Jammed my thumb in the first ten minutes of class doing these summer sault things. Let me tell you something... 41 year old fat men should not be doing summer saults. After that undignified 15 minutes of flailing around like a beached whale we did the back and forth practice throws which went a bit smoother until I realized I was limping and my second toe was an attractive black and blue.
Finally came the randori. All that was worth the randori. Yes I got thrown but one of the throws I was up in the air... just weightless and spinning.... and then crash and back pain. It hurt really bad but the throw was sooooooo cool. After the drive home I realized I was too sore to walk to my front door so I pretended to be checking out my gardens as I limped bent over to my house. All in all a good second class.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
My 1st Judo Class
When I quit teaching Taiji I thought I was going to study more Taiji but instead I decided to try Judo. What better way to test my taiji skillz than in a judo class? I've never really learned the taiji throws which are basically judo throws so I see judo as just more taiji training. Maybe not... but how many taiji guys do you know who have actually tried using taiji against a judo guy?
I've been in enough karate and kung fu classes run by ego maniacs throwing angry punches and kicks at mirrors to just expect the worst in most dojos. But tonight I did my first judo class and everyone had fun and I didn't notice I single egomaniac. The first hour pooped me out (I'm 41) so I sat for the last 30 minutes and that's when I noticed the fun being had by all.
After I sat the randori started and everyone was laughing. It didn't matter if you were throwing or getting thrown, everyone was having fun. The Sensei guy running the place was absolutely having a ball with everyone. Maybe it was just a good night for everyone, I dont know.
Nice time....Any Judoka here?
I've been in enough karate and kung fu classes run by ego maniacs throwing angry punches and kicks at mirrors to just expect the worst in most dojos. But tonight I did my first judo class and everyone had fun and I didn't notice I single egomaniac. The first hour pooped me out (I'm 41) so I sat for the last 30 minutes and that's when I noticed the fun being had by all.
After I sat the randori started and everyone was laughing. It didn't matter if you were throwing or getting thrown, everyone was having fun. The Sensei guy running the place was absolutely having a ball with everyone. Maybe it was just a good night for everyone, I dont know.
Nice time....Any Judoka here?
Monday, June 19, 2006
Weight Loss Record
I decided back in November to keep a record on Sunday mornings on my weight. The weeks that I stayed stable were the hardest. I forgot some weeks but what a living heck. I am seeking to be in the 160's-170's but it has been so long since I have weighed that I have forgotted what is healthy for me. I gained 85lbs after I quit smoking years back. It has been a war ever since.
Here is my record-
Nov 27- 226lbs
Dec 2- 215lbs
9- 217
16- 215
30- 212
Jan 01- 215
8- 215
23- 210
29- 210
Feb 05- 208
12- 204
20- 206
26- 201
Mar 05- 200
12-199
19-199
26- 198
Apr 02- 199
9- 200
30- 205 (I forgot and did the weight in fully clothed at the end of the day)
May-7- 194
14- 192
21- 188
28- 192
June 11- 187
18- 189
Here is my record-
Nov 27- 226lbs
Dec 2- 215lbs
9- 217
16- 215
30- 212
Jan 01- 215
8- 215
23- 210
29- 210
Feb 05- 208
12- 204
20- 206
26- 201
Mar 05- 200
12-199
19-199
26- 198
Apr 02- 199
9- 200
30- 205 (I forgot and did the weight in fully clothed at the end of the day)
May-7- 194
14- 192
21- 188
28- 192
June 11- 187
18- 189
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Sunday
Woke up, Taiji for an hour, sweated like a pig since it is 80 inside and now I need to go to work. I was 189 this morning up two pounds from last week. Last November I was 226 and all I have done is diet and do Taijiquan. There's proof you can lose weight with Taijiquan. I only started running at about 199 a little more than a month ago so the last 10lbs might be a mixed weight loss.
Okay, so what if I have been doing four hours of Taijiquan a day. It is my love. Probably why I am not celebrating Fathers day. Now I am sad. Well when your goal is immortality, parts of your life are going to take some casualties.
Okay, so what if I have been doing four hours of Taijiquan a day. It is my love. Probably why I am not celebrating Fathers day. Now I am sad. Well when your goal is immortality, parts of your life are going to take some casualties.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Alchemy Formula.
My Personal Taoist Alchemy Experiment/Experience
Immortality
Taoists teach that we are not born immortal. Our souls are undifferentiated energy flowing from the source of all life everywhere sometimes called the Tao and returns undifferentiated after death to this original source. Our animating life energy is “borrowed” and it is not “us”. Much like we say that is my Bank because our money is there, but we do not own it. Likewise our minds are not immortal. They begin to form in the womb and only the strongest can endure after death, but even these only endure for a short time in their self created heavens and hells. Taoist alchemy teaches that immortality is something that must be achieved through the hard work of bringing into union the mind and the soul. It is the synthesis of the mind and soul that transforms the mortal physical body stage by stage into an immortal one.
Taoist Alchemy
Prerequisites: For the entire thirteen years you must abstain from meats, grains, sex, plus no losing your sexual essence in any either through self stimulation or dreams, and you must observe the continual practice of the ascending grades of meditation.
10 Months of deep breathing exercises and one pointed Dan Tien focusing meditation to transform sexual essence into Qi (internal energy) within the lower belly. Confirmatory signs- Begins with feeling the internal energy and controlling it with breath and intent to condense it into the bones and then lead it up the spine using the reverse flowing method into the head and to the pineal gland which produces a vision of blazing white light (achieved April 24th , 1994)
3 Years of eyes closed emptiness meditation transforming internal energy into internal power at the solar plexus. Confirmatory signs- Begins when a tiny spirit body comes from the belly and exits out of the forehead (achieved June 6th, 1994) that is the birth of the immortal child which then returns to the belly to be nurtured. Fifty days later after the birth of the baby shen a vision of the quintessence/original nature off all things is seen (achieved July 27th, 1994) and this achievement is the first stage of immortality according to Taoists. If all ends here you will be reborn after death to continue your practice with full knowledge of your past life Then at the end of the three year period the tiny body once again exits the forehead this time weaker and somewhat wispy. (achieved June 6th, 1997).
9 Years of eyes open mindfulness meditation “being the calm center amidst the chaos of activity” which begins with the alchemical process rising into the center of the brain where it transforms the internal power into Void - Confirmatory signs- Red Sparks blazing before the inner vision means the activity has moved from the lower elixir field to the middle one and at the end of the spray of sparks is an amber glow like a burning ember (achieved December 25th 1997). SPECULATION for 2006: Finally at the end of nine years the void body exits the top of the head and enters a world of pure being and endless light. Upon the return of this small body which has absorbed some of that endless light, it transmits that light to the physical body and it too will radiate light transforming it stage by stage into a body of pure energy.
Taoists teach that we are not born immortal. Our souls are undifferentiated energy flowing from the source of all life everywhere sometimes called the Tao and returns undifferentiated after death to this original source. Our animating life energy is “borrowed” and it is not “us”. Much like we say that is my Bank because our money is there, but we do not own it. Likewise our minds are not immortal. They begin to form in the womb and only the strongest can endure after death, but even these only endure for a short time in their self created heavens and hells. Taoist alchemy teaches that immortality is something that must be achieved through the hard work of bringing into union the mind and the soul. It is the synthesis of the mind and soul that transforms the mortal physical body stage by stage into an immortal one.
Taoist Alchemy
Prerequisites: For the entire thirteen years you must abstain from meats, grains, sex, plus no losing your sexual essence in any either through self stimulation or dreams, and you must observe the continual practice of the ascending grades of meditation.
10 Months of deep breathing exercises and one pointed Dan Tien focusing meditation to transform sexual essence into Qi (internal energy) within the lower belly. Confirmatory signs- Begins with feeling the internal energy and controlling it with breath and intent to condense it into the bones and then lead it up the spine using the reverse flowing method into the head and to the pineal gland which produces a vision of blazing white light (achieved April 24th , 1994)
3 Years of eyes closed emptiness meditation transforming internal energy into internal power at the solar plexus. Confirmatory signs- Begins when a tiny spirit body comes from the belly and exits out of the forehead (achieved June 6th, 1994) that is the birth of the immortal child which then returns to the belly to be nurtured. Fifty days later after the birth of the baby shen a vision of the quintessence/original nature off all things is seen (achieved July 27th, 1994) and this achievement is the first stage of immortality according to Taoists. If all ends here you will be reborn after death to continue your practice with full knowledge of your past life Then at the end of the three year period the tiny body once again exits the forehead this time weaker and somewhat wispy. (achieved June 6th, 1997).
9 Years of eyes open mindfulness meditation “being the calm center amidst the chaos of activity” which begins with the alchemical process rising into the center of the brain where it transforms the internal power into Void - Confirmatory signs- Red Sparks blazing before the inner vision means the activity has moved from the lower elixir field to the middle one and at the end of the spray of sparks is an amber glow like a burning ember (achieved December 25th 1997). SPECULATION for 2006: Finally at the end of nine years the void body exits the top of the head and enters a world of pure being and endless light. Upon the return of this small body which has absorbed some of that endless light, it transmits that light to the physical body and it too will radiate light transforming it stage by stage into a body of pure energy.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Taoist Pilgimage
Making a change in lifestyle. I am taking a break from such a fanatical approach to my spiritual practice. I have been fasting, praying the Rosary for at least 5 hours a day, Tai Chi'ing for usually 2 hours and now I need a break. Thats enough yang practice now it will be yin for a time.
I am one day into this and what am I supposed to do with the time I suddenly have? I guess I will start with taking walks without destinations, sorta like a Taoist pilgimage...
I am one day into this and what am I supposed to do with the time I suddenly have? I guess I will start with taking walks without destinations, sorta like a Taoist pilgimage...
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Video of me.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6917934717022502315
This is me doing the Eight Energies of Taijiquan.
This is me doing the Eight Energies of Taijiquan.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
My masters master.
This video shows the greatest taijiquan master to ever hit the shores of America.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8162222609571015204&q=taijiquan
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8162222609571015204&q=taijiquan
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Video
Here is a good video of the 24 Form done really low and with really big arm movements. This lady is very good and I hope I am not breaking any laws posting the link. Just follow the link and click on PLAY VIDEO and enjoy.
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/view?&h=98&w=145&type=mpeg&rurl=www.lillesand-taekwondo.net%2Ftaiji_quan.html&vurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taiji.de%2Ftaiji%2Fhead5_3%2F24-form.mpg&back=p%3Dtai%2Bchi%2B24%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dsbcfp-video%26cv%3Dg%26x%3Dwrt&turl=scd.mm-so.yimg.com%2Fimage%2F1746823832&name=%3Cb%3E24%3C%2Fb%3E-form.mpg&no=15&tt=33&p=tai+chi+24&oid=ebd9656637590b14&size=12.7MB&dur=278
http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/view?&h=98&w=145&type=mpeg&rurl=www.lillesand-taekwondo.net%2Ftaiji_quan.html&vurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.taiji.de%2Ftaiji%2Fhead5_3%2F24-form.mpg&back=p%3Dtai%2Bchi%2B24%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dsbcfp-video%26cv%3Dg%26x%3Dwrt&turl=scd.mm-so.yimg.com%2Fimage%2F1746823832&name=%3Cb%3E24%3C%2Fb%3E-form.mpg&no=15&tt=33&p=tai+chi+24&oid=ebd9656637590b14&size=12.7MB&dur=278
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Chang San-Feng
The legendary master of taijiquan, named Chang San-Feng, is credited with writing the following description of the art he taught. While almost unknown in the West, it is considered scripture within the Chinese taiji community:
“In taijiquan your body should move in smooth waves like a long river. What is taijiquan? It is Ward Off (sky), Roll Back (ground), Press (river), Push Down (lightening), Split (thunder), Take (wind), Elbow (lake), and Shoulder (mountain). These are the eight energies. The five elements are Step Forward (metal), Step Backward (wood), Step Right (fire), Step Left (water), and Hold To The Center (earth). When these thirteen are combined it is called the original Tai Chi style.
When moving your body, every part should be coordinated correctly. Your internal energy should be focused three fingers below the navel. Seek perfection in your movements. Moving too much or too little and your body will not be coordinated. The feet stick to the ground. Power comes from the legs, is controlled by the waist and extended through the fingers. Power starts from the feet, then goes up the legs through the waist and then out the fingers in one coordinated and perfectly timed wave-like movement. If everything is coordinated then you can move effortlessly in any direction. If not adjust your stance.
Memorize the movements to make them instinctual. For every up there is down, go right then left, if you move forward you must go back. Clearly feel light and heavy in your body. This will allow you to sense light and heavy in your opponent. When you can do this, you will easily defeat your opponents”. The first energy of taiji is called Ward Off it moves forward and upward. It meets an attacking force head on, and upon contact it leads the incoming force into a curve through a spherical rotation. It is like pushing on a sphere that is spinning upwards. Force applied to this sphere rolls off the top of it.
Taiji forms all move from the physical center of the body located about three fingers below the navel. Along with this is keeping the hands and feet, the elbows and knees, and the shoulders and hips all aligned, and it is this that creates a spherical rotation that is the foundation of all taiji technique. The only thing that changes are the contact points that move steadily closer to the body and the direction of rotation. In the end, any part of the body that makes contact with an attacking force can roll it off itself.
What this means is that by just mastering one technique such as the first one called Ward Off, you perfect all the others as well. This is one of the reasons taiji is called the supreme ultimate martial art. It can actually be mastered in a very short period of time. The old taiji masters sometimes called taijiquan; ward off style, because of this principle.
“In taijiquan your body should move in smooth waves like a long river. What is taijiquan? It is Ward Off (sky), Roll Back (ground), Press (river), Push Down (lightening), Split (thunder), Take (wind), Elbow (lake), and Shoulder (mountain). These are the eight energies. The five elements are Step Forward (metal), Step Backward (wood), Step Right (fire), Step Left (water), and Hold To The Center (earth). When these thirteen are combined it is called the original Tai Chi style.
When moving your body, every part should be coordinated correctly. Your internal energy should be focused three fingers below the navel. Seek perfection in your movements. Moving too much or too little and your body will not be coordinated. The feet stick to the ground. Power comes from the legs, is controlled by the waist and extended through the fingers. Power starts from the feet, then goes up the legs through the waist and then out the fingers in one coordinated and perfectly timed wave-like movement. If everything is coordinated then you can move effortlessly in any direction. If not adjust your stance.
Memorize the movements to make them instinctual. For every up there is down, go right then left, if you move forward you must go back. Clearly feel light and heavy in your body. This will allow you to sense light and heavy in your opponent. When you can do this, you will easily defeat your opponents”. The first energy of taiji is called Ward Off it moves forward and upward. It meets an attacking force head on, and upon contact it leads the incoming force into a curve through a spherical rotation. It is like pushing on a sphere that is spinning upwards. Force applied to this sphere rolls off the top of it.
Taiji forms all move from the physical center of the body located about three fingers below the navel. Along with this is keeping the hands and feet, the elbows and knees, and the shoulders and hips all aligned, and it is this that creates a spherical rotation that is the foundation of all taiji technique. The only thing that changes are the contact points that move steadily closer to the body and the direction of rotation. In the end, any part of the body that makes contact with an attacking force can roll it off itself.
What this means is that by just mastering one technique such as the first one called Ward Off, you perfect all the others as well. This is one of the reasons taiji is called the supreme ultimate martial art. It can actually be mastered in a very short period of time. The old taiji masters sometimes called taijiquan; ward off style, because of this principle.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Urch?
Looked like people practiced during the Christmas break. That's always nice to see. Thanks to Wanda teaching a couple extra moves to her people during the break everybody is at the same point in the form. It also looks like Rachel has a nickname I just learned which is "urch". Hmmm... must be a story.
Next week we'll dim the lights and light some candles to set the mood. Maybe even fire up some incense if nobody is in the room next door.
Cloud Hands- Remember everything moves with your dan tien. When your weight is on your right, your hands are over your right foot and when your weight is on your left, your hands are over your left foot. Left foot touches down ball first and right foot is heel first. Shift your weight ball to heel...ALWAYS!
You guys were really fun tonight. You make teaching worthwhile! Thanks!
Next week we'll dim the lights and light some candles to set the mood. Maybe even fire up some incense if nobody is in the room next door.
Cloud Hands- Remember everything moves with your dan tien. When your weight is on your right, your hands are over your right foot and when your weight is on your left, your hands are over your left foot. Left foot touches down ball first and right foot is heel first. Shift your weight ball to heel...ALWAYS!
You guys were really fun tonight. You make teaching worthwhile! Thanks!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Dates
These are the new dates, booyah!
SUNDAYS 2:00pm Jan 8-15-22-29Feb 5-12-19-26
TUESDAY 11:00am Jan 17-24-Feb 7-14-21-28-Mar7-14 (omit Jan 31 no room available)
THURSDAY 7:00pm Jan 12-19-26-Feb 2-9-16- 23 -Mar 2
SUNDAYS 2:00pm Jan 8-15-22-29Feb 5-12-19-26
TUESDAY 11:00am Jan 17-24-Feb 7-14-21-28-Mar7-14 (omit Jan 31 no room available)
THURSDAY 7:00pm Jan 12-19-26-Feb 2-9-16- 23 -Mar 2
Sunday, November 20, 2005
We've moved to St John Macomb!
Yep, it's true. We have move to St John Macomb Hospital at the Executive Office Building on 12 mile at Hoover on Sundays at 2pm. The new sign up number is 586-573-5792. My new boss is Jill Wrubel and she is very nice as I am sure you will see.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Creating Masters.
Nothing bothers me more than hearing people say that they studied with this or that master for twenty or more years, but then they cant explain the very basics of Tai Chi. I dont want perpetual students I want to make masters. If anyone studies with me ONE year and doesn't know enough about Tai Chi to leave me and practice on their own and continue to improve then it is my fault and I should be fired.
Few other schools are like martial arts schools. You study and study but learn very little. You could study for more than twenty years in most schools. Thats like two PhD's! Tai Chi is like carpentry. There are some basic skills that must be practiced but once you gain them you can do great things ON YOUR OWN!
If you have practiced Tai Chi for a year and you dont know the eight basic hand techniques and five basic foot techniques your teacher has failed you. Remember your teacher is responsible for how well you learn, not you. It is your duty to practice Tai Chi, it is your teachers duty to teach it.
Few other schools are like martial arts schools. You study and study but learn very little. You could study for more than twenty years in most schools. Thats like two PhD's! Tai Chi is like carpentry. There are some basic skills that must be practiced but once you gain them you can do great things ON YOUR OWN!
If you have practiced Tai Chi for a year and you dont know the eight basic hand techniques and five basic foot techniques your teacher has failed you. Remember your teacher is responsible for how well you learn, not you. It is your duty to practice Tai Chi, it is your teachers duty to teach it.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
New Class!
The first new class in one and a half years just finished. I had forgotten how fun they were. I forgot to mention a couple things. One is during the standing meditation you are going to wobble alot. You will eventually get steadier as your mind calms down.
The second is about your mind. Meditation makes you aware for the first time of your mind. When you watch your mind for the first time you see how crazy it is. Meditation doesn't make your thoughts race. Your thoughts are already racing and now you are just aware of it. The good news is deep breathing combined with movement will naturally slow down your thoughts.
Remember, feet shoulder width, weight on the outside of your feet to push your knees over your feet. Knees bent, pelvis tucked, spine straight, shoulders relaxed, chest hollow, head suspended from the crown and elbows sunk. Hands in front of the body and slightly turn towards you. This is the Wu Chi posture that all Tai Chi comes from. The same body alignment should be kept during the form.
The second is about your mind. Meditation makes you aware for the first time of your mind. When you watch your mind for the first time you see how crazy it is. Meditation doesn't make your thoughts race. Your thoughts are already racing and now you are just aware of it. The good news is deep breathing combined with movement will naturally slow down your thoughts.
Remember, feet shoulder width, weight on the outside of your feet to push your knees over your feet. Knees bent, pelvis tucked, spine straight, shoulders relaxed, chest hollow, head suspended from the crown and elbows sunk. Hands in front of the body and slightly turn towards you. This is the Wu Chi posture that all Tai Chi comes from. The same body alignment should be kept during the form.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Tai Chi and Alchemy
One hundred days of deep breathing, sexual abstinence and a vegetarian diet with the confirmatory sign being a belly full of power. Learn the physical forms of Tai Chi Chuan and synchronize it with the breath to distill the sexual fluid into essence giving you the power of clairvoyance.
Ten months of focused meditation and a confirmatory sign is the kundalini rising up the spine exiting the forehead. Meditate on the moving forms of Tai Chi Chuan to transform essence into qi giving you the power of telekinesis.
Three years of contemplative meditation and the confirmatory sign this is done is a vision of an amber glow within red sparks. Contemplate the forms of Tai Chi Chuan in stillness and qi is transformed into spirit giving you the power of mind control.
Nine years of the dark night where the divine within is unified with the divine without and the confirmatory sign is enlightened immortality. Going from form to formlessness on every level the spirit is distilled into void transforming you into an enlightened immortal.
Ten months of focused meditation and a confirmatory sign is the kundalini rising up the spine exiting the forehead. Meditate on the moving forms of Tai Chi Chuan to transform essence into qi giving you the power of telekinesis.
Three years of contemplative meditation and the confirmatory sign this is done is a vision of an amber glow within red sparks. Contemplate the forms of Tai Chi Chuan in stillness and qi is transformed into spirit giving you the power of mind control.
Nine years of the dark night where the divine within is unified with the divine without and the confirmatory sign is enlightened immortality. Going from form to formlessness on every level the spirit is distilled into void transforming you into an enlightened immortal.
Friday, September 09, 2005
Ruuuuuubyyyyyy
Ruby showed up Thursday. Wow did she look great. Its been forever. I am so happy to be back and getting happier.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
My five truths.
1-The divine is absolute therefore there are absolute truths.
2-The divine is both within us and trancending us.
3-The divine within is called the feminine Kundalini.
4-The divine trancendental is called the masculine God.
5-Practicing Tai Chi can unite these two supreme ultimate eternal powers and make you Immortal.
2-The divine is both within us and trancending us.
3-The divine within is called the feminine Kundalini.
4-The divine trancendental is called the masculine God.
5-Practicing Tai Chi can unite these two supreme ultimate eternal powers and make you Immortal.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Last class in 2004
I think this was the last class I taught. I miss you guys. I hope you all come back even if just to visit.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
