News: Tai Chi 氣 Chi Flow Teacher Announcement + more

太極氣流

Congratulations to Pat Roach who finished her Tai Chi 氣 Chi Flow Level I Set Training this week. Pat was in my first rollout group of 20 students and stayed dedicated and learned it properly. I can see the difference it has made in her life. 

I have a personal new website  https://taozenchi.org/ you can get a hold of me here or to see whats going on. Also there is my twitter account: https://twitter.com/AbersoldW I use twitter like a short online journal to share thoughts, ideas etc. 

Its taking time to shift onto my new site and update google + pages. I was very disappointed how the web service I used double there prices and made it over priced after almost 20 years being dedicated to their company. I cancelled to send a message that donot take their customers for granted!

Gary W. Abersold

New Certified Teacher in Tai Chi 氣 Chi Flow Level I (太極氣流) and Emei Lotus Tradition I

Congratulations to Kathy Liang for passing the Certification Test in  Tai Chi  氣 Chi Flow Level I (太極氣流), a student now - a teacher dedicated to the tradition. She also received a teacher Certificate in Emei Lotus Meditation  and  Certificate of Completion of the Emei 49 day Purification Tradition. She will have classes in North West Michigan area; for more information contact us through this website.

Kathy has been a rare student whom practices what she comes to class for. I can see it in her practice and how she carry's herself in daily life.  A student of the past 4 years of weekly private classes; she's a textbook perfect example of following traditional guidance through verbal instruction and one on one training.  A perfect example of real experiences gets you to the end goal, and learning how to integrate "Qigong Way of Life" in one's everday experience.

I have taken her through many traditional foundations and rare ritual practice of  Emei Mountain Healing that Master Wen Lei Chen had taught me many years ago in Windsor at Reaume Park. Today was coming full circle where had I met her four years ago as curious student; she now is one of my most competent teachers to share Health and Wellness practices of Qigong and Ritual Meditation. Great Job :)

Gary W. Abersold

     

Question: How much practice is enough or required?

A common question often received in email is "It possible to do too much Tai Chi, Qigong or meditation? Every now and then students will ask me in classes, “How much practice is too much?” 

Introduction: A long time ago in a different place of time and space...It was the 1980's when I was learning these practice's. Beginning in Junior High School it was a vastly different culture and focus on standards of practice. It was very common to practice several hours a day, 3-6 times a week. There were very few Americans in these groups; it was mostly us guys in the classes as well. Many Masters did not allow women in the groups. A over the top dedication to your Sifu and the school was mandated as well. Students cleaned the school, helped the Master out with whatever they asked. Looking back I was young, fortunate and free from worldly obligations to fill up my day with practice in various forms. All information and techniques was personally and physically taught in person. We had to memorize practices on the spot, there were no video tapping or note taking as well.  

So it was a sink or swim game; we practiced more because everything was memorized and we had no Video Tapes, DVD's, Internet or handouts to fall back on. Was it better than today? I would say no, it was just different and each generation has it's value on how to educate for next generation of students. Today with fast pace of life, everything wired for speed many students just are not equipped to "woodshed" it out as in the old days. Many just don't see the value as well.       

With that being said I do believe that each generation should focus on "Qigong of today, Tai Chi of today or meditation standards of practice today". A worthwhile note as well is that typical in our culture, where we feel that if a little is good, more must be better. It is a common paradigm for Americans, to try and re-engineer anything we can get or hands on. This can be true with these traditions, but will only go so far. 

Cautionary Note for Eager Novice Teachers: A common problem is that many practitioners and teachers of today is they mis-appropriate practice, create their own video tape and water down way too many things. All good systems are well informed and documented in today's world. If you teach - promote your Teachers material, skills and all the great things you have learned along the way with them. There is nothing better than the original! Indigenous traditions should be honored in this way. Make no mistake about it, if you cheat your students out of crucial information and technique, they eventually will find out, and lose faith in the tradition. Many people in many areas have made many videos and books now and claim skills and backgrounds that they do not really have. This continues to be a problems filled with false and misleading information. Don't become part of the problem, be a genuine person focus on leading an example of quality and tradition.    

Less is More!

The Science in the study of Qigong, Tai Chi and Meditation says that as little as 20 minutes delivers very tangible results. One of my Master teacher's is now 80 years old, I asked him during a practice in May of 2016, "how much does he practice"? He said with his busy schedule he practice's still no more than one hour per day. He also practices what he teaches as well. 

There is no need to practice for hours a day, and when people report doing so, often times they are not really accomplishing much better skill as well. The purpose of these practices is to help us to balance ourselves and engage more fully and healthfully in life. If we do too much of anything, we cannot find balance. I will concur that for a modern person practicing up to an hour a day is more than sufficient. We can do two twenty-minute sessions, or one longer session, per day. I recommend that you start with only five to ten minutes a day accomplishable goals because it is easier to set aside such a small chunk of time every day, no matter how busy your lifestyle or daily schedule.


 The advantage of starting slowly and following "less is more" as bendable guideline is that as you begin to feel the effects, your desire to practice increases naturally. When that happens, there is no need to force ourself to practice and, in fact, forcing ourselves to practice rarely leads to an quality, long-term practice. In closing for us that engage in these traditions as a "way of life" take an honest look at your schedule and plan accordingly. It is best to set yourself up for success, rather than setting goals that will be hard to achieve. Sometimes more is just more; it which is not better. :)

GWA

Tai Chi Workshop Howell Michigan

Note: Come join a wonderful group of lifelong Tai Chi & Qigong practitioners for a Super Saturday Gathering! Various presenters in Traditional Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong will be presenting skills and methods that will enhance youre life path traditions. Personal Participation will go a long way in your understanding with these traditions. One cannot learn completely from a book, video or online, it requires personal contact and connection. Much will be added to yourself personally meeting new friends whom share same likeness as you. Express youre inner will and participate and truly learn. :) 

G.W. Abersold 

Research Supports Tai Chi helps Aching Knees

 The following article by respected Dr. Andrew Weil gives his objective view on Tai Chi Practice for Knee issues. I will add a properly trained teacher in Therapeutic style Tai Chi would be the takeaway here for giving it a try. If you are local in Michigan the Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow practice, is perfect for anyone and comes from years of  research and application since the 1970's. If interesting contacted me ~ Gary W. Abersold taozahnchi@gmail.com


Practicing tai chi could be as effective as physical therapy to relieve arthritic knee pain. A new study also found that tai chi offered an additional benefit: it significantly eased depression among seniors experiencing pain, swelling, tenderness and stiffness caused by knee arthritis. 

Researchers at Boston's Tufts Medical Center recruited 200 people whose average age was 60. Most were overweight or obese - both risk factors for knee arthritis - and had been dealing with the condition for an average of 8 years. The study participants were assigned to practice either tai chi with a trained instructor twice a week for 12 weeks or undergo physical therapy twice a week for six weeks, followed by another six weeks of monitored home exercise. After 12 weeks, all the participants responded to a questionnaire designed to assess their pain, stiffness and joint functioning. Both groups had similar and significant improvements, which the researchers reported lasted up to a year.

My take? Tai chi is an effective form of mental and physical stimulation. It is an ideal practice for overall health and especially beneficial for those with osteoarthritis, as this new study shows. Like yoga, tai chi is a reliable method of reducing stress and promoting relaxation, and it fosters flexibility, balance, and body awareness. It is also pleasing to watch and perform, and may be particularly helpful for seniors, because it reduces risk of injury from falls.

Tai Chi ~ Chi Flow Summer Program (Click on Image to Enlarge!)

The Quest for Orthodox Taoist Tai Chi?

A local student came over to my studio, student seeking advice on looking for authentic Taoist Tai Chi Chuan. He has been a student of "Taoist Tai Chi Chuan Society" and is questioning what they do. Well... for starters I don't like playing policeman, on these types of subjects cause everyone can do what they do. I think if it is helping someone get better health and wellness then that is perfect. It really does not matter per se what is so called "authentic", because once it leaves China and comes here it is a adapted tradition. America the melting pot, not a exclusive one view collective consciousness culture by any means.

I am no stranger to this Tai Chi Association; I have taught many of their teacher's Qigong and Meditation, Energy Healing throughout the years here in Michigan and in Windsor Canada. Many of them do it privately in fear of reprisal from the group, but its cool I understand, there can be alot of politics even in Tai Chu Chuan Groups. Many come to me for supercharging their personal practice, or how to setup  personal shrine for the home. I never ask any questions about the group, or what they do...I do what I do and that's enough! Nobody appreciates a busy body gossiper.

Taoism & Quest for Orthodoxy

In Western Cultures there is a quest for creating fringe Taoist Society's. This is not the only group trying; there are many. The founder of the Taoist Tai Chi Society took up these practices to heal himself and he was successful. Today it really has evolved into a large network of groups worldwide. They even have a Taoist Temple in Canada. But is it true Taoist Tai Chi? Hmmmm read on (lol)

Truth is the form is a adapted version of the Traditional Yang Cheng Fu form of the Yang Tradition. We could say it is follows in the consciousness of  "Taoist Spirit" inspired and follows loosely Yang Family/Style structure. The form follows a nice easy flowing style just like the Yang's. It is not a well oiled performance form that just looks flawless, but it does flow for commoner use. They have the reasoning for how they perform the tradition. They are doing positive work for people and they generally offer the practice inexpensive or free.

Wutang Taoism  is the root of true Taoist Tai Chi Chuan. A tradition with many forms techniques, Martial Arts and Meditation Traditions and even Religious practice. Wutang Mountain is a large place with many Masters and teachers, and so there are countless variations. Wutang Tai Chi is not the easiest way to enter into Tai Chi, but it is the source tradition of Tai Chi Chuan as we know it. The smaller 13 forms are usually the ones people like for basic health routines, but it takes teachers willing to share with students. Many like the Chi Cultivation Meditations over the form, cause the practice works quite fast for stress and illness. Many seek Taoist Identity and like the religious tradition, and mentor under a real Master ordained in all of the Traditions. Taoism is a never ending study of the self and nature. Adopt the "forever a student" approach and be open to learn; work on yourself and you will go far.      

Wu, Sun, Hao and many others are adapted largely from Yang Family. Yang Lu Chan was a genius with his technique and tradition and he became famous all through China. There are many variations of his teachings that even exist to this day that were birthed from his travels and teachings to his sons. The reason there are so many variations like many Master's he and his sons taught students based on ability and interest. Many teachers teach like this to remain open and to serve the many.  

In the beginning Yang Lu Chan was a Chen Stylist in the beginning. The Chen Family is more closely to what Wutang Tai Chi Chuan is, but its more of a family style of Chen Family teachings. Even Chen Family Tai Chi Chuan has a wide array of teachings as well. So it is a endless sea of adaptations today. Each school and practice has their view point how to make their system work. All I will say is follow the ones that gives you desire to practice and joy when you do it. It will take a mentor in whatever Tai Chi Chuan tradition you do to ensure you do the form correctly and not to injure yourself through improper postures and movement. 

Taoism in western cultures is complicated; it is complicated even in China. Daily life in China is not like it use to be before Mao Tse Tung and the Communist Red Flood. All the teachers I have ever studied with left cause of it. Taoism, Buddhism and other practice systems can no longer exist as it was. A sad true story to a once paradise on earth; but it don't matter cause it is omni present everywhere now. The traditions will go on and adapt. What was traditional may not be of value in the future anyhow. 

Many act like they own some rights to the Tao; no one owns what cannot actually even be described; lol...Many get real political with Taoist practice, quest for making it a mission, the "Tao of Dollars" the marketing of Taoism which just really pisses off all the Orthodox Lineage Masters off. True Taoism follows the making the practices available to those in need and not with a recompense price-tag attached to it. This is done in Traditional Buddhism as well-all truths groups I will say. With that said this is the West- if you want your group to survive you will have to support the mission, nothing is free in America! Don't let a good thing die in the "spirit of self sacrifice" and a very Asian way of doing things.

The real Taoist experience is everyone's own experience. So again noone "owns the Tao"; feel free to tag it as such- its your life, live it as you see fit. I think if you like this Tai Chi Tradition follow it. The core philosophy behind any of these practices should be the emphasis of sharing for the masses and helping one another out. As Hua Ching Ni has taught for many years TAO=Together As One.

GWA