A big, blog welcome to Delta College SICL students who are participating in my Yuanji class there.  I hope many of you will also be stopping by the Mall to dance with us in front of Dillards.

The purpose of this post is to correct some misinformation about the meaning of some Chinese words.  Both the mistakes, and this correction, are my best efforts to understand a difficult but beautiful language.  Some of the difficulty comes from the Chinese use of analogies, which are powerful but depend on a deep understanding of the comparison being made.

Here’s an example.  The “Yuan” in yuanji dance is written :

This symbol means dollar (i.e. the Chinese “yen”), first or head.  “Uan” with rising emphasis is a more accurate Mandarin pronunciation.  In Cantonese, I don’t know how to pronounce this word.  I also told my Delta class that this word means “gold”.  However, I’ve discovered that there is a completely different Chinese word for the metal gold.  I now think that the “gold” translation that was suggested to me was more of an analogy, where “gold” is used to indicate a very high standard (golden).

Even more interesting are the words “chi” and “ji” or “key” or “qi” or even “xi” — all of these sounds seem to be used, somewhat interchangeably, for two separate Chinese words:

To the left, in red, is a word meaning “extreme, furthest, final”.  This is the word used in the names Tai Chi and Yuanji.

To the right, in black, is the word meaning “spirit” which is closer to the meaning most of us attribute to the second syllable of Tai Chi and Yuanji.  Interestingly, “spirit” is the word used in the name of the philosophy underlying both exercise systems:  Qi Gong.

SO, Tai Chi is the “ultimate/final extreme” while Yuanji is the “golden/first extreme” and both are based in Qi Gong, or “spiritual achievement”.

Now, about that Ugly Step-Daughter Step, it’s wonderful and funny analogy that anyone who has ever danced or tried Tai Chi will be able to understand.  It goes like this:  When your son brings home an ugly step-daughter, your family will pay for that for 3 generations.  Equally, as a dancer, when you make one wrong step, that’s going to throw off your next 3 steps.  Ah, so sadly true.  Avoid the Ugly Step-Daughter Step whenever possible.  🙂

More practice!  Join us at the mall.

Thank you to all the who came out for the Flash Mob.

In case you missed this super-fun event, here’s a sample:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qr9dRo-v20&w=560&h=315]

This is an instructional video, rather than a performance video.

For anyone interested.  Jully Kang is teaching this form now.  See schedule for days & times.  All are welcomed.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-TvU6K86s&w=420&h=315]

For those interested, here’s some background information about, and a partial video of, the “Holding the Sun & Moon” tai chi form that Jully Kang’s group practices.  All are welcome.  See the schedule for times & location.

http://dongyuetaichi.com/About-Us.html

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj8KgN38Fpc&w=420&h=315]

Stockton is Magnificent — Sept 29 on the Miracle Mile, from 1-4.

FLASH MOB (scheduled for 2pm).

If you are able to attend one of the group practices, you’ll get details and experience with a larger group:

“three big practices, hoping to get everybody out to one or more of them.

Tuesday Night, September 25,  5:00- 5:30 MMID parking lot at 2540 Pacific Avenue located ACROSS THE STREET from Starbucks and Gourmet Burrito.

Wednesday, September 26, 4:30- 5:00 at the Teen Center – 725 El Dorado Street  (Charity, can you be in charge of the sound system if I have my ipod with USB and AUX OUT?)

and

Thursday Night, September 27, 7:00-7:30 at  Edison High”

Jully Kang’s Tu-Th-Sat group has begun learning this form.  Includes a combination of styles (like the 42).

All are welcome to join this practice.

Check out this link for an introduction and description (with drawings) of the form.  http://taijispot.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/learningthe48formsetoftaichi.pdf

FLASH MOB:  A surprise event.  At a prearranged signal, dancers emerge from the crowd performing.  Mall Walkers are invited to join in — making signs, forming a stage border, dancing.  Take a look at the video and watch for signs at the Mall Walk about practice sessions for the “mob”.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYyHWVWUltA]

Greetings All

Just updated the schedule page. Take a look. Let me know if I’ve missed, or messed up, anything.

Let me know — really. If you’re reading the blog, comment now and then. I get lonely out here, and then I get behind. Help please.

Weberstown Walkers are now on Facebook too. Hoping this will be another (?) easy way for you to keep up with Mall news. If you “LIKE” this new page, then updates will be sent to your Facebook page automatically.

T-shirts are still available. Some of you who already signed up have not picked up your shirts yet. Sorry, I don’t do home delivery :-). If you’re not pleased with the size you ordered, ask me about exchanges. If you haven’t signed up yet, just stop by Dillard’s when I’m there and I have the release forms.

I also have some water bottles left.

The mall asks for, and appreciates having, a signed release from ALL walkers, whether you want a T-shirt/water bottle or not. We are guests. The Mall is concerned for your safety and expects all walkers to take responsibility for themselves.

Enough for now —

Thank you to all who joined us on Sunday for this program.  Special thanks to Jully Kang and Sifu Jenny from Sacramento who arranged for our Chinese Guests to lead this event.

To review & practice this form, check out Jully Kang’s practice on Tu-Th-Sat from 8-10.  (Bring a Yoga mat if you want to join in floor exercises as well.)  I will also go over some of the forms with M-W-F aerobics practice.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0XdCb2pyCY]

and

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj2–7C8U7c]

Remember — your comments come to me.  I’m waiting to hear from you.  🙂

kristen

Mark the date.

ALL walkers and exercise groups are invited to gather at Dillard’s for a pot-luck brunch of the Mall Walk’s 15th Anniversary.

Everyone, PLEASE, bring something to share — finger food, simple snacks, drinks.  We have a sign up sheet at Dillard’s if you want to see what others are bringing, or let the rest of us know what you will bring.  We need everyone to contribute so there will be plenty for all.

TAI CHI groups will perform the 24 forms together.  This is an exercise set that most of you know.  Please join in even if you are just a beginner.  We will use Anne Chin’s recorded calls, in honor of a loved and valued leader we lost in February.  Anne led many of us through our very first Tai Chi moves, and we want to continue her legacy by introducing these calming and beneficial exercises to all who are interested.

And, of course, the Chicken Dance — you don’t want to miss this one :-).  We’ll have music for more dancing if folks have suggestions.

Wear your Mall Walk T-Shirts so we can get some great pictures.  See you all there.

kristen