Valley Spirit Journal 
 
      
April 2007

April
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By Michael P. Garofalo
Red Bluff, California
   

Mike Garofalo in Bandon Bay Harbor, Oregon.   

 

 

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April 1,  Sunday,  2007

 

We visited with the Flinn family in Portland.  Sunday brunch at Salty's Restaurant on the Coloumbia River.  We all went to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. 

 

 

 

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April 2,  Monday,  2007

 

We visited with Alicia and Katelyn during the day.  Sean's birthday at night. 

"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

 

 

 

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April 3,  Tuesday,  2007

Mick, April, Betty, Karen, Katelyn and I all went to Washington Park: Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, and World Forestry Museum.  Dinner at Mick's house: homemade noodles. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

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April 4,  Wednesday,  2007


Drive from Portland to Salem, from Salem to Lincoln City, and from Lincoln City via Highway 101 down the Oregon Coast to Crescent City, California. 

 

 

 

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April 5,  Thursday,  2007

 Drive from Crescent City to Red Bluff. 

 

 

 

 

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April 6,  Friday,  2007

 

Relax around house, clean up from trip, reading, email, photo work, Taijiquan, watering, yard work. 

This type of qigong has been passed on by a Taoist priest by the name of Wang Zhenyi. While practising this type of qigong you should concentrate your attention on making the upper, middle and lower dantians linear. When you have made your three dantians linear, you will attain a very special and comfortable feeling and will almost forget everything. Your small and large circulations will automatically be open to qi. This type of qigong can help you recover quickly from fatigue. No mater how tired you are, you can completely recover after practising this qigong for fifteen minutes. You can do this type of qigong while standing, sitting, lying down, or when practising taijiquan or riding a bicycle. This qigong does not require any preparation or special procedure before stopping.

Procedure:
1. Soon after concentrating your mind in your upper dantian, shift your attention to the lower dantian (huiyin acupoint).

2. After getting the feeling of qi in the lower dantian, shift your mind to the middle dantian and arrange it in line with the upper and lower dantians in order to make the three dantians linear. Then imagine the three dantians as three spheres. You should carefully put the sphere of the middle dantian between the two spheres of upper and lower dantians. The middle sphere will slide out if you do it carelessly.

3. When the three dantians have been made linear, you will get a very special feeling and comfortable feeling. You should hold this feeling as long as possible. It can help you return to the “original state”, to cure diseases and promote your health. You should maintain this feeling and eliminate any distractions.

Reference:
Relax and calming qigong by Wang Peisheng & Chen Guanhua
ISBN 9622381812

Making Three Dantien's Linear
http://neigong.net/2007/01/18/making-three-dantians-linear/

Santi Shi or Trinity Pile Standing
http://neigong.net/2007/01/12/santi-shi-or-trinity-pile-standing/


 

 

 
 

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April 7,  Saturday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan at daybreak. 

Teach Taijiquan and Yoga at TFFC. 

Yard work in the afternoon. 

 

 

 

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April 8,  Sunday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan in the morning.

Relax and socialize in the afternoon.  Debbie, Jordan, Betty, Karen and I all enjoyed a really fine Easter dinner at our house. 

 

"Most Yi students, Confucians and Daoists would know or have heard about the Junzi or the superior man in their studies. There are many things that a person needs to do and/or cultivate before he or she can become a Junzi. It is not easy otherwise Confucius would not have elaborated so much about the ways of a Junzi as recorded in the Analects and said that he aspired to be one. If you have not discerned it, the Judgments, Images and the lines in the Yijing delved into the proper conduct of a Junzi and the ways to master his or her fate.

If one aspires to become a Junzi apart from watching one’s actions, we also need to be discreet with our words.
 

“The reason why the ancients did not readily give utterance to their words was that they feared lest their actions should not come up to them.” ‘The cautious seldom err.’ And ‘The superior man (Junzi) wishes to be slow in speech and earnest in conduct.’ [Analects 4. 22, 23 & 24 Legge]"
- Allan Lian,
http://atouchofancientszhouyi.blogspot.com/2007/01/words-of-junzi.html


 

 

 

 

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April 9,  Monday,  2007

Exercise in the morning.  Mow back yard.  Prepare for TCCA meeting.

Chair Tehama County Commission on Aging meeting in Los Molinos.

Gym Workout:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, then teach spin cycling class. 

Follow up on TCCA business. 

"Because bioregional animism is focused on personal and communal relationships with the land and sky and the other then human persons that inhabit land and sky, the bioregional animist tribe does not attempt to find one way for every one, it does not attempt to adopt or culturally appropriate any existing cultures, but instead asks that we do as our ancestors have done, begin anew, go directly to the source or culture and animism and shamanism, and find our own way. The project asks that we become native again and put down roots in the psychic soil of the place that we live. The project asks that we stop out sourcing our traditions and adapting practices from out side of our own bioregion and find the spirit of shamanism and animism in our back yard."
http://nothingness23.blogspot.com/

Biogregional Animism

http://bioregionalanimism.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

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Apirl 10,  Tuesday,  2007

Taijiquan in the morning.  Work on Sun 73 Taijiquan form and Chen Staff form. 

CUESD work.  Training in Red Bluff on the Follett Destiny software from 8 - 3. 

Gym:  Treadmill walking for 20 minutes, weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach yoga class for 75 minutes.

Sun 73 form work on webpage.  

 

 

 

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April 11,  Wednesday,  2007

Taijiquan in the morning.  Work on Sun 73 Taijiquan form and Chen Staff form. 

CUESD work.  Training in Red Bluff on the Follett Destiny software from 8 - 3. 

Gym:  Treadmill walking for 20 minutes, weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach power yoga class for 45 minutes, and Sun Taijiquan class for 60 minutes. 

Sun 73 form work on webpage.  

 

"Success is neither magical or mysterious. Success is the natural consequence
of consistently applying the basic fundamentals." _________ Jim Rohn

 

"To train only when other people are watching is not budo, it is side show!
All men must learn to train alone."______________ Jon Crain

Developing Kata's Practical Application
______ by Sensei Michael O'Leary

Previously I posted a fairly simple bo drill: Bo-Bo Kumite. Since then I have been asked if I have any more drills like this, not only for the bo, but also for sai and tuifa. It seems many practitioners would like to have practical application drills to work weapons in a more realistic scenario.
We develop practical application in weapon or empty hand kata using the same process. Pull sequences from the kata and break them down to the basic principles (i.e. Rise and fall or push and pull for example). Then work them into drills. Once we establish the drill, a bunkai or practical application can be introduced producing a 2-man drill.

This is fairly close to how the martial arts were practiced prior to the introduction of Sport Kumite. If you read Funakoshi's books you discover he felt free sparing was dangerous - seeing what was being practiced was considered a deadly art. Funakoshi therefore developed predetermined 2 man drills. We can apply the same to today's martial arts.

A Drill
In Tokumine no kun there is a sequence of three sliding or snap thrusts. Isolate these from the kata. Practice them with the intention of mastering form, balance, power, and cadence. We have developed a drill. To take it one step further introduce a partner who is defending themselves against these strikes.

The Flow Drill
Taking the parry that occurs in Tokumine and having the opponent use this to defend, further helps one to practice techniques in the kata. It also teaches the opponent to parry while moving back through the same sequences of cat stances that the attacker is going forward. We have created a flow drill. When repeated, we will have an attacker moving forward three steps and then reversed so that the same person is now stepping back three steps.

This carries on so that both partners practice both sides of the drill repeatedly. This is known as a "flow" drill.

If we break down the entire kata in this manner we have a kata that can be practiced with a partner and, in fact, a second kata to practice.

Ying and Yang. This is the unseen side of the kata. Recently I visited Norm Losier in Hope BC. While comparing notes and kata, one of our discussions centered on Tokumine Bunkai. Sensei Losier began the kata and I did the bunkai. When we were done, we discussed a few minor differences. Basically, his bunkai and the bunkai I performed were almost identical, although we had never sat down and agreed on any particular sequence. It was the process that was identical, therefore the logic of which bunkai fit where was similar.

Each of us is different and each will inject personality into kata and drills and application. I was originally taught bunkai for Tokumine by Advincula Sensei and for the most part this is what I do. I do however adapt those techniques that my particular body style finds more easily executed or those techniques that for me seem more-natural.

There are perimeters to this process. One must learn mechanics of body or weapon to reach a viable and logical conclusion. A technique has to be tried "in the field" or in a scenario that will prove it is a working technique, not just a frivolous idea someone came up with. All techniques must be able to withstand scrutiny.

Tokumine no kon
Notes on drills and bunkai development
.
1. Attention.
2. Bow with bo under right arm.
3. Flip bo 180-degrees on right side.
4. Execute a left low block.
5. Step back with the left foot and execute a right hand overhead strike.
6. Step forward with the left foot into a reverse cat stance and snap
punch.
7. Step forward with the right foot into a diagonal Seisan stance and snap
punch.
8. Step forward with the left foot into a reverse cat stance and snap
punch.
9. Step back with the left foot into a diagonal Seisan and kumai.
10. Step 45-degrees right with the right foot forward and execute a reverse
right hand side strike to the head.
11. Step to a point 45-degrees left of the centerline and executes a
reverse left-hand side strike to the head.
12. Step to a point 90-degrees to the left of the original centerline and
execute a left side block, overhead strike, uppercut, overhead strike,
reverse side strike and a side strike. The strikes are done with the bo on
the right side of the body.
13. Snap punch and kumai.
14. Reverse your handgrip on the bo and step with the right leg forward
180-degrees, executing a right side block. Execute the same sequence as #12
only on the right side of the body.
15. Snap punch and kumai.
16. Draw your right foot in and face the original centerline at attention
with the bo held along the right side of your body, right hand on the
bottom and left hand held across the body on top.
17. Step forward into a horse stance and execute a right side block,
holding the bo behind the leg and not infront. Stand up sharply by bringing
your right foot back to your left. As you do this draw your left hand to
your hip and your right hand to your solar plexus.
18. Step forward with the right foot into a diagonal Seisan stance and
thrust punch. KIAI:
19. Bring the left foot forward into a reverse cat stance and thrust punch.
20. Step forward with the right foot into a diagonal Seisan stance and
thrust punch.
21. Pivot 180-degrees into a left foot forward cat stance with the bo
"cocked" on your shoulder.
22. Step forward with the right foot into a diagonal Seisan stance and
execute a forward side strike.
23. Swing the body 180-degrees, step back with the left foot and go down on
the left knee, executing a straight side strike, left hand forward.
24. While still down on the knee execute reverse side strike with the right
hand forward.
25. As you stand up perform a left side low block with the right hand low
and the left hand on the right shoulder.
26. Perform the sequence of overhead strike, 2 side strikes, uppercut,
overhead strike, snap punch and kumai.
27. Step back with the right foot into a horse stance. You should be facing
90-degrees to the right of the original front centerline. Perform a "flip
over" head strike to your left.
28. Step into a horse stance with the right foot so you are now facing the
original front centerline and execute a 2 handed push with the bo.
29. Without changing stance or grip on the bo, spin the bo and execute a
reverse strike, 3 parries and another reverse strike (the first reverse
strike is done in front of you, the second one is carried through the
target and ends up 90-degrees to your original front centerline.
30.Spin the bo over your head as you change grip and complete #29 sequence
only on the left side of the body.
31. Upon completion on the second reverse strike, bring the left hand
behind the head over the right shoulder as if you were doing a big wind up.
Step 180-degrees with the left foot, to the rear and execute a left-hand
forward reverse strike.
32. Slide your left hand under the bo, in preparation of changing grip.
33. Step again 180-degrees with the right foot, to face the original front
centerline, and execute a reverse side strike with the right hand forward.
34. Immediately draw the right hand to the hip.
35. Shuffle forwards and perform a right hand strike, a left hand reverse
block, and another right hand strike. It is optional to shuffle once, twice
or even three times on this move. It is also optional to shuffle not at
all. Either is acceptable.
36. Step back to attention and close.


Training Drills
All of the drills and sequences are taken from the description.

Using steps 5 to 9 from schematic description, perform a one man training drill. To turn this into a two man bunkai drill use blocks and parries to defend against the strikes and counter with a snap punch when the kumai is performed.
Using steps 10 and 11 perform a one-man drill. Because this to moves only and by the nature of the move it can be used as a warm up drill as well as a technique practice drill.
Using steps 12 and 13 perform a one-man drill and also incorporate this sequence as a two-man bunkai drill. This is the signature sequence of attack in this kata.
Use drill #3 and incorporate steps 14 and 15 to complete the maneuver in multiple directions. As you work this drill you may want to advance it to the point of using the 8 gates and begin working the sequence in multiple directions.
Using steps 16 to 18 perform both one man and two man drills.
Using steps 17 to 21 perform both one and two man drills.
Using steps 18 and 19 perform both one and two man drills. This is also a good warm up drill.
Using steps 22 to 25 perform both one and two man drills. An excellent warm up drill for the knees and legs. Try as you stand up, turn 180-degrees and repeat in the opposite direction or use the 8 gates as direction.
Using steps 27 and 28 perform one man and two man drills. Keep the horse stance low and use as a warm-up drill, repeating in different directions.
Using steps 28 to 30 perform both one and two or even three man drills. Keep it moving and again using different directions.
Using steps 31 to 33 perform a one man and two man or three-man drill. If you repeat the grip change sequence you will be able to move back and forth in different directions non-stop. This is also an excellent warm up drill.
Using steps 33 to 35 perform a one or two man drill. Practice the side to side techniques concentrating on the difference between a block and a strike. Also practice shuffling in and generating power from the hip as you move.

_______________________ Mike O'Leary

If you have any questions, additions, thoughts or want to know more, please contact Sensei Michael O'Leary of the Abbotsford Isshin-ryu Karate-Do : Phone 604-864-7590 or 604-853-6972 E-mail kakuredojo@uniserve.com

http://veritas.swiftsite.com/one.html

 

The art of karate does not mean the ability of technical excellence, which can be developed by physical training, but an ability of attaining a spiritual goal through the practice of the kata, so that the player plays against self and succeeds in conquering self... He who conquers self is the greatest warrior. This is the highest platitudes for the karate master." ____ Richard Kim

 

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April 12,  Thursday,  2007

Taijiquan in the morning.  Work on Sun 73 Taijiquan form and Chen Staff form. 

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach yoga class for 75 minutes.

Take Betty to Bus Depot in Red Bluff. 

Sun 73 form work on webpage.  

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

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April 13,  Friday,  2007

Taijiquan in the morning.  Work on Sun 73 Taijiquan form and Chen Staff form. 

Fasting all morning. 

Take Karen's car in for repairs and take Karen to work. 

Redding Medical Center appointment for me at 9 am. 

CUESD work.  Training in Red Bluff on the Follett Destiny software from 8 - 3. 

Shopping in Redding.

Gym workout:  Teadmill walking for 20 minutes, weightlifting for 60 minutes. 

 

 

 

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April 14,  Saturday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan at daybreak.

Teach Taijiquan and Yoga at TFFC. 

Raining in the morning.  We relax most of the day.  Loading software on Karen's computer. 

Pinyin is better, and is becoming standard in newer books. Ren is, mercifully, ren, not ìjen.î But , as Molly Isham explains, there are still six symbols that Americans find difficult: Q like 'ch' in 'cheese'; X like 'sh' in 'sheep'; Z like 'ds' in 'beds'; C like 'ts' in 'cats'; Zh like 'dg' in 'edge'; E like the 'e' in 'the' when it appears before a consonant.

- George Leonard

http://www.georgeleonard.com/readingperils.html

 

Yang Cheng Fu's Sword Demonstration
By Mr. Yao Mung-Goo, Taipei, Taiwan
Published in Taiwan Tai Chi Chuan Journal, No. 80, April 1992, p.3.
(Article is from a lecture at celebration of Professor's 90th Memorial Ceremony.)
Translated by David Chen, 2000
Proofread by Lauretta Jenkins.

The Story Told by Professor-----

In 1931 Yang Cheng Fu was invited by Central Wu Shu Academy in Nanking to attend a Wu Shu convention. Among many special guests Master Lee Jing Lin, a wonderful Wu Shu specialist, particularly in the sword, was included. Master Lee had earned a reputation for being the "God of Sword." The host of the convention, Mr. Chang, was a good friend of Master Lee and invited Mr. Lee onto the stage to perform his famous sword form.

Master Lee stepped to the stage and began his form, using his arm to inscribe a "sword flower" (sword shield) while at the same time turning his body through 360 degrees, he moved so fast that his body and the sword were a blur. The whole audience made a standing ovation several times, because no one had ever seen both the artist and his sword disappear into what looked like a tornado.

At the end of Master Lee's demonstration, he asked the audience if there were any one who would volunteer to play with him. The audience was silent. After a few minutes two martial artists from Hunan approached the stage with their swords. The Hunan area is historically famous for its sword players. The first player's sword was within a few seconds sailing far across the auditorium. The second swordsman played with Master Lee for three of four minutes, but with the same result. At this time the whole audience was in thunderous applause because this was real kung fu and not just speedy play. The people really believed that this was how Master Lee had earned his title as "God of Sword."

The host, Mr. Chang, started asking for more volunteers, but no one would come up to test anymore. Knowing that Yang Cheng Fu was in the audience, Mr. Chang went to him and politely asked, "Master Yang, I have heard that your tai chi sword is so wonderful; can we have the honor of you in a demonstration with Master Lee?" Yang Cheng Fu reacted with panic, saying "I'm sorry; I'm not good. Don't ask me." People surrounding the group understood that Yang Cheng Fu was being modest and humble, because everyone knew that he was the most reputable master in the tai chi field. So they started applauding and urging him on. Once again Yang Cheng Fu declined, saying the Master Lee's sword was number one in China and he respected that very much. Mr. Chang would not let him go and insisted that Master Yang Cheng Fu go on the stage. The atmosphere was getting unpleasant. Professor Cheng Man Ching, sitting next to Yang Cheng Fu, was worried because Master Lee was indeed one of China's very best sword players. Cheng Man Ching was concerned that if Yang lost his sword like the other two it would be a great humiliation for Yang's family. So he believed that it was correct for Yang to be modest. But the more modest Yang was the more applause and urging came from the audience, not just from the tai chi groups, but also from shao lin and xing-I practitioners. At this point Yang Cheng Fu had no room to escape. He slowly stood up, borrowed a sword from Mr. Chang, the host, and reluctantly approached the stage.

Mr. Yang Cheng Fu faced Master Lee on the stage, and saluted with his sword to show his respect. Master Lee immediately started his sword-fan defense shield, which was his invitation to Yang to approach with his sword. Master Yang Cheng Fu did not, like the previous two artists, rush in with his sword. He held his sword in his hand and looking intently at the defense shield of Lee's sword, expressed, "Hmmm." At a certain time, Yang just sent the sword in. There was a sound, "clang," and Master Lee's sword was flying 30 meters away. The whole audience sat in stunned silence, but soon thunderous applause erupted mixed with sounds of awe. Everyone was surprised at how easily Yang Cheng Fu made Master Lee's sword fly.

Professor Cheng Man Ching was stunned as well and kept asking his teacher how he did it, but Yang did not answer him until they were on the way home, when Yang started explaining: "Let me just tell you one phrase, that is do not separate your mind from the sword therefore your spirit can be focused. What do you focus on? When you swing the sword, you need to use your wrist. When you turn the wrist, there must be a gap. Therefore, I focused on the gap and sent my sword into it. Since his sword was still turning, but my sword was still, he deflected his own sword by his own force."

Master Yao said that Professor learned from Yang Cheng Fu and memorized in his own heart the phrase: do not separate your mind from the sword therefore your spirit can be focused. Professor always emphasized that the sword player must connect the focusing to the sword, because when you see the gap and send in the sword, the gap is already gone. No, you must have the sword already there when you see the gap.

 

 

 

 

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April 15,  Sunday,  2007

Endurance Games for 24 hours.

Walking and Taijiquan in the afternoon. 

Yard and gardening work. 

 

 

   

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April 16,  Monday,  2007

 

CUESD work from 7:30 to Noon. 

Pick up Karen - her car is in the shop.   

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach spin class for 30 minutes. 

Watching documentaries on the Doc Channel on Dish. 

 

 

 

 

 

April 17,  Tuesday,  2007

 

CUESD work from 7:30 to Noon. 

Appointment with Dr. Okonski, cardiologist in the afternoon.  Nothing wrong "architecturally" with my heart per CRT scan report.  Increased blood pressure medicine dosage.   

Gym:  Walking on elliptical for 20 minutes, teach yoga class for 75 minutes. 

Watching documentaries on the Doc Channel on Dish. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 18,  Wednesday,  2007

 

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   

Gym:  Walking on elliptical for 20 minutes, teach yoga class for 45 minutes, teach Sun Taijiquan class for 60 minutes.  

Watching documentaries on the Doc Channel on Dish. 

 

 

 

 

 

April 19,  Thursday,  2007

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach yoga class for 75 minutes.  

Watching documentaries on the Doc Channel on Dish. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 20,  Friday,  2007

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   Finish Small School District Bus Replacement Grant.  Meet with Jim and Rob on PE Teacher grant.  

Relaxing, reading, watering, and writing in the afternoon. 

Yang and Sun Taijiquan practice. 

 

 

 

 

April 21,  Saturday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan in the morning.

Teach Yang Taijiquan for 60 minutes.  Teach Hatha Yoga for 75 minutes. 

Gardening, outdoor and indoor work projects. 

Sun Taijiquan webpage work. 

Write 1st Draft of PE Teacher grant application. 

 

 

 

 

April 22,  Sunday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan practice in the morning. 

Gardening, outdoor and indoor work projects, reading, and writing. 

Sun Taijiquan webpage work.  Work on Garofalo Gardens Comparison: 1998, 2003, 2007

 

Sometimes what we call doing "good" results in real evil. 

 

 

 

 

April 23,  Monday,  2007

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   Finish PE teacher grant application. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, then teach spin cycling for 30 minutes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 24,  Tuesday,  2007

 

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   Finish PE teacher grant application.  Start Toyota Family Literacy Grant Application. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, then teach hatha yoga for 75 minutes.  . 

 

 

 

 

 

April 25,  Wednesday,  2007

CUESD work from 7:30 to 4 pm.   Finish PE grant application.  Paperwork, grants, and follow up. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, teach hatha yoga for 45 minutes, then teach Sun Taijiquan for 60 minutes.   

 

 

 

This is an excellent chart provided by the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.
They offer a variety of electronic versions of this "Tree of Contemplative Practices."

 

 

 

 

 

April 26,  Thursday,  2007

CUESD work from 8 - 3 pm.  We are trained at TCDE in Red Bluff on Follett Textbook management software. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 45 minutes, then teach hatha yoga for 75 minutes.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 27,  Friday,  2007

CUESD work from 8 - 3 pm.  We are trained at TCDE in Red Bluff on Follett Textbook management software. 

Gym:  Weightlifting for 60 minutes, treadmill walking for 20 minutes.     

A reader wrote to me:


"I hope you could shed some advice on my situation concerning internal martial arts practice, particularly the standing practice. I have read a number of books on the subject, and found your website. I have been involved in martial arts for some time, but not as enthusiastically as now.

I have been practicing bagua, xing yi and tai chi for the last year or so.  My concern is the standing practice. I am 99.9 percent sure I am practicing it properly, and seem to enjoy the results of it.  I found that when I wake up in the middle of the night, or immediately in the morning, or after a sauna bath, that the body seems to be at its most relaxed state. All tension
and weight is sunk to the feet and below. This is what I perceive as total body relaxation and try to achieve that same feeling through standing and moving practice. In those states, back, shoulders, head, neck, arms and legs automatically conform to the posture aesthetics from the xing yi, tai chi, and bagua writings. Sometimes I sink so much that I end up in a stance similar to the photos in the xing yi nei gong book.

My basic daily practice at the moment includes three types of standing postures: san ti, bagua where the arms appear as holding a ball, and a tai chi standing posture, five minutes for each posture, one following another.  From there I go into five minutes of very slow tai chi movements, followed by five minutes of xing yi movements and finally five minutes of bagua movements - a total of 35 minutes of practice.

What's amazing about standing  practice is how solid and balanced I feel when it comes to the movements in tai chi, xing yi and bagua. Everything mentioned in your book  appear to happen. The movements seem very strong, although my upper body is so relaxed and free of extra muscular tension.  I also feel very much at peace during these drills, and my breathing is exactly as mentioned in the books, with a pronounced feeling fulfillment in the dan tien area.

My legs, especially the thighs, have become very strong. They do, however, become taxed, and feel very strained at times during the standing practices,  but I read that's to be expected. My concern is that, since I have been practicing the standing postures, I have noticed a significant increase of vein appearances on the legs. I had some varicose veins for years, but
after doing these exercises, there seems to be more. I read that with varicose veins, one of the worst things to do  is to stand or sit for long periods of time, and this seems to go against standing practice and seated meditation practice.

I'm concerned that this condition would get worse as I continue this practice. I thought that maybe I'm sinking too low, but that doesn't sound right to me, because that is one of the goals in this practice. If you have any insight into this matter I would greatly appreciate it. I am also going to see Frank A. about this matter and a teacher named David B.C..  I like what I have read on your site, and felt compelled to contact you about this.   I'll understand if you are too busy to respond."
-   Robert M., 4/27/07

Dear Robert M., 

You seem to have a good awareness of the need to be relaxed (Sung), maintain steady breathing, and keep good postural alignment.  The benefits you report seem positive overall.  The total period of standing for all four activities is 35 minutes - normally not excessive. 


One's age and previous medical conditions should cause one to reconsider particular kinds of exercises.  For example, for me, at age 61, my medical conditions have caused me to avoid very heavy weightlifting with low repetitions ... despite my macho competitiveness with the young jocks in the weight room.   Likewise, chronic vascular problems (i.e., varicose veins) might necessitate a change in your exercise routines, and taking actions to reduce or avoid exercises that worsen your medical condition.  Consulting with a medical doctor might be very valuable to you, before you make your own decision on how to proceed. 
 
Generally, slow, gentle, relaxed movements, steady concentration, and regular deep breathing while practicing mind-body movement arts like Taijiquan and moving Qigong (8 Section Brocades, Wild Goose, 5 Animals, Dragon Qigong, etc.) or Yoga are reported to be beneficial to both body and mind for most people of all ages in the long run. 

Standing in Wuji or SanTi or Post positions has a long history in Taijiquan and Qigong.  I tell my Taijiquan and Qigong students about standing Yi Chuan and Qigong practices, refer them to books or videotapes on the subject, demonstrate some of the postures, tell them about some Yi Chuan and Qigong masters who stand for up to 60 minutes, and encourage them to explore extended seated or standing mediation on their own. 

As a personal fitness trainer and yoga teacher, I don't know of any trainers that recommend holding challenging isometric poses for longer than 3 minutes, e.g., standing in one difficult posture and not moving.  Consequently, I never have my Qigong or Yoga students hold such single static poses for longer than 2 to 3 minutes in any of my classes.  

Personally, I've always thought and felt that long periods of standing Qigong were not productive for me.  Most modern students quit post standing quickly, from boredom and/or pain, including myself. I would much rather do incline squats, decline leg presses, reverse leg curls, walking, spin cycling indoors, vigorous kung fu, and standing yoga postures, etc., to improve leg and lower back strength and cardio-vascular conditioning and have fun, rather than static isometric Yi Chuan or Post Standing for long periods of time.    

As for the "spiritual" or "esoteric body development" or "qi storing and circulating" benefits that are obtained by doing more standing qigong versus the benefits or values of other mind-body exercise options - only you can decide what you value more.  Often, students choose to value what a beloved teacher says, because they want to impress or please that teacher, because they want to be like that teacher, because they respect and highly value the teacher; the particular practices are often irrelevant, the practices may have no direct benefit to them, and the practices might even be injurious or self-destructive to them.  Siddhartha Guatama Buddha himself, a man trained as a warrior, used many vigorous ascetic practices for years, sitting or standing for many hours, but gave up on them and recommend a "middle way" for spiritual progress.  It is the mind, intentionality, attitude and concentration that must "Stand and Deliver" for spiritual progress, not the legs.       


Best wishes for continued progress and good health, 
 
Mike Garofalo
 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 28,  Saturday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan practice starting at 6 am in the morning.

Teach Tai Chi and Yoga at TFFC from 10 - 12:15. 

Mowing Lawns, watering, and weeding.

Work on Sun Taijiquan Website

 

 

Dojo Philosophy
Andrew T. Dale, Chief Instructor
Xin Qi Shen, Seattle, Washington

http://www.wuji.com/

 

"Training in the Internal Arts isn't just physical but mental and spiritual.  
Each practice is to strengthen and train our body, mind, energy and spirit.

Nurture excellence.

Respect the founder, the art, your teacher and classmates, but think for yourself.

Shoshin: Beginner’s mind.  In a beginner’s mind there are many possibilities.  In an expert's there are few.

The principles remain constant but the methods can change.

Seek to improve the art and improve the standard.

Question authority.  Always examine what is taught and what you are told, find your own understanding.

The study and practice of the internal arts  is to become independent and free, not dependent on or limited by the system.

Keep thoughts and comments positive and healthy.

Train diligently, refine your body, mind and spirit.  This is your responsibility.

Your teachers can show you the way and help you, only you can develop the skills.

Argue for your limitations and sure enough they’re yours. Next time you say "I can’t” replace it with 
“I don’t want to try.”

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

April 29,  Sunday,  2007

Walking and Taijiquan starting at 6:15 am in the morning.

Mowing, drenching, weeding, and watering outdoors. 

Take Karen to Willows so she can help Debbie drive a truck back home, shop at Home Depot.   

Learning Pro Show Gold Software

Work on Sun Taijiquan Website

 

 

Pulling Onions:

Pulling Onions, by Mike Garofalo

 

 

 

 

 

 


April 30,  Monday,  2007

 

Feedback from Readers in April, 2007:

Feedback from Readers:

 

"You have a marvelous web site!  I ran across your website when I was perusing links related to quarterstaff combat training. I wanted to comment on how deep and excellent your site is, even though I have only begun to explore the many branches there. I find the mixture of links, articles, quotes, and poetry to be very satisfying. Thank you for taking the time to build such an excellent place on the web. 
Respectfully yours,"
-  Jim Frank, CBRE, Chief Engineer, Cherry Creek Radio, Montrose, 4/17/07 

 

"Mike, I wanted to let you know that I really appreciate all the information and links on the Jo staff.  It has been of tremendous benefit. I am studying Go Ju karate and have had interest in Aikido for years. I just recently started studying the Jo staff and came across your site while looking for more information.  The kata videos are very useful.
I could go on praising your web site and research, but will simply say best regards,"
-   Phillip Pinheiro, 2nd degree black belt, Kern Karate Federation in Bakersfield, 4/20/07  

 

"Michael, I would like to thank you for all the work that you put into your Cloud Hand website.  I have learned so
much from your efforts, particularly the Eight Section Brocade and Zhang Zuang sections.  Wish I lived closer
to Red Bluff, however home is Phoenix, AZ.  Again, thanks for the great site."
-  Eric Hodgins, 4/21/07

 

"Hi Mike, I would like to thank you for all the wonderful information you have added to the web.  I teach Taiji and have used your site on numerous occasion's... I cannot thank you enough for all you have done...  Best Regard's,"
-   Wayne W.Gorski, 4/27/07