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Greetings Friends,
Welcome to the third Green Mountain Tai chi Newsletter.
In this issue there is info about an upcoming retreat, classes, articles on the connection of center and source in Tai chi practice, the role of breath in Qigong and my personal philosophy of three questions .
One of the things somone can say to us that will surely bring about the reponse of us shutting off, putting up a wall or becoming defensive is, "You know what you should do? You should ......".
So if this is the case why do we say "I should be doing this or that" to ourselves? Certainly when we talk to ourselves in this way, a part of us is shutting off, putting up a wall or being defensive.
Just something to think about.
I wish all of you a wonderful, happy, calm, peaceful holiday season and a properous and healthy New Year!
I am thankful for having the opportunity to have been connected to you in the past and look forward to deepening our connection in the future.
Rich
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Announcements
Upcoming in February 2008
3 day Qigong retreat in
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Fri. Sat. Sun. February 1,2,3
Primary focus will be
Wudang Tayi 5 element
nurturing life qigong
we will also be learning;
meditation, hard qigong, tai chi,
and philosophy
All food and lodging will be included!
(Manny and Hannah Bravo will be cooking
great food with a great attitude)
Space is limited (really it is, due to the lodging :))
As of this newsletter tuition TBA
Ongoing classes
Manchester classes
at
The Collaborative 3757 Richville Road in Manchester
Qigong: Tuesday 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Beginner Tai-chi: Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Intermediate Tai-chi: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Pawlet classes
at
the Pawlet Library
Beginner Tai-chi: Saturdays 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Intermediate Tai-chi: Fridays 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Look for announcements in the near future about me and the Collaborative will be teaming up for classes and seminars
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Tai chi Tip
Maintaining your center
When stepping in Tai chi form it is important not to move your center forward as the foot is coming out. Keep the weight and your center of gravity on the post leg until the heel touches and you are ready to commit to moving forward into your stance.
Moving your center while stepping out has the consequence of losing connection to and ability to tap into the source of our movement, namely the ground. I find this also is true in our lives as well. If we move without a strong and stable center than we lose our connection to our "big picture" source.
Try this out next time you play with your form. Step and move your center a little forward off the post leg before the heel touches, pause, than try and push off the post foot, your source of movement. Then, repeat the above but this time keep your center stable on the post leg and move the center only after you have pushed off the post leg foot. Notice if you feel any difference in the two ways of performing the same movement.
Once you understand this, observe where it applies to your life in general.
Happy practice!
Beginner and intermediate/advanced
Tai-chi classes are held each week in both Manchester and Pawlet
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Qigong
Breath
My first experience with Qigong was in Tampa, Fla. I went to learn Tai chi (which I had never done) and my teacher had us begin with a Qigong warm-up routine. We were performing a movement where we turned the body and reached behind then came back and did the same on the other side. I clearly remember asking, "should I hold my breath when the hand gets to the back?" He told me "never hold your breath".
In Qigong exercises the breath plays a vital role. The breath is what connects the mind with the body, the external with the internal. We use the mind to lead the breath which in turn leads the body. The one exception (that I know of at least) is some movements we do in the hard qigong set in which, after a particular inhale, we hold the breath.
In Qigong practice we regulate the breath in particular ways depending on the exercise and our purpose. But we are always regulating and paying attention to the breath.
So my saying is " Unless you are under water or behind a bus, BREATHE"
Qigong classes are held each Tuesday evening 5:30-6:30 in Manchester
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Life philosophy
3 questions
There are three questions I ask myself on a regular basis, they are; How do I feel?, Why am I doing what I am doing? and Where/when do I do or have I done the same or similar?.
When I ask myself "how do I feel?", it is to ask what is actually going on inside my own skin. I do my best to stay away from labeling or judging what it is that I am observing. I see this feeling as energy that shows up somewhere in my body. Without asking this question and being open to seeing whatever it may be, it is very difficult to answer the second question, "why am I doing what I am doing?"
Only when we know how we are actually feeling can we know what is motivating us or compelling us to act. I have found that when these two questions are honestly asked it removes the words "I could not help it" from our vocabulary. We may not act in the way that is best for us or even in a way we like, but at least we know it was our choice to act and we know the feeling that was behind it, so there is no regret.
The third question has to do with our dealings with others, which is important since most of us do not live in total isolation. In my experience, when someone acts in a way that I might find distasteful or disagreeable, either toward me or to others, I ask the first two questions of myself so I can know which part of the distaste has to do with my own "stuff". I the follow with "Where/when do I do or have I done the same or similar?" If I am truly honest with myself, I have never answered this question with, "not me, I have never done something like that". This helps me to let go of the judgement of the other and develops compassion. It also allows me to know myself and the other person better which in turn brings me back to the questions, "how do I feel and why am I doing what I am doing" resulting in a more pure action in dealing with this person based on my nature not based on my "garbage".
This idea of the three questions can be taken very deep and can be applied to every aspect of our lives. I cannot say this is traditional philosophy, it is more like "the world according to Rich". I will say however, try it out and decide for yourself whether it is valid or not.
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Thoughts For The Month
When we see the beauty of heaven and earth
we are moved
When we see the beauty within ourselves
heaven and earth are moved
-Chen, Zhi-ming
Keep to the simple and become real
-a Taoist saying
A poem
Dancing to follow the Taoist passion
when the rooster crows
With three treasures in hand, the goal is here and now
This lonely path is straight and narrow
Seven stars on a cloudless night reveal the true purpose
Connected to Tao we are never alone
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Sites worth checking out
my site, of course
Definitely worth checking out
Master Chen's site
I have never personally experienced Holotropic Breathwork, but I know Lenny and Elizabeth Gibson very well and feel confident in recommending them and their work if it resonates with you.
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Richard Marantz www.GreenMountainTaiChi.com
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