The Summer Olympics start tomorrow

These photos, sent in an email from my cousin Christine, are from Gardens created for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. They're all pretty cool, but I like the first one best. It appears the women are practicing Tai Chi. Well, it does.

Meditation

Have you ever thought - Meditation, No Way. I was right there, until I learned how easy it is. Some times, now, when I'm doing Tai Chi, I sink into meditaion, and just get lost. Instead of doing 108 movements, it could be 365, or 72, but my class keeps close watch on me, so it's usually 108.

Here's a really easy meditation, it's a form of QiGong, and it's called Tai Chi Ruler. Remember, meditation doesn't happen immediately, you kind of fall into it with the repetitions.

Here are the first things to learn:

Your hands are always 8-12 inches apart. Like holding a ruler!







This is a moving meditation, your feet move in a zig-zag pattern.




Each step starts and ends in the Cat's Stance.





As your hands move up or in, you inhale, as they move down or out, you exhale.


Then you put it all together, move forward 8-10 steps, then move backward 8-10 steps. Backward is more tricky.



So, right foot, cat's stance, step right - left foot follows, moving into cat's stance. While you're doing that, first your hands come up, as you inhale, then throw out and down, as you exhale. Then, step left, right foot follows, moving into cat's stance, etc. Remember the zig-zag.

Tai Chi and QiGong, are moving meditations that ususally involve doing two or more things at the same time.

Bette Midler & Tai Chi

I teach Tai Chi. There are many documented benefits, but here's a testament from Bette Midler, born December 1, 1945.

[Asked by Parade Magazine whether she will retire after her show in Las Vegas] "I think so. I must say, my high kick is just as high as it ever was, thanks to tai chi. But everything is a bit slower. The mind - things don't stick the way they used to. I feel like I'm going out with a bang. It's something my husband and I have talked about. I certainly don't want to die in harness. I'm not one of those people."

Happy Chinese New Year - Kung Hei Fat Chow!

Do I celebrate Chinese New Year? No, but I am aware of it. In my life I've read about Chinese Astrology, and now, I teach Tai Chi and QiGong.

What is Tai Chi? This is a simple answer - Tai Chi is an ancient martial art that blends martial arts with therapeutic exercise. Tai Chi combines mental focus with slow, deliberate, graceful movements that improve concentration, strength, agility and balance.

The practice of Tai Chi may contribute to being able to better stand, walk, move, run, etc. in other areas of your life. Recent studies have shown Tai Chi to improve balance, reduce arthritic pain, and reduce shingles occurrence.


I teach the Yang Long Form, 108 movements, of Tai Chi to a seniors only class.


Twice a year my Tai Chi class goes out to dinner together. It gives us a chance to socialize outside of class. We're going to dinner, tonight. Kung Hei Fat Chow!




Dragon Photo Christopher Chan
Tai Chi Photo Phil McElhinney

Tai Chi Class

I've been teaching Tai Chi in the retirement community where we live for 5 years. I took over the class when the founding teacher, Grace Holden, became ill. I have a great bunch of students and besides Tai Chi and Qi Gung, we have a great time. Grace even takes the class from me, now that she is recovered. Because of every one's busy lives, during the holidays, we are taking a break. This is the notice I gave them:

Tai Chi Winter Hiatus
The last regular meeting for Tai Chi in 2007, will be Thursday, November 15th, the week before Thanksgiving. After a hiatus of 7 weeks, we will resume class in 2008 on Tuesday, January 8th. Yes Donna, Elvis’s birthday. Those of you who are veterans of this class realize there is usually sparse attendance during this time each year. The auditorium will be available each Tues. and Thur., from 3:30 to 4:30, during this period; so if you want to practice on your own, please feel free to use the space.

On November 15th, before the class started, each member handed me an envelope. I was stunned, speechless, (that says a lot!), and near tears. They asked that I wait until I got home to open them.

In addition to a nice Thank You or Christmas card, each envelope contained a gift card, cash or a check. I teach for free, so this is how they re-paid me. How great is that. Bob and I have already been to Dinner and a Movie a couple of times with the gift cards. I'm very lucky to have such a great Tai Chi class.