Archive for the ‘tai chi’ Tag
Dr. Lam with some of his students
Update January 2012:
I have just received my newest certification to teach the entire Tai Chi for Arthritis program fully sanctioned by the Arthritis Foundation of America
Millions of people have benefited from Taiji training and yet many have not been able or have not felt able to participate. Now almost anyone can participate in a Taiji program. For years, I have done classes at retirement homes like Roselani Place and Kalama Heights and I had found a way to bring Taiji to those that have a limited range of movement by simplifying the form. Many of my students cannot stand or walk and yet it has been possible for me to share these life-changing arts with them in this way.
Recently Dr. Paul Lam has designed a system specifically for students in this situation and I have received training from one his trainers. I feel this is an excellent program as it allows everyone to learn some Taiji and is fully accredited by the Arthritis Foundation and backed up with medical evidence as to its efficacy. Having this accreditation is important for application to people with “special needs”.
I am pleased to announce that I will be offering this program at Kaunoa in Sprecklesville starting immediately every Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. For many new students this will be a boon, finally giving them an opportunity to benefit from Taiji. If you have been holding back because you have felt unable to join before, now is the time to check it out. In addition, for existing students, please tell your friends about this new program it is so simple they can even participate while sitting down.
This program uses a very simplified set of Qigong movements and Taiji form. Derived from the “Sun” (pronounced “soon”) Style it roughly follows the same structure as the Yang style and a beginner could easily learn this style and then segue into Yang Style later. Frankly, I enjoy doing this form as it is performed very slowly and with a minimal amount of stepping which gives it a feeling almost similar to zhan zhuang training. Proponents of zhan zhuang like Fong Ha and those of you that attended my workshop with him will understand what I am saying.
This program is not intended to replace any of my other training options. I feel Yang Style is still the best for most people and I would not recommend you give up on that practice. Still, my heart goes out to those that up until now have not been able to do my regular classes, and so, at last I have a sanctioned option for those people to discover the wonders of Taiji.
For more information about this program click: Tai Chi for Arthritis
Sifu Fong Ha comes from our lineage.... Starting his Taiji training from Master Dong's grandfather in 1953
Join Taiji on Maui and learn from Sifu Fong Ha at our exclusive Workshop this month.
On Sunday September 25th for four hours Master Ha will give detailed instruction in his methods of Qigong and Taiji principles. Starting at 10:00 AM until 12:00 and from 1:00 until 3:00 PM we will be training at a private residence in Maui Meadows. This class is for students of all levels. We are very fortunate to get a semi private workshop limited to about twenty students for the very affordable price of $25.00.
Fong Ha will be on Maui for a whole week starting on Thursday morning the 22nd at Kamaole beach # III at 6:00AM to 9:00 and 5:15 to 6:30PM.
He has always let folks come and hang out with him and get in some free practice at the beach. I believe we should give back to him by attending the workshop and getting the full class and paying him for his instruction; all proceeds will go directly to him.
Please join us at the workshop and also at Kamaole beach # 3 for the whole week (except Saturday and Sunday) for practice of what you learn at the workshop.
Fong is a very generous and fun man that is a living legend; do not miss this opportunity to train with a genuine Taiji icon. Master Ha started his training in 1953 with Master Dong’s Grand father the great Tung Ying Chieh, he is world renown, and we are blessed to have him for this special workshop.
To Sign up E-mail me @
MauiTaoist@Gmail.com
Or Call 250-4663 or 344-2532
What an amazing week many of us just had! Personally I am still coming to grips with all that we did and all that I learned after living side by side with Master Zhou and his wife Julie for an entire week.
Thank you Master Zhou for your dignity and grace throughout the week sharing your life changing energy with all of us.
Thank you everyone that supported this adventure into the mysteries of Tao. From the philosophy, the story of a humble upbringing, the history, the spiritual practice and all the way to Qigong and Taijiquan practice it has been quite a week. We are so very blessed to have Xuan Yun as a teacher. We are working on getting another visit next year and this is entirely because of your love for these traditional arts.
If you want to continue (or start) working on Wudang Taoist qigong and Taijiquan, I’m meeting students for a new “Wudang Program” on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at Waipuilani park in north Kihei. In addition, I will be showing some of the Qigong at my regular classes and at next months Kaiser classes. I am also adding links to a new “Wudang Links” sidebar here on this site. Stay tuned here for future posts and information about “Wudang Taiji on Maui”
Thank you Julie for making it all possible!
The Cloud Traveller
2013 Public Tai Chi Class Schedule
Current schedule, click here
Schedule notes for January 2013
- Two New Qigong practice sessions each week!
- January 17th & 18th I will be doing a Tai chi for Arthritis Workshop at Kaunoa, call 270-7308 to sign up!
Monday at the West Maui Senior Center on Lahainaluna street in Lahaina.
- Intermediate Level I Taiji 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Beginner Levels I & II Taiji 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
- Sitting Qigong/Meditation 11:30 PM to 1:00 PM
Monday at Mai Poina ‘Oe Ia’u Park in Kihei … more info
- Qigong Practice Session 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Tuesday at the Hui Aloha area (down near the beach road) inside Keopuolani Park in Kahului.
- Advanced Level I Taiji 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
- Beginner Level II Taiji 9:00 AM to 10::00 AM
Tuesday at the Kaunoa Senior Center (seniors only) in Sprecklesville Maui.
- Intermediate Level I Taiji 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Beginner Level I Taiji 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Wednesday In Kihei-Wailea area; Semi-private: Space available, contact me for more information.
- Qigong & Taiji, All levels 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
Wednesday at the Kaunoa Senior Center (seniors only) in Sprecklesville Maui.
Thursday at Mai Poina ‘Oe Ia’u Park in Kihei … more info
- Qigong Practice Session 6:00 AM to 8:30 AM
Friday at the Kihei Community Center’s Aquatics Center classroom next to pool.
- Beginners & Intermediate Level I Taiji 7:45 AM to 9:00AM
- Intermediate Level II Taiji 9:00AM to 10:00AM
Saturday at Waipuilani Park in North Kihei
- Wudang Qigong & Taiji Styles 8:00 AM to 9:30AM
Private and Semi-Private Classes available, contact me here and leave a comment.
“The peacock spreads its wings” is the second and third move in the Yang (Dong) Style. Here are some photos of the posture and two common applications.
First, neutralize the incoming attack by circling your arm to the right.
Next pull down to the jade table...this will pull the attacker off balance towards their "front door" forcing them to decide whether to be pulled down or to pull back.
Most people will instinctively pull back, so you step in blocking their retreat and then...
Finish by throwing them out the back door using "Left ward-off" by turning your waist and shifting your weight forward, tripping them over your leg. See how much fun Taiji is!
Alternatively, if your opponent does not pull back, you can follow up the original movement with your left hand, keeping them from closing in on you with a shoulder strike...
and apply "Brush knee and push"
Finish them off out their front door in the original direction that they were moving.
Thank you to Wanda for assisting in this project.
Wudang Taiji On Maui Workshop 2011
Zhou, Xuan Yun will come to Maui in April!
Remember the movie “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” and how amazed the world was with the Wudang arts? Now you have a chance to work with a genuine disciple of Wudang. I have been in communication with Zhou, Xuan Yun and he has agreed to come here to Maui for a workshop in April.
Xuan Yun was raised on Wudang Mountain, the spiritual center for all Taoists. The monks from Wudang spend their lives training in the Taoist arts including meditation, qigong, taijiquan and gong fu. The wealth of knowledge embodied within these arts and carried forward by people like Xuan Yun is beyond the imagination.
Xuan Yun and I have put together a workshop for the week of April 17th. The schedule is for four days in April; 17, 18, 19 & 20th.
We will be at the Filipino Community Center, a large and beautiful hall located in Kahului. We will start out with some basics and by the fourth day we will be going over the details and martial art aspects of Taijiquan. This workshop will be great for any level of Taiji player.
For more info on Xuan Yun, and to book your space at the Wudang Taiji on Maui Workshop, go to: http://daoistgate.com/
If you are interested or want more details, just e-mail me at corygw57@yahoo.com with “Wudang On Maui” in the subject line. You can see the whole schedule and prices at http://www.daoistgate.com you can even book and pay there too!
Xuan Yun’s Bio: http://daoistgate.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=29
This is an incredible opportunity to learn directly from the source of Taoist thought. There are only a handful of people in the entire world that can even get close to doing something like this, and you may be so blessed.
Zhou, Xuan Yun will teach a four-day workshop at the Filipino Community Center on Onehee Street in Kahului, April 17, 18,19th and 20th
Yiquan friends doing some Yi Jin Jing Qigong
Come and play with our Yiquan club every Thursday morning. Since Sifu Fong Ha comes here every September, a group of six or seven dedicated practitioners has began meeting every Thursday to continue working on his (and others) teachings. Since then it has become a great free-form “Internal Arts Day”
This is not a “class” because it is at Kamaole III Beach Park and the county will not allow a formal class: so I call it a club, there is no charge we just play.
Yiquan means “Mind (intention) Boxing” and it is a simple way to train martial arts and meditation skills. One of the main practices is just standing. There is a huge variety of postures used in standing work, also known as “Zhan Zhuang” lit. “standing like a post”. In Yiquan, there are eight main postures, you just stand and hold a posture, it is very simple.
Every Thursday morning starting at 6:30 AM with zhan zhuang, Qigong and Taiji walking, sometimes we take a break about 7:50 or so, look for us at a table at that time, then at 8:15 AM, we continue with Taijiquan until we are done.
The pre-dawn standing part is simple; just stand (or sit) in Wuji and if you want to, hold some postures or do whatever you want to! Try doing some “spontaneous qigong” also known as “Zi Fa Gong” or do the Yiquan postures.
The qigong that we originally did here consists of two sets and some “Taiji walking”. The first set is called “Yi Jin Jing” this is the famous “muscle and tendon changing classic” invented by Bodhidharma in about 520 AD. The second set is another classic qigong set known as “The Eight Brocades” or “Ba Duan Jin“. Most likely though, whatever we we do here now is pretty random, so many things we could do, it is never the same qigong at this practice session. “Taiji walking” in the sand is a favorite!
The Taijiquan part usually consists of doing the Dong (Yang) Long Form, we often do all three sections of the form or whatever we decide!
Come and play but know this is not a class…. I don’t do any real “teaching” I want to have fun with my friends, build some push hands connections, and keep the spirit of all of our teachers training active at Kamaole III
Overview:
6:30 AM to 7:50 AM
Wuji, Zhan Zhuang, Yiquan
Zi Fa Gong
Yi Jin Jing, Ba Duan Jin, or “Whatever Qigong”
Taiji walking
7:50 to 8:15 AM Break…
8:15 AM
Taijiquan
Tui Shou
See All Classes Here:
https://taijionmaui.wordpress.com/category/schedules/
Repulse Monkey Step
Golden Rooster
Kick with Sole
Holding Hands
Press
White Crane Spreads its Wing
Punch
Push
Single Whip
Lazy Tie the Coat from the Fast Form
Push Hand Through Mountain
First, gain an understanding of your energy system.
Align the body correctly to facilitate energy flow.
Relax the muscles to encourage energy flow.
Learn to dissolve your mind and body together.
Develop an emotional connection to the energy within.
Become intimate with your energy.
Practice until you know what is right in your heart.
Let go of your silly ego needs.
Gain freedom from your thoughts,
Become as open as Heaven,
Be as firm as the Earth,
Shine brightly like a star,
Be as flexible as water,
Gain inspiration from all things,
Know the truth that will set you free.
There are many paths to freedom yet only those who learn the truth will be truly free. The real you is often hidden behind layers of physical and egocentric defenses. Physical obstructions, thinking, and emotions, all inhibit your true self from shining through.
Spiritual qigong? Medical qigong? Martial qigong? Meditation? Internal, external, standing, sitting, moving, stillness, Taiji, whatever…. It makes very little difference; they are essentially the same thing. Don’t get confused by esoteric teachings. Do not be distracted from the truth by thinking too much about it.
Do not make your journey complicated; just follow the simple methods outlined in your training. Adding too much just takes you farther away from the truth. Practice “Wu Wei“; practice with diligence, yet keep it simple and you will gain profound awareness.
The truth is simple:
Love your energy as though it was the most valuable substance in the universe….in time you will discover the creator of all things.
Go to Qigong on Maui web site
Master Yang Chen Fu
There are so many books…Taoist, Buddhist, Qigong, and Taiji. There have been hundreds of books in my life and it may take me that many years to flesh out this list, but I will do my best!
Since Taiji is a Taoist art I will start with some of the works from the Taoist canon. I list them somewhere between the chronological order that I read them, their historical age, and their relative importance (to me) as it pertains Taiji, Taoism, Buddhism, Qigong, Meditation, Chinese Medicine, and Philosophy, etc.
Books and sets of books:
1. Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) by Lao Tzu “The Classic of the Way and it’s Virtues” I have read many translations of this “source book”, my favorites are by Jonathan Star and another by Stephen Mitchell. The Tao Te Ching is full of wisdom in 81 easy to digest verses and it is the second most popular book ever written topped only by The Bible.
2. Chuang-Tzu (Zhuang Tzu) A compendium of stories and fables; a perennial Taoist text. Master Chuang writes in a humorous story style that is compelling.
3. The Art of War (Sun Tzu) Another text over two thousand year old from the Taoist canon. Sun Tzu was a great general and sage, he wrote this famous classic on conflict resolution and strategy that could have been titled “The Art of Achieving Peace”
4. I Ching (The Classic on Changes) Perhaps the oldest book ever written. It was later added to by various sages, in an attempt to understand the nature of “change” and how events must unfold based on the mathematics of their energies and the balance and harmony of the same.
5. The Complete Book of Tai Chi Chuan by Wong Kiew Kit A great book, one of the first ones I read on Taiji.
6. The Tao of Taijiquan by Jou, Tsung Hwa Another great book on the history and philosophy of Taiji as well as an overview of the different forms or “family styles”
7. Tai Chi Chuan Applications by Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming Dr Yang is a prolific writer (I admire his energy!) I have many of his books. This one is the best book I have found describing the applications of Taiji. Written for beginners yet it contains information most advanced Taiji people have never learned.
8. The Taoist Classics (4 volume set) by Thomas Cleary Mr. Cleary s a true genus; translating many books. This set has 15 books in 4 volumes and it was recently released in soft cover. Mr Cleary’s work is sometimes a bit difficult, and I prefer simpler translations, still I highly recommend him because of the large amount of work presented.
Vol. 1 Tao Te Ching; Chuang-Tzu; Wen-Tzu; The Book of Leadership and Strength; and Sex, Health, and Longevity
Vol. 2 Understanding Reality; The Inner Teaching of Taoism; The Book of Balance and Harmony; and Practical Taoism
Vol. 3 Vitality, Energy, Spirit; The secret of the Golden Flower; Immortal Sisters; and Awakening to the Tao
Vol. 4 The Taoist I Ching; and I Ching Mandala
9. Classics of Strategy and Counsel (3 volume set) by Thomas Cleary Another great set, this one contains 12 books. Lots of great philosophy from places as diverse as Greece, China, Japan, The Middle East, Persia, and others.
10. Chronicles of Tao by Deng Ming Dao This is a compelling story, an account of a modern day Taoist’s life. One of the best books I have ever read.
11. Awaken Healing Energy Trough Tao by Mantak Chia I have 8 books by master Chia and while I would say, most are beyond the understanding of beginners, I do recommend this book as an introduction to the “Mantak Chia, Healing Tao approach.” Covers opening the “microcosmic orbit” a basic Taoist technique of meditation.
12. The Roots of Chinese Qigong by Dr. Yang, Jwing Ming I have many of his books. This one is the best book I have found describing the basics of QIgong Written for beginners yet it contains information most advanced people have never learned.
13. Iron Shirt Chi Kung by Mantak Chia Another great and classic book from Master Chia Read the first one first however. This book works with standing postures and will help you get very thorough understanding of advanced Zhan Zhuang I would not attempt to do some of the breathing techniques in these books with out instruction however.
14. Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy by Jerry Alan Johnson This 1100 page book is the most comprehensive book on the subject I have owned it since 2001 and keep reading it and reading it, like many of my books..absolutly huge and definitive this book is a must if you want to “go pro” and get TMI.
15. Cultivating Stillness translated by Eva Wong This is one of those “lost texts” that offers a rare insight into Tao. Written with a slightly Buddhist influence it compels one to contemplate the thinking of the Chinese and their approach to meditation. Also it contains symbolism to help elucidate the reader towards understanding Tao.
16. The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba One of the great masters from Japan; Morihei was the founder of Aikido. Paralleling Taoist thought from a martial artist that was also a pacifist, this book helps define the meaning of life.
17. Tai Chi Explained by Alex Dong Master Alex was the first Taiji master I had, he is the son of my current teacher and the great grandson of Tung Ying Jie, the founder of our lineage. Alex grew up in Hawaii and brings his Chinese history into English for us all. A wonderful and simple book for all Dong practitioners, written by a personal friend of mine. http://www.alexdongtaiji.com/store/
18. Red Book by Tung Ying Jie translated by Alex Dong. A great classic of Taiji finally in English thanks to master Alex. Tung Ying Jie was the primary disciple of Master Yang Chen Fu the inventor of the famous “slow set” Yang style Taiji, the most common exercise practice on the planet. This work has been quoted by many other Taiji Authors but it has never before been available in English; now you can get the “Founders” work! http://www.alexdongtaiji.com/store/
19. Yiquan and the Nature of Energy: The fine art of doing nothing and achieving everything by Fong Ha Master Fong Ha was a student of the great Tung Ying Jie, since then he has branched into a unique method called Yiquan. Master Ha is the worlds foremost authority on this amazing method and he is one of my teachers. Book available here: http://fongha.com/shop/
20. Taoist Health Exercise Book by Da Lia Master Liu published this book in 1974 it is a small and simple primer on Taoist arts. if you can get a copy… someone recently gave me a copy of this older classic work. Pretty cool!
There will be many more soon…patience…
Periodicals:
There are three that I recommend. All are superb,each for a different reason.
1. Qi Journal This excellent magazine is well produced and has very pithy articles about Qigong, Taiji and all things Taoist. Also many books are available through the magazine. You can find it at Borders or Barnes and Noble, or subscribe. This is the best publication for the “Way” and I support it because we have so few available.
2. Tai Chi Magazine Going on 33 years of publication this is the only magazine dedicated to Taijiquan. Another great source for finding books and videos on Taiji. Again this should be available at Borders or Barnes and Noble.
3. The Empty Vessel I love this magazine. Always good stories and articles. Not as fancy as Qi Journal but simply produced and I am sure the traditional Taoists would be proud.
Taiji on Maui 