Tag Archives: martial arts

Sword – Forming the Striking Fingers

Striking Fingers When forming a fist, it is important to place the thumb outside the closed fingers and tucked away from the edge of the knuckles. We know this from experience… keep the thumb safe from getting caught or crushed. But, did you know that in the sword form, when using the striking fingers, of […]

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Transitions and Rituals – 1

“Life Transitions are often marked with a ceremony or ritual. The very act creates a flow – a change in perspective and offers another vantage point.” By Wasentha Young (an excerpt from her Meeting with the Masters short story) The blade, made of stainless steel, was inserted into the brass hand guard with two brass […]

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Liberating the Emotion of Fear Exercise

Winter is the time when all moves inward (Yin). The element is Water; the organs that correspond to this phase are the Kidneys and Bladder; the emotion is fear. When out of balance you may find yourself less able to access your inner wisdom. Connect with the joy in your life to liberate the contraction […]

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Yin Yang of it All – Part 2

Within both tai chi and chi kung there is an interplay of the mindful and the mindless. One cannot be totally mindful and we all know where being totally mindlessness can lead. Mindfulness is mechanics based; coordination, foundation, specificity in timing, intention, focus, letting go and force. Mindlessness is more of a flow, momentum, spacious […]

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What is required is Deep Listening

We are often challenged to find balance (metaphorically as well as in physical and mental health). Whether you practice tai chi or chi kung remembering to breathe, feel your feet on the ground and embracing the meditation techniques in practice are tools that will help you to feel centered so’s to “walk forward” in grace […]

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Cultivating Chi 2

The previous video blog offered one way of cultivating chi to nourish the internal organs. Again, there is some kind of “action” necessary to cultivate chi. In what way does the Tai Chi form cultivate chi. In this video Master Young explains some of the mechanics used in the form that cultivates chi leading to the […]

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Professor Cheng Man Ching Movie Marathon

Date: August 17, 6:30-8:30 PM Location: Peaceful Dragon School, 1945 Pauline Blvd., Suite B, Ann Arbor Cost: FREE! Event not to be missed – the history and impact of Tai Chi coming to the West. Professor Cheng Man Ching was Master Young’s teachers’ teacher. This evening she will be showing 3 films on the professor; his […]

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The Power of Yielding in Push Hands

Push Hands is a two person tai chi exercise. At the Tri-Alliance (Association of Women Martial Artists; National Women’s Martial Arts Federation; and Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists) Gathering (TAG) I taught a session on “The Power of Yielding Force.” It was well attended and received. __________________________________________________________________________ Too often I have had Push Hands experiences where […]

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