Great Lakes Bioneers Chicago - Celebrating Community Resilience

If you are planning on attending this year’s Bioneers event at Roosevelt University on November 1-3, now is the best time to buy your early bird tickets (Oct 3rd) or get in for free by volunteering.  For information and tickets go to www.bioneerschicago.org.  This is an event that strongly reflects the environmental committees values!

Elizabeth Wenscott has been hard at work with the Bioneers core team putting together a program that we think will strongly resonate with the folks within the Tai Chi Center of Chicago's, Sustainable Return and beyond. For three full days we will be bringing together leading innovators from all walks of life to exchange ideas, build networks and inspire a shift to live on the Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations.  This is a fun, action-oriented gathering for people of all ages and experience levels who want to learn more about taking care of our planet.  

The program will include:

• A main stage with 7 nationally recognized keynotes speaking on topics ranging from hydraulic fracking for natural gas to saving honey bees and stopping violence in our city.

• Over 30 workshops, interactive panel discussions and skill-shares on topics including time-banking, workplace democracy, renewable energy and healthy food.

• Six world cafe sessions on FOOD, WATER, WASTE, ENERGY, SHELTER and COMMUNITY RESILIENCE hosted by our keynotes and Chicago area environmental leaders.

• Organizing sessions on tar sands, hydraulic fracking and coal extraction in Illinois

• An interactive discussion on creative methods for non-violent direct action, featuring: Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Non-Violence; Savitri D of the Church of Stop Shopping; Greenpeace activist Kelly Mitchell; and Debbie Southorn of AFSC.

• Friday evening reception with ecologist, cancer survivor and activist Dr. Sandra Steingraber and music by our own Rhapsody Snyder

• Performances by Capoeira Angola; Alex Yoffe on the Javanese gamelan; the women’s African drumming ensemble Sheboom; and our own Wellington Avenue UCC choir, leading the audience in “Sing for the Climate”.

• Sunday closing celebration that includes Nathaniel Braddock and members of his Occidental Brothers Dance Band International.

• Also, Elizabeth will be presenting a Reskilling on Saturday at 3:45pm.

Please join us for this exciting weekend and pass this message on to anyone whom you think might like to attend!

What's in a Name?

A Year in Retrospect

Elizabeth Wenscott - What's in a name? Recently I purchased a copy of The Language of Plants, A Guide to the Doctrine of Signatures, by Julia Graves. The book examines the Doctrine of Signatures, a 2000-year-old philosophy followed by generations of spiritual naturalists, monks, nuns and healers who carefully observed nature in search of plant “signatures” as a way to heal. The Doctrine of Signatures became an important part of the work of traditional healers and herbalists. These healers looked at various plant signatures, such as: * Shape/Form – a walnut looks like a little brain, and walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function; kidney beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function, and they look exactly like the human kidneys. * Color – plants with a red signature were used for blood disorders; for example, redness in beetroot helps to cleanse and fortify the blood. * Location – clear ponds and rivers are associated with diuretics, and on their banks you find horsetail, mints and balotta, all of which help to cleanse the urinary system. * Etc. So this got me thinking. What were the Tai Chi masters envisioning when they gave the postures names like White Crane Spreads Wings, Needle at the Bottom of the Sea, Wave Hands Like Clouds, etc.? Now let me say… this is not the first time I tried to research this subject. But each time I tried, I came up empty-handed, because I do not read Chinese. Therefore, I was left to develop my own interpretation. Take Needle at the Bottom of the Sea, for example. I imagine a beautiful ocean filled with the life that you would find, say, in Finding Nemo. The ocean is warm and gentle as I dive down to pick up a shining needle at the bottom of the sea and then return it to its owner. But sometimes it’s a dark, chaotic ocean, similar to the one in the movie, The Perfect Storm. I prepare myself, inhale, then, while exhaling, I dive. No matter how many times I get knocked around, I never lose sight of my goal—to pluck the nearly invisible needle in time for my next inhale. Or, I'm just breaking some pore bloke’s arm! I recently exchanged emails with Paul Brennan, who recently translated Taiji Boxing Postures with Drawings and Explanations, by martial art historian Xu Yusheng (1921). In this manual Xu explains that Under the Sea (Hai Di) is the name of an acupoint on the human body. However, there appears to be no acupoint with the name Hai Di, so it’s unclear which acupoint Xu meant. Possibly we could be aiming toward the point in the opponent's lower abdomen called Qi Hai (Sea of Energy). Needling "Under the Sea" means your hand has an intent of poking toward the "Under the Sea" point. So why do I bring this up? I believe that not all teachings get passed on... therefore we must do our best to be the best students possible. Learn to quieten our mind so that we can find our own personal Tai Chi, our own "signatures,” and then adapt them to our lives, so that we might live harmoniously between heaven and earth, with a clear mind and healthy body. E

Brief Notes of the Schools Activities - 2012

The Tai Chi Program * The year began with another incredible Chinese New Year celebration that included the very funnyYear of the Dragon Puppet Show, which is 18:30min long! * Another successful turn out for World Tai Chi Day & Qigong Day! * Seminars included Hsing I, Tai Chi Sword and Tai Chi Knife (Broadsword). * Intensive Tai Chi continues to grow on Sunday mornings at 9am. If you know the whole form and are in the Ongoing program, then consider coming to the session. No instruction is given. It is just an opportunity to practice the form twice through. * Ravenswood Artwalk 2012 was incredible. The Tai Chi Program demonstrated several forms, weapons. Sas Stark gave us the opportunity to paint Dragons with the guidance of Tipsy Paint. Tracy Von Kaenel and her student performed an outstanding, FULL HOUSE Yoga and Aerial Yoga performance (I am still working on this video btw). And, Paul Dickinson provided another nature sounds track that set the ambiance for the weekend. Outdoor Tai Chi Program Sas Stark provided over 20 opportunities to practice Tai Chi outdoors! Stay informed, sign up here. Meditation Program Kipling Swehla created a baby, a real baby not the kind that you imagine growing in your Tan Tien. Qigong Program * Don Tomei reported that you know your program is robust when you find your students wanting to hang out with each other, even when class is finished! Yoga Program * Tracy Von Kaenel's Aerial Yoga program keeps growing and the new Zen Yoga class on Mondays just started this month. The Health and Philosophy Program * Lisa Hish had the Tai Chi student base harmonize with Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall in our bodies and in the natural world around us. The Environmental Arm - Sustainable Return Once again this year the environmental arm has been extremely active!  Stay informed, sign up here. * 12 members of the school volunteered for the Montrose Beach Dunes special volunteer stewardship and Tai Chi workday. * Great Lakes Bioneers Chicago, Elizabeth took on the role as Volunteer Coordinator and in the process recruited several members of the school to also participate. Don Tomei – Workshop Coordinator and Paul Dickinson – Stage A/V Manager. In addition Dan Menzel, Sarah Donnely, and Sara Zalek pitched in. Oh, and of course Laurel Ross was one of the Plenary speakers! * Lisa Hish, Elizabeth and 7 school members helped set up a 137 pot community garden called Montrose Green Community Garden, as well as maintain 27 of those Grow2Give plots on the weekly bases. All produce from the Grow2Give plots were donated weekly to the Common Pantry. Over 400 lbs were donated! * Elizabeth along with Laurel Ross launched a native plant corner parkway initiative through the schools local neighborhood community group called Northcenter Neighborhood Association. * Several members of the Tai Chi Center of Chicago learned about the origin and fundamental principles of biodynamic agriculture in both theory and practice. Special emphasis was placed on practical applications for a smaller scale yard, garden or vegetable plot. * Year of the Dragon came in with the new moon, and TC3 and friends of TC3 raised $1,833 for the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary and the Parkway Corner Initiative! Looking ahead, put this date on your calendar, February 9, 2013 Year of the Snake Celebration and Fundraiser

A Year in Retrospect 2011

Elizabeth Wenscott

50/30/20

For me this fall begins a three-part celebration. In October I turned 50. Now some of you are probably saying, "Whoop-de-doo! It's not like you turned 100 with 20/20 vision and all of your teeth for goodness sakes!" And normally I would agree. But this year is a little different... a little extra special, possibly worthy of the front page of a magazine. Or maybe even my own cable TV show.

Because this year not only did I turn 50, but I will also have been studying Tai Chi for 30 frickin’ years and teaching and making the world a better place for 20 years. Pretty cool right? YOU BET!

At this point you are probably thinking I should say something really tai chi'ish, something wise and inspiring, right? Well when I reflect on what is possibly THE most momentous, gargantuan event of the half century, a little sound happens in the back of my head. POP! Just like the sound of one of my 50th birthday balloons that had too much air. Because at that moment, I am reminded that this year also begins my teacher’s 60th year of practice!

So no. I don't have anything wise and tai chi'ish to say, other than repeating what the masters have said for hundreds of years.

How wonderful is Taiji quan,
Whose movements follow nature!
Continuous like a jade bracelet,
Every movement expresses the Great Ultimate...
Li I-yu

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Brief Notes of the Schools Activities

The Tai Chi Program
The year began with another incredible Chinese New Year celebration that included the very funny Year of the Rabbit Puppet Show.

Several student sent in awesome essays for the 2011, Tai Chi & Nature Essay Question. Portions of these essays will be shared in the next newsletter!

Another successful turn out for World Tai Chi Day & Qigong Day!

Seminars included Da Lu, and Xing Yi.

Intensive Tai Chi continues to grow on Sunday mornings at 9am. If you know the whole form and are in the Ongoing program, then consider coming to the session. No instruction is given. It is just an opportunity to practice the form twice through.

Dan Menzel made another "When is the Best Time For Tai Chi?" Videos.
Bouquet

Ravenswood Artwalk 2011 was incredible. Dan Menzel and Laura Brownstone demonstrated 2 Person Tai Chi Staff and Sas Stark and Chris Zalek killed just about everything else Tai Chi related. Laurel Ross sang with the Bullfrogs Community Choir and Sara Zalek and Aurora Tabar encouraged us to HUG. Check out the Group HUG performance, a one hour video condensed to 15min. This video also features the naturesounds that were recorded by Paul Dickinson.

Meditation Program
Several of us neigong meditators went on a field trip to the Smart Museum for a group meditation with AD Zen Gate as part of the Echoes of the Past: The Buddhist Cave Temples of Xiangtangshan exhibition.

Qigong Program
Don Tomei and Sharon Fierro lead two very popular Qigong classes at the Chicago Green Festival.

6 Healing Sounds Qigong will be the next class offering 2012!

Yoga Program
Tracy Von Kaenel launched the Aerial Yoga Program class.

Out of the new Aerial Yoga program came two outstanding performances at this years RAW Flow and Aerial Yoga Demo and Arial Yoga Dance with Tracy Von Kaenel

The Health and Philosophy Program
Lisa Hish ended this year with the beginning of what will be an in-depth look at WATER both in our bodies and in the natural world around us.

Elizabeth Wenscott has been privately teaching Sharon Fierro the I Ching. Hopefully more will follow!

The Environmental Arm - Sustainable Return
Once again this year the environmental arm has been extremely active!

Lisa Hish and 5 school members set up and maintained the schools first community garden plot!

Elizabeth launched a native plant corner parkway initiative through Northcenter Neighborhood Association and the North Branch Restoration Project where students will get to volunteer and help plant corner parkways while learning about why native plants are so important and why they help our tai chi.

Several members of the Tai Chi Center of Chicago learned about the origin and fundamental principles of biodynamic agriculture in both theory and practice. Special emphasis was placed on practical applications for a smaller scale yard, garden or vegetable plot.

Year of the Rabbit came in with the new moon, and TC3 and friends of TC3 raised $1,200 dollars for the Oregon Natural Desert Association's, Save the Pygmy Rabbit program! Looking ahead put this date on your calendar, February 11, 2012 Year of the Dragon Celebration and Fundraiser. Believe me this will be a fun celebration! If you were born the year of the Dragon or have a friend or family member born the year of the Dragon please bring them to this celebration.

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Double Happiness

Double Happiness is when happiness collides with happiness making it even bigger! This year the school celebrated the civil union between Patricia Benjamin and Martha Fourt. Congratulations to you both!

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Overheard

Don't breathe unless you mean it!

Our crops are under attack!
When I was watering the community garden one of the lettucy-shrubbery-ish looking plants, a medium-sized, up-to-no-good rabbit jumped out and ran away across the yard. It was definitely eating something. By the way, I know this is weird, but the rabbit kind of looked like Kip.

Elizabeth Wenscott - Annual Newsletter 2010

A Year in Retrospect

Less then a year ago I was given a copy of an article called, The Power of Curiosity Discover how cultivating an inquiring mind can help you lead a happier, healthier life, by Todd Kashad Ph.D.., Experience Life Magazine. In the article Todd asks the question “What do we want most in life? The answer he discovered was based on a year long study of more then 10,000 people from 48 countries... drum roll please.... HAPPINESS.

Happiness was viewed to be more important than success, intelligence, knowledge, maturity, wisdom, relationships, wealth and a sense of meaning in life!

What Todd continues to say in this article was that most people miss achieving happiness because time and time again they focused on what they THOUGHT would make them happy instead of nurturing and cultivating happiness through the joy of curiosity.

Curiosity! Yes! I love curiosity. This is the one, single word that can express my dedication to the art of tai chi for 29 years. It is curiosity, the desire to know through exploration and investigation. It is what has motivated me as a student, and it is what I hope will motivate you in your own practice, whether it is Tai Chi, Yoga, Qigong or Meditation.

Over the years studying with my teacher Grandmaster Hsu Fun-Yuen, students would come up to him and ask "How long will it take to learn Tai Chi and be good at it?" or "What can I expect the benefits of all this hard work and practice will add up to?" He would always answer these open ended question with a snicker in his voice and a crooked smile, and say... “How deep is the ocean? How high is Heaven?"

Hsu, just like anyone that loves what they do (or is learning to love what they do) know that curiosity blended with practice and dedication is the vehicle and skill, health and happiness are just a few of the gifts.

This has been a great year the for the school because every single teacher at TC3 oozes curiosity and happiness for what they do. Below is my brief description of what each department accomplished.



The Tai Chi Program
Year of the Tiger came in with a roar, and TC3 and friends of TC3 raised nearly $1,500 dollars for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s, Save the Amur Tiger program! As a result 6 of us very lucky people got to go to the “Behind the Scenes at the Field Museum,” thanks to generosity of Bill Stanley and Laurel Ross! Looking ahead put this date on your calendar, February 5, 2011 Year of the Rabbit Celebration and Fundraiser.

Another successful turn out for World Tai Chi Day & Qigong Day

Seminars included Tai Chi Sword with Meridian Stretches and Da Lu.

Sas Stark launched the free Outdoor Tai Chi class.

Intensive Tai Chi continues to grow on Sunday mornings at 9am.

Ellen Sullivan competed in the 2010 Gay Games in Cologne read article.

Martha Fourt performed Tai Chi Sword at the Thousand Waves fundraiser

Dan Menzel made a few more "When is the Best Time For Tai Chi?" Videos.
Jen Shen Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan in the Fog
Wave Hands Like Clouds

Ravenswood Artwalk 2010 was considered by many “their favorite” to date. I don’t know... I have loved them all, but what made this year extra special was that we had an actual art opening the night before hosted by Laurie Cohen and Artist in Residence Christine Wallers.

Qigong Program
Don Tomei and Sharon Fierro received their Advanced Level Training in Qigong.

Sharon Fierro has been helping to expand the Qigong Program by offering 8 Brocades Qigong Seminar and other enhancement classes.

Yoga Program
Tracy Von Kaenel offered the most creative, curiosity-driven, special summer yoga program to date. Classes such as; Choose Your Focus, Yin Yoga, Core/Cardio Focus, Philosophy Yamas, Sensory Yoga with Gong Bath, Partner/Wall, Yoga at the Lake, Yoga with live violin, and even a Guest Instructor.

The Environmental Arm - Sustainable Return
Has been extremely active this year! To see all that we have done, please read, Lisa Hish’s newsletter below.

What is Next? How can You Help?

What is Next in 2011?
Tai Chi Fan with Chee Zhou will be offered in the new year.

A top secret surprise for the Yoga program is just around the corner.

How can You Help?
Promote the school! Each class needs students. No students... no classes. You can help all the programs by telling everyone what you know about TC3. Also, you can also place our beautiful postcards anywhere you can think of (we have 5,000 of each!).

Thank You's 2010
I would like to thank the following students and friends for their generous help and timeliness:

All the teachers and assistant teachers, without you there would be just me.

Christine Wallers, Steven Leavitt, Kipling Swehla, Laurie Cohen, Dan Menzel, and Andrew & Casey Calhoun for fulfilling another great year of art and music for the Ravenswood ArtWalk.

Paul McEntee, CPA extraordinaire.

Sas Stark, for making everything in print look pretty.

Don Tomei, for making everything sound pretty.

Dan Menzel, for taking care of anything that requires manly muscle.

Ben Liberman, for keeping my computer working.

Dave Cole, for being the “man with the keys,” learning to speak to my plants, and for keeping the school on time.

Laurel Ross, for ideas in keeping the school connected to the natural world.

Lisa Hish, for always keeping me on my toes.

All the founding members!

Final Notes

Double Happiness
Double Happiness is when happiness collides with happiness making it even bigger! This year the school celebrated two marriages; Kipling& Natalie, his very own princess bride, followed by the school's first “in house” marriage between Christopher & Sara (Thompson) Zalek! Congratulation to you all!

Summer Events - 2010

Follow this link for an update on free classes, special classes, special events, video's and more... then pass it along!

Summer Events - 2010

Save the Amur Tiger

For those that are looking for a worth cause to donate to by the end of 2009 please consider, The Year of the Tiger - Save the Amur Tiger.

http://www.taichicenter-chicago.com/savethetiger.html

Elizabeth Wenscott - Annual Newsletter 2009

INCLUDED IN THIS POST

• A Year In Retrospect
  
• What The Teachers Have To Say (not included in the post, see 9 additional post below)
  Sas Stark, Christopher Zalek, Dan Menzel, Tracy Von Kaenel, Don Tomei,
  Sharon Fierro, Christine Wallers, Kipling Swehla, and Lisa Hish
  
• What Is Next? What Needs To Be Done? How Can You Help.
  
• Thank You's 2009
  
• Final Notes

ELIZABETH WENSCOTT
A Year in Retrospect

I can undoubtedly say that 2009 has been a doozy of a year! We can congratulate ourselves for electing this country’s first Black President! In addition we inherited a long-brewing and now boiling over economic crisis, a global climate crisis, and a health care crisis. Finally, we have the mass fear of the swine flu pandemic, and if you sail the oceans... pirates!

And, no, we cannot blame any of these on the Year of the Ox! The Ox is about commitment, hard work and perseverance no matter the ease or difficulty; something that all of us can relate to.

So how has the above affected TC3? Well for one we managed to keep our doors open, something that many small businesses like TC3 were unable to do in this economic atmosphere. The global climate crisis inspired us to create an environmental arm at the school. And the health care crisis will ensure that people will need to reprioritize how they care for their health by taking control of it themselves, choosing preventive forms of care such as Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. So, all in all, this difficult year, I hope, will result in a much needed change for the future. And, with all of you, TC3 plans to be a part of those changes.

Below is a list of what we accomplished over the 2009 year, and in spite of all the fear and uncertainty, I would say, WE KICKED ASS!!!

The school participated in 3 global events:
 World Tai Chi & Qigong Day (everyone) watch video
 Carbon Day (Tomei & Wenscott)
 350.org (Wenscott, Benjamin, Manesky, Tomei, Swehla, Yee, Zalek) watch video
We sponsored and/or participated in specialty lectures, seminars and special events:
 Ravenswood ArtWalk for the 3rd consecutive year (everyone)
 Qigong Open House - For The Alternative Healthcare Provider (Tomei)
 St. Ben’s Garden Club - Sustainable Gardening (Hish & Wenscott)
 Lane Tech High School, Chinese Language Class - Tai Chi & Taoism (Wenscott)
 Chinese New Year Celebration - The Ox Year (everyone)
 Women's Self Defense (45 women within the 47th Ward) (Wenscott, Stark, Zalek, Menzel)
 Think Peace Take Action - Movement Heals (Stark)
 Dr. Aihan Kuhn, Master, Chinese Medicine for Health, Boston, MA (Tomei, Fierro, Wenscott)
Two new teachers were recognized:
 Dan Menzel - Tai Chi
 Sharon Fierro - Qigong
The school received upgrades:
 A fresh coat of paint
 A new rain barrel (the previous one blew up!)
 5.1 Surround Sound speaker system!!!
A new program was developed:
 Environmental Arm - Sustainable Return

Peace in the Tao,

E

What is Next? What Needs to be Done? How Can You Help.

CLASS DEVELOPMENT
1) If you were a student and for whatever reasons had to take a leave... well we miss you! Come on back!

2) The Tai Chi Program, the Qigong Program, the Meditation Program, and the Yoga Program could use your support. You can help these programs by telling everyone what you know about them. You can also place our beautiful postcards anywhere you can think of (we have 5,000 of each!).

3) You can also make www.taichicenter-chicago.com or www.qigongchicago.com or www.yogachicago.us your browsers HOME PAGE so that each time you open your internet browser you accumulate a visit for our websites, which will move them closer to the top of the page in future searches.

4) Stay in contact with the school by “friending” us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Myspace and this blog!!!

GIFT CERTIFICATES/FREE CLASS PASS
If you want to share your love of Tai Chi, Qigong or Yoga consider buying a gift certificate. Some programs may offer you a discount based on your purchase. Also, if you want to gift a single class of Tai Chi or Qigong ask one of the intructors for a “free” try one class pass.

INCREASE YOUR CLASS PARTICIPATION
Example: If you are in the Tai Chi Program, also join the Qigong Program. If you are in the Qigong Program, also join the Meditation Program etc. For just $30.00 a month more you can increase your training by participating in two programs. For just $50.00 a month more you can get it ALL and reach enlightenment that much quicker! Think of how many more classes will become available to you! (Initiation fee for the Meditation Program not included).

PURCHASE PRACTICE TIME
The beauty of purchasing practice time is that it allows students to practice privately in a suitable space that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

As you know practicing sword in your living room ain’t that great, and practicing out in our parks is not that private; it can often end with numerous interruptions: "where did you learn that," conversation, or some punk yelling "Hiiiiii-ya!, I can kick your ass."

If you are interested in repurchasing practice time, or purchasing it for the first time, please contact me. And yes, you can share your scheduled time!

SCHOOL SUBLET
The Tai Chi Center of Chicago has been activity looking for two more programs to join us (or sublets). If you know of anyone that is looking for space on a regular bases, send them my way.

DONATIONS of TIME or MONEY
If you are able to make a financial donation, the school would gladly accept. If you are able to make a time donation, the school would gladly accept. Together and keep alive our beautiful oasis for ourselves and for our community.

Thank You's 2009

I would like to thank the following students and friends for their generous help and timeliness:

All the teachers and assistant teacher, without you there would just be me.

Steven Leavitt, Kipling Swehla, Christine Wallers, Stephen Walker for fulfilling another great year of art and music for the Ravenswood ArtWalk.

Paul McEntee, CPA extraodinare.

Sas Stark, for making everything in print look pretty.

Don Tomei, for making everything sound pretty.

Robin Manesky, for donating the 5.1 Theater Surround sound system.

Ben Liberman, for installing the 5.1 Theater Surround sound system.

Don Tomei and Dan Menzel, the men of the school! Whatever I can’t do these two sure can.

Lisa Hish, for keeping me on my toes.

Finally, a thanks to all the Founding Members, for without you I wouldn't have a reason to thank any of the people above! So thank you!

Final Note

I would like to welcome the following future
Tai Chi’ist to the world!
Matthew Elijah Azuma Anyah (Eli for short)

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Neigong Longevity Exercises

Over the years I have received the same "Wow this is weird," or "Geeze I never knew I held so much tension there!" from practicing the Red Dragon Waves (Tongue) the Water exercise that we do after meditation. This exercise is extremely beneficial to ones health as the tongue is connected to the heart meridian according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Here is a list of some of the noted benefits:
reduces sleep apnea
cervical spondylosis
reduces risk of heart disease

Our own Dr. Rossi says, "Many people develop swallowing difficulties as they age, which does cause a myriad of problems that can eventually lead to death or severely impaired quality of life. I suspect that being able to consciously control and strengthen the tongue and some of the action of swallowing probably reduces or compensates for some of the degradation of the swallowing mechanism that some older people develop."

Next up, the importance of saliva!

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TC3 Newsletter 2008

Here is a link to this years Newsletter.

Enjoy,
E

TC3 NEWSLETTER 2008

Nine Divisions of the Celestial Sphere

In ancient China the Taoist believed that there are 36 Heavens! These Heavens were created by;

3 Purities
Numerous Treasure Heavenly Worthy - Tao Mediating
Primordial heavenly Worthy - Tao Gestating
Supreme Way Heavenly Worthy (Lao Tzu) - Tao Indwelling

3 Energies
Jing (Refined, Perfect, Essence)
Qi (Air, Vapor, Vital Energy)
Shen (Spirit, Mind, Intelligence)

3 Material
Heaven
Humanity
Earth

These resulting in what is called the 9 Divisions of the Celestial Sphere. These 9 Divisions were then multiplied by the 4 directions (north, east, south and west) making for the total of 36 Heavens!

On April 5th, 2008 myself along with Lisa Hish, Don Tomei and Kipling Swehla talked about how the Nine Divisions are applicable in Tai Chi, Qigong, our health and philosophy. Below is an abridged version of what was discussed or practiced on that day.

The Three Purities
The Three Purities are considered the highest deities in all of Taoism. They represent and control the various stages of the cosmos and exist with or without humanity.

The Three Energies

Jing Automatic at birth, nourishes, fuels and cools the body. Believed to be the carrier of our DNA. Is our reproductive system, semen, menstrual blood, bone marrow, lymphatic waters, synovial fluids, and mucus to name a few.
Qi Automatic at birht, is the steam created by the movement of air (wind) and blood (water).
Shen Not automatically given at birth. It is created, through practice (Tai Chi, Qigong, Neigong) and virtues (Three Treasures).

Activities that can damage our primary birth energy (Yuan Qi) is irregular lifestyle, improper eating and drinking, injurious or noxious air, toxic food, extreme physical exertion, damaged mental faculties etc.

Activities that can cultivate primary birth energy (Yuan Qi) is by living in accord with heaven and earth, yin and yang, the 4 seasons, the sun, moon, stars. By preserving your spirit, muscles and flesh. By temperance in eating and drinking. Regulating sleep and restoration, breath. Contentment etc.

Cheng Man Ching stated ..."70% is your internal energy and 30% is for the outside (heaven and earth) but that 30% is very hard to harness"...

Three Materials

Heaven (sky, cosmos, universe, vast, boundless, contains all, infinite reservoir of dynamic force, infinite time and space).
Humanity (human being in relation to Heaven and Earth living accordance to the Three Treasures).
Earth (land, globe, celestial body of heaven, evolution, nature, yin and yang, 5 elements, 8 gates and the myriad).

Heaven and Earth have the same roots as me, all things share the same body with me. The human body is the micro-cosmos. Heaven and Earth are the macro-cosmos.

Man abides by Earth, Earth by Heaven, Heaven by Tao, Tao by Nature.

The Three Treasures belongs to the Humanity realm of the Three Materials. They are;
Compassion (tenderness, love, mercy, kindness, gentleness, benevolence.
Frugality (moderation, economy, restraint. To be sparing.
Humility (dare not to be first or ahead in the world)

Human beings automatically have a relationship to the Three Purities, the Three Energies, and the Three Materials. How we choose to participate adds or takes away from our longevity and quality of life.

Lisa Hish talked in greater depths about how to protect/develop our Jing and Qi. Don Tomei provided group activity while talking about how to maintain a relationship to Heaven and Earth while practicing Qigong. I provided group activity while talking about how to maintain a relationship to Heaven and Earth when practicing Tai Chi Chuan and Push Hands and how to harmonize Qi and Jing to create Shen. Kipling Swehla talked about Compassion, Frugality and Humility and the benefits of practicing this lifestyle.

Goals "Self Prophecies"

Once again this is the time of the year I revisit the direction of my school, myself as a teacher, and what I see for each of my students.

In my revisit I come up with the same questions. As a teacher what do I have to offer? What path do I want my school take? What expectations do I have for myself and my students? How can I best guide my students in helping them find/maintain their own path?

What I believe I have to offer and the path the school is on is to offer a supportive atmosphere in which all can learn time-honored skills which can then be adapted to create a better quality of life.

As a teacher I am looking for my students to master what has been handed down to me and at the same time find their own path within it. What I mean by this is to not come up with your own way of doing the form or creating your own form. Heavens no! Nor am I looking for all of my students to mimic the form perfectly. Instead I am looking for you to find yourself IN the forms and then to find your own way to utilize what you have learned. For some of you this may become your MISSION, your path.

My expectations for you are few but great. Come to class, learn from it and do something with it. Now these three seem pretty simple right? I can tell you they can all become quite challenging!

Coming to class: You are in charge of your own attendance. You may find many reasons as to why you can't make it to class but remember every missed class is another missed opportunity.

Learn: Come with an empty mind so that you can fill it with the lessons of tai chi. If you are in the state of mental or physical injury, consider watching class. There are many ways to learn. You can learn by watching class. You could bring a tai chi book with you and read it on the sidelines. You could sit on the sidelines and breath along with the class etc. Be careful of the self created "land mines" that keep you from reaching your goals. Speaking of goals....its good to have one. If you don't have one I will be happy to help you create one.

Apply: In the beginning stages this is easy. It is when you make changes to your life in a way that is healthier. Maybe you have changed the way you eat, sleep, work, deal with relationships etc. Changes are quick and effective. This is when everyone likes tai chi because the world seems to be looking better!

In the middle stages there may be times that you are not quite sure if you are learning anything. You may be doing tai chi just because you believe you should or because you are afraid i will "get" you if you don't! LOL You may go months without knowing why you are still practicing ... then whamo! Its as if you been struck by lightening. Your'e in love with tai chi again! Entering this stage is uncomfortable but it is a pattern that will come and go for the term of your practice. My advice to you is don't become attached to the WHAMO instead look at what is nearly invisible. Breathe, relax, listen and let happen what will happen and remember your goal. (see above)

It is the advanced stages that I hear the most grumbling because it is in the advanced stages that it is time for you to take what you have learned and truly make it your own. You either become a teacher and pass it on or you use the lessons to create a unique spin on it all.

For some of you THIS will be the hardest part of your development. This is where you will need all of YOUR strength and wisdom. It is in this stage that all your deepest fear, judgement or "specialness" can rear its ugly head. If you haven't cleaned yourself up during the first two stages then going through this stage will make it even harder. The pressure may feel like its ON and in some ways it is and this is usually the time to find a way to make tai chi your very own. YUP... YOUR OWN. But look at it this way, you have now spent 10 years going down the tai chi path, you are better equipped then most to take on challenges. You know how to breath! You know how to look at things in several different ways! Your are mentally and physically more agile!