Living a Life at 70%

Living a Life at 70%

In Tai Chi, one of the first transitional poses we learn is “bow” in a 70-30 stance. Meaning 70% of our weight is in the front foot, and 30% of our weight is in the back foot. Feeling into this stance takes practice, making sure our knee does not exceed the toe in the...
The Cloud and the Dune

The Cloud and the Dune

  Paulo Coelho has been my one of my favorite authors since, The Alchemist. He wrote this and posted it on FaceBook, and I wanted to share it with you all. Its essence is tai chi, but then again I believe life is tai chi. __________   A young cloud was born...
Acceptance

Acceptance

I thought a short writing about the subject of acceptance would be a great way to start 2021. Let’s begin with an invitation, accept everything in your world exactly as it is. Sound simple enough? It can be difficult if we consider putting up resistance against the...
Focus on the Things You Love

Focus on the Things You Love

This year is one that will go down in history isn’t it? How are you doing with everything? Have you had a chance to settle into a flow that feels good? Or, are you still hoping the old world will come back? I am here to say, it won’t. How can it? We all have changed,...
Change the Dialogue Within

Change the Dialogue Within

My Sifu (teacher) inspired this writing … I have been breathing in his words and pondering his message these past few weeks. Below are my personal insights mingled together with his energy. Put the baggage down from the past. Do not use it as fertilizer in the...
Open Your Heart to the Tao

Open Your Heart to the Tao

In this time of physically distancing, we can still connect with others and more importantly ourselves. #47 Tao Te Ching by Steven Mitchell Without opening your door, you can open your heart to the world. Without looking out your window, you can see the essence of the...
Live Life with the 70% Rule

Live Life with the 70% Rule

In the practice of Qigong / T’ai Chi, I remind students to use the 70% rule. Seventy-percent extension when extending their arms, 70% when stretching, when moving their legs into bow-stance [70% front leg, 30% back leg], a 70% effort. My Sifu explains that T’ai Chi is...
The Three Treasures

The Three Treasures

I often get asked, “Why do you choose to use the number three when teaching exercises and repeating movements 3, 6, 9 times?” Below I have listed a few personal reasons and also about The Three Treasures. Personal Reasons The number three symbolizes the trinity....
Alignment and then…

Alignment and then…

I have been pondering this concept of alignment the past few months. Sharing it with students in class, reminding them to find their center alignment first within their body before they move into the next posture. When we find our alignment physically it makes it...
Give Yourself Love

Give Yourself Love

It’s Valentines Day,  and it seems to be another commercial holiday … have you noticed how much the same flowers you bought a week ago are now twice as much? Here’s a concept, give to yourself first. Instead of trying to please everyone else, give to yourself first....