Month: March 2019

The feeling is more important than the form- International program in Lamballe, France

Posted on by France Blog Editor

 We were over 120 members attending the program led by Andrew Hung on 16-18 March.

Andrew gave us many precious and precise instructions to explore and work on the lengthening of the spine and the full circles.

The wind and rain were violent outside the building but we were hot inside while looking for the toryus and the coiling in the set.

A member talked about her feeling: « Looking for internal feeling is very tiring because of the high level of focus required, but it contributes to create a positive and warm atmosphere between us »
Another one: « The workshop isn’t only the practice of the form, but also the opportunity to meet many people and to share our experiences of the practice with an open heart »

The conclusion goes to Andrew: « Enjoy your practice and continue to learn. The aim for each of us is to improve our feeling »

Public displays in Southend, GB

Posted on by UK Blog Editor

A large group from the South East Essex branch of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of Great Britain gathered in Southend at the weekend, to practice Taoist Tai ChiTM Arts, and to hand out leaflets to promote the imminent Open House sessions and new Beginner courses in the branch.

https://youtu.be/v4UmPlDuLiI

Members of the general public stood to watch, while Society members chatted with them about Taoist Tai ChiTM Arts and about the Society.

https://youtu.be/oCiE5hWFzrA

Feedback on the day, and since then, from members who attended, some very new members, was that it was very enjoyable, uplifting and empowering. It was heartwarming to see a clear sense of togetherness amongst those who had been practicing for years, and those less than a year, and to see people head off together, in various groups, for coffee afterwards, ‘buzzing’ from the shared positive experience.

https://youtu.be/MO02jLykyks

it is hoped that this has inspired and given confidence to many, to participate in Awareness Day, as well as start practising Taoist Tai ChiTM Arts.

https://youtu.be/xkkyGRgfJKs

USA NATIONAL WORKSHOP March 16 / 17 – Manhattan, NY

Posted on by Julia Druskin
82 participants had a full weekend of dropping elbows, turning the spine, and letting go / pain relief in a massive air filled space in midtown Manhattan! 
 
Folks came from Ithaca, Syracuse, Buffalo, Chicago, Corpus Christi, Austin, Dallas, Dunedin, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan to explore the feeling of these “changes” when integrated into our set. We, each of us, indeed discovered full body connections. Lively discussions as well were a part of our work, with “letting go” and the 50th Anniversary – two main topics. A transformative weekend for all of us.
 

International program in the Southern European Center with banquet of the Chinese New Year

Posted on by Nito Enrich

It was a splendid banquet and we were honored with the attendance of several representatives from different countries and associations of the field of health, all that in a festive and cheerful atmosphere.

Both the organization and the realization of the banquet were carried out by volunteer members from thirteen different countries.

We also had the opportunity to continue deepening on the practice and understanding of Tai Chi during our third day of international workshop.

International program in Prague – Expansion and contraction

Posted on by Czech Blog Editor

Even the numbers can tell how much gratitude we feel about having such a wonderful opportunity to host a 5-day program of Taoist arts in Prague: 230 people came to experience the five days IWS, and 50 more joined for the weekend.

For those who wished, every day started with a chanting session. Then we were practicing don-yu and tor-yu a lot, exploring expansion and contraction, and focusing on the center of the body. Everything was then applied to the movements of the set. We had a lot of fun with “closing jam jar“ in brush knee, as well as a lot of work while using the spine to make the movement happen. Nice atmosphere and tasty meals accompanied the whole five days. We have found good feeling and stillness. Many thanks!

Jsme opravdu vděčni, že jsme měli nádhernou příležitost uspořádat a zažít v Praze pětidenní workshop taoistického tai chi. Dokonce i čísla o tom vypovídají: 230 účastníků přijelo na pět dní a dalších 50 se připojilo na víkend.
Pro každého, kdo se chtěl zúčastnit, začínal den chantingem. Následovalo cvičení don-you a tor-you, při kterém jsme se soustředili na expanzi a kontrakci a centrum těla. Tyto principy jsme pak procvičovali v pohybech sestavy. Bavili jsme se „zavíráním zavařovací sklenice“ při stočeném kroku stejně jako jsme pracovali na využívání páteře k provedení pohybu. Celých pět dní nás provázela příjemná atmosféra a chutné jídlo. Nalezli jsme vnitřní klid a cítili se velmi dobře. Mnohokrát děkujeme.

Oregon Branch hosts National Workshop

Posted on by Julia Druskin
The Oregon Branch hosted a National Workshop on the weekend of March 2nd/3rd.  Western Region participants traveled from as far away as Texas and Alaska joining 2 participants from the eastcoast and many from the Oregon Branch for a total of 76. 
 
The focus was on toryus.  We worked on toryus in the large group, toryus in small groups, toryus in push hands and toryus in the set.  We shared our discoveries and we laughed together when corrections we had received a thousand times before suddenly made sense.  Our sets became smoother and individual form improved as we focused on those elusive basics:  patience, relaxation, remaining centered, dropping elbows, shifting weight completely, fine tuning the timing.  Our bodies changed as we practiced, practiced, practiced.
 
So much was packed into those 2 days!  We noticed that our sets became quieter after a chanting session.  The kitchen team provided fabulous food.  We connected with old friends and made new friends.  We received an update on the Society’s new projects and gained a better understanding of how these projects reflect Master Moy’s vision.  During “Story Time” the panel generously shared their experiences with Taoist Tai Chi® arts and gave us a glimpse of activities in other countries.  Right before our last meal together our workshop leader reached into a bowl of raffle tickets and drew the name of the winner of a week’s stay in a 3 bedroom home on Orcas Island off the coast of Washington.
 

Pain Relief Week – International Center Florida

Posted on by Julia Druskin

Feeling every move and ‘not holding’ were the directions given participants
attending the February 2019 pain relief workshop held at the FLK
International Tai Chi Centre in Dunedin, Florida. Our work focused on
feeling every move throughout the set and ‘not holding’ while turning the
spine, dropping elbows and arms, expanding diagonally, laterally and
vertically, and coiling forearms and hands.  We did many Tai Chi sets – some
of us seated, some standing – and worked in depth on all the moves up to and
including strike tigers.

Highlights of our five days included two visits to the Fenway Hotel – one to
view the sunset from the rooftop terrace and the other to assist in leading
senior managers from the City of Dunedin through the first four moves of the
Tai Chi set. We also participated in a Dunedin branch continuing class and
had wonderful lunches in several of Dunedin’s excellent restaurants.

By the end of the week, we all felt better, energized, confident and relaxed.

Quotes from participants of the Pain Relief Workshop at the Florida International Tai Chi Centre in Dunedin – February 2019-

“Any time you attend a five day Tai Chi workshop, you have remarkable improvement. That was my experience at this workshop.”  David, Columbus, Ohio
“The subtlety of the instruction in strike tiger made a profound difference, as I experienced internal lifting. ”  Ann, Knoxville, Tennessee
” While I did not come to the workshop in pain, I am leaving feeling more open and relaxed.”  Larry, Columbus, Ohio
“What comes to mind right now is how much better I feel. The pain relief workshop worked for me. I have so much more range of motion in my shoulder, and I can’t wait to tell my therapist how much I have improved.”   Gloria, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Achieving the up and down from the diaphragm, rather than the shoulders, and practicing the Tai Chi walk will help my recovery.”  Janie, St. Petersburg, Florida
“Paying attention to the feeling of ‘not holding’ allowed me to relax my knees and hips. I feel much more comfortable doing danyus and toryus throughout the set.”   Laura, Gananoque, Ontario

 

A Tai Chi Ton

Posted on by Julia Druskin
A Tai Chi Ton
 
How much is a Tai Chi Ton? Several years ago when I started at the St Petersburg center there was an old laundry bin in the corner that had a sign on it for Food Donations I noticed that it occasionally would have food in it and every now and then it would be empty. In 2017 one of our participants asked about it. She told me her husband volunteered at the local food bank and could she start dropping the food off. Soon she was telling the classes what kind of food they needed. She started bringing in the receipts with the poundage that had been collected. We bought a small white board and started tallying the weight collected  At the end of the year we got a Thank You from the food bank telling us we had donated 1433 Pounds of food that year.
 
So in January 2018 we said lets see if we can reach a Ton of food. So soon more and more people would come into class with bags of food to donate. By summer time we had surpassed our previous years total. It was beginning to look like we might make our Ton.  We began to talk it up even more. Some time in November we hit 2000 lb. We had our Ton! So we decided to go for a Metric ton 2205 lb. Well we hit that mark in early Dec and went for the Imperial or Long Ton 2240 lb. we passed that quickly Since we had run out to tons to go for we decided to go for the Tai Chi ton. We kept collecting and collecting and by Dec 31 we knew that a Tai Chi ton weighs 2525 lb.
 
The story doesn’t end there. We brought in 600 lb in so far this year so we’re on our way to set a new Tai Chi record. Through the efforts of our participants, the St. Petersburg Branch is the most consistent donor to the local food bank.