Annual Shaolin Monks Performance Date Set - Saturday February 5th

Mark your calendars for the annual school celebration and return of the Shaolin monks.  We celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with performances from Kung Fu and Tai Chi students and teachers, as well as special performances by Liu Shih Fu and the Shaolin Monks on Saturday, February 5, 2011.

Take time on Sunday, February 6th to participate in Qi Gong and Kung Fu workshops taught by the monks. Times and exact workshop content are still to be announced.

As in past years, tickets for both the performance and the workshops will be available first to the Body Balance community and then will go on sale to the general public.

We'll post more information as it becomes available.

Holiday Class Schedule at Body Balance

Body Balance Tai Chi and Kung Fu classes will continue through much of the holiday season on our regular schedule, except as noted below:

There will be NO classes on Christmas Day, Saturday December 25th.

There will be Kung Fu class at 9am and a Tai Chi class at 10am on New Year's Day, Saturday, January 1, 2011.

Staying Healthy With the Seasons - Winter is Here, Stay Warm

In his tremendously useful book, Staying Healthy With the Seasons, Dr. Elson M. Haas writes,

"Winter's power is deep and yin.  It is a time to conserve energy and resources and not be wasteful with your active, outward (yang) energy. You need special care in the form of nutrition, warmth and rest."

Warm up each morning with the Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade).  As you practice this 1500-year-old Qi Gong set designed to bring you optimal health, pay special attention to the last exercise in the set: "Strengthening the Waist and Kidneys." 

Breathe deeply as the hustle and bustle of the season starts to rev up. Let the power of winter weather remind you to slow down and rest. Use the principles and practices of Tai Chi to help you keep your center and maintain your balance, physically, mentally and spiritually.

New York Times column on Tai Chi

From time to time, we'll post links to articles about Tai Chi and Qi Gong.  Thanks to Annette Dunklin for bringing this one to our attention.

In her Personal Health column in the New York Times (September 28, 2010) Jane Brody writes, "The graceful, dancelike progression of meditative poses called tai chi originated in ancient China as a martial art, but the exercise is best known in modern times as a route to reduced stress and enhanced health. After reviewing existing scientific evidence for its potential health benefits, I’ve concluded that the proper question to ask yourself may not be why you should practice tai chi, but why not."

Read the rest of the column at the New York Times.

Of course, we at Body Balance encourage you to talk with your health care provider to see whether Tai Chi is recommended.

A new way to transmit chi--stream it!

Shih Fu Catherine here...First, xie xie to Tina Heck for tackling the technology to get this blog going. I love the name "Streaming Chi" for more than a few reasons--I imagine sending chi online to all our students and colleagues--a new way to transmit chi!

This forum is open to anyone at Body Balance. I and Tina, Summer, and Shih Fu Eileen will be able to post. Students will be able to comment. Let's explore our ideas and discoveries as we practice Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Use it between classes as a way to connect with the wonderful spirit of our community. The plan is for Lotus Scholars to share writings here, the same way we do at Promotion Ceremonies and Performance Events.

Allow me to start off by sharing my recent poem "Use." It has received a warm response. Xie xie for letting me know that this work has touched something in you that has stirred up your thoughts about the concepts of emptiness/fullness. In my quest for understanding, this poem simply came to me and I wrote it down to share with you. Sometimes all that is needed is to prepare the ground and plant the seed. I welcome your comments about these ideas.

Use 
(Oct 5, 2010)

It is not so useful
to think about whether
the glass is half empty or half full.

Each vessel
in and of itself
is valuable
by virtue
of simply being a container
of potential.

Imagine your life
a handmade clay bowl,
hardened by fire,
glazed with experience,
set upon the table of this world.

Run your tongue around the rim.
Embrace the emptiness
that already fills you
to the brim;
overflowing
in its constant usefulness.

Our Invitation To You

The Body Balance Team invites you to drop us a question, comment or just some thoughts here. Perhaps you have a question about the Tai Chi form or the health benefits of practicing. Maybe you just have an insight you would like to share. Welcome.

Flowing Like Water

Chi, the vital life energy that moves within us and around us like water or wind. We seek to allow the chi to flow freely through our bodies and minds in order to experience the quiet mind and lifelong health. This blog is to consider, illuminate, and inspire our many friends, families, and students.