“Shovel Tai Chi” for this stormy day
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Weather Channel: United Tai Chi digest 1/19/15
- This weekend the North East and Mid –Atlantic region of the US were showered with a coat of freezing rain, resulting in many automobile accidents. Concerns of flooding grew as the temperature rose a bit later in the day. These are examples of water’s destructive rather than creative personality. In the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine, water is associated with the season of winter. During winter in this hemisphere, some humans tend to “hibernate”, not unlike bears. It is a darker season, with short daylight hours and less incidence of pleasant outdoor blooming flora. With less light in our eyes, some experience a phenomenon currently known as Seasonal Affective Disorder –an anagram that literally spells SAD. It is important to note at this time of year (though many lose interest), physical activity is one of the major deterrents of SAD. Internal arts practitioners would certainly include the practices of Tai Chi, Qi Gong and meditation. On an icy surface, people are more likely to fall, so developing a greater sense of internal and external balance, intention, leg strength and flexibility come in handy. We become more aware of our surroundings. Be sure and get some “golden light” in your eyes in the coming days. Giving back to others is one of those “lights” –share with us how you spent your Martin Luther King day of service.
- Shares/Finds: For those studying the 24 Form (sometimes called the Tai Chi short form), Best Tai Chi Videos site posted this video.
- Student News & Events: Appreciation for those of us who joined UTC for Christian’s Qi Gong workshop at Kokikai Akido School this weekend– a study in connections and internal balance. Master Armstrong encountered weather/travel issues this weekend and will reschedule his monthly Sunday morning session at Dragon Gym. Sincere condolences from our Tai Chi family to Martina on the loss of a loved one last month. Anyone with birthdays to share in February, let me know for a blog mention next time. Hello to our snowbirds who are spending the winter in warmer climates, hope to see you back in the spring.
- Social Media Roundup: Welcome our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) @YjtcNpc , @goldduster96 and @dogperson77. Our friends at Lighthouse Tai Chi in the UK report snow and ice there as well. (Facebook) Maria M and Raydoune Z joined us recently. (Pinterest) Check out the boards of our new follower Joseph M. (WordPress) Thank you for making our last blog –Year of the Goat our third most read title in the past 12 months!
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
- FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
- TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
- WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
- PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
- Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
- Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
Year of the Goat: United Tai Chi digest 1/5/15
- We have just christened 2015, the year of the goat. One of the yin Chinese zodiac signs, the goat is stable, sympathetic, kind-hearted, compassionate and willing to sacrifice his or her own interests to help others. Goats in different birth years are linked to different elements. Many water goats (b. 1943) share the art of music–including Janis Joplin, George Harrison, John Denver, Barry Manilow, Joni Mitchell and Jim Croce. Known for his environmentalism, Denver seemed to be aligned with the Taoist principles of communing with nature, respecting and drawing inspiration from earth’s elements. Harrison, known as the “quiet Beatle”, had an abiding interest in Eastern philosophies, instruments and meditation. Creative thinkers like Bill Nye, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs were each born in a wood goat year, 1955. After Jobs’ death, internal arts blogger Paul Read (bean curd boxer) wrote of him “let us welcome the new interpreters, the Yang Chen Fus and Chen Man Ch’ings. Those who evolved the art and took the risk of rejection…just like the I Ching tells us to do. Just like the applications teach us to do.” Were you born in a year of the goat? Share your story with us. And let us start out 2015 with compassion, kindness and sacrifice.
- New Event & Class Alert: Christian will be holding a Saturday QiGong workshop on January 17 at Kokikai Akido School (1209 Ward Ave in West Chester). Time slot is 10am to 12pm, and pricing is $20 per hour. He is also a returning Tai Chi instructor for the Chester County Night School program. Dates January 7th to February 11th at Henderson High School in West Chester. Fees $62 bulk rate per person for six classes. Wednesday nights at 7:30pm. Register at this link. Also, regarding some of our Lionville YMCA classes, the Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class has changed temporarily during construction to 4.30pm and last 45 minutes. Join us Sunday January 18 at 10:00 am for a session with Masters Tolbert and Armstrong at Dragon Gym in Exton.
- Recent Quotes: “As a tool for developing life skills and improving my life, I can think of few things that have done me as much good as starting martial arts training.” Mike Massie, Martial Arts Business Daily
- Student News & Events: Chris M shared with me via Gmail this great story of enlightenment in her search for Crane vs. Snake debate answers. “On the way to yoga I looked along the roadway at a bird that caught my eye–a white crane! It had a snake in its mouth. The snake was contorting itself in all ways possible. The white crane, with its elegant, elongated curved beak, had all the advantages. White crane trumps snake. That crane, as fragile as it seems, has all the advantages. It speaks tai chi principles on several levels. Words that come to mind: don’t muscle in to a tense situation.” Our condolences to Marcia on the loss of a loved one after an illness. Pray for the families of those lost on AirAsia 8501. Thank you to the Tolberts for hosting many Tai Chi friends at a post-holiday social this weekend. I am watching my new betta fish DiNozzo, who demonstrates the principles of snake spine, bones like water, adapting to your environment, and moving meditation. Master Tolbert introduced us to Qi Journal which you can check out here.
- Social Media Roundup: Welcome our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) @MUNIOdefense , @QiGongiiQG, @LucasKitchen and @FerguJames. (Pinterest) Check out the boards of our new fans Sara A and Dominic B.(Facebook) Ben T, from whom I found Martial Arts Business Daily and Monica C from the Azores. And thank you Sifu Chris Bouguyon (National Qi Gong Association board of directors) for connecting with me on LinkedIn.
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
A Look Back, Part II: United Tai Chi digest 12/22/14
- In the previous blog we reminisced about the first half of 2014 for United Tai Chi. Some say the sequel is never as good as the original, but let’s give it a go.
- In addition to the class locations mentioned in Part I of the newsletter, added sites in the latter half of the year included Kokikai Akido school, more Chester County Night School sessions, and the Sunday mornings at Dragon Gym with Masters Armstrong and Tolbert. Our mentor Wei Lun Huang held a weekend workshop in Broomal PA that several of our students attended. And Phil represented UTC at Master Huang’s annual Wakulla Springs tai chi retreat. Christian held an outdoor weekend QiGong seminar in August. And followed Master Huang to a learning session at Boston Healing Tao this fall. UTC was also represented at the Blue Buddha anniversary party.
- Field trips or shared events included Christian, Phil and Deb joining Master Armstrong in Philadelphia for a community festival and Tai Chi demonstration. Likewise some attended an Internal Arts weekend workshop lakeside at a fellow practitioner’s cabin. Steve and Phil conducted a Harvest Moon internal arts evening to celebrate the cosmic event. John C travelled to Hawaii to cheer on his son in a prestigious triathlon. We read books such as “The Power of Tai Chi Chuan” (R. Gamble) and “The Old Man From the Hill” (S. Zimcosky).Ray welcomed a new grandson, Jaclyn travelled to Croatia, and Christian’s uncle had an art exhibit at the Rosenfled Gallery in Philadelphia. Our annual tradition continued in supporting a youth from the Delaware Valley Children’s Charity with Angel Tree gift donations at the local YMCA.
- Newsletter blog essays in the ‘living the art’ theme included: the effect of utilizing sound or music versus no sound. Mood disorders or depression and the Taoist principles of meditation, fitness and access to daylight. Medication black box warnings about side effects as a story framing agent to discuss the positive “side effects” of tai chi. Letting things go via listening, receiving, flexibility, communing with nature and animals, and comporting ourselves like ‘velvet bricks’. Goal setting in our daily lives as well as our internal arts practice. The assistance of smart phones in your search for videos, class locations, tweeted articles, blogs, or connecting with practice partners. Recovery from personal traumas using an analogy of cups full of pain that spill over versus those that allow room to let the goodness in. Layers (gum, Ogres, and the Human, Earth and Sky stages of tai chi). And finally, oral history and generational influences.
- Thank you for making the following our most read blog titles published in the second half of the year: “Reboot”, “Labor Day”, “Sounds of Silence”, “Goal Tending”, “Thanksgiving”, and “A Look Back, Part I”. The Bee Gees said, “its only words, and words are all I have”. I hope, from me, it’s been so much more than words. Merry Christmas.
- New Class Alert: Christian will be teaching through the Chester County Night School program. Dates January 7th to February 11th 2015 at Henderson High School in West Chester. Fees $62 bulk rate per person for six classes. Wednesday nights at 7:30pm. Register at this link.
- Shares/Finds: My recent book review “The Old Man From the Hill” for the Tai Chi website Slanted Flying. Thank you Steve Zimcosky and Guy Tomash for your faith in me.
- Student News & Events: Marilyn, thanks for a nice Open House party for tai chi friends and neighbors. Good to meet folks and discover more about purple pool water, Ray’s grandson, Jiji’s humor, Chris’s Michael Keaton film recommendations, Jose’s ikebana plans, and Dick, thanks for the Elf on the Shelf comment. Affinity groups are so helpful this time of year. Internal art, open heart.
- Social Media Roundup: Thank you to our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Facebook) Charles, Andy-Janelle, Joey, Sajad and Paulo. (WordPress) First time readers from Columbia and Cambodia this month. Canada and the UK, thanks always for your growing support. And a shout-out to our one reader in Finland –original home of my late grandfather. (Pinterest) check out the boards of fans Dominic B. , Adam R. and Sara A. Thank you Sifu Anthony K of FlowingZen for your forthright revelations and investigation regarding a troubling subject.
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
A Look Back, Part I: United Tai Chi Digest 12/8/2014
- The end of 2014 is nearly upon us, so once again I take this time to reflect on some of our UTC markers that we shared in months past, taken in two parts—herein, we focus on the first six months.
- We held classes and workshops at such diverse sites as Chester County Night School ,Eat Drink Om Yoga café, Lionvlle Holistic Health Center, Blue Buddha Studio, Miller Park, Kerr Park, Dragon Gym and our local YMCA. Events we shared included World Tai Chi Day (“one world, one breath”). Master Wei Lun Huang’s workshops at Boston Healing Tao, and the Dragon Gym, while Master Huang shared with us his stories of his tai chi teaching cruise in Asia.
- Some students embarked on late winter or early spring travel excursions, Bikram Yoga studies, assisting in equine therapy, a Chinatown (Philadelphia) field trip in search of tai chi swords. Read books like “Laoshi: Tai Chi, Teachers and Pursuit of Principle”.
- Enhanced our tai chi practice with Golden Lotus Qigong, Bagua Animal stepping, Hsing-yi, and Part III of the Yang 108 form. Dabbled in a few more pop culture connections to our internal arts like Kenny Loggins (“Don’t Fight It”), Keanu Reeves (“Man of Tai Chi”), and films like “American Hustle” (from the feet up) and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (importance of being grounded in the lower tan tien).
- Newsletter blog essays in the ‘living the art’ theme –connecting our tai chi principles to our daily personal, professional or emotional lives. Such discussions included the impact of tai chi on cross-training fitness; push-hands and the notion of understanding or re-directing your partner or opponent (personal relationships, tennis, work life); monkey mind and Amish youth’s Rumspringa; how tail chi makes us more adaptable travelers and opens up world cultures to us; self-correction in tai chi linked to career or life change (Julia Child, Sting, Walt Disney); Dyer’s “The Power of Intention”; moving meditation, relaxation and the de-stressors of ‘happy hour’; storm black-outs and how disengaging ourselves from our electronic umbilical cords returns us to mindfulness; the importance of the armpit glands in our chi flow; daylight savings time and the effect on Seasonal Affective Disorder; trust or leaps of faith in finally learning to ‘cross the street’ alone; how the art of branding is akin to principles of Taoism; and how a profoundly deep understanding of ourselves helps us define our interview pitch in the job transition arena.
- Thank you for making the following our most read blog titles published in the first half of the year: “The Return”, “Elevator Speech”’, “Balanced”, “The Armpit Monologues”, “Force Majeure” and “Passport”. Stay tuned for ‘A Look Back, Part II’ in the next blog in two weeks.
- Shares/Finds: In case you missed it in our August newsletter, here is the link again to download Ted Nawalinski’s “The Science of Qigong Healing” booklet –which cites case studies, applications, and references on the effects of qigong.
- Student News & Events: A big thank you to all who participated once again in sponsoring a child with holiday gifts for the Angel Tree program at the YMCA for the Delaware Valley Children’s Charity. I hope you all had a great time at our annual holiday/birthday breakfast on the December 5th at the Lionshare—it was wonderful to see so many students in attendance, and was greatly appreciated by Christian. You can see a few photos of it on our Pinterest page. Marilyn B’s open house holiday gathering and perhaps some other events coming up later this month. Good luck to Claudia in her travels soon.
- Social Media Roundup: Thank you to our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) Jean @jeancox92. (Facebook) A big growth week, we have hit or exceeded 1,500 fans! Welcome Simi, Khey, Darren, Benny, Iraida, Nathan, Christopher, Keounda, Manual, Cheryl, Edward and Frank. (WordPress) Hello to our first reader from Panama. Thank you to Sifu Anthony K’s Flowingzen.com for being one our referrers. (Pinterest) check out boards from new follower Chi Shirt. Slantedflying.com’s Guy Tomash has invited me to review internal arts books by Steve Zimcosky.
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
Thanksgiving: United Tai Chi digest 11/24/14
- Oral history –stories, teachings, principles and concepts passed down through the generations– has been a touch point this weekend. In my professional work, I came across a video-taped oral history with one of the early pioneers of qualitative market research, William Schlackman. A popular television pastor was also discussing the generational influences and direction of his father and grandfather, whose hard work and sacrifices had helped pave the way for his current flood of goodwill. And our own local instructor Christian was at a workshop in Boston recently with Master Wei Lun Huang. Sifu Huang can trace his internal arts lineage back to Liao Fo Hi, and Lou Tzi Ling (himself a student of Yang Chen Fu). Many of us will be fortunate to witness some of our own generational oral histories this Thanksgiving week. Internal arts such as tai chi are rife with this kind of oral history. Again part of my “living the art” theme I have explored in previous blogs. I found it interesting that one of Mr. Schlackman’s advice notes was, “the most important interview you do is on yourself”. Yet another concept we find in tai chi. Peace and blessings to you all this Thanksgiving.
- Schedule update/alert: After Tuesday night November 25, we will no longer have a night tai chi class at the Blue Buddha yoga studio in Glenmoore.
- Shares/Finds: This Paul Read / Bean Curd Boxer blog on tai chi and snow removal reminds me of Christian’s snow tai chi video last winter. Eagles NFL fans, we all know from The Tao of Chip Kelly football, internal arts (and life) are about adapting to your opponent, humility, favoring the process not the result, flexibility, and empowering your players with equal importance.
- Student News & Events: Thank you to those who joined UTC at the monthly Exton Dragon Gym Sunday session this weekend. Birthday shout-out to Janet, Son and Dot. Sorry I didn’t hear about Sifu Huang’s workshop in Boston this past weekend until a few days beforehand. If you were there, report in! Local students, if you received my note about the YMCA’s Angel Tree program to collectively purchase holiday gifts for one child in the Delaware Valley Children’s Charity community, please return your gifts to me or Christian by or before Sunday November 30 (so everything can be wrapped/bagged/tagged and dropped off at the Y, Monday 12/1). And I would be remiss not to mention a certain instructor’s birthday coming up before our next newsletter is out –from your students and everyone you have influenced, have a peaceful and meaningful day Christian. Details on our annual combo holiday + birthday breakfast coming soon.
- Social Media Roundup: Thank you to our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) Daryl @dmuran1, and @WillieWil1 from NYC. (Facebook) Welcome Michaela and Gregg –locals from Chester County PA, Chris K from Oregon, Brandon in Alberta, Ernie in Massachusetts, Alianza in Florida, K Bar from Nashville, Bigpapa from Chicago and Jessica from Nashville. The windy city and music city, representin’. (WordPress) We have reached over 4,000 views since I started publishing there in June 2013. Thanks for our recent growth this month in readers from Europe. And as always, our neighbors to the north continue to be our #2 readership.
- General Weekly Schedule:
| DAY | LOCATION | PRICE | TIME |
| Tuesday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Blue Buddha Studio, 1247 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA ** Last class at Blue Buddha is Tues. Novem25 ** |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.15 pm |
| Wednesday | Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA | Membership | 7.30 am |
| Thursday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Kokikai Akido School 1209 Ward Ave, West Chester (2 hour class, at $20 per hour) |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.00 pm |
| Friday | Student practice session/no instructor: Lionville YMCA
Daytime private lesson available pending schedule, by request |
Membership
See instructor |
7.30 am
See instructor |
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
LAYERS: United Tai Chi digest 11/10/14
- In many parts of the US, in recent weeks folks have begun the process of layering. Dressing their children to wait at the bus stop for the early morning chill, or preparing ourselves for outdoor activities to be reactive to the changing temperature as the day’s light and sun position play our their autumn story. Nielsen consumer insights in 2012 had included in their Breakthrough Innovation Awards program Trident Layers And of course Ogres (Shrek), like onions, have layers. And here is the fun ‘living the art’ part. Just like gum, Shrek and kids winter clothes, our tai chi practice has layers, or if you prefer, levels or stages. The Human Stage, the Earth Stage and the Sky Stage. The human stage is punctuated by lightness (qing), slowness (man), circular movement (yuan) and constant rate (yun). Through years of practice, one may next reach the earth stage, with its principals of agility (ling), relaxation (song), and sinking (chen). The next goal is the sky stage, with its focus on the mental training. Emptiness and solidity, breathing, consciousness, void and stillness (xujing). These stages are covered in more detail in Tsun Hwa Jou’s “The Dao of Taijiquan: Way to Rejuvenation”, which some of your fellow local students have a copy to borrow. What is your story of layers this month, or how have internalized a picture of some of your own goals?
- Shares/Finds: A fun lighthearted look at speed Sifu training. An article on how Tai Chi offers anti-aging benefits at the cellular level. And in case you missed it our book review for Robin Gamble’s new The Power of Tai Chi Chuan online here
- Student News & Events: Join us for the monthly Exton Dragon Gym Sunday session with fellow instructors Al Tolbert, John Armstrong and Ted Nawalinski on November 23 at 10 am. Please join me in thanking all of our veterans this week (and every week), including our local instructor Christian! If local students would once again like to participate in the YMCA’s Angel Tree program and collectively purchase holiday gifts for one child in the Delaware Valley Children’s Charity community, let me know and we can get this organized soon. You guys did such a great job of this last year.
- Social Media Roundup: Thank you Guy Tomash of Slanted Flying, and Robin Gamble of Warrior Strategy for the book review commentary. Thank you to our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) Lori @JujitsuSensei and Rick @chevyrep. (Pinterest) check out boards from new fans MartialArtsConnect and Simone T (Facebook) Welcome Gal from Brooklyn, and Albert from El Paso to our FB fans page. (WordPress) Welcome first time readers to our blog from Denmark, Poland, Thailand and Romania.
- General Weekly Schedule:
| DAY | LOCATION | PRICE | TIME |
| Tuesday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Blue Buddha Studio, 1247 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.15 pm |
| Wednesday | Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA | Membership | 7.30 am |
| Thursday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Kokikai Akido School 1209 Ward Ave, West Chester (2 hour class, at $20 per hour) |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.00 pm |
| Friday | Student practice session/no instructor: Lionville YMCA
Daytime private lesson available pending schedule, by request |
Membership
See instructor |
7.30 am
See instructor |
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
RECOVERY: United Tai Chi digest 10/28/14
- Several houses of worship have discussion groups for those struggling with issues of substance abuse, anger management, recovery from domestic abuse or family dysfunction. This weekend pastor Marc L at a local church shared a dynamic message using opaque red Solo cups filled with water. The cups that were full, and content to stay unchanged, were more likely to have ‘spillage’ when bumping into others. Conversely, also on the table was a clear cup that had let out some of its ‘pain’ by sharing. As a takeaway ‘living the art’ message, please let tai chi and qigong be like that transparent cup that lets others to see inside your struggles, the cup that has room to let the goodness in. No doubt many of you know that October is breast cancer awareness month. Memorial Sloan Kettering is but one of the institutions citing qigong’s effect on helping to “reduce upper limb lymphedema” in breast cancer patients, as well as offering relief for “pain, numbness, dizziness and fatigue and inflammation” associated with cancer.
- Shares/Finds: A new book out next week is Robin Gamble’s The Power of Tai Chi Chuan: An Introduction to the Benefits of Health, Self-Defense and Personal Developmen Look for my review soon on www.slantedflying.com
- Student News & Events: Congratulations to friends attending Master Wei Lun Huang’s tai chi workshop in Wakulla Springs Florida this week, they are exploring the internal connections with the earth and heavens –and our local student Phil G is again enjoying the healing waters of the springs outside the lodge. One of my favorite blogs was about my time at the Wakulla workshop last fall. Thank you to attendees at the monthly Dragon Gym Sunday session with fellow instructors Al Tolbert and John Armstrong. Birthday greetings to Joy N and Dave K. Happy anniversary to our instructor Christian and his wife Chris. John C was in Hawaii recently for his son’s triathlon, congratulations on a successful experience there. Claudia and I tried out a salsa dance club recently and that was a good place to re-explore some of my tai chi learning (understanding your partner like push-hands, or hey, ‘you don’t need to take such big steps’). Did any of you attend any Halloween parades or parties recently? Send me a photo if you are a costume fan.
- Social Media Roundup: Thank you to our new followers, sharers or readers on the following platforms: (Twitter) Turquoise Dragon @taichitexan, artist and qigong practitioner @tremagg, Melissa @cowgirlmel88, @giacomosalvato1 and e-learning developer @libre_learning. (Pinterest) check out boards from fans ari,John F, Ahryn S and Elise M. (Facebook) in the past two weeks, our biggest engagement rate was for the post about Wakulla Springs workshop feedback. If you attended (or are still attending the 2nd week of) Sifu Huang’s workshop, let us hear from you.
- General Weekly Schedule:
| DAY | LOCATION | PRICE | TIME |
| Tuesday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Blue Buddha Studio, 1247 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.15 pm |
| Wednesday | Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA | Membership | 7.30 am |
| Thursday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Kokikai Akido School 1209 Ward Ave, West Chester (2 hour class, at $20 per hour) |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.00 pm |
| Friday | Student practice session/no instructor: Lionville YMCA
Daytime private lesson available pending schedule, by request |
Membership
See instructor |
7.30 am
See instructor |
Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
- FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
- TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
- WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
- PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
Smart Phone: United Tai Chi digest 10/14/14
- Be they the bane of your existence, or your pocket best friend, there is no doubting that today’s current phone technology is not without its place in sharing or practicing your internal arts. Even in the quiet car of a train commute, with your earbuds on, you can view many videos, from beginner to advanced, just by doing a search for tai chi on your YouTube app. You can even search your app store for various (free and paid) items to download, including “Yip Man’s Wing Chung”. If you are out of town, you can search your Yellow Pages app to find venues for tai chi classes (a sample search in San Francisco yielded several options for example), and then use your phone’s Map application to get directions. You want martial arts movies? Fandango and IMD apps are great pocket sources for reference. Instagram and Pinterest apps abound with internal arts images and inspirational sayings. Have an outdoor workshop? A weather app assists your precipitation or temperature questions. A fellow student mentions a tai chi book he recommended after class –Amazon has an app for that, just a few clicks and it is on the way (sometimes by drone perhaps?). Twitter has a growing tai chi community –while you are waiting in line at the supermarket you can read about internal arts’ impact on fibromyalgia through a tweeted link by @trutaichi. Mirror-less in the space where you practice on your own? Have a friend shoot a video on your phone that you can review and inspect your posture afterward. Looking for bloggers on the topics of tai chi and qi gong? The WordPress app is a place to start. And of course texting friends or fellow students for an impromptu meet up practice session or discussion is a convenient way to quickly assemble some supportive practitioners. Of course nothing takes the place of mind intention, breathing patterns, principles of Taoism and the physical practice of the forms, But even this ancient art has found another home on this ubiquitous, modern pocket wonder.
- New Class Alerts: Don’t forget our Thursday evening class that used to be at the holistic pharmacy has moved to the Kokikai Akido School at 1209 Ward Ave in West Chester.
- Shares/Finds: For our Boston-area readers, check out our Wakulla Springs workshop friend Marie F. and Boston Healing Tao for their October schedule of events.
- News & Events: Thank you to those who attended our October 12 outdoor Tai Chi workshop at Miller Park, where we reviewed and practiced parts I, II and III of the Yang 108 Long Form. Join us at Dragon Gym in Exton on Sunday October 19 at 10:00 am to share internal arts learning with area instructors John Armstrong and Al Tolbert. Happy belated birthday to Claudia. Aruna says hello, has been busy with grandkids but hopes to return to classes in December. Don’t forget the Bruce Samuelson art exhibit at the Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia is still going on until October 29, check out this video about his work. Try the upcoming Women’s Self Defense Class at the Blue Buddha Studio in Glenmoore on Sunday morning October 26, details here. Thank you Chris M for sharing your foot surgery story and how it relates to our “bubbling well spring” intentions in Tai Chi. The tai chi sessions at Wakulla Springs Florida with Master Huang (sifu) will be held October 19-26 for “The Soul of Internal Arts”, and October 27 to November 2 for “The Soul of Tai Chi Pushing Hands”. For lodging information and pricing see http://www.huangtaichi.com/calendar.htm
- Social Media Roundup Thank you @lighthousetaiji in the UK for re-tweeting our last newsletter digest to their followers. Likewise appreciate oneanna65 on WordPress for showing support of same. Welcome new Twitter followers @MarkWBereton, @HathaHand, @Master_Waller and @ua_Vaughn. Yoga fans, if you missed Namas Day Philly, check out the video highlights from Carla Wilson @WilsonVA (Wilson Media Services) and Joe Longo. And on the West coast, Neida Bell is now following our Pinterest page.
General Weekly Schedule:
| DAY | LOCATION | PRICE | TIME |
| Monday | Chester County Night School, East Bradford Elementary in West Chester. Starts September 29. Package of 7 classes, purchase through http://www.chestercountynightschool.org | $72 for 7 | 7:30p |
| Tuesday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Blue Buddha Studio, 1247 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.15 pm |
| Wednesday | Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA | Membership | 7.30 am |
| Thursday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Kokikai Akido School 1209 Ward Ave, West Chester (2 hour class, at $20 per hour) |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.00 pm |
| Friday | Student practice session/no instructor: Lionville YMCA
Daytime private lesson available pending schedule, by request |
Membership
See instructor |
7.30 am
See instructor |
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
Goal Tending: United Tai Chi digest 9/30/14
- Our instructor Christian has oft encouraged us to reach for the moon and the stars. Goal setting (in internal arts, as in life) can be as simple as week-to-week plan for improving something about your form work and postures, or as complex as a written down multi-year map of your career and family building blocks, spiritual journey, and mind-body fitness. Life coaches, career counselors, fitness trainers and the like remind us to write down our goals as a means to help us unlock details about the path that we are on, and to serve as a tangible ledger of the accomplishments we strive to complete along the way. Perhaps you wish to someday take a long trip, start a business, learn a new skill, run a marathon, plan for your ‘golden years’, build an addition, write a memoir, or gain a deeper understanding of your internal arts practice. They all start with goal setting, and the implementation of small gains over time. Vision, patience, diligence, perseverance. That is what each of us try each week, inside and outside of class. It is what keeps us moving forward and gives us things to anticipate. We have local tai chi students with varied goals keeping the shoulders dropped while practicing the form, improving their garden, continuing their massage therapy education, or landing meaningful and rewarding employment. Goals keep us focused and grounded. “If you don’t make the time to work on creating the life you want, you’re eventually going to be forced to spend a lot of time dealing with a life you don’t want.” – Kevin Ngo. What are some of your goals this month? Thank you for your readership support, and please enjoy my autumn blog from last September about the Chinese medicine element of metal ant it’s relation to seasonal health.
- New Class Alerts: Spend part of your holiday weekend with us –Tai Chi class on Sunday October 12th, 10am to 12pm at Miller Park in Exton (behind Pep Boys). Christian will be teaching a Tai Chi class through Chester County Night School this fall. It is on Monday nights at 7:30pm at East Bradford Elementary School in West Chester, starting on September 29. A package of 7 classes is $72 per student. Use this link here to register through CCNS. The Thursday 7pm classes that used to be at Lionville Natural Pharmacy have moved to Kokikai Akido School at 1209 Ward Ave in West Chester Excluding the YMCA and CCNS, remaining classes are $20 per hour
- News & Events: Christian and other local attendees say thank you to host Sifu Tom Hardy and respected practitioner Sifu Wei Lun Huang for sharing a great push hands, Qigong and Tai Chi workshop in Broomall the weekend of September 19. Congratulations to Jose on his Ikebana display at Longwood Gardens recently. Thank you to friends and students who joined us at the one year anniversary open house for the Blue Buddha Studio in in Glenmoore on the 27th. The Samuelson family is celebrating Bruce Samuelson’s exhibit at the Rosenfeld Gallery in Philadelphia starting on October 5 at 2pm, details here at this link. Claudia completed a continuing education program in Ashiatsu massage therapy at the Blue Buddha recently. If you are looking for a fun local fall-themed activity, I was at Milky Way Farm in Lionville recently –hayrides, pumpkin patch, farm animals, and their own creamery with top notch ice cream. The tai chi sessions at Wakulla Springs Florida with Master Huang (sifu) will be held October 19-26 for “The Soul of Internal Arts”, and October 27 to November 2 for “The Soul of Tai Chi Pushing Hands”. For lodging information and pricing see http://www.huangtaichi.com/calendar.htm
- Social Media Roundup Welcome new Pinterest follower Bobbi Lopez. And in the Twittersphere, thanks for the follow @Master_Waller of New Castle Tai Chi, @Marinih, and @acgsilva. Thanks Jaime C for the invite to connect on LinkedIn.
- General Weekly Schedule:
| DAY | LOCATION | PRICE | TIME |
| Monday | Chester County Night School, East Bradford Elementary in West Chester. Starts September 29. Package of 7 classes, purchase through http://www.chestercountynightschool.org | $72 for 7 | 7:30p |
| Tuesday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Blue Buddha Studio, 1247 Pottstown Pike, Glenmoore PA |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.15 pm |
| Wednesday | Lionville Community YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA | Membership | 7.30 am |
| Thursday | Lionville YMCA, 100 Devon Drive, Exton PA
Kokikai Akido School 1209 Ward Ave, West Chester (2 hour class, at $20 per hour) |
Membership
$20 p/hour |
4.45 pm
7.00 pm |
| Friday | Student practice session/no instructor: Lionville YMCA
Daytime private lesson available pending schedule, by request |
Membership
See instructor |
7.30 am
See instructor |
- Follow these links to our social media presence on the web:
FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/UnitedTaiChi.chesco
TWITTER http://www.twitter.com/unitedtaichi
WORDPRESSS weekly newsletter blog http://www.unitedtaichi.wordpress.com
PINTEREST http://www.pinterest.com/unitedtaichi
Have a great week, and may all your armpits have tuna sandwiches.
Kathleen Rice unitedtaichi@gmail.com
United Tai Chi 