For anyone who missed the wonderful Year of the Snake celebration at the Civic Auditorium, we were lucky to have a great videographer in the audience, so I can share these performances with you:
A Chen Style QiKong form (label not correct – will likely be adjusted soon),
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kF21YDYBqk?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
And a push-hands form with fans.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSDEFmMoCQs?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Everyone is welcome to join and practice with all Mall Walk groups, even the more challenging ones. Do remember that it takes time and practice to keep up with, much less master, these forms. Be persistent and you will be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Watch for video of Master Tam’s group as well. Will share here as soon as it’s uploaded.
George’s group will now have more space at the Penney’s area M-W-F from 9:00-10:00. This is an excellent place to practice, practice, practice.
At the same time Master Tam will move to Dillard’s M-W-F from 9:00-10:00. Master Tam is now teaching the Sun Style 73 forms (see link to video, bottom right). This is an advanced group, and moves quickly, however tai chi players of every level are welcome. Join in – challenge yourself.
Anyone interested in continuing with Yuanji dancing, please stop by and let Kristen know. We’ll find a time & space to put that back on the schedule if there’s a group wanting to learn.
What’s important is to keep moving, so find a group with music and a pace you enjoy and go for it.
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 :
emphasis rises
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:
abrupt cutoffemphasis rises
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. 🙂
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.
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”
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”.
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.
