Zen Bear Tai Chi Animation by Terry Dunn

This animation by Tai Chi master Terry Dunn, shows Qi (energy) between the palms of a cartoon panda bear performing the opening moves of the Yang Long Form. Enjoy.

We are the air, the air is us

David Suzuki,  globally renowned biologist and impassioned broadcaster, writer and educator, on our intimate, connected relationship with the air we breathe. This quote comes from a soon-to-be-released Bioneers Radio Special called Natural Magic: The Earth Hospitality Enterprise.

"We don’t think about air, but from the moment every one of us left our mother’s body to the last gasp on our death bed we need air fifteen to forty times a minute.

We breathe air deep into the most moist, warm, intimate parts of our bodies, and we fuse to the air. When you think of the destiny of the air we breathe in, our lungs are filled with about 300 million alveoli - these little capsules. We need all of those alveoli to make all the surface area to come into contact with the air. When you flatten out all of the alveoli into two dimensions they would cover a tennis court. So that much surface area is wrinkled up into our lungs. And lining each alveolus, is a three layered membrane called a surfactant. The surfactant reduces surface tension, so when the air comes into contact with it, it fuses to the surfactant. Carbon dioxide rushes out, oxygen and whatever else is in that air is sucked into our bodies. The oxygen is picked up by red blood cells and with every beat of our heart the oxygen is delivered to all parts of our bodies. 

The point is, you can’t draw a line and say the air ends here and I begin there. There is no line. The air is in us. It is fused to us, and it’s circulating throughout our bodies. We are the air in the most profound way. And when I tell children that we are the air and that air isn’t a vacuum or empty space - is a substance - so what comes out of my nose goes straight up yours they immediately go. I guess they think we’ve got a little bubble of air that’s marked “Mary” or “Johnny.” Air is a substance that imbeds us. The whole American notion that we’re John Wayne riding in the saddle, rugged individualist, is nonsense. We’re not separate individuals. We’re tied together by the matrix of air that imbeds us with not just human beings, but the trees, and the birds, and the snakes, and the worms that are all using that air."

Think about that the next time you take a breath.

Take Your Tai Chi Out to Play

 

Annette Dunklin, Nauset Beach, Cape Cod

Practice Outside

Starting tomorrow August 10th, join Body Balance students in Wednesday morning practice. We'll meet in Condon Park, near the Miner's Statue in front of the Love Building at 8am.  These sessions are extracurricular to regular classes at Body Balance studio.  A few of us just wanted to practice together outside.  There is no extra cost to join us. We'll do some brief warm-ups and practice the Tai Chi form together.  There will be no formal instruction, just practice.  Every Wednesday in August at 8am. See you there.

Body Balance Kung Fu Team Brings Home the Spirit of Competition (and 13 medals)

Congratulations to: Kiala, Chandra, Jean, Homa & Nathaniel--our BB Kung Fu Team!

After a long, difficult weekend, with extreme competition,

our team was a success!

Above all was their excellence in sportsmanship. We are so honored and proud to be bringing home from this year's International Tournament 13 medals!

   

Details will be announced upon our return.

Thank you for all of your support!

Practicing Tai Chi with Music...or not.

At Body Balance Academy, we often listen to relaxing and contemplative music as a quiet background to our Qi Gong and Tai Chi practice in weekday classes. This music comes from several sources including instructor and student playlists. 

Bill Douglass

Kit Bailey

Each second Saturday of the month, at Tai Chi with Tea, we enjoy the spontaneous serendipity of practice with live music performed by Bill Douglass (bass and flutes) and Kit Bailey (percussion).  This wonderful event is open to the public. Plan to bring your family and friends--anyone you think might be interested in a meditative experience of "chi" with these world class jazz musicians to help enhance the experience. The next opportunity for this experience is Saturday August 13th at 10:00am at the Body Balance Studio.

Snatam Kaur

During Yoga class with Summer Lujan, we often listen to the Gurumukhi chanting of Snatam Kaur. You can learn more about her musical voyage online where you can listen to and download music.

Some folks (including Liu Shih Fu during a talk with the Lotus Group earlier this year) encouraged us to practice without music, too.  To listen within and hear the music of our hearts. To hear the music of nature as we practice outside.  The Yuba River makes a terrific soundtrack for Qi Gong or Tai Chi.

As I practice and meditate on my deck in the morning, an owl calling through the forest draws my attention back to the breath. My cat stretches and yawns and draws near. The wind in the cedar trees brings a lovely perfume.

What kinds of sounds enhance your practice? Do you prefer music or quiet? If you enjoy any particular playlist, consider bringing it to share with other students at Body Balance.  Above all, let your ears open to the possibilities.

How Has Tai Chi Changed Your Life?

We would love to hear from you about how practicing the art of Tai Chi has changed your life. Do you feel less stress? Are you more aware of the balance in your body? Has your Tai Chi taken on an essence of spiritual practice? How is Tai Chi informing your everyday life and relationships?