Hello Everyone and thank you for choosing to learn Tai Chi and Qigong with us. We are now near the end of our first term for 2016 and according to the Chinese calendar, it is the ‘Year of the Monkey’. In ancient China, as in the ancient western world, life was linked with destiny and the heavens. The Chinese Calendar differs from that of the west by emphasising the year of birth, rather than the month of birth. The calendar cycle is twelve years - the time it takes

for Jupiter to complete its orbit of the earth. Each year has a specific animal. In keeping with Chinese philosophy and the concept of Yin and Yang, the twelve animals are paired. The Monkey is considered Yang and paired with the Yin Rooster. To each of the twelve animals an element is assigned. There are five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal and water and to complete the full cycle takes sixty years. This year is the Year of the Fire Monkey. The Monkey is one of the most popular characters of Chinese legend and many stories have evolved around Monkey’s exploits. This animal has many innate skills but needs a firm hand to control them and harness them for good. The Monkey personality has an inventive and agile mind and is rarely at a loss for words or ideas. Monkey can however be insecure and often not taken seriously, which can lead to frustration. If you were born in the Year of the Monkey it should be a fun year with much success especially in the business environment. Social life will be great, but beware, there are costs. So, what does the Monkey year have in store for the rest of us? This mischievous and somewhat erratic animal tells us that it is probably not the best year for long term plans, it is a time of instability, especially in politics and finance. It is therefore not a time for large scale investment. Maybe if you’re lucky the quick flutter may pay off. This year is not all doom and gloom however as the House of the Monkey is that of career and according to the sign we can expect even greater advances in the field of science and technology. As far as Tai Chi is concerned we hope we are not too erratic but plan to tread carefully this year—just in case. We look forward to you continuing with us next term, and don’t forget to put the park practise sessions and World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) in your calendar. Best wishes, Rosemary

TERM 1 2016 MOVING MEDITATION SCHOOL OF TAI CHI & QIGONG Tel: 83817969

Email: movingmeditation@mytaichi.com.au www.mytaichi.com.au

Tai Chi News

Schools of Qigong

WTCQD

Free park practise

Teacher profile

Farewell

Class safety

Afterthoughts

TERM DATES 2016

Term 2: 2nd May—27th June

Term 3: 25th July—16th September

Term 4: 17th October—10th December

Music CDs $26.00

DVD Intro. To Tai Chi & Qigong $30.00

DVD Tai Chi Chair $30.00

DVD Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi $25.00

DVD Temple Qigong $25.00

DVD Blossoming Lotus $15.00

DVD Tai Chi Qigong 2nd Sequence $15.00

TAI CHI NEWS Page 2

I was asked during the term if there were different forms of Qigong and thought I would share with you. There are four main schools of Qigong in China, Scholars, Medical, Martial and Religious. These schools can then be divided further into: Scholars—pre-Han and post-Han Dynasty Medical Martial—External (or hard arts such as Kung Fu) and Internal (or soft arts such as Tai Chi) Religious—Taoist, Buddhist, Tibetan.

1. Scholars Qigong—for maintaining health and preventing disease. (Mind, body,

breath). Illness caused by mental and emotional excesses—when the mind is not calm, balanced and peaceful, organs will malfunction. Therefore aim for: a peaceful and relaxed mind by stopping the inner chatter (sometimes called monkey mind); regulate your breathing and cultivate Qi (the life force). To maintain health, emphasis is placed on mental and spiritual cultivation and following one’s natural destiny. *After Han dynasty scholars believed you could change your destiny and become stronger, thereby increasing lifespan. 2. Medical Qigong—Healing Dates back over three millenium—folklore and the legendary Yellow Emperor. Branches include Acupuncture, Acupressure, Moxibustion and Herbal medicines. (a) Movement is necessary to increase Qi circulation (b) An imbalance of Qi will show up before physical symptoms (c) Correct imbalance—organs will not be damaged (d) Healing sounds and movement could help and even cure a range of medical problems such as asthma and even some forms of cancer, as sounds and movement relate to organs and seasons. 3. Martial Qigong—Da Mo—Liang Period 502-557 AD (a) Increased power and efficiency of muscles—muscles usually used only to 40% of capacity. (b) Improved health through control of Qi through Yi (mind). (c) Learned cavity strikes—to disturb enemies QI flow to seriously incapacitate them or cause death (Dim Mak) There are two types of Qigong: Wai Dan (external) - concentration of mind to energise Qi to limbs (Kung Fu) Nei Dan (internal) - Qi generated in the body other than limbs and led to limbs by Yi (mind) to increase power (Tai Chi) 4. Religious Qigong Meditative—aim—enlightenment. However this form not considered healthy. *Since the mid 20th century Wuji Qigong has been practised. Its aim: to calm and relax the mind. This leads to a centred, clear and still mind and a relaxed body. We begin our classes each week with Wuji (quiet standing)

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For those of you new to our school this year you may not be aware of our Park practise sessions. These are held regularly on Saturday mornings, with the exception of our Teacher Training days, (the first Saturday of the month in term time) at the following locations:

Oaklands Estate Reserve, Oaklands Road, (behind the wetlands) from 9.00—10.00 am

Trott Park Neighbourhood Centre grounds, Hessing Crescent from 9.30—10.30 am. During the School term break we will continue to offer these practise sessions, with Lorraine running an additional session at Oaklands Reserve on Wednesdays at 9.00 am. For our Mitcham students, Elisa is offering sessions at:

Mitcham Reserve, Old Belair Road on Tuesday 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th April Time: 10.00 am—11.00 am

There is no charge and it is a great opportunity to get some extra practise, while consolidating and improving your Tai Chi and Qigong forms.

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is the brain-child of Bill Douglas and was first celebrated on April 10, 1999, following the United Nations World Health Day. It is now celebrated each year on the last Saturday in April, which this year is on Saturday, 30th April. World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is recognized as a universal day by the United Nations. At 10.00 am, beginning in New Zealand, practitioners around the

world will be out in the parks and on the beaches, enjoying the friendship of other Tai Chi players and promoting the benefits to health Tai Chi offers. If you are interested in finding out more, simply put WTCQD into search on internet and the website will come up. This year we have two locations, I will be in the city at Peace Park as I am Secretary of the TCAA who is organising this session but one of our teachers will run the session at Oaklands Park for those who do not wish to travel into Adelaide.

Tai Chi Association of Australia State Location: Peace Park, North Adelaide, opposite the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Time: 10.00 am—11.00 am

Local Location: Oaklands Estate Reserve, Oaklands Road (opposite Swim Centre)

Time: 10.00 am—11.00 am

For those of you who regularly attend the park every Saturday at Oaklands Estate

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Please wear loose, comfortable clothing during training.

Shoes must be worn. No bare feet allowed.

Please bring water to drink

For the benefit of students who may have allergies we request that you do not wear perfume or aftershave to class.

Weapons students must maintain proper control and handling of the weapon at all times.

Ensure there is sufficient space between yourself and others, especially when performing

weapon forms.

Members with a cut or bleeding injury must cease training immediately and receive appropriate

first aid treatment. Rejoining the training session will not be allowed until the teacher is satisfied it is safe to do so.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN ENSURING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

It is with sadness that we farewell our dear Tai Chi friends of many years, Marjorie (Floss) Biggs, who was class assistant at Reynella and Ivorine Waye, who assisted at

Flagstaff Hill and later moved to our Hove class. We will miss you both. Our condolences to both families

The nature of love is much more a doing, than a feeling. till we meet again……...

This term our teacher profile is of Mardiyah Salah, who is now offering Tai Chi classes at Marion Uniting Church in Township Road.

Hi, I’m Mardiyah Salah, originally from the UK and have lived is Australia for the past 28 years. I am a Carer, Karate Instructor and Tai Chi Teacher. I have seven children, five step-children and between my partner and myself, 10 grand-childen. Life is hectic. My physiotherapist recommended I try Tai Chi seven years ago, due to back injuries. I currently help Rosemary with her classes at Reynella and Trott Park. I run a class at Marion with the help of my son Sharifin, who also wants to become a teacher. My goal is to share my love of Tai Chi with as many people as possible and improve my own health.

Flight from the Shadow There was a man who was so disturbed by the sight of his own shadow and so displeased with his own footsteps that he determined to get rid of both. The method he hit upon was to run away from them. So he got up and ran. But every time he put his foot down there was another step, while his shadow kept up with him without the slightest difficulty. He attributed his failure to the fact that he was not running fast enough. So he ran faster and faster, without stopping, until he finally dropped dead. He failed to realize that if he merely stepped into the shade, his shadow would vanish, and if he sat down and stayed still, there would be no more footsteps. From The way of Chuang Tzu by Thomas Merton