July 2008
Green Mountain Tai Chi Newsletter
"ancient arts for modern times"
In This Issue
Annoucements
Tai chi Tip
Life Philosophy
Thoughts for the month
Greetings Friends,

Welcome to the 10th Green Mountain Tai chi Newsletter.

 Well here we are in the middle of summer, the time of year of extreme yang energy. When we learn to follow the seasons and act appropriately and timely the following season will reveal to us what is appropriate and timely. In this way we can move from season to season and year to year following the way of nature.
This year I am growing vegetables. This process is a great way to see my Tai chi practice applied from yet another perspective. It is a great lesson for me to be timely yet patient. It is one continuos cycle of learning and letting go. I have already begun to see the fruits of my labor, eating lettuce and today, for the first time, Jade and I dug up some awesome potatoes :) I am also refining my understanding of balance. Finding the balance of my effort and the nature of the seed. Seeing the balance of rain and sun to nurture that seed. Being aware and observant so I can know when to sit back and nurture and when to harvest.
I hope you are also enjoying your summer as much as I am and that you are finding balance and refinement of your Tai chi practice in places other than your forms.

Peace, prayers and happiness,
Rich
 
Announcements

Tai chi intensive

Saturday August 2  9:00-5:00

$100 for the entire day
Grange Hall Manchester VT

This day long intensive will include:
Qigong warm-up. Tai chi theory & concepts lecture.
Tai chi exercises. Yang style form refinement.
Push hands. Applications. Meditation.

Registration is required!

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Coping with chronic pain

Free introduction evening:
Tuesday September 16th  6:30-7:45
Two night seminar tuition is $80 
and includes the teachings, pain relieving strategies and a free guided meditation CD by Rich Marantz.
Location: Integrative Therapies, Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, Bennington VT
 Dates: Tuesday, Oct 7 and 14th , 6:30pm - 8:30pm Registration with pre-payment required as space is limited.
To reserve your place please contact
Rebecca @ Integrative Therapies 802-442-1291
Tai chi Tip
Understanding the right angle triangle

One of the places within our bodies that we want our mind intent to be is the base of the right angle triangle. What is the right angle triangle that I am talking about? Each time you have weight on one leg imagine a right angle triangle with the floor as the bottom and a vertical plumb line running up the weighted leg. The other side of the triangle is the other leg. When you are in a back stance, even though the leg is bow shaped, imagine a straight line running upward. When in a forward or bow stance the right angle runs upward from the ground to the knee. Then an imaginary line keeps going up and connects with the line from the back leg. Each time you are in the process of movement return your mind to the base of this triangle and settle into it. Doing this helps us to be centered and rooted at the same time.

 
Happy practice!
  Beginner and intermediate/advanced
 Tai-chi classes are held each week in both Manchester and Pawlet
Life philosophy
It's the frequency

So often our mind set is affected by the current circumstances in our lives. When things are going "good" or smooth we feel happy, when things are "bad" or challenging we get stressed. If we understand that everything is energy and travels on a frequency than we know that both the circumstances and our mind set are on a particular frequency. Sort of like different music on different radio stations.
So, is it the mind set that brings us to the frequency of circumstance or the frequency of circumstance that brings us to the frequency of a certain mind set? Perhaps it can go either way. In fact is does not really matter. What matters is being aware of the frequency we are on and experiencing. If it is a lower frequency (not fun) than we can use the tools we have developed to raise us to a higher frequency (lots of fun!). Thus we change both the mind set and the circumstances. The lower level mind set and circumstance still exists but we are choosing to live elsewhere.
Thoughts For The Month

"Sometimes what we see as special
is actually very ordinary
Sometimes what we see as ordinary
is actually very special
It is within us to see beyond the illusion"


"When everything in our lives appears to be lining up
 and getting ready for positive change
We can also observe that all seems
 to be the most chaotic"

-Rich



 



Sites worth checking out

GreenMountainTaichi.com
Lots of Tai chi and Qigong info, class schedules, etc.
my website

To see my Tai chi videos, once you are on ExpertVillage.com, scroll down until you see my name and you can choose which series you would like to view.
ExpertVillage


Definitely worth checking out. After all he is my master.
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.
Holotropic Breathwork

There is some really good info on this site. I have known Donna for many years and she is very dedicated to her practice and journey.
Donna Oliver, Taiji

I know Karin and Drew and highly recommend them both. Karin is a marketing whiz. You would have to ask Drew what it is he does but I can tell you it is definitely cool and can really improve the way you approach your life.
Karin Witzig
Drew Rozell

Ray is a chef extraordinaire, tai chi student and all around really good guy.
* I went  to Ray's place, The Inn at West View Farm in Dorset a few weeks ago. It was amazing. The food was second to none that I have experienced and the atmosphere while upscale was very comfortable.


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Richard Marantz               www.GreenMountainTaiChi.com