Michael P. Garofalo
Working out with the punching bag.
May 2005 Valley Spirit Journal
July 2005 Valley Spirit Journal
Index to the Valley Spirit Journal
June 1, Wednesday, 2005
"Eden is that old-fashioned House
We dwell in every day
Without suspecting our abode
Until we drive away."
- Emily Dickinson
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes:
Outdoor construction and painting projects. Weeding garden. I picked
a
nine pound cabbage.
Work for CUESD
from 10:30 - 4 pm. Continue reorganization project with
all library clerks at West Street library. We all went to lunch
together - a rare
event.
Weightlifting at
TFFC for 45 minutes:
Lower level overall body workout.
Spin bicycling class with Tanya from
5:30-6 pm
at TFFC.
Continuing to improve my new webpages on the Taiji
Straight Sword and the webpage on
the Taiji Saber.
June 2, Thursday, 2005
"The secret of happiness
lies in taking a genuine interest in all
the details of daily life, and in elevating them to art."
- William Morris
I did my Morning
Outdoor Exercise Program for 60 minutes:
Walking, Qigong,
Bagua, Standing
Qigong, Sword, and
Taijiquan.
Outdoor construction and painting projects. Getting new electrical work
done
in readiness for when the ditch pumps will need to be used.
Work for CUESD
from 10:30 - 4 pm. Finished reorganization project with
all library clerks at West Street library. Last day of work for all the library
clerks
for this school year. Last day of school for all the children and
staff.
Evening Exercise: weightlifting for 45 minutes: Pulldowns, leg curls, bench press, triceps
pressdowns. I taught the yoga class 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC.
Master Po-chang Huai-hai (720-814 CE) was asked by a monk,
"What is the Buddha Nature?"
Master Po-chang answered,
"It is like seeking for an ox while you are yourself on it."
The monk asked, "What use does knowing the ox serve?"
Master Po-chang replied,
"It is like going home riding on it."
Added links to my Taming the Ox webpage.
June 3, Friday, 2005
Is it advisable "To teach voidness or radical freedom to
the uneducated".
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 40 minutes
Strength training for 45 minutes: a really good back and leg workout.
Spin class at TFFC from
8:20-9 am
with Tanya.
Tai Chi class with Kevin Weaver from 10-11.
Purchase more paint and rocks in Red Bluff.
Work from 12-4 for TFFC.
Karen, Betty and I drive up to Redding for dinner at Tokyo Garden for Japanese
food,
browsing and dessert at Barnes and Noble, and a visit to the Sundial
Bridge.
The
Bodhisattva Warriors. The Origin, Inner Philosophy, History and
Symbolism of the
Buddhist Martial Art within India and China. By Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio
(Terence Dukes).
Boston, MA, Weiser Books, 1994. Index, bibliography, extensive notes, 527
pages.
ISBN: 0877287856. MGC.
June 4, Saturday, 2005
"As we become ever more cut off from our roots and further removed
from
our sense of connection to the rest of the human race, our environment,
and
to the understanding of the interrelatedness of the universe itself,
disease
will become more and more prevalent."
- Solala Towler
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
Worked on middle ditch pump setup and outdoor electrical projects.
I taught Taijiquan and Qigong from 10-11am, and Hatha Yoga from 11-12:15am at TFFC.
I did some very heavy deadlifts, shrugs, and clean and press
movements.
Get more paint and more cobble stone granite rocks. Work on various home projects in the afternoon.
Since the ditch began running for the first time this year, we spent two days
watering the
garden.
Generally, I wake up in the early morning from 3 am to 4 am, and lay down to
sleep
from 8 - 10 am. I sleep less than I did in my youth.
Sweeping
Changes: Discovering the Joy of Zen in Everyday Tasks. By Gary Thorp.
New York, Walker Company, 2000. Bibliography, 159 pages. ISBN:
0802713602.
MGC.
I found an interesting website: Gilman
Studio. Michael Gilman teaches in Port Townsend,
Washington. He offers some very detailed on-line Taijiquan courses.
I downloaded the
course on the Taiji
Saber.
June 5, Sunday, 2005
"All people - men, women, the old, and the young - may practice in order to
replace
temerity with bravery; and stiffness with pliability. Those of you who are
weak, who suffer
from fatigue and injury or illness, or who have weakened your qi from the
practice of
other martial arts to the point that you no longer have the strength to train,
all of you
may practice Tai Ji Quan. With practice, the qi will quickly return to a
balanced state and
will become strong, while the spirit naturally returns to a state of
wholeness. Disease will
be eliminated and the length of life increased."
- Sun Lu-Tang, A Study of Taijiquan, 1924, p.
60.
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
TFFC staff meeting at 8 am. I will be obtaining certification in
indoor cycling (spin)
next week.
Taught Taijiquan with Greg in the morning.
I do follow local, regional, state, national and international
news. I seldom comment
here on the major and minor events going on in the world about me. There
are millions
working in news, government, public services, education and government policy
every
day that cover these topics extensively in the media.
My general outlook is liberal, democratic, libertarian,
socialistic, secular, humanistic,
and peaceful. I try my best to not become one of the "God Bless
America" zealots
that I live with each day. I have a very low opinion of the value of the
organized Christian,
Jewish, and Islamic religions. Since I live near the buckle of a
Bible belt, I keep my
opinions to myself in most of my daily conversations. I do not support our
current
national and state governmental administrations. On the whole, I keep
my opinions
to myself - even in this blog.
New additions to Pulling Onions:
1.
June 6, Monday, 2005
"Fortunate is the person who has developed the self-control
to steer a straight course
toward his objective in life, without being swayed
from his purpose by either
commendation or condemnation."
- Napoleon Hill
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
Work around the house and garden. Put down lots of straw in the
garden - to help
control the effects of the bright summer sunshine in the Valley. Staw
mulch helps
keep the roots cooler, the soil softer, and hold moisture longer in the
soil. Reading.
Mowing and clean up.
Weightlifting at
TFFC for 45 minutes: Pull downs,
triceps and shoulder pull downs,
leg curls and reverse leg curls.
Spin bicycling class with Tanya from 5:30-6 pm
at TFFC. I
usually begin the
cycling workout at 5:15 pm for an extra 15 minutes of cycling.
Take my first Yogalates class with Lauren. She just finished her teaching
credential
work at Stimson College.
Currently, I am learning the Sun
Taijiquan 73 Form with instruction from Dr. Paul Lam, and the
and Yang Saber 37 Form
with instruction from Michael Gilman.
Looking south from our
backyard pond.
A great place for doing Taijiquan or Qigong.
June 7, Tuesday, 2005
"Discipline is the bridge between goals and
accomplishment."
- Jim Rohn
Work for CUESD
from 7:30 - 11:30 pm.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes: Bench press, squats, dumbbell presses, shrugs, triceps
kickbacks.
I enjoyed the yoga class taught by Gudrun from 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC.
June 8, Wednesday, 2005
"If you ask him: "What is silence?" he will
answer, "It is the Great Mystery! The holy silence
is His voice!" If
you ask: "What are the fruits of silence?" he will say: "They are
self-control,
true courage or endurance, patience, dignity, and reverence. Silence is the cornerstone
of character."
- Charles Alexander Eastman
Raining and quite cool all day. Very unusual weather for early June in Red Bluff.
Walking and Tai Chi practice.
Work for CUESD: 10:30 - 4:00 pm.
Since I had only slept for 3 hours last night, and I was quite sore after
four days of exercise,
I just rested and took naps all afternoon. Slept for over 11
hours.
June 9, Thursday, 2005
"For want of self-restraint many men are engaged all their
lives in fighting with difficulties
of their own making, and rendering success
impossible by their own cross-grained
ungentleness; whilst others, it may be
much less gifted, make their way and achieve
success by simple patience,
equanimity, and self-control."
- Samuel Smiles
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
Started garage cleanup and electrical project.
Work for CUESD from 12:00 to 4 pm.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes, taught Yoga at TFFC.
Since I work for the CUESD less or not at all during the
summertime, I have
more time for work projects around the house, for reading and study, and
for practicing internal martial arts and exercise activities.
In the early morning, at dawn, in the cool morning air, I enjoy
my daily outdoor
exercise program. I engage in a variety of mind-body exercise activities. These
activities take from 60 to 120 minutes to complete. The length of the
workout
varies as my energy levels, mood, previous night's gym workout, and interests
vary. I'm try to maintain a flexible, free, and open approach to this
early morning
training. I enjoy cross training. I vary the exercise sequences and play quite a bit.
Generally, I do these activities in a relaxed, easy going,
effortless,
flowing, soft,
and gentle manner. Normally, I begin to exercise around 5:30 am each
morning.
These morning exercise activities might
include some of the following activates:
Bagua - Yin Style Bear-Gen Forms
Sun Style Taijiquan 73 Competition Hand Form Practice
Yang Style Taijiquan 108 Long Hand Form Practice
Yang Style Taijiquan 24 Hand Form Practice
Reading the following books:
Basics
of Broadsword Play. By Dong Wenyu. Part of the Chinese Wushu
Series.
Beijing, Foreign Languages Press, 1993. Explanation of techniques,
practice
methods, and four routines.
138 pages. ISBN: 7119015028.
Cosmic Consciousness: A Study in the Evolution of the Human Mind. By
Richard Maurice
Bucke, M.D.. New York, E. P. Dutton, 1901. 384 pages.
Added links and information to webpage on swordsmanship.
June 10, Friday, 2005
"Calmness comes from within. It is the peace and
restfulness of the depths of our nature.
The fury of storm and of wind agitate
only the surface of the sea; they penetrate only two
or three hundred feet;
below that is the calm, unruffled deep. To be ready for the great
crises of life
we must learn serenity in our daily living. Calmness is the crown of
self-control."
- William Jordan
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes, spin cycling class with Tonya for 40 minutes, Tai Chi with Kevin at TFFC.
Finish outdoor shed conscruction and put up heavy punching bag supports;
continue with garage
cleanup, reorganization, and electrical work. Watering with ditch
water.
Karen off work for the rest of the summer.
"The single broadsword is usually held in one hand. The other hand
is used simultaneously to
make movements of flexion and extension, opening and closing, and covering and
binding in
coordination with the broadsword. The main movements of the broadsword
include cutting or
cleaving, chopping, upper cutting, upward parry, stabbing, hacking, thrusting
straight-arm lifting
and overhead blocking. The dominant features of the single broadsword are
fearlessness, agility,
power, indomitable spirit, and good coordination between the broadsword hand and
the free hand,
and between the weapon and the body. Broadsword play can help
practitioners to temper their
careless, stubborn and overconfident spirit. The routines can be easy or
difficult, but the movements
must be continuous and fluently connected. The practitioner must be quick
of eye and deft of hand.
The force must be exerted to the whole blade and reach the point."
- Ms. Dong Wenyu, Basics
of Broadsword Play, p. 5.
Added links to the webpage on the saber.
June 11, Saturday, 2005
"In light of knowledge attained, the happy achievement
seems almost a matter of
course, and any intelligent student can grasp it without too much trouble. But
the years
of anxious searching in the dark, with their intense longing, their alterations
of
confidence and exhaustion and the final emergence into the light -- only
those
who have experienced it can understand it."
- Albert Einstein
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 90 minutes.
I taught Taijiquan and Qigong from 10-11am, and Hatha Yoga from 11-12:15am at TFFC.
I did some very heavy deadlifts, shrugs, and clean and press
movements.
Watering and garage electrical projects.
Added links to the webpage on the saber.
June 12, Sunday, 2005
"Success Is Gauged By Self-Mastery" I should
like to say a few words about self-discipline,
self-control, or self-mastery
which is so important to all of us if we are to accomplish what we
set out to do
and enjoy the blessings which we desire so much. First, I should like to quote
some of the philosophers. Plato said: "The first and best victory is to
conquer self; to be
conquered by self is, of all things, the most shameful and
vile." And Da Vinci once said:
"You will never have a greater or
lesser dominion than that over yourself." Then he goes
on to say that
"the height of a man's success is gauged by his self-mastery; the depth
of
his failure by his self-abandonment. . . . And this law is the expression of
eternal justice.
He who cannot establish dominion over himself will have no
dominion over others." In
other words, he cannot be a worthy father or
leader. Solomon in all his wisdom made this
meaningful statement: "He that
is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth
his spirit than
he that taketh a city." (Proverbs 16:32) There are two important elements
in
self-mastery. The first is to determine your course or set the sails, so to
speak, of moral
standards; the other is the willpower, or the wind in the sails
carrying one forward. As I
said before, character is determined by the extent to
which we can master ourselves
toward good ends. It is difficult to say just what
builds good character, but we know it
when we see it. It always commands our
admiration, and the absence of it our pity.
But it is largely a matter of
willpower."
- N. Elden Tanner
Drive to the Oaks Racquet Ball Club in Woodland. Attended the (AFAA)
Aerobic and
Fitness Association of America's Indoor Cycling Class for Instructors. The
class ran from
9-5 pm. The instructor was Timmi Lemen. Very informative and
interesting. I have
a webpage for notes
on indoor cycling.
June 13, Monday, 2005
"Most people give up just when they're about to achieve
success. They quit
on the one yard line. They give up at the last minute of the game
one
foot from a winning touchdown."
- Ross Perot
[Was not Ross Perot a quitter in the U.S. Presidential race?]
I did my Morning Outdoor Exercise Program for 30 minutes.
I woke up later than normal. Quite stiff and tired from the extra exercise
yesterday,
and the long drives.
Worked on finishing the shed and garage electrical. We really cleaned up the garden.
Attended the Tehama County Commission on Aging meeting from 2-4 at the
Corning
Senior Center.
Started
Weightlifting at
TFFC at 4:30 pm for 45 minutes: Pull downs,
triceps and shoulder pull downs,
leg curls and reverse leg curls.
Spin bicycling class with Mary Ann from 5:30-6 pm. Yogalates class with
Lauren from 6-6:45 pm
at TFFC.
June 14, Tuesday, 2005
"Studies indicate that the one quality all successful
people have is persistence.
They're willing to spend more time accomplishing a task and to persevere in
the
face of many difficult odds. There's a very positive relationship
between
people's ability to accomplish any task and the time they're willing to spend on
it."
- Joyce Brothers
We worked on the new pole bean area (21'x*' high) along south facing side
of
outdoor shed nearest main garden. We set up supports, painted supports and
shed,
cleared all weeds from new planting area.
Nap in afternoon.
Weightlifting for 35 minutes: Incline bench press, shrugs, dumbell curls, triceps
kickbacks.
I enjoyed the yoga class taught by Gudrun from 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC.
Viewed Michael Gilman tape on Tai Chi Saber. Read some of his two books.
June 15, Wednesday, 2005
"I never could have done what I have done without the
habits of punctuality, order,
and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at
a time."
- Charles Dickens
Karen and I finished the new pole bean and hops planting area, and planted many
seeds.
Since I broke a tooth, I went to see Dr. Young, D.D.S., at 2 pm. I will need a gold crown.
Started Weightlifting at
TFFC at 4:30 pm for 45 minutes: Pull downs,
triceps and shoulder pull downs,
leg curls and reverse leg curls.
Spin bicycling class with Tonya from 5:30-6 pm. Yogalates class with
Lauren from 6-6:45 pm
at TFFC.
The Yogalates class blends Pilates movements with Yoga movements. All
movements are
repetitive movement sequences in sets of 5 to 10 repetitions. Most of the
active movements are
from the YogaFit vinyasa hatha yoga active and vigorous Mountain II
section. Lots of legs lifts,
leg extensions, leg sizzors, crunches, crunch twists, alternate side crunches,
etc.. The class
is for more advanced students and is very demanding. The teacher is Lauren
Olds.
I am currently reading a number of books:
On Taijiquan in general:
101
Reflections on Tai Chi Chuan. A Motivational Pocket Guide for Tai Chi
Chuan.
By Michael Gilman. Boston, MA,
YMAA Publication Center, 2000. 114 pages.
ISBN: 1886960868. MGC.
A
String of Pearls. 108 Meditations on Tai Chi Chuan. By Michael
Gilman.
Port Townsend, Turning Point Press, 1996. 103 pages. ISBN:
0965216403. MGC.
On swordsmanship in general:
T'ai Chi
Thirteen Sword: A Sword Master's Manual. By Stuart A.
Olson.
Translations by Stuart Olson. Burbank, CA,
Unique Publications, 1998.
258 pages. ISBN: 1892515148. MGC. Detailed
description and charts
for the 61 Movement Yang Style sword form. .
Swordsman's
Companion: A Modern Training Manual for the Medieval Longsword. By
Guy Windsor. Highland Village, Texas, Chivarlry Bookshelf, 2004.
Bibliography,
notes, 222 pages. ISBN:
1891448412. MGC. A very useful manual for all swordsmen.
Yang Style Saber. Instructional
videotape by Michael Gilman. The Gilman Studio
of Tai Chi Chuan, Port Townsend, Washington. From the Mastering Tai Chi
Series.
VHS, 60 minutes. This videotape is intended to be combined with Mr.
Gilman's
very detailed on-line description of the Yang style saber form.
To prepare for the YogaFit Level 4 Teacher Training Workshop and Senior YogaFit
Workshop in August, I am studying:
Senior YogaFit Teacher Training Manual. Redondo Beach, CA, YogaFit
Training
Systems Worldwide, 2004. 140 pages.
The
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Translation and Commentary by Sri Swami
Satchidananda.
Yogaville, Virginia, Integral Yoga Publications, 1978, 2004. Index,
appendices, glossary,
263 pages. ISBN: 0932040381. MGC. .
June 16, Thursday, 2005
"Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable
combination for success."
- Napoleon Hill
Tamtric standing meditation during the dawn hours.
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber, for 40 minutes.
Worked on garage electrical system repair and improvements.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes: Bench press, squats, dumbbell presses, shrugs, triceps
kickbacks.
I taught the yoga class from 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC.
Gudrin Volpat called me at told me she was quitting her job at TFFC. She
asked if I would
teach her Tuesday night class. She has other great opportunities to teach
closer to
her home. She said she will announce her decision at the class next
Tuesday. I will miss her.
June 17, Friday, 2005
"I persist on praising not the life I lead, but that which
I ought to lead.
I follow it at a mighty distance, crawling."
- Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber, for 40 minutes.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes, spin cycling class with Tonya for 40 minutes,
Tai Chi with Kevin at TFFC.
Karen and I went to Redding for Chinese food lunch, then shopping for new
living room furniture, shoes, and books at Barnes and Noble. Payday at
TFFC.
Worked on the new design in the front yard: adding cobblestones to the edge
of the entrance walkway, expanding one section, digging out grass, weeding,
mowing.
Currently Reading:
Eight
Mindful Steps to Happiness: Walking the Buddha's Path. By Bhante
Henepola Gunaratana. Boston, Wisdom Publications, 2001. Index,
bibliography,
268 pages. ISBN: 0861711769. MGC. Refer also to my notes on
the Eight Precepts.
Yoga
and the Quest for the True Self. By Stephen Cope. New York,
Bantam Books,
1999. Appendix, notes, index, 358 pages. ISBN: 055337835X.
The Eight Gates of Zen: A Program of Zen Training. By John Daido
Loori. Edited by
Bonnie Myotai Treace and Konrad Ryushin Marchaj. Boston, Shambhala, 2002.
270 pages. ISBN: 1570629528. MGC.
The Eight Ox Herding
Pictures - A Chan/Zen Allegory
Become
What You Are. By Alan Watts. Edited by Mark Watts. Boston,
Shambhala,
2003. 132 pages. ISBN: 1570629404.
June 18, Saturday, 2005
"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things
left by those who hustle."
- Abraham Lincoln
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Teach Tai Chi from 10-11. I was ready to teach yoga from 11-12:15,
but nobody came to practice - not a productive use of my time.
Worked on the new design in the front yard: adding cobblestones to the edge
of the entrance walkway, expanding one section, digging out grass, weeding,
mowing lawns, etc.. A beautiful cool and cloudy day - unusal for
mid-June.
Our normal temperatures are 93 degrees, with clear skies, and low humidity.
Today, it sprinkled on and off throughout the day. A great day for working
outdoors.
While resting in the front yard I spotted a Bullock's Oriole,
Icterus bullockii, in the
white birch tree. It was one of the the most colorful wild birds I have
ever seen.
It was a brillant orange-red on the breast and head, black streaks over the eyes
and on the top of the head, and white markings on the wings. The
blackbirds
kept a close eye on me all day as I worked in the front yard, warning me,
keeping
guard over their five eggs their nest in a nearby Hollywood juniper. Karen
and I
added a few birds and plants to our lists.
I added a few photographs of our garden to a webpage.
We ordered a Schwinn
103 upright exercise bicycle. I really enjoy indoor cycling
at TFFC on the Star Trac indoor cycles. Now both Karen and I can also work
on
aerobic fitness at home with an indoor cycle. I sometimes use Star Trac
electric
cycles, like the Schwinn 103, at the gym; but prefer the group exercise
indoor
cycling (Spin) class with Tonya. Started webpage
on indoor cycling.
June 19, Sunday, 2005
"Waiting is a trap. There will always be reasons to wait.
The truth is, there are
only two things in life, reasons and results, and reasons simply don't
count."
- Robert Anthony
Worked outdoors on new planting area in front yard, fertilized the large
redwood tree,
weeded, moved wood from workout area to field, started garage
projects. Shopped with
Karen at Home Depot.
Today I read:
Become
What You Are. By Alan Watts. Edited by Mark Watts. Boston,
Shambhala,
2003. 132 pages. ISBN: 1570629404.
Yoga
and the Quest for the True Self. By Stephen Cope. New York,
Bantam Books,
1999. Appendix, notes, index, 358 pages. ISBN: 055337835X.
June 20, Monday, 2005
"In delay there lies no plenty."
- William Shakespeare
Finished work on the planting area in the front yard, mowed, moved wood and
supplies
to open field from workout area, garage electrical.
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Started
Weightlifting at
TFFC at 4:30 pm for 45 minutes: Pull downs,
triceps and shoulder
pull downs, leg curls and reverse leg curls.
Spin bicycling class with Mary Ann from 5:30-6 pm.
Yogalates class with Lauren from 6-6:45 pm
at TFFC.
Lauren was absent, so Tracey
asked me to teach this class.
Finished reading:
Become
What You Are. By Alan Watts. Edited by Mark Watts. Boston,
Shambhala,
2003. 132 pages. ISBN: 1570629404.
June 21, Tuesday, 2005
"Every duty which is bidden to wait returns with seven
fresh duties at its back."
- Charles Kingsley
Garage electrical work, improving outdoor workout area.
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Weightlifting for 45 minutes: Incline bench press, shrugs, dumbell curls, triceps
kickbacks.
I enjoyed the yoga class taught by Gudrun from 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC. She
announced
that she would teach her last class at TFFC on June 28th. She has better
teaching opportunities
closer to her home in Montgomery Creek, 90 miles north of Red Bluff. Everyone
stayed afterwards
to say goodbye.
June 22, Wednesday, 2005
"Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the
work he is supposed
to be doing at that moment."
- Robert Benchley
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Massage by Carol Borer at 10 am, lunch in Redding, banking, purchase new
living room
furniture with Karen.
Started Weightlifting at
TFFC at 4:30 pm for 45 minutes: Pull downs,
triceps and shoulder
pull downs, leg curls and reverse leg curls.
Spin bicycling class with Tonya from 5:30-6 pm.
Yogalates class with Lauren from 6-6:45 pm
at TFFC.
June 23, Thursday, 2005
"It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the
less time one finds to do it in."
- Earl of Chesterfield
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Got my van ready for the camping trip to Castle Crags State Park this weekend.
I taught the yoga class from 5:30-6:45
pm
at the TFFC. Only
one person, Mary, came
to class tonight.
June 24, Friday, 2005
"To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its
undoing."
- Eva Young
Drive to Castle Crags State Park near Dunsmuir, California. This area
is
about 80 miles north of Red Bluff.
Karen and I are both going to purchase a new mountain bike in the next
few days. I bought one for me at Village Cycle in Redding.
Did some hiking and biking in the mountains during the day.
Set up my campsite at the Park in the afternoon. Hike and relax.
Mountain Biking in Northern California
June 25, Saturday, 2005
"Don't fool yourself that important things can be put off
till tomorrow;
they can be put off forever, or not at all."
- Mignon McLaughlin
Attend yoga workshop led by Desiree
Rumbaugh at the new Divine Motion
Yoga Studio
in Dunsmuir. Anusara Yoga. Theme: The Power Intention.
Session I, Flowing with Grace, An Introduction to Anusara, 9:30-12:30
Lunch in Dunsmuir.
Attend yoga workshop led by Desiree
Rumbaugh at the new Divine Motion
Yoga Studio in Dunsmuir. Session II, Letting Go of Resistance: Hip
Openers, 2-5 pm
Dinner in Mt. Shasta City.
Camp at Castle Crags. Tunderstorm and raining in the afternoon and evening.
June 26, Sunday, 2005
"A failure establishes only this, that our determination to
succeed
was not strong enough."
- John C. Bovee
Break camp and drive home to Red Bluff. Unload and clean up.
I injured my toe again.
Hiking and Walking in Northern California
June 27, Monday, 2005
"A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he
cannot answer and attempting a task he cannot achieve."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Tai Chi Chuan practice, including staff-saber practice, for 40 minutes.
Garage and indoor electrical projects. Rest and relax in the hot afternoon.
75
Hikes in California's Lassen Park and Mount Shasta Regions. By
John R. Soares.
Seattle, Washington, The Mountaineers, 1996. Index, 206 pages. ISBN:
0898864666.
MGC.
June 28, Tuesday, 2005
"We must always change, renew, rejuvenate ourselves;
otherwise we harden."
- Goethe
Worked around the house during the early morning, relaxed in the hot
afternoon.
I went into CUESD to work for 3 hours.
Yoga class from 5:30-6:45. This was the last class that Gudrun taught
at
TFFC. We have her a card and gifts and wished her success in her new
endeavors. A sad evening.
Power Pacing for Indoor Cycling. By Kristopher Kory and Thomas
Seabourne.
Champaign, Illinois,
Human Kinetics, 1999. Bibliography, 186 pages.
ISBN: 0880119810.
MGC. Info1
The Complete Guide to Joseph H. Pilates' Techniques of Physical Conditioning.
With Special Help for Back Pain and Sports Training. By Allan
Menezes.
Mr. Menezes is the founder of the Pilates Institute of Australasia and the Body
Control Pilates Studios. Alameda, California, Hunter House Inc.,
2004.
Revised 2nd Editon. Lists, references, charts, 200 pages. ISBN:
0897934385.
Mindfulness
Yoga: The Awakened Union of Breath, Body, and Mind. By Frank
Jude Boccio.
Boston, MA,
Wisdom Publications. Index, bibliography, notes, 340 pages.
ISBN:
0861713354. MGC.
June 29, Wednesday, 2005
"There ain't no answer.
There ain't going to be an answer.
There never has been an answer.
That's the answer."
- Gertrude Stein
Worked outdoors in the early morning, drove to Redding for shopping and
business. Relaxed and napped in the evening.
June 30, Thursday, 2005
"If you focus on results, you will never change.
If you focus on change, you will get results."
- Jack Dixon
Walked and did Taiji at daybreak. Worked on mowing lawns,
watering,
and cleaning up pumphouse. Relax infoors while the outdoor temperature
climbed to 99 degrees.
Weightlifting at TFFC for 40 mintues, and taught yoga from 5:30-6:45 pm.
© Michael P. Garofalo, 2005, All Rights Reserved
Cuttings: Haiku and Short Poems
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung Website
Tai Chi Chuan, Taijiquan, T'ai Ch'i Ch'uan,
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Physical Fitness
Chi Kung, Qi Gong, Qigong, Chee Gung, Qi, Chi, Tu Na, Dao Yin, Yi, Neigong, Gung
Fu
Valley Spirit Blog, Gu Shen Blog, Valley
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Chuan, Tie Jee Chewan
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Tai Chi Journal, Tai Chi Diary, Taijiquan Journal, T'ai Chi Ch'uan Journal
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Taijiquan Notes, Comments, Reflections
Alphabetical Subject Index
Cloud
Hands Website
Taijiquan, Qigong, Taoism, Classics,
Weapons: Sword and Staff
Fitness and Well Being Website
Gardening, Meditation,
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Fitness for Older Persons, Aerobics, Relaxation
The Spirit of Gardening
2,700 Quotes Arranged by 130 Topics,
History, Guides,
Psycho-Spiritual Aspects of Gardening
Green
Way Research
Online Publishing, Research, Indexing,
and Services
By Michael P. Garofalo
Red Bluff, California
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)
Bird - Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
Blog - Valley Spirit Journal by Michael P. Garofalo
Book of Changes (I Ching) and Qigong (Dao-yin)
Breathing Practices: Bibliography, Links, Resources, Quotes
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
Classes, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Instructional Program
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung
Cloud Hands T'ai Chi Ch'uan Journal
Comments and Notes on the Yang Style Taijiquan
Confucius (K'ung Fu-tzu) (551 - 479 BCE)
Crane - Bird - Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
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
Direction of Movements in Taijiquan and Qigong
Disclaimer of the Cloud Hands Website
Eight Ox Herding Songs - A Ch'an/Zen Parable
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
Five Elements (Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Metal)
Gardening: Quotes, Poems, History, Sayings
Gardening: Quips and Maxims by Michael P. Garofalo
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
Glossary of Taijiquan Terms in English and Chinese (Pinyin)
The Goddess - Quotations, Poems, Sayings, Prayers, Songs
Goose - Bird - Five Animal Frolics (Wu Qin Xi)
Green Way Research - Taijiquan and Qigong
Gu Shen (Valley Spirit) Taijiquan Instructional Program
Health and Fitness - T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Hexagrams and Trigrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes)
Hidden Tiger, Beginning Program, Level 2, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
I Ching (Book of Changes) and Taijiquan and Qigong
Index to the Cloud Hands Website
Instructional Program, Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan
Journal - Valley Spirit Journal by Michael P. Garofalo
Kudos for the Cloud Hands Website
Kundalini (Coiled Serpent) Energy
Kwang Ping Taijiquan of Kuo Lien Ying
Learning and Teaching Taijiquan, Qigong and Yoga
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)
Master Kuo Lien Ying (1895-1984)
Master Sun Lu-Tang (1861-1932)
Master Yang Cheng-Fu (1883-1936)
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 - Brief Biography
Michael P. Garofalo - Internal Martial Arts Practice History
Michael P. Garofalo - T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Practice
Months of the Year: Quotes, Poems, Links
Movement Direction Instructions for Taijiquan and Qigong Forms
Moving Hands Like Clouds: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong
Northern California T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Notes and Comments on the Yang Style Taijiquan
Nine Movement Temple Ch'i Kung Exercise Set
Older Persons Exercise and Wellness Programs
Oregon T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools, Information
Original Waving Hands Like Clouds URL
Photography - Valley Spirit Photography Gallery
Pilates: Links, Bibliography, Resources, Quotes, Notes
Pranayama: Breathing Techniques from Yoga
Private Instruction by Michael P. Garofalo, Instructional Programs
Pulling Onions: The Quips and Maxims of a Gardener
Qigong: Bibliography and Links
Qigong, Ch'i Kung - Chinese Mind-Body Exercises
Qigong Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo in Red Bluff, California
Red Bluff, Valley Spirit Taijiquan Instructional Program
Red Bluff, California, Qigong Classes
Red Bluff, California, Yoga Classes
Resolve, Will. Willpower, Self Control, Self Discipline
Reviews of the Cloud Hand's Website
Self Control, Self Mastery, Choices, Will Power
Senior Citizens Fitness Programs
Senior Fitness - Red Bluff, CA
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
Stork - Bird - Five Animal Frolics
Subject Index to the Cloud Hands Website
Sun Lu-Tang's (1861-1933) Biography
Sun Lu-Tang (1861-1933): Baguaquan, Hsingyiquan, and Taijiquan Grandmaster
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, Red Bluff, CA
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
Taming the Ox - A Zen Allegory or Parable
Taoism, Nature Mysticism, Alchemy
Teaching and Learning Taijiquan, Qigong and Yoga
Temple Qigong - A Nine Movement Exercise Set
Thirteen Postures: 8 Gates and 5 Steps
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
Trees - Lore, Magick, Myths, Magick
Trigrams and Hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes)
Valley Spirit Fitness and Well Being Website
Valley Spirit Journal by Michael P. Garofalo
Valley Spirit Photography Gallery
Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan Club
Valley Spirit Taijiquan Instructional Program
Valley Spirit Taijiquan and Qigong Journal by Michael P. Garofalo
Valley Spirit T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Qigong, and Yoga
Vancouver, B.C., T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong Directory: Instructors, Schools
Walking - Eight Ways of Walking Qigong
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
Yoga Class, TFFC, Red Bluff, CA
Yang Family Taijiquan Genealogy
Yand Style Push Hands and Da Lu
Yang Style Traditional Taijiquan Long Form 108 Movements
Yang Style Taijiquan - Notes and Comments
Yang Style Taijiquan Short Form 24 Movements
Yin-Yang Sensitivity Training: Sticking Hands - T'ui Shou
Yoga Class, Red Bluff, CA - Instructor: Michael P. Garofalo
Yogalates: Links, Bibliography, Resources, Quotes, Notes
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 and small towns in the area: Oroville, Paradise, Durham, Chico, Hamilton
City,
Corning, Rancho Tehama, Los Molinos, Vina, Tehama, Proberta, Gerber,
Manton, Cottonwood, Olinda, Cloverdale, Dairyville, Bend, Centerville,
Summit City
Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, Igo, Ono, Redding, Shasta, Colusa, Willows,
Richfield, Fall River, Montgomery Creek, Alturas, McCloud, Dunsmuir, Yreka,
Happy Camp,
Shingletown, Burney, Mt. Shasta City, Weaverville, Williams, Chester, Orland,
Susanville, Weed, Gridley, Marysville, Yuba City, NorCalifia, CA, California.
June 3, 2005
Cloud Hands: T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung