Apr 20, 2012 | Uncategorized
I’ve heard that Master Jou Tsung Hwa taught a qigong that involved making yourself as big as possible – expanding the arms, spine, legs, vision, hearing, breath, consciousness, etc…and then contracting as small as possible. It’s quite a fun...
Apr 15, 2012 | Uncategorized
Yesterday we had the wonderful opportunity to do some tai chi work with a handful of women from the Flat Track Furies. Some sticking, some kao jin*, some hip & waist work, some joint range practice…and a lot of laughter. They’re a great group of...
Apr 9, 2012 | books, neijia, Uncategorized
I got to spend last week wandering around San Francisco while heather was attending a non-profit technology conference. One of the highlights was meeting up with long time tai chi player Valerie Barntsen for some push hands in St. Mary’s park. And a wonderful...
Mar 31, 2012 | Uncategorized
After a long wait, our White Monkey Holding Peach order is finally here. Thanks to Ma’am at TastePadThai.com for shepherding it through US customs. If you’re not familiar with this particular balm, my Thai medicine teacher (Nephyr) introduced me to it a...
Nov 6, 2011 | cupping, Uncategorized
My introduction to cupping was pretty dramatic. I had a horrible case of the flu, and called to cancel an acupuncture appintment. Rachel (Rachel Rubin, Emerald Acupuncture Center) had me come in anyway – and quickly decided that cupping was in order. I had no...
Oct 29, 2011 | qigong, Uncategorized
Beginning Breathwork Mini-Workshop Wednesday November 16, 5:30 – 7:30 pm Space is limited – email Jim to register Breathing is one of the few automatic actions in the body that we can consciously engage in. One of the wonderful things about breathwork is...
Oct 12, 2011 | Uncategorized
A few years ago I was sitting at Theo’s (the funky coffee shop close to our old dojo) catching up on some email. At the table behind me there was a pretty vigorous Mac/PC debate going on. All of the usual arguments were made (price, proprietary software, blah...
Sep 27, 2011 | books, Uncategorized
No, not another review of content. Time has shown that Musashi’s Book of Five Rings has some game. You can read the Amazon.com reviews here. This is more about Kodansha International (of Japan) and the fine books they have produced. A joy to hold, read…and...
Sep 27, 2011 | books, Uncategorized
During a routine check of the martial arts section at Smith Family Bookstore, all of the usual titles were there – and an oddly almost empty shelf. In the middle of the shelf was a single, old, hardbound book – completely out of place. The book as an...
Feb 21, 2010 | neijia, Uncategorized
A few terms you’ll run across in your study of Taijiquan: wuji, taiji, yin, and yang. Briefly, here’s what they are referring to. Wuji: no extremities, uniform, non differentiated, no opposition Taiji: grand ultimate, great extreme, differentiation through...
