A Tai Chi Instructor's Blog

Happy New Year 2012?

2011-12-31T23:23:00.003-06:00

I know I have not written in quite some time but I feel compelled to start again anew for 2012...Much has happened in my life since that final post on December 23, 2007 but one thing has remained constant - I am still training and teaching Tai Chi and Qigong. More on that later but you can get a glimpse at this link to my End of Year MessageSo here I sit at 11:27 CST on December 31st, 2011 with

Tai Chi, integrity in motion...

2007-12-21T12:50:00.000-06:00

Tai Chi is often called "Meditation in Motion". While this conjures up imagery of students basking in the morning sun, gracefully moving through their forms, reflections dancing gently on a nearby pond, I personally feel it is a bit misleading, especially during the first few years of Tai Chi training when simple coordination and concentration are such an effort. After the basics are comfortable

Tai Chi, its a three way street...

2007-12-14T12:21:00.000-06:00

This week Fayne and I had a seminar to do for Adult Protective Services. It was their annual meeting and we were asked to come in and talk with and teach them techniques in effective stress management. The preparation for this seminar gave me an opportunity to learn about their working conditions and the stresses they are placed under each day. Social workers, like teachers are often underpaid,

Tis the season for Tai Chi...

2007-12-07T02:41:00.000-06:00

The holiday season is always a mixed blessing. As much as there is joy, there is also sorrow; As much as gifts abound, some must do without;As much as there is kindness, anger runs wild and free;As much as there is peace, stress is embedded in each day; Why, just this week I saw two people driving down the road, wishing each other a happy holiday season with their MIDDLE FINGERS...Breathe, relax

Using Tai Chi to train focus, concentration...

2007-11-30T13:28:00.000-06:00

I read an article this week on the effects of aging on our ability to concentrate. READ ARTICLE HERE According to this study, done by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine there seems to be no connection between aging and a loss of concentration. So now all my "old" students will have to find another excuse for their lack of focus... ;-) In their defense, there are two ways I know for

Thanks Tai Chi!

2007-11-23T11:22:00.000-06:00

Being a short week with a reduced class schedule, I wanted to keep things simple in class. I felt compelled to ask everyone to join me in feeling thankful and reaching for our "smiling hearts".Real, physical benefits...As I have mentioned before, being able to tap into our smiling energy can bring about very real, physical benefits. Scientifically, it has been shown that laughing, smiling and

Forced versus functional range of motion...

2007-11-16T13:43:00.000-06:00

Over the first 23 years of my martial training I was taught to push my body to it's limits in every possible way. If I could only do a flying side kick into a heavy bag over 1 chair, then I needed to practice until I could do 4 chairs. If my stretching partner could only get my heel up to shoulder height then his goal was to stick it in my ear. Everywhere I turned I was being given (what I now

Tai Chi, making lemonade out of lemons...

2007-11-09T12:03:00.000-06:00

The personal challenges I experienced teaching classes the last two weeks have led me to explore further what was helping and what was hurting my hip injury. In a sense, I took the opportunity to make lemonade out of the lemons I had been given. The first few days I was significantly restricted in my motions and had to be extremely careful with my alignment. Any guesses as to what we worked on in

Tai Chi and Qigong for Pain Management...

2007-11-02T16:45:00.000-06:00

I have always felt strongly about how well Tai Chi and Qigong can strengthen and heal the body, mind and spirit. Whether the pain / injury is acute or chronic, many, many people have found relief and even resolution within the halls of Tai Chi and Qigong training. This week it was my turn to put these theories to the test... again.Zig, zag, bam....On Sunday I installed a new back tire on my

In Tai Chi, LIFE Happens....

2007-10-26T11:16:00.000-06:00

Almost exactly one year ago I made a commitment to myself to write in this Tai Chi Instructor's Blog at least once a week in an effort to delve deeper into my own training as well as provide a written reference for interested Tai Chi students. All things considered, I have felt good about what I have been able to accomplish so far. Fast forward to today and 3 weeks have past with no blog entires.

Tai Chi... intended mindfulness in training

2007-09-28T10:35:00.000-06:00

Our focus this week was on focus; attention to detail; listening, being SimplyAware (great name for a company). Inevitably, there is always a student that comes to me saying that they are not getting anything our of their Tai Chi class training. As I watch them practice, it is clear to see why. There body is in the room but their mental awareness is a hundred miles away. They are thinking more

Tai Chi - Please release me, let me go...

2007-09-21T09:34:00.000-06:00

OK, maybe I am dating myself a little with this title but it fits so nicely... This week I wanted students to really FEEL their shoulders release. Once we are able to get the sensation of relaxed shoulders then it is easier to recognize when we have it and more importantly when we lose it and become tight again.Where to start?Most people I have worked with or been around carry tension in their

In Tai Chi, you are always enough...

2007-09-14T16:24:00.000-06:00

Early Sunday mornings I typically train with my mentor, Dr. Chen. There is form practice, group student training and then he works with some senior students individually, giving each of them very careful attention. As I have been working with him for over 6 years, I am quite used to the routine and the growth that can come out of the focused attention he shares with each of us. This Sunday he

Tai Chi and Qigong for a strong spine...

2007-09-07T07:18:00.000-06:00

Working on a strong spine can be quite challenging. We all have a tendency to slouch to one degree or another. I observe in many of my students that when I ask them to stand tall from the spine (Supporting the Sky) they raise their shoulders along with their spine. Then when asked to relax the shoulders, they relax the spine instead often leaving the shoulders behind and tense. This tells me

Breathe...You are Alive...

2007-08-30T11:08:00.000-06:00

Breathe...You are Alive... Besides being the title to a very good book, I love the message of this statement. To me, it implies that if you are not TRULY aware of your breath, are you TRULY living? If we can not appreciate the gentle, pure nature of a slow deep breath, then how can we completely appreciate the more complex stimuli available in life?Qigong versus Tai Chi breathing...Qigong (

Tai Chi is GROSS! NO Fine... How about BOTH!!

2007-08-24T15:28:00.000-06:00

I had fun last week and so decided to continue with the same focus on the physical movement and coordination's of Tai Chi form training. As the week progressed, I found myself drifting more towards the concepts of stability and deeper strength development. Gross motor skills, fine motor skills which ones do we choose to use?When you perform aerobics, kick boxing, running or other fast paced

Over think Tai Chi and you lose the point...

2007-08-18T15:17:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was such a "beating" that when I walked into my first class I hadn't a clue what to work on. When I shared my dillema with my students one suggested we work on concentration but I laughed and explained that I could not concentrate long enough to do that... So we just worked on forms training. Detailing the physical movements, mechanically, structurally, just moving through the

Let Tai Chi training check your alignment...

2007-08-15T15:29:00.000-06:00

As I arrived at my first class I was not sure where this week would take us... I have been working to simply open my heart, let the lesson in and run with it; exploring in greater detail with each passing class. Then at the end of the week I sit, ponder, smile and write about my adventures... That is all great and good but it is Monday morning, MOMENTS before my first class and I've got nothing.

Tai Chi principals... Pick one and stick with it... for now...

2007-08-03T10:27:00.000-06:00

Since World Tai Chi & Qigong Day we have spent a lot of time in class focusing on many different principals. Smiling from the heart, deep relaxed breathing, gaining range of motion, building strength and increasing circulation. With so many things to focus on, it can be very overwhelming at any level of Tai Chi and Qigong training. Even in my own training, I can honestly apply all 12 principals

Tai Chi can teach us to live in the present moment...

2007-07-27T14:00:00.000-06:00

Given the nature of our work, Fayne and I knew the day would come when we would have to say goodbye to one of our students. This week we said goodbye to Karen Eller; one of our inaugural students at the Garland Senior Center. Considering that our current oldest student is 96 years young, Karen passing at 63 brought an important perspective home yet again. Yesterday no longer matters and tomorrow

Smile! Its just Tai Chi...Techniques for releasing, relaxing...

2007-07-20T09:52:00.000-06:00

Over the past few weeks we have been exploring our Tai Chi Principals to effectively learn how to stretch to increase range of motion and circulation. We have looked at Yin / Yang Separation, using relaxation to create a healthy stretch; breathing; Smiling from the Heart and being in the NOW.Tai Chi has layers... Parfaits have layers! I LOVE Parfaits! Everybody LOVES Parfaits!When you first

Using Tai Chi for stretching, flexibility and range of motion...

2007-07-13T21:59:00.000-06:00

As we continue to explore the depths of Tai Chi and Qigong training, I felt it was time to take a look at (ROM) range of motion and flexibility. What is the difference between passive, active, resistance, ballistic, forced, dynamic and PNF stretching? CLICK HERE for more information There is much controversy on what is the best way to stretch our bodies and if it in fact has any positive affect

Tai Chi, layers of principals wrapped in awareness...

2007-07-06T10:04:00.000-06:00

While doing Tai Chi forms with Dr. Chen and his class on Sunday morning, I had what I felt was an epiphany of sorts regarding Yin Yang relationships in Tai Chi. I felt a sense that without a clear understanding of "full (Yang)/empty (Yin)" in my movements there was really no way for me to clearly understand the Total Body Unit "fullness" he has spoken to me about during my training. After working

Breathing in Tai Chi and Qigong Training...

2007-06-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

As evidenced by the comments in my previous post about summer camp, I used my breath training to help manage the stresses of that environment. So this week, I asked the students to pay attention to their breath. There are many ways to breath during training, you will hear in the nose and out the mouth, in the mouth and out the nose, in the mouth and out the feet... Yes, the feet... Keep the

Some thoughts on Perspective...

2007-06-29T15:13:00.000-06:00

Last week I was deep in the woods of south central Kansas with my son Kamin and so did not have an entry to post regarding the classes. However, due to many challenging circumstances and missteps by our hosting staff at the scout ranch, I was given many opportunities to breathe, find a smile and release my stress productively. Our motto for the week at camp was "adversity is inevitable, misery is

Principally speaking, the Tai Chi Forms are not the point...

2007-06-14T21:40:00.000-06:00

Over the past month or so we have worked hard on understanding posture, opening joints (we focused on the shoulders) and developing spinal and core strength. Will all that focus on the mid and upper body, it was time to move back down to the foundation, Grounding Energy and Separation; creating emptiness in every movement. Needless to say, my legs are tired.Qigong Training, Principal Focus...

Flexibility, energy channels, Tai Chi and opening your joints...

2007-06-08T15:58:00.000-06:00

We touched on an exercise last week that I personally find wonderful for opening the shoulders. The feedback was so good that I decided we needed to explore deeper levels of this shoulder exercise series in this week's classes. That made for a very interesting week.Stretching effectively...In my many years of martial training, I have been shown SO MANY way to stretch my body. Do you do it before

What is effective exercise? Aerobic, Anaerobic, Cardio? Tai Chi?

2007-06-07T12:24:00.000-06:00

I have been doing some research to help me better understand what healthy exercise looks like. Like with diet plans, there is not a lack of ideas on the subject of exercise. For some 30+ years we have been told that in order to stay healthy you have to have cardio and weight training to keep your strength up and you bone density in tact. If you are not sweating and your heart is not racing, you

Communication Channels in Tai Chi Training...

2007-05-25T15:46:00.000-06:00

There are many ways we communicate in Tai Chi. Body to Mind, Mind to Body, Mind to Heart, Heart to Mind, Heart to Body and Body to Heart. The goal for each of these paths is to make them as open and clear as possible giving your Body Mind and Heart the most effective training you can. Lets look at these in a little more detail.Mind to Body - Body to Mind...I love to use the example of standing on

Tai Chi to the Core!

2007-05-18T07:19:00.000-06:00

For many years we were told that the key to core strength was a series of exercises that target the external or wall muscles while completely ignoring the deepest (closest to the spine) of the core muscles. This external, aesthetic approach to muscle development often caused an imbalance in the core muscles sets with resulting core instability; some muscles becoming well defined while others are

Combining Tai Chi principals for spinal strengthening

2007-05-11T17:48:00.000-06:00

Well we had some light bulbs going off this week in our classes! We worked on the Tai Chi Principal - "Needle in the Cotton". The name implies it all, soft on the outside, strong in the inside. As I have gotten older the soft part has gotten easier, ;-) and as I have intensified my personal Tai Chi training, coupled with consistently teaching 17 or 18 classes a week, I have found my core / spinal

Un Happy Meals - NYT Article Link...

2007-05-09T13:12:00.000-06:00

Considering the tangent I went on in my last Blog entry, I absolutely had to share this article with you. I have never read a more clearly stated description / explanation regarding the state of nutrition in our country. Where it came from and how we got to this modern day epidemic where over 60% of our population is considered OBESE! You may or may not agree but it will certainly get you

Tai Chi..Do or do not, there is no try...

2007-05-04T10:51:00.000-06:00

Just over a week ago, Fayne and I were in final preparations for the biggest weekend of the year; our annual World Tai Chi & Qigong Day Celebration. This year was even more special because we had Master Chen Bing in from Chen Village in China to perform at the event and provide four amazing Tai Chi workshops. As I sat down (more like collapsed) in a chair Sunday night to ponder the week's events,

Creating range of motion and flexibility with Tai Chi

2007-04-27T09:40:00.000-06:00

This week was a culmination of the past few weeks work. We had focused on Trusting Energy, proper alignment and posture, relaxing and smiling from the heart, clearing out mental and physical clutter and being in the moment. All of which led into this week's focus of creating range of motion and flexibility within Tai Chi Training. One Tai Chi Step at a time...I think the most difficult thing new

Stress, frustration and tension in Tai Chi training…

2007-04-22T10:31:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday, during my Tai Chi training, I found myself in an old familiar place that I thought I had left behind. About 2/3rds of the way through my form, I noticed myself being frustrated, tense, unfocused and even tired. I see this everyday in my students but I had not experienced these feelings in my own training in quite some time. It turns out I was so intent on a new training focus (Dr.

Tai Chi can help you clean out your garage!

2007-04-14T12:28:00.000-06:00

Last weekend I found myself staring at a room full of clutter in our house (related to a previous business idea) and felt a strong desire to clean it up. I call this state of mind an official “CONNIPTION”. This frenzied effort at stress relief involved first creating space in our garage for the items we wanted to move out and prepare for garage sale. Fast-forward two days and two plus trashcans

Now is the time for Tai Chi...

2007-04-06T12:13:00.001-06:00

Ready? Set! Now! No wait. Now.OK, here it comes... Now!NOW. Its all we have really, and Now... its gone. Here it is... there it goes.NOW's elusive nature is at once fleeting and timeless.Human nature seems to have us longing for what we do not have. Always looking to solve the ever-present imbalance in our lives. Like water seeking its own level we are in a constant state of uneasy searching

Trust me... Its Tai Chi...

2007-03-30T08:34:00.000-06:00

Trusting Energy.When I first mentioned that term to students this week I got a LOT of blank stares. What the heck is that; and more importantly, how can it help my Tai Chi?A personal journey...While working with my teacher this past weekend, I shared a personal struggle I have been having related to increased sensitivities. It seems that as I train and meditate more effectively my heart is

Tai Chi Silk Reeling; connections of Body and Mind

2007-03-25T20:42:00.000-06:00

This makes me uncomfortable...Sometimes I hear students tell me they do not like something we are doing because they are not comfortable with it yet. My students know I work at making them uncomfortable at times because I know, those that are ready for it will grow from the experience. Beit Tai Chi Walking or a specific form, if they are not comfortable with it, there is good reason. When you

Tai Chi - Minding the Breath...Many questions, many answers

2007-03-18T11:52:00.000-06:00

Many questions have been asked about the "Minding the Breath" principal in Tai Chi training. Do you breathe with or independent of your movements?Does the breath come from the upper, middle or lower Dan Tien?Is it in through the nose and out through the mouth?What happens to your tongue during all of this? I will try to answer these questions as simply as possible. OK, ready

The Sky is falling! Quick! Do Tai Chi!

2007-03-10T13:41:00.000-06:00

Last week we drew attention to Grounding Energy and I mentioned briefly the concept of "Supporting the Sky". This week in class, we added a focus on Supporting the Sky to our Tai Chi practice. This is a high level concept that takes a lot of concentration (as many of our students learned) so please do not be discouraged if you do not grasp it on your first hundred attempts. ;-)First things first.

I Tai Chi...Therefore, I Sink...

2007-03-03T17:19:00.000-06:00

This week we paid close attention to our foundations. When building a house, if you use something unstable, such as sand, for a foundation, your house will not be well supported, begin to falter and eventually collapse. This is equally true of our bodies. If we harbor poor posture, misalignments and weakened supporting muscles we will suffer the consequences long into our lives through acute and

Tai Chi, a challenge to your physical and mental memory

2007-02-23T11:05:00.000-06:00

Because there are so many facets to Tai Chi, we are often asked -"What can I do to help me remember my Tai Chi training?" So, we began the week wanting to present tools for helping our students better retain the information we share with them on a weekly basis.Learning StylesThere are several different scientific models that have been presented regarding human learning styles / characteristics.

Tai Chi's true nature is perfect in its imperfections

2007-02-16T10:24:00.000-06:00

I want to wish everyone a Healthy, Happy Valentine's Day!The week we were exploring the concepts of forgiveness and acceptance in our Tai Chi practice.If you try hard enough, your Tai Chi will never be perfectIf perfection is what you seek from Tai Chi training, you are barking up the wrong tree. Perfection is a perceived view and has nothing to do with reality. Nothing is perfect. NOTHING. In

SHHHH...Listen, its Tai Chi

2007-02-09T15:39:00.000-06:00

In my opinion, the most fundamental principal in Tai Chi training is what we translate as "listening". We still our minds and open our senses to a point where we can truly "hear" our bodies communicating with us. This principal is able to integrate into and enhance every other aspect of training and therefore I feel is the single most important and challenging of the principals to learn.Principal

Can Tai Chi REALLY develop strength?

2007-02-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

There are many ways to develop strength in the body. There are also some myths that should be reviewed in the context of this discussion.FALSE Myth: You have to use weight training to build muscle.If you want to "Bulk up" then yes, the more weight you use, the bigger your muscles can become. Keep in mind that if you stop lifting the heavy weights, for even a short period of time, those muscles

How can Tai Chi help you become more flexible?

2007-01-26T10:20:00.001-06:00

Bend over, touch your toes... Yeah Right! Early in my 28+ years of martial training I was taught that unless you "force" your body to stretch, you will never gain flexibility. This was followed by several forced stretching routines such as standing up against a wall and putting my heel on a classmate's shoulder whereby he would lock out my knee with his hands and push my leg upward until I said

2007-01-19T12:29:00.000-06:00

How Tai Chi Improves Balance – Mind over Matter “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute…it will change” This week we should have been more careful about what we asked for… It was FREEZING cold and we had a few ice storms to boot. Yes, a few. We never do things small here. It did

TaiChi - Pace yourself...

2007-01-13T12:18:00.000-06:00

A very interesting week...Over the past 5 months, at the request of our students, we have been working on a Voice Cue CD, which would allow them to hear our "call" while they practice at home. During the holiday break we worked very hard to get a draft into their hands this week. So we gave each class a chance to listen and move to the calls during their training time. This helped us take some

A Happy Tai Chi New Year!

2007-01-01T09:58:00.000-06:00

Years ago I resolved not to make any New Year's resolutions and so far that is the only one I have ever made that is holding its ground. ;-) I do however take this time to reflect back on what has gone well in my life and what needs improvement.Of course I need to practice my Tai Chi more, eat better, sleep longer, spend more time with the family, grow the business and be happy. But to place

Tai Chi…It’s the thought that counts

2006-12-28T19:57:00.000-06:00

My teacher’s Tai Chi form was once described as “integrity in motion”. Every move he makes has meaning, a continuity that is void of intention. He does not expect to move a certain way he just does it, smiling from the heart.As I work with my students and grow in my own training, I am beginning to understand better how integrity applies to Tai Chi. There is a physical integrity that lives in

In Memorium - Ruby Olar - Rest in Peace

2006-12-16T20:02:00.000-06:00

This week the Tai Chi Community lost a special teacher. I met Ruby Olar during our Tai Chi for Arthritis certification training in May of 2004. His warm smile, generous personality and passion for teaching showed in everything he did. He loved his students, speaking of them highly and often. We kept in touch via email and shared our common passions for Tai Chi,

Letting go of negative emotions in your Tai Chi / Qigong Practice

2006-12-16T19:06:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was quite a challenge for me, personally. I found myself frustrated, annoyed, angry at times and very much away from my center. No need for details here; suffice to stay that there were MANY straws on this camel’s back. Driving to my first class Monday morning, I still had not shaken these feelings and thoughts. I was at a loss for what to cover

Tai Chi causes separation anxiety… NOT!!

2006-12-08T20:08:00.000-06:00

The Yin Yang symbol represents a balance of opposites, a harmony between differences. (Hard / Soft; Empty / Full) In Tai Chi, as with nature, there are no absolutes. You cannot have pure white with out some black and vice versa. You cannot have fullness on one side and emptiness on the other without a small amount of “bleed over” between the sides. This week we focused on applying this concept

Retirement Community Introduction to Tai Chi Workshop

2006-12-02T20:11:00.000-06:00

Today Fayne and I went to a local retirement community to present our introduction to Tai Chi Workshop. During the time we share with the residents our goal is to help them understand what Tai Chi is and how it can help them improve their circulation, strength, flexibility and concentration among all the other benefits available through Tai Chi training. We always

Creating a continuous flow during Tai Chi

2006-12-02T19:12:00.000-06:00

This week has been difficult for me. One of my private lesson students moved to Copenhagen, Denmark with her husband for a marvelous business opportunity. I know we did not say a permanent goodbye but as any instructor will tell you, it is really difficult to see a truly dedicated student walk away, even for a potentially short (2 year) period of time. I want to extend a special “Thank You” to

Tai Chi, Concentration and… What was the question again?

2006-11-25T20:14:00.000-06:00

You are trying to focus on your Tai Chi training and all of a sudden, BAM - You are mentally scanning the isles of your favorite grocery store or fixing your car, or twenty; of a million other thoughts bouncing through you mind. This week our attention was drawn inward, to the mind. That elusive part of our selves which seems to have a “mind of its own”. Mental flexibility, concentration, focus,

An Overview of Qigong and Tai Chi

2006-11-11T20:15:00.000-06:00

The origins of Tai Chi date back some 3000 years to a form of exercise called Qigong (translation “energy work”). Developed to help relieve the aches and pains associated with working in the field all day, Qigong became very popular. Over the last three centuries, Qigong exercises have evolved, and become an integral part of the Traditional Chinese Medical System’s preventative maintenance

Posture, Core Strength and Tai Chi

2006-11-10T19:16:00.000-06:00

Needle in the Cotton. This term is often used to describe the principal in Tai Chi which draws attention to spinal / core strength. There are several muscles groups that comprise what we consider the “Core Muscles”. Here is a picture showing the core groups in cross section. Notice the six large muscles positioned vertically around the spine? These deep stabilizers are very important to overall

Using Tai Chi to Increase Range of Motion (ROM) and Flexibility

2006-11-03T20:18:00.000-06:00

There are many ways to use the Tai Chi forms for personal benefit. Each of the founding principals provides a slightly different focus. This week we explored how Tai Chi and Qigong can help to increase range of motion and overall flexibility. The amazing human body:When we put a demand on the body such as running or weight training, it will respond with tools we