swett Marden

"If you focus on results, you will never change.
If you focus on change, you will get results."
- Jack Dixon

"Gongfu is an ancient Chinese term describing work/devotion/effort that has been successfully applied over a substantial period of time, resulting in a degree of mastery in a specific field. Although the term is synonymous in the West with martial arts (though it is most over rendered Kung Fu), it is equally applicable to alligraphy, painting, music, or other areas of endeavor."
- Andy James

"An element of abstention, of restraint, must enter into all finer joys."
- Vida D. Scudder

Will Power: Quotes, Sayings, Aphorisms



"A callused palm and dirty fingernails precede a Green Thumb.
Wishes are like seeds - few ever develop into something.
Willpower is the art of replacing one habit for another."
- Michael Garofalo, Pulling Onions

Giving Thanks

My wife, Karen, and I were in Portland, Oregon, for six days over the Thanksgiving Holiday. We enjoyed visiting with our children and their families, and sightseeing and shopping in Portland. We have so much to be thankful for these days.

The Cascade and Siskiyou Mountain ranges in California have little or no snow. Shasta Lake was the lowest I have ever seen it. Lakehead is completely without any lake water. The Klamath River seems to have a good deal of water, but the Sacramento River is very low. The situation is alarming in California. Oregon mountains have snow and their streams and rivers are very high.

Bitter cold
autumn wind -
shivering lips.

I have started to study the Chen Tai Chi Broadsword 23 Movement Form.

To learn this form, I am using:

Chen Style Single Broadsword. Instruction by Master Jesse Tsao. Sample Instructional DVD and VHS formats, 50 minutes. "This routine is short and refined with clear applications. It reflects the characteristics of Chen Style Tai Chi, combining softness with hardness and slowness with quickness; dodging and yielding with agile movements, cutting and hacking with great speed. Master Tsao presents demonstrations both in front and back view of the whole routine. He teachers step-by-step in slow motion, in English. There are plenty of repetitions in both front and back view in his detailed teaching." VSCL.

Chen Tai Chi Broadsword. Instructional videotape or DVD by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. 70 minutes. Detailed instructions, repetitions, and demonstrations. Jiang's Tai Chi Videos. He teaches a 23 movement form.

Broadsword (Dao) Tai Chi Chuan

My research and writing efforts lately have been focused on the Taijiquan Broadsword (Dao, Saber, Curved Sword, Ox Tail Saber, Willow Leaf Saber, Falchion). The following webpages include links, bibliographies, lists of movements, techniques, history, quotations, and resources.

Broadsword: All Styles

Chen Taijiquan Broadsword

Yang Taijiquan Broadsword

Cloud Hands Taijiquan

I will start learning and practicing the Chen Style Taijiquan Broadsword, 23 movements, in December, 2007.

Yang Taijiquan Sword Classical 55

Taijiquan Jian, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chien (Gim)
The Double-Edged Straight Chinese Steel Sword

Lately, I have been doing research and writing about the Classical Yang Taiji Sword Form. My work is shared on the following webpages:

”Classical Tai Chi Chuan Sword, Taijiquan Jian 55 in the Yang Style: Comparison of Names for the 55 Movements.” Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, January 2008. By Michael P. Garofalo. This document includes a detailed listing of the names/descriptions of the 55 movements of the Classical Taijiquan Straight Sword Form in the Yang Style of Taijiquan. This document includes names/descriptions of each movement in English, Romanized Chinese (Pinyin and/or Wade Giles), Chinese characters, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. The document includes source citations and a bibliography. In PDF format, print only, 225Kb, 33 pages:
Webpage: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/Classical Taijiquan Yang Sword Form 55 List Detailed.pdf

Classical Tai Chi Sword, List of Movements, Yang Style, 55 Movements, Valley Spirit Taijiquan List, Simple List, 2 pages
Webpage: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/Classical Taijiquan Yang Sword Form 55 List Simple.pdf

Classical Taiji Sword - Yang Style Taijiquan. By Mike Garofalo. This webpage includes a bibliography, links, media resources, detailed and simple lists of the movements in the long Yang Taiji sword form (55 movements), history, 13 sword techniques, comparison with the 32 Taiji sword form, and quotations. 105 Kb.
Webpage: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword55.htm

Tai Chi Sword

Taijiquan Jian, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chien (Gim)
The Double-Edged Straight Chinese Steel Sword

Today, I completed the first draft of my webpage on the 32 Sword Form. This webpage includes a comprehensive bibliography, extensive links, a detailed list of the movement names, a detailed analysis of each movement with explanations and illustrations, a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style, selected quotations, and a comprehensive media bibliography. October 31, 2007. 159Kb. By Michael P. Garofalo. Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California.


Tai Chi Sword: Bibliography, Links, Lists, Quotes, Resources, Notes. By Mike Garofalo. 220Kb, October 31, 2007.

Yang Style (55) Tai Chi Sword: Bibliography, Links, Lists, Quotes, Resources, Notes. By Mike Garofalo. 35Kb, October 28, 2007.

List of 32 Movements of Simplified Orthodox Taijiquan Sword Form

Wudang Sword

Chen Taijiquan Sword

Top Ten Complimentary Medical Treatments

Dr. Amit Sood, Director of Research at the Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine wrote in 2007 about the 10 most popular complimentary medical treatment programs:

1. Acupuncture
2. Guided Imagery
3. Hypnosis
4. Massage
5. Meditation
6. Music Therapy
7. Spinal Manipulation
8. Spirituality
9. Tai Chi
10. Yoga

Tai Chi Sword, 32 Standard Simplified Form, Yang Style

32 Sword Form, Simplified, Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian. By Michael P. Garofalo. This popular webpage includes a comprehensive bibliography, scores of links to webpages; an extensive listing of the names and name variations for each movement in English, Chinese, French, German, and Spanish; a detailed analysis of each posture and movement sequence with explanations and numbered illustrations and detailed instructions; selected quotations; comments on 20 Taijiquan sword techniques; a comprehensive media bibliography; a chart of performance times; and, a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style. This is the standard, simplified, orthodox, 1957, 32 Taiji Sword Form, in the Yang Style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. © Michael P. Garofalo, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, January 2008. 245Kb+.

32 Taijiquan Simplified Sword Form

20 T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword Techniques

55 Classical Yang Taiji Sword




The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Mountain Stream

Master's Manual of Hsing-I Kung Fu (John Price)

"Master's Manual of Hsing-I Kung Fu" by John Price. 2nd Edition, 2007. Redding, California. 1st edition published in 1977. Translation and compilation of the teachings of Master Hsu Hong Chi. John Price's Shen Lung Hsing-I Kung Fu website offers the book for sale: http://www.jlprice.clearwire.net Published and distributed by www.lulu.com.

"The Masters Manual of Hsing-I kung fu was first published in July, 1977. On this the thirtieth year since then I have decided to once again publish the book. The manual was the very first of it's kind. There were other martial arts books and even kung fu books but there was nothing in print in the English language even close to this book. For the first time the words, phrases, songs of the masters and the mariad other things that make up Hsing-I Kung Fu were put into a book. The book was left pretty much like the translations that were given for me to edit. In addition there are chapters that explain the Chinese mindset regarding the practice of any Chinese martial art. Wherever possible, we have used the original pictures for this 2nd edition. I also added more commentary to the text and aligned text with graphics better. The format has been changed from the half-page to a 6x9" format. It allows the pictures to be a little larger. All photo's with the exception of Master Hsu are of the students of mine."

Hsing-I Ch'uan (Xing Yi Quan): Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotes, Information By Mike Garofalo.

Shit Happens

 Gardeners know all about bull shit, horse shit, and chicken shit.

They might be lucky shits, dumb shits, crazy shits, or have shit for brains;
but they shovel crappy compost shit for tasty beans anyway.

They know that some nights are colder than shit,
and some days are hotter than shit,
and other days are just plain shitty,
other crappy days get in the way,
but they step in the shit anyway.

Gardeners all throw composted crap
or sling shit, shoot the shit, occasionally catch some shit,
or duck when the shit hits the fan.

Now, I recommend, that You had better give a shit,
and get your shit together;
or you will find yourself in deep shit,
smelling like shit,
treated like shit,
and end up being shit out of luck.

I felt crappy today,
nobody gives a shit anyway;
we all have too damn much crap to do,
plus picking up the shit from our human zoo.

Once you know your shit, you don't need to know anything else,
and you'll be has happy as a pig in shit;
if you don't know your crap, you'll be told to shit or get off the pot,
told that you don't know the difference between shit and shine'ola,
served shit on a shingle,
get a ripped off by a crappy deal,
told your ideas arn't worth a shit.

If you can't shit or pee
your in deep shit
dying from a shitty disease,
that won't scare the crap out of you.
Damnit! Damnit! Shit!

You can smoke some shit,
drink until your shit faced,
buy some more shit,
feel like shit,
look like shit,
and find yourself in a boat load or mountain of shit.

Crap! You can have too much shit,
not enough shit, the right shit,
the wrong shit,
or a lot of weird shit.

In summary: Shit Happens! Please!

Sword Mind

"The sword is practiced with a meditative attitude of mind. As in the short and long forms, two methods are commonly used. One way is the concentration on the lower tan t'ien, which is held there during the entire form. This method is practiced, for example, in the Cheng Man-Ching tradition. The other way relies on exercising the utmost attention and is comparable to Shikantaza in Zen Buddhist meditation. This technique is used, among others, by the Yang family and their followers, including master Fun Zhong-Wen. Both methods lead to the state of non-thinking (empty mind). Naturally, it takes many years of practicing to become accomplished in each of these methods. Understandably, a meditative state of mind is difficult to achieve in the beginning. Frequently, thoughts will arise in the first years of practicing the forms, as they do in sitting meditation. With growing relaxation and the ability to sink the energy, the state of non-thinking increases and prevails. This is an indication that the student has advanced on his or her way."
- Petra and Toyo Kobayashi, Classical T'ai Chi Sword, (Tuttle, 2003), p. 20.

Orthodox 32 Movement Taijiquan Swordplay Form: Bibliography, Links, Instructions, Lists, Illustrations, Resources, Notes. By Mike Garofalo. 90Kb. October, 2007.

Yoga in the Family

My granddaughter, Katelyn, 15 months of age, likes to imitate her dad, Sean, and mom, Alicia, when they do their yoga practices. Katie's Downward Dog is looking better all the time!
[For later, right arm a little straighter - good try!]



The Bridge pose makes all of us smile. Right on girl! Good effort!
[For later, keep the right foot a little flatter on the floor - good job!]

"One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grand-baby around the finger of a grandfather."
- Joy Hargrove

"What a bargain grandchildren are! I give them my loose change,
and they give me a million dollars' worth of pleasure."
- Gene Perret

I enjoy teaching four yoga classes each week, and practicing on my own at home. Now I have one more way to play with my granddaughter.

Mawangdui Qigong Scroll

Hi Mike

I found your pages online. I wonder if you know is there is a poster
of the Mawangdui daoyin scroll.

best wishes

Peter Deadman

Peter,

A good question. I will look around for a poster of this scroll. Any suggestions from readers?

Mike





Reproduction of the qigong exercises silk scroll (Dao-yin Tu) found in the tomb at Mawangdui, China, in 1973. This scroll is from the period around 168 BCE. Photo from the Wonders of Qigong, China Sports Magazine, 1985

"The Dao-yin Tu is the finest example of the consistency and continuity of qigong healing techniques. The majority of the exercises look so similar to the postures of modern qigong that it is possible to deduce how they were performed. The rich themes found in the Dao-yin Tu run like a fine thread through the fabric of qigong history and evolution.'
- Kenneth Cohen, The Way of Qigong, 1997, p. 19

32 Sword Form in Yang Style

"The Yang Style Tai Chi Sword must show unique characteristics in its expression, which is different from the bare hand form:

1. The pace of the sword movements are faster than bare hand movements.

2. A higher degree of nimbleness, calmness, smoothness, gracefulness, and skill is required.

3. The names of each movement of the sword form are special. There are some technical names from Wushu. But most names come from the beautiful movements of rare birds and animals, imagery of outer space, and fairy tales and legends. It is helpful to the learner to think in these terms of images and, furthermore, to vividly express the images in their movements.

4. Since ancient times the sword form has been called a sword-dance. However, performing the sword form is not exactly the same as a sword-dance. It does have the characteristic style of dance. For instance, it has the graceful dance movements and a strong sense of beauty felt in dance. Plus, it blends with the naturally smooth movements, open and extended postures or frames and the skill of Tai Chi Chuan. The form is more beautiful. There is a Chinese saying, “Add flowers to the brocade.” When this occurs the beauty is endless. It enables the learner to enter the realm of self-fulfillment and pleasure benefiting both mind and body."
- Grandmaster Yang Zhen Duo


32 Orthodox Simplified Sword Form: Bibliography, Links, Descriptions of 32 Movements, Lists, Quotes.
160Kb+. Researched by Mike Garofalo.


Birds Returning to the Trees at Dusk, #8

Current Class Schedule

When: Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Where: Tehama Family Fitness Center, Red Bluff, California

Instructor: Mike Garofalo

Yang Style T'ai Chi Chuan
Standard Simplified 24 Form in the Yang Style
Traditional 108 Long Form, Yang Family Style

Sword
Standard 32 Sword Form
I will be adding a great amount of new material to my 32 sword form webpage during the month of October.

Qigong
Eight Section Brocade, Animal Frolics, Wild Goose Qigong

Class Schedule Changes - T'ai Chi Ch'uan

There will be no T'ai Chi Ch'uan class on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at the Tehama Family Fitness Center. All TFFC instructors are having a meeting on 9/8 starting at 9:30 am in the Yoga/Taijiquan Room.

Mike Garofalo's Taijiquan class, Yang Style, will resume on 9/15 at 9:30 am to 11 am. We will be learning the second group of moves (8-16) to the 32 sword form.

Effective, September 5, 2007, we will no longer offer a Taijiquan class on Wednesday night from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Tehama Family Fitness Center.