tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34405187577322136842024-01-08T16:05:11.297-06:00Meditation in MotionLife | Health | Tai ChiErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-344723583734816032014-08-17T18:46:00.000-05:002014-08-17T18:46:27.322-05:00How to Learn Tai Chi
White Crane Flashing Wings
I have been studying tai chi for a
number of years now. The more I learn, the more learning I have to
do.
Most students, myself included,
run through our forms and call it our daily practice. This weekend, I
did something a little different.
I spent one hour practicing
Leisurely Tying Coat and then one hour practicing White Crane
Flashing Wings. I Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-16477374180774042782014-06-14T05:27:00.003-05:002014-06-14T05:27:53.856-05:00How Can We Use Technology to Connect?
This
is a presentation I gave at Dr. Paul Lam's annual Tai Chi workshop in
St. Louis, MO. See the notes at the end.
Good morning. I am very
happy to be here at the world's biggest and best tai chi family
reunion. We really are a family here.
Dr. Lam asked me to talk
about Harmonizing Technology. I have absolutely no idea what that
means. So I decided to ignore it in the hope that it would Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-61186053310324764352014-06-07T07:20:00.000-05:002014-06-07T07:44:35.790-05:00Four Ways to Improve Body Awareness
One of the things that seems to
confuse tai chi beginners is body awareness. They really don't know
what their body is doing in space. They try to move their arms and
hands in a certain way and the movement doesn't look at all like they tried to
do it. Even worse, they don't even know that they don't know what they
are doing. How can we teach body awareness to students?
I have four Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-75546333007984892822014-05-30T10:49:00.000-05:002014-05-30T10:56:35.154-05:00Yield to Yield
(This
is a guest post by Arthur Lopez)
“Yield” has been one
of the most difficult Tai Chi concepts for me to learn. After 16
years of regular practice, I sometimes still find that I am not
yielding when I should. I wondered why this is so? In researching the
definition of the word, I realized that the concept of ‘yield’ in
our western thinking is quite a paradox. An idea may have
Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-37277866326914152592014-05-17T08:33:00.003-05:002014-05-17T08:33:37.515-05:00Tai Chi Improves Ability to Perform Complex TasksA recent study shows that tai chi
practitioners are more able to perform complex tasks that combine
physical and cognitive challenges than non-practitioners. The study
looked at older experienced tai chi practitioners and healthy
controls. The practitioners were mostly in their 70's.
The first challenge was to step
down from a 19 cm (7.5 inch) platform and maintain a single-leg
stanceErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-81890701075283684892014-04-27T06:59:00.002-05:002014-04-27T06:59:33.315-05:00World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2014
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day is an annual event celebrated all around the world to raise awareness of tai chi and qigong. We had a great event this year at Bird Park in Kankakee, IL USA. More than 40 people braved the cold wind to get together and celebrate the event.
We had demonstrations of Sun style and Yang style tai chi and several qigong forms. We Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-1645220155814831262014-04-12T12:20:00.001-05:002014-04-12T12:21:44.847-05:00What Happens When You Practice in the Wrong Place?
I
usually practice my tai chi in the same space at home. I always face the
same direction. I recently learned that this practice places limits
on my practice.
One
day recently I faced the opposite direction to start my forms.
Sometime during the forms practice, I lost track of where I was. I
stopped and tried to figure out where I was and how I had gotten
there. It took a little Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-86548050356589177212014-04-04T20:23:00.000-05:002014-04-04T20:23:01.424-05:00Understanding Too Soon
Have you ever thought about your teacher, "Why does he keep teaching this stuff? I already know it." Maybe you need to rethink your position.
One of the most famous and quotable writers to ever use the English language was William Shakespeare. The things he wrote in his plays are often quoted and have become part of the language. If Shakespeare had never lived, the most famous author would Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-90549228316587308672014-03-29T07:23:00.001-05:002014-03-29T07:44:13.509-05:00Keeping Track of Time
Have you ever been engrossed in something interesting and lost track of time? Sure you have. It happens to all of us. Our conscious awareness of the flow of time keeps changing.
When I am sitting and not paying much attention, I breathe about 15 times a minute. When I am practicing my tai chi, I usually focus on my breath (among other things). I usually breathe slower, about 10 times a minuteErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-59413717420522066252014-03-20T21:05:00.004-05:002014-03-29T07:24:12.293-05:00Tai Chi for Falls Prevention <!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 1 in 3 US adults over 65 fall each year. The treatment cost
for falls in the US is about $20 Billion each year. Scary, isn't it.
The CDC issues what are called "evidence-based
practice" recommendations. This is the highest level of recognition in the
medical community becauseErichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-56910739525823546152014-03-14T19:39:00.002-05:002014-03-14T19:48:35.693-05:00How Do We Become "Good" at Something?
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
I recently read an article that discussed difference between
having an innate skill and the hard work to develop skill.
Here is what the authors say (Click here for entire article)
Talents that selectively
facilitate the acquisition of high levels of skill are said to be present in
some children but not others. The evidence for this Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-11304927850872517432014-03-08T13:29:00.000-06:002016-02-14T08:03:48.020-06:00Sun Family Tai Chi (Part 2)
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Last week, I posted a video of Sun JianYun performing her
family tai chi form. This week, I found a video of Sun Peng, a grandson of
Sun LuTang. It looks like a Spring day, with the snow starting to disappear.
He is obviously pretty old here. I am amazed at how his
movements just flow from one form to the next.
Here is last Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-88610308684024136352014-03-01T06:04:00.001-06:002014-03-01T06:04:55.835-06:00LinkedIn Endorsements?<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Like many people, I have a LinkedIn account. I don't use it
much, but I would like to hear from people that use LinkedIn Endorsements. What
is the purpose here? I know what LinkedIn says, but what they say doesn't seem
to match reality. I have been endorsed for many skills I don't have by people
that don't even know me.
Strength training?Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-73033636980088739932014-02-22T08:32:00.000-06:002014-03-27T20:30:34.604-05:00Taiji - Sun Style (Sun Jianyun) 孫式太極 孫劍雲<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Sun Lu Tang was the creator of Sun style tai chi. He had
several children. One of them was a daughter, Sun JianYun. I am embedding a
video here of Sun JianYun performing the family style of tai chi. This is the
97 form routine.
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Amazon.com Widgets
There are a few points here Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-75761439955233732012014-02-15T07:10:00.003-06:002014-02-15T07:10:57.491-06:00Three Simple Rules for Beginning a Tai Chi Life<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Does it seem too complicated to learn tai chi with all those
movements happening? One arm going one way and the other arm going another way,
stepping somewhere else, all at once. It's not hard. There are three simple
rules you should know as you begin a tai chi life.
1) Stop Worrying. Worry doesn't do any good, so let it go.
When you Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-86646677347212289342014-02-09T08:34:00.001-06:002014-02-09T08:40:22.272-06:00I Have No Former Students <!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
I have been thinking about my teaching quite a bit lately. I
started some new classes at the beginning
Tai Chi Beginner
of the year. That's the busiest time
of year for new classes because of all those New Year's resolutions. Like all
other tai chi teachers, most of my students only take a few sessions of a tai
chi class before they Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-6916386404621427762014-02-01T06:22:00.002-06:002014-02-01T06:22:28.944-06:00It Takes Time -- The Hand Pump<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Tai chi is not a 30-day medical cure. I often tell students
that it takes time for changes from tai chi to
Hand Pump
express themselves in our
bodies. It typically takes 8 to 12 weeks of practice for changes to become
noticeable. New students often have unrealistic expectations about what to
expect from tai chi.
I've been searching Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-76442163803724759492014-01-25T13:06:00.000-06:002014-01-25T13:06:28.531-06:00How Do We Properly Tilt the Pelvis (Revisited)?<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
A couple of months ago, I wrote an article called "Tilt
the Pelvis". I had an interesting conversation with a friend about the
terminology I used to describe this movement. She graciously explained a better
way to describe it (thanks Kate!). You can read my original article here.
<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
We Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-47480783734169164142014-01-19T07:18:00.000-06:002014-01-19T09:37:54.121-06:00Tai Chi for the 21st Century
What happens when a poet also practices tai
chi? These are not my words. They are from a video by my friend, Paul Read, the
Teapotmonk. He kindly allowed me to share this here.
Grace & Strength
In the Tai Chi Form
Space
Just as the space between words shape the phrase...
Just as the space between musical notes shape the song...
So too, we crave the presence of space
Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-5754836101737928182014-01-11T06:16:00.000-06:002014-01-11T06:42:17.913-06:00Blogging Update (I Need Help)<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Now that we are beginning a new year, it's time to look back
on how we got here. I have been blogging for about 3 1/2 years. My goal since
the beginning has been to help people find ways to change their lives. I am
happy to say that my reach is continuing to grow.
I am really interested in starting a dialogue with my
readers about the Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-37771663563200929122014-01-04T08:20:00.000-06:002014-01-04T08:20:04.070-06:00Lucky Eights<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Tai chi is full of circles and spirals. It's not obvious to
beginners because they are accustomed to working linearly. They try to get from
here to there in a straight path. There is nothing like that in tai chi. This
week, I am writing about what is called a Figure 8 movement of the waist and dan tien.
Start by standing with your feet Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-23713583551470368482013-12-28T06:36:00.001-06:002014-01-11T05:39:45.467-06:00Separate the Hips and Waist<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
This week, I would like to talk about turning at the waist. All
styles of tai chi have some type of turning movements. Push off with one foot,
start to shift your weight, and turn. This type of movement should have some
movement of the hips, but even more movement of the waist.
One of the things we learn in our tai chi practice is to
Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-22186599913443611442013-12-21T05:15:00.000-06:002013-12-21T05:15:22.013-06:00Physician, Heal Thyself<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
I recently started writing again after a couple of months
without much happening. It's a great feeling to be back at it.
So why had I stopped? Stress, busy lifestyle, and feeling
too tired. I have a full-time job that pays the bills. It has these things
called deadlines. And I have a micromanager for a boss that creates lots of
stress Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-12542362216884396752013-12-15T09:06:00.001-06:002013-12-15T09:06:24.215-06:00Tilt the Pelvis<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
A common saying in tai chi is to "tilt the pelvis"
or alternatively to say "tuck the tailbone". What does this mean?
Simple. It's a way of straightening the lower spine by pivoting the pelvis and pulling in the tailbone.
Unfortunately, this is often misunderstood to mean that we should use muscular
force to put our body in a particular Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3440518757732213684.post-44954450431727013402013-11-28T08:20:00.001-06:002013-11-28T08:20:54.409-06:00A Day of Thanks<!--[if gte mso 9]>
Normal
0
<![endif]-->
Today is Thanksgiving Day in the US. It is a day to pause
and think about the wonderful things in our lives and to be properly thankful for
them. The holiday had its beginning nearly 400 years ago as a harvest festival.
It represented survival in very difficult times.
In our modern times, Thanksgiving Day is just another
holiday. It is a Erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07728842616101144952noreply@blogger.com0