Archive for February 2016
2 CornerStones in Martial Arts Practice
Posted on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 11:39 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
This Podcast has already been moved to the new home for future podcasts
Edited on: Sunday, August 14, 2016 9:21 AMPosted in Athletic Performance , Cultural , Mindfulness - Attention , Personal Development , Podcasts
Shrinkage, It Can Be A Problem : TKF 82
Posted on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 10:27 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
During This Podcast
A bear doing Tai Chi?
Shrinkage of the Brain : How Tai Chi and Qi Gong can offset premature aging of brain
Comprehensive Research of 6,410 people. The Benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Get a List of Health Benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Emailed to you. You may use as reference, or send to a family or friend that may benefit from a health life routine.
Offset Shrinkage With Tai Chi and Qi Gong
In each newsletter, there is a link that you can explore previous newsletters, like the one that is associated with this podcast.
Mentioned
Health
Benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Research
Get the Short List of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Benefits Emailed To You
Edited on: Friday, February 19, 2016 5:40 PMPosted in Beginners , Podcasts , Workshop
Beginners Meditation Course
Posted on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 3:58 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Learning to practice meditation has been one of the most rewarding exercises I have ever done.
Learning to Stay Focused
My ability to stay focused on a particular task was not very good. If I was reading a book, every few minutes I would get distracted. In some instances, I would actually cause my own distractions.
Belief in Myself
I had classmates that would practice meditation, and be perfectly still standing quietly, for 2 hours at a time. I couldn't stand myself enough to stand for 10 minutes when I began. I didn't believe that I would ever get to where I could be comfortable enough in my on skin.
Emotional
I was in my late 20's and had a mountain of emotions pinned up inside me. I had trust issue's, self-worth problems and wasn't even sure what compassion meant. I started kungfu to get to know myself, and learning meditation was the doorway to self.
Overcoming Embarressment
Besides all the things I listed above, I struggled with the embarressment of not being good at something. I couldn't understand why something that seemed so 'simple' (get quiet, calm and still) was so darn 'hard'. This really bothered me.
Being Uncomfortable with something Totally New
This is a universal struggle : Learning something totally new always brings challenges.
So there are some struggles I had to work through. You are probably in much better shape than I was when I began, but at least you know that it didn't come easy for me. However, once I could see that I was handling myself different, and others who had known me for years noticed that I seemed 'calmer', 'easier to talk too', and 'gentler', I knew I was on the right path.
The Beginners 3 Week Course
This course is designed so that you could start learn how to practice the very fundamentals of meditation. Whether you are a beginner, or want a refresher on the fundamentals of putting your mind-body back together for a single purpose.
You can practice seated like I am in the picture, standing (which is my primary form of practice) or seated in a stool or chair.
We will begin by calming.
There is a simple story of a great Stallion, and a man who wanted to
train it. He wanted to govern this great power. He would get a glimpse
of its power occassionaly, and craved to see it and use it more often.
Then
he realized, that before he could govern this great power, first he had
to get close enough to catch it, then to actually lead it to a coral,
then to work with it everyday, gently, so not to break its spirit, and
maintain this great power.
Your mind is that Stallion, you will see glimpses of your confidance, strength and sturdiness occassionaly, but the power of getting it to work with you, may be slightly out of your grasp. To train it, you have to get close enough to catch it.
Step 1 : Calm the mind
Step 2 : Get yourself Centered
Step 3 : Get yourself Grounded
Step 4 : Get yourself Shielded or Safe
Starts : Wed. March 24th, 2016 at 6:30 am.
Cost for all 3 weeks : $45
You do Not have to Preregister, Just call us at 919-792-8089 and let us know you are joining us.
I will take you through exercises and training, with breaks along the way, for 45 minutes. By of the end of the 3 sessions you will know how to walk yourself through a process to achieve the fundamentals of meditation.
Also Included During the Course :
During the time of the course, you can come in to practice at no additional fee. This will give you a chance to soak in it and ask me questions as they pop up.
If you prefere to have these same lessons provided in private to semi-private lessons, call us at 919-792-8089.
Posted in Beginners , Mindfulness - Attention , Workshop
Beginners Yang Tai Chi 5 Week Course
Posted on Tuesday, February 09, 2016 at 2:18 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
Starts : March 10th, 2016 Thursday, 7pm. 5 Weeks
Learn the fundamental stances and movements of Tai Chi. The body mechanics that allow you to move with greater balance and gracefulness.
This Tai Chi course will show you one of the most popular and beneficial forms of exercise in the world.
"Learn to calm your body and mind."
Get the blood and oxygen flowing ..
- Tai Chi exercise is often considered safer and more beneficial than walking.
- Chance of falling are lessened
- Can be performed practically anywhere
Benefits of Tai Chi
If you are unsure, check out the Benefits
of Tai Chi at Harvard Health.
The most important benefit I see, is that you can feel healthier,
calmer and more relaxed with 10-15 minutes a day.
Some of
the Students practice every morning in the shower, to start their day.
This Program is : 5 One - Hour Classes Each Week
Tai Chi for Beginners provides you with Step-by-Step instructions to learn :
- Stances of Tai Chi
- How to move in stance
- The common postures of Tai Chi such as Grasping Birds Tail
3824 Barrett Drive, 27609
Telephone for Questions : 919-792-8089
It is also progressive. You can use these fundamentals to build on.
These are the stepping stones for the Yang
24 Course (most prominent forms of Tai Chi), the Yang 48 (one of the
most fun and popular forms) and QuangPing TaiJi Chuan (Martial Art of
TaiJi).
Some of the comments we have received:
Proven Health Benefits of Tai Chi
- You can reduce your Blood Pressure
- Your Balance will improve
- Strengthen Your Immune System
- Calm and Quiet Your Mind
- More Benefits of Tai Chi
4 Common Questions from our students
-
"Can I really learn in 5 classes?"
We keep workshops small in number so that you can get personal attention that you many need. -
"I have memory problems, dementia or alzheimer's, can I learn it?"
The individual exercises are simple enough to learn and eventually link together into a form. -
"I am out of shape, can I do this?"
Yes, this is designed to be mild enough for cardiac, arthritic and people with health concerns. -
"I am totally inexperienced, is this okay for me?"
Absolutely, this course was designed to give you small chunks over the weeks so that you can learn gently.
Why Learn here, rather than in a commercial martial arts school?
We take great care of you, your questions and concerns. We will go out of our way to make sure you are successful
We want you to have a great time and be successful. How can we say that, and not give you further encouragement to practice?
We take to heart your time and effort spent with us. While you are enrolled in your Tai Chi Course, you may come to practice once per week. AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
Thank you for stopping by.
Mouse Art : Our Good friend, Stephanie Yue, jellycity.com
Edited on: Monday, February 15, 2016 7:03 PM
Posted in Beginners , Style: Tai Chi , Workshop
Longevity Set QiGong
Posted on Thursday, February 04, 2016 at 8:12 AM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
QiGong and Tai Chi have been researched in many countries on many parameters. I don't believe in wonder-drugs, but I do believe in being effective and effecient.
There are not too many convential exercise programs that can stimulate the kind of changes that Tai Chi and QiGong do. I can explain it to you during the workshop, about how it is different than just a walk around the park, or lifting weights, or stretching programs, or you can have a short list sent directly to your email.
Get A List of Researched Benefits of Tai Chi and QiGong Emailed to you in PDF format. For you as a reference, or send to family or friends who may need to start a safe and healthy lifestyle.
If you want to attend, or have this program presented in your facility, contact Sifu TW. Smith
Listen to Podcast 82 for all details
Edited on: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 10:42 AMPosted in Beginners , Health , Workshop
How to Use the Map of Yin and Yang
Posted on Wednesday, February 03, 2016 at 3:47 PM by Sifu TW Smith the site author">Sifu TW Smith
An Old Way of Understanding The Stars and Seasons Became A Way of Understanding Ourselves
In Chinese Martial Arts, you will hear the statements, you are too Yin, or, your mind is too Yang? How do you use, or decode that?
During this podcast I walk through the terms Yin and Yang and how they
were used. When they became connected to a map, that followed the sun,
and then later became the symbol we think of today.
** Get a Full Size Yin/Yang Map, plus other images mentioned in the podcast, plus a list of the bullet points covered, all in one 4 page PDF, delivered to your email.
If you already receive my newsletters, the link will be included in newsletter.