Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Presenting....This Year's Workshops!

Grandmaster Henry Look
Applications of Guang Ping Yang T'ai Chi
Grandmaster Henry Look will teach and share the usage and martial applications, by correlation of the 64 posutres. No matter what Guang Ping lineage you follow, you will find this information illuminating and valuable. This workshop will help you understand the purpose of each posture - be it "step back repulse the monkey" or "stork cools its wings"- and will give you a deeper feeling of the various movements. It is also an excellent learning tool for those who have difficulty remembering the form. Don't miss this rare opportunty for Grandmaster Look to explain "efficiency in movement."

Master Randy Elia
Hsing-Yi Five Elements

Master Randy Elia is recognized for his relaxed and smooth delivery of power in Hsing-I Chuan, and in this workshop he will demonstreate and teach how one can achieve this skill. In Hsing-I Chuan, the five basic patterns are related to the Five Elements, phases of Chinese philosophy and medicine. However, they are also five devastating moving martial arts postures in which Yi (the mind) creates a will of motion (intention) directing the body without any distractions, and delivering a true potential energy or "jing". It is believed that the movements of each of these five postures benefits the health of the internal organ related to each posture. For example, Pi Chuan "metal" relates to and benefits the lungs. In the words of Master Wang Xiang Zhai, "metal is the power contained in the bones and tendons; the mind being firm like iron or stone, able to cut steel."

Master Jiang Jianye
Wuji 8-Section Brocade

Wuji is a state of nothingness/emptiness, the beginning of the beginning. We can think of wuji as a zero. T'ai Chi would be 1. In Chinese symbolism, first there was wuji - nothinginess, emptiness - from which T'ai Chi evolved - completeness, fullness, balance. You can get endless benefits from the Wuji 8-Section Brocade form: powerful energy (chi), great stretching, and super balance. It can also help prevent high blood pressure, arthritis, and osteoporosis, among other health issues.
T'ai Chi 9 Circles for Joints and Health
Circles all joints of ankles, knees, hips, waist, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck and the eyes with T'ai Chi postures that can help prevent arthritis due to the normal aging process (fifty-year elbow), and work-related repetetive activities, such as typing at a computer. This stationary T'ai Chi form is very simple but highly effective. It helps keep the joints flexible, improves blood circulation, and allows Qi to flow through the meridians more effectively, thereby generating more energy.

Sifu Paul Taylor
Wave Hands Like Clouds
During this workshop we will investigate and determine the structure and dynamics of "Wave Hands Like Clouds" in the Guang Ping Yang form through a series of pattern drills and interactive exercises.

Jarl Forsman & Steve Sekhon
Principles of T'ai Chi as Metaphors for Right Living

Kuo Lien Ying once said, "If you do the form with the right spirit, everything you need to know will come through naturally." Working with the basic principles common to all T'ai Chi forms, we will explore the way in which embodying these principles can bring you wisdom, health, a meditative mind, and the highest form of self defense: Integration (of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects).

Marilyn Cooper
Four Hands
Marilyn Cooper will offer a workshop on "Four Hands", a moving push hands drill from Yang style that, when practiced with a training partner on a regular basis, will produce highly concentrated, conditioned responses to force. Once proficient, one partner will be making larger steps and be on the outside, while the inside partner's circles will be smaller.