February 20 - 29, 2004
Relapse of acute bronchitis - quite ill for many days.
February 20, 2004, Friday
"Any single repetitive pattern tends to distort the open-ended flexibility
of the entire
system. Let us be on our guard against adopting any particular posture,
mode of
exercise, or repetitive discipline as being perfect, or ideal, or best.
Only constant
variation calls the full alertness of the system into being. It is,
after all, constant
variation that we are called upon to cope with throughout our lives, a condition
from
which we can only partially insulate ourselves no matter how hard we many try
to
cling to models, and no matter how "right" those models appear to be
from a
particular theoretical point of view.
Any set pattern, no matter how good it looks on paper, is a fixation that
threatens
to be crushed by its own existence to the onrush of things and events. The
goal
of bodywork should not be to impose universalized standards of posture and
movement upon an individual, but rather to help the individual to cultivate the
mental awareness and flexibility to continually adapt to the changing needs
of
the moment."
- Dean Juhan, Job's Body: The Handbook for Bodywork, 1987, p.
142.
February 19, 2004, Thursday
Arranged with Gudrun Volpat for a session of Phoenix Rising Yoga
Therapy.
She is doing a practicum for her teaching certificate and needs to work with
volunteers. I filled out the questionairre and watched the videotape she
provided.
Attended yoga classes on Tusday and Thursday evening after a weightlifting
workout.
February 18, 2004, Wednesday
Update the Tai Chi for Health webpage.
February 16, 2004, Monday
Worked on my notes and handouts for teaching the 24 Form.
February 15, 2004, Sunday
Added links and notes to the Tai Chi Sword webpage.
February 14, 2004, Saturday
Added links and notes to the Tai Chi for Diabetes
webpage.
February 13, 2004, Friday
Valentine's Day! A cool and overcast day for a return to normal
activities.
Presented my Taijiquuan and Qigong teaching portfolio
and interviewed with the program
coordinator at TFFC in Red Bluff.
A number of my haiku poems will be published in Simply
Haiku in March. A selection of
my short poems is available at Cuttings.
February 7 - 13, 2004,
All my time and energy has been used to recover from the flu - high
temperature,
weakness, coughing,
headache, overall muscular aches and pain, bronchitis
like
symptoms, and a painful earache. My physician was very worried I might be
headed towards
viral pneumonia - which I have very slowly recovered from twice in the
past.
Rest, medication, warmth, and lots of warm liquids were my
health regimen.
Not being able to breathe properly is a absolute stopper! I am so
fortunate to have good
medical support, a cozy home, a caregiving spouse, and ample retirement time to
recover.
No physical exercise, taijiquan or qigong for 6
days. Extra warm fluids and extra protein.
I am always amazed to read about the high incidence of illness
and death due to the flu
among older people during the winter months. Is it the cold? the
flu? the combination?
Staying Healthy With the Seasons. By Elson M. Haas,
M.D., Berkeley, Celestial Arts
Press, 1983, 2004. 266 pages. ISBN:
February 6, 2004, Friday
"I liked your article on the Eight Section Brocade.
It is now included on my site."
- Dean Johnson, Qigong
Association of America, 6 February 2004
Updated a few links in my Qigong bibliography.
Added information and links to my webpage on the Tai Chi Chuan Sword.
Got a needed good laugh from "Holy Trilogy of the Karate Kid" by Bill Simmons.
February 5, 2004, Thursday
Added information and links to my article on the Eight Section
Brocade.
February 4, 2004, Wednesday
Added information and links to my webpage on the Tai Chi
Sword.
February 3, 2004, Tuesday
Added information and links to my webpage on Taijiquan and
Health.
February 2, 2004, Monday
I always enjoy reading the Tai
Chi Productions Newsletter, edited by Dr. Paul Lam.
Updated my webpage on The Thirteen Postures: 8 Gates and 5 Steps.
Added a few more entries to Tai Chi 24 Form.
February 1, 2004, Sunday
In the 1990's I worked out a few times at a Taji studio in Orange County.
The teacher
was very skilled in Chen Taijiquan and very knowledgeable about Taoist sexual
practices.
I thought, however, that he touched students inappropriately. For example,
I saw him
jokingly tweak a male student's nipples and chide the student for being
overweight.
I read today an interesting article by Jennifer Barrett called "The
Trouble With Touch,"
in Yoga Journal, April 2003, pp. 102-107+. It explores how teachers
and students,
while interacting through touch, might exceed implied or explicit physical or
sexual
limits. Students might be injured, physically or mentally, by these
contacts. Good ideas
were given for avoiding some of these problems.
"Students are not inferior and shouldn't look to teachers to tell them
the answers
to life. They already have everything they need to unfold to their full
potential."
- Angela Farmer, The Feminine Unfolding.
Solo
Training: The Martial Artist's Guide to Training Alone. By Loren W.
Christensen.
Turtle Press, 2001. 304 pages. ISBN: 1880336596.
I have already written
a little about some problems I have with strange and questionable
relations between "masters" and students. The
ancient Confucian and
other Chinese
models for learning need to be evaluated for their effectiveness
and efficiency. There
is no need to be as radical and violent as the Red Guard of
the 1960's
in their attack
on these old models of education and learning and power; but, we
do need to be
aware of the pitfalls of some of the traditional ways.
Enjoyed watching the exciting Super Bowl game between the New England
Patriots
and the Carolina Panthers. Talk about Kao (Shoulder Striking) - there was
some
really hard hitting in today's game. A thriller decided in the last five
seconds on
a field goal. Worked on my 13 Postures webpage
as I watched the game on TV.
"There is a central idea. Merely practicing is not understanding. Seek
to understand
the human ability. Study diligently for deep ideas. The result after a long time
is that
one is able to know." - Sun Lu Tang (1861-1932)
The
American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual. By Alice Christensen.
New York,
A Fireside Book, Simon and Schuster, 1987. Glossary, index,
bibliography, 203 pages.
Spiralbound. ISBN:0671619357. Compare the warm-ups in this book
to the
Eight Section Brocade.
Valley
Spirit Tai Chi Chuan Club
Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, Northern California, U.S.A.
Cities in the area: Oroville, Paradise, Durham, Chico, Hamilton City, Orland,
Corning,
Rancho Tehama, Los Molinos, Tehama, Proberta, Gerber, Manton, Cottonwood,
Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, and Redding, CA
© Michael P. Garofalo, Red Bluff, California, 2004, All Rights Reserved
Cuttings: Haiku and Short Poems
Subject Index to the Cloud Hands Website
Cloud Hands: Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung Website
Tai Chi Chuan, Taijiquan, T'ai Chi Ch'uan,
Tai Chi, Tai Ji Quan, Taiji, Tai Ji Chuan, Tie Jee Chewan
Chi Kung, Qi Gong, Qigong, Chee Gung, Qi, Chi, Tu Na, Dao Yin, Yi, Neigong, Gung
Fu, Kung Fu
Valley Spirit Blog, Gu Shen Blog, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Journal, Tai Chi Diary
Alphabetical Subject Index
Cloud Hands Website
Taijiquan, Qigong, Taoism, Classics, Weapons: Sword and
Staff
Fitness
and Well Being Website
Gardening, Meditation,
Walking, Yoga, Strength Training,
Fitness for Older Persons, Aerobics, Relaxation
The Spirit of Gardening
2,700 Quotes Arranged by 130 Topics,
History, Guides,
Psycho-Spiritual Aspects of Gardening
Web Guides, Bibliographies, Links, Directories, Quotes, Notes
Alphabetical Subject Index
Alphabetical Subject Index to the Cloud Hands Website
Ancient Goddesses - Quotations, Poems, Sayings, Prayers, Songs
Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi): Tiger, Bear, Crane, Deer, and Monkey
Arthritis Therapy - Exercise: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Chi Kung
Bear, Standing Bear, Level 1 Ranking, Valley Spirit Taijiquan
The Bear: The Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
California (Northern) T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Charkas (Energy Centers of the Subtle Body)
Ch'i Kung: Bibliography and Links
Ch'i Kung Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung
Cloud Hands T'ai Chi Ch'uan Journal
Cold Mountain Poets: Wanderers, Mystics, and Sages
Confucius (K'ung Fu-tzu) (551 - 479 BCE)
Crane, Soaring Crane, Intermediate Program, Level 3, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Cuttings: Short Poems by Michael P. Garofalo
The Deer: The Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
Diabetes Therapy - Exercise: Taijiquan and Qigong
Disclaimer of the Cloud Hands Website
Eight Section Brocade Ch'i Kung
Embrace the One - Zhan Zhuang - Standing Like A Tree
Entering Tranquility (Ru Jing) Meditation
Exercise - Diabetes Therapy - Taijiquan and Qigong
Feedback, Kudos and Reviews for the Cloud Hand's Website
Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi): Tiger, Bear, Crane, Deer, and Monkey
Five Elements (Wu-Xing) and Taijiquan
Five Stepping Movements of Taijiquan
Gardening: Quotes, Poems, History, Sayings
The Four Gates: Grasping the Sparrow's Tail
Michael P. Garofalo's Biography
Michael P. Garofalo's T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Practice
The Goddess - Quotations, Poems, Sayings, Prayers, Songs
Green Way Research - Taijiquan and Qigong
Gu Shen (Valley Spirit) Taijiquan Instructional Program
Health and Fitness - T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Hidden Tiger, Beginning Program, Level 2, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Instructional Program, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Kundalini (Coiled Serpent) Energy
Kwang Ping Taijiquan of Kuo Lien Ying
Links and Bibliography: Qigong
Links and Bibliography: Taijiquan
Long Form 108 Yang Style Taijiquan
Master Chang San-Feng (circa 1350)
Master Cheng Man-Ch'ing (1901 - 1975)
Mastery, Self Control, Self Mastery, Choices, Will Power, Strength of Character
Meditation Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
Meditation Methods and Techniques
Meditation - Standing Like A Tree
Meditation - Wu Ji - The Edge of Emptiness
Michael P. Garofalo's T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Practice
Months of the Year: Quotes, Poems, Links
Moving Hands Like Clouds: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong
Northern California T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Older Persons Exercise and Well Being Programs
Oregon T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Original Waving Hands Like Clouds URL
Pranayama: Breathing Techniques from Yoga
Qigong: Bibliography and Links
Qigong Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
Red Bluff, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Instructional Program
Reviews of the Cloud Hand's Website
Self Control, Self Mastery, Choices, Will Power
Senior Citizens Fitness Programs
Sensing Hands: Push Hands - T'ui Shou
Shoong, Sung, Song - Loose, Relaxed, Open, Yielding, Responsive
Short Form, Yang Style, Beijing Simplified 24
Simplified 24 From, Yang Style
Soaring Crane, Intermediate Program, Level 3, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Speaking to the Spirit Meditation
Staff Weapons: Jo, Bo, Can, Staff, Spear
Standing Bear, Level 1 Ranking, Valley Spirit Taijiquan
Standing Like A Tree - Zhan Zhuang
Subject Index to the Cloud Hands Website
Swordsmanship and T'ai Chi Ch'uan
T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Bibliography and Links
T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory:
Instructors, Schools, Information, Workshops
Northern California,
Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Short Form, Beijing Simplified 24, Yang Style
T'ai Chi Ch'uan: Links and Bibliography
Taijiquan: Bibliography and Links
Taijiquan For Good Health, Fitness and Vitality
Taijiquan Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
Taoism, Nature Mysticism, Alchemy
Thirteen Postures: 8 Gates and 5 Steps
Thirteen Treasures Walking Qigong
The 300 Missing Poems of Han Shan
The Tiger: The Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
Tiger, Hidden Tiger, Beginning Program, Level 2, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Tree Qigong - Zhan Zhuang - Standing Like A Tree
Trees - Quotations, Poems, Lore, Wisdom
Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan Club
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Journal
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Instructional Program
Vancouver, B.C., T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools
Walking - General Fitness Exercise
Washington T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Waving Hands Like Clouds: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong
Will Power, Self Control, Self Mastery, Choices, Strength of Character
Yang Style Taijiquan Long Form 108 Movements
Yang Style Taijiquan Short Form 24 Movements
Yin-Yang Sensitivity Training: Sticking Hands - T'ui Shou
Zhan Zhuang - Standing Like A Tree
Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan Club
Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, Northern California, U.S.A.
Cities in the area: Oroville, Paradise, Durham, Chico, Hamilton City, Orland,
Willows,
Corning, Rancho Tehama, Los Molinos, Tehama, Proberta, Gerber, Manton,
Cottonwood,
Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, Igo, Ono, Redding, Shasta, Dunsmuir,
Shingletown, Burney, Mt. Shasta City, Weaverville, Yreka, Williams, Colusa,
Chester, Susanville, Weed, Gridley, Marysville, Yuba City, CA, California.
May 1, 2004
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung
