tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28648728411762204472024-02-19T06:56:05.779-05:00Notes from Peaceful StepsRestore peace and balance in your life one step at a time...with tai chi!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-23727111880354096522016-11-10T16:13:00.002-05:002016-11-10T16:22:42.799-05:00No One Fell Down <div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of last month, our tai chi group participated in the annual Great
Lakes Taiji Performance Festival in Dearborn. This festival, hosted by the
<a href="https://sites.google.com/site/greatlakestaiji/home" target="_blank">Great Lakes Taiji Association</a>, attracted both the tai chi enthusiast and tai
chi curious. Groups from both Michigan and Canada performed in death-defying
slowness. But the festival wasn’t just about
the hand form. There were also swords, sabers, and fans. Last year, our group
performed saber, so this year, we went with the sword. We also performed the
Yang style 49 competition form.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Many of us had not practiced the 49 form for quite some
time. (For my husband and me, it had been about four years.) And some people
didn’t know the 49 form at all. But we managed to get a couple rehearsals in
before the day of the performance. I practiced the form for a couple weeks on
my own, hoping to have it memorized well enough not to embarrass my teacher.
Other people had other concerns – some were doing their tai chi ranking test
the following day, and they were just trying not to mix up the sequence of the
49 form with the 103 form, the latter of which they would have to demonstrate
for the test. And still others were hoping not to wobble or fall on some of the
kicks and turns that had to be executed on one foot.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As for the sword, we had been practicing the form on a
weekly basis for I think most of this year, but some of us were still concerned
about wobbling and falling. And of course, there was the added pressure of making sure the
sword tassle didn’t wrap hopelessly around our wrists as we jabbed, chopped, and
sliced away. <o:p></o:p></div>
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On performance day, no, we weren’t perfect – there was a little
wobbling and a few missteps and whatnot. We did our best to be synchronized in our movements as a group. Overall, I think we did well. No one fell, and
we were all relieved about that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here's our 49 form performance:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/61XW1wCOido/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/61XW1wCOido?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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And here's our sword performance:</div>
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<br /></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bSSAU9r_LDI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bSSAU9r_LDI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=great+lakes+taiji+festival+2016" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see how the other groups performed. It was great to play tai chi with everyone!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-32415550102001699452016-02-08T12:49:00.000-05:002016-02-15T13:15:19.866-05:00Happy New Year!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Happy Year of the Monkey! Did you know that each animal of
the Chinese zodiac is also associated with one of the five elements – water,
earth, fire, metal, or wood? This is the year of the Fire Monkey. Also, because the Chinese calendar is based on the lunar
calendar, not the Gregorian calendar, the new year falls on different days from
year to year – somewhere between January 21 and February 20. The current year,
then, is 4714 and began February 8, 2016.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of
the Fire Monkey!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-18470732065862385902015-12-04T12:00:00.003-05:002015-12-04T12:04:11.610-05:00Slow and Steady Wins the Race<!--[if !mso]>
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I think most people are familiar with this old fable about
the tortoise and the hare. But in Tai Chi, it is never about the race or the
win; it’s about the journey. And because it’s all about the journey, there’s no
hurry. Just take your time, stay on the path, and enjoy what you see along the
way.<br />
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<br /></div>
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Or put another way, slow and steady builds motor units.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait. What?</div>
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<br /></div>
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When most people think of Tai Chi, they envision senior
citizens exercising slowly with beautiful and graceful movements. To most of the
fast paced, instant-gratification Gen X and Gen Y population (and don’t worry,
I fall just outside the brink of that range, so I am not completely immune to
those behaviors), this nauseatingly slow movement doesn’t seem like exercise in
the slightest. After all, only old people do it, right? It’s all they are
capable of doing in their <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">advanced</i>
age.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But there is a reason for the slow movement, and this is why
Tai Chi is great for people of all ages. When we move with sudden bursts of
energy, the muscles become tight and constricted. According to <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/constrict">dictionary.com</a>, the
definition of constrict is “to slow or stop the natural course or development
of.” But when we move slowly and continuously, we are relaxed; blood and energy
flow naturally throughout our bodies. And where there is natural flow, there is
an undeniable force. Think about rivers that flow unimpeded – no dams to block
their rampant flow. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPp24Y2WFxsNMorIJNPwX9WYSpQbdLOGLQNUD7qF5f-riBdxmj2OJTKWvoRWx-5tgGtmJ1XaKaT0voOAVR-bdPXJCK1fp_GC35xgsQL6vyZWXPRPwD_mvcNPiK364dGGtb41vl9zj3FI/s1600/035215-000001.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPp24Y2WFxsNMorIJNPwX9WYSpQbdLOGLQNUD7qF5f-riBdxmj2OJTKWvoRWx-5tgGtmJ1XaKaT0voOAVR-bdPXJCK1fp_GC35xgsQL6vyZWXPRPwD_mvcNPiK364dGGtb41vl9zj3FI/s400/035215-000001.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Photo by <a href="http://www.artprize.org/robert-brown/2014/rampant-river">Bob Brown</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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By moving slowly, we build a different kind of strength –
strength for sustained movement. At a cellular level, we have an ongoing supply
of motor units (nerve cells and muscle fibers) that are alternately resting and
working for us, and we are building new motor units all the time to keep us
strong into our old age. I realize that this may sound a bit too tech-heavy, so
I’ll leave it at that. But for those who want to read a little more, check out
this <a href="http://notesfrompeacefulsteps.blogspot.com/2015/11/motor-units-working-for-you.html" target="_blank">blog post</a>.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I’m not saying that there is no place for activities with
sudden bursts of energy. No, no, no! I think we need all kinds of energy to
play with; they are all good and serve a purpose. I’m just saying not to
underestimate the power of slow, continuous movement. I’m saying…give the
tortoise a chance!</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X5wL-lXjtv7eYHzZtSJ7vapnsM-RsfsESQGMsmCN_J53ULXZp8GPx8lIgwcpBZBwMh6OOdBRKe8Wo7QUnTFmeC_alqfKym6bsKBIWLARln-4J6eOply9CBUcuMSb-zPirX17jAjYwHU/s1600/seo-slow-steady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X5wL-lXjtv7eYHzZtSJ7vapnsM-RsfsESQGMsmCN_J53ULXZp8GPx8lIgwcpBZBwMh6OOdBRKe8Wo7QUnTFmeC_alqfKym6bsKBIWLARln-4J6eOply9CBUcuMSb-zPirX17jAjYwHU/s400/seo-slow-steady.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Photo from <a href="http://www.mr-seo.com/seo-slow-steady-wins-race/">http://www.mr-seo.com/seo-slow-steady-wins-race/</a></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-2122618904038244612015-11-24T11:55:00.000-05:002015-12-04T12:01:46.978-05:00Motor Units Working for You<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
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How can we move easily, comfortably, and without pain as we
age? Of course, common sense tells us that we need to exercise regularly to
make sure all the working parts keep working. But what is going on in our
bodies at the cellular level? Aging gracefully may, in part, come down to our
motor units. The information herein is based on an article written by Holly
Sweeney, Director of the Montclair, New Jersey, Yang Cheng Fu Center, entitled
“Looking Through the Lens of Science at the Ten Essentials of Tai Chi Chuan.”
Her article was published in the Spring 2005 issue of the International Yang
Family Tai Chi Chuan Association newsletter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope to adequately summarize her very in-depth article of
how these motor units work, and how we can use them wisely. A motor unit is one
nerve cell (neuron) and all the muscle fibers which it activates. A group of
motor units represent a muscle. When we move, or tell our bodies to move, we in
effect are calling our motor units to action. By calling on our motor units,
the nerves become excited and the connected muscle fibers are activated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ6t45EmHdwNKZVfDAv5faySahdpkEHZjMzFJq8K9CZTJD8mdZYIW0fplTLpHj1y-1nfX_FRt49G5rxwWYE3xMF4xLgALldH107ficZt5Ea0aCOMkYRJa8D7aU0SI7lOgUKW_PCLk-cU/s1600/book-motor-unit.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ6t45EmHdwNKZVfDAv5faySahdpkEHZjMzFJq8K9CZTJD8mdZYIW0fplTLpHj1y-1nfX_FRt49G5rxwWYE3xMF4xLgALldH107ficZt5Ea0aCOMkYRJa8D7aU0SI7lOgUKW_PCLk-cU/s400/book-motor-unit.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Photo from </i><a href="http://chadwaterbury.com/the-science-of-motor-unit-recruitment-part-1/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">http://chadwaterbury.com/the-science-of-motor-unit-recruitment-part-1/</i></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, so what does this mean? When the motor units are not
called into action, they don’t do much. But when they are, they sort of have
this “all out war” attitude. They are basically either turned completely on, or
turned completely off. In some situations, you may want this pedal-to-the-metal
force. It’s great when short bursts of energy and power are needed, like
sprinting. But what about endurance? What about long distance running?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How does our body sustain a movement? There are a couple
ways to do this. You can send a continuous barrage of nerve impulses to the
motor units to keep all the muscle fibers strong and activated, thus preventing
them from weakening in between impulses. This is great for activities like
sprinting or playing tennis. The only downside is that the muscle fibers
eventually will get tired and you will have to rest before you can attempt the
activity again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another way to sustain a movement is to change motor units
that are activated at any given time. You make some motor units work while
letting others take a break. We can accomplish this method with smooth,
continuous movements. And the benefit of this method? Over time, our bodies end
up activating and maintaining way more motor units then the other way of slam-dunking
all the nerve impulses at once.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More motor units equal more strength and balance. And aside
from being great for conditioning the body, ample amounts of motor units help
us to age gracefully, too. With the normal aging process, cells die. And when
motor unit nerve cells die, all the muscle fibers connected to them become
useless. If those fibers do not reconnect with a new motor unit, they will
atrophy. So what makes them want to reconnect? It all boils down to that old
adage, “Use it or lose it.” New motor units will be created only if your body
plans to use them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So get off the couch and go build some motor units, for
goodness sake!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-36650788651571996522015-11-19T12:55:00.000-05:002015-11-27T12:28:51.039-05:00Using Props When There's No One to Play WithMy husband and I are big Jeopardy! fans, and we are enjoying the Tournament of Champions that is playing this week. As is customary, Alex Trebek talks to the contestants after the first break, giving the audience a peek into their lives and personality. He asked one of the contestants, the very deadpan Alex Jacob (former poker pro and now a currency trader in Chicago) about his unique way of practicing his buzzer skills. It was quite funny, creative, and apparently effective (since he won in the semi-final round): he was looking around for a prop that had the same springiness as the Jeopardy! buzzer, and found that the perfect prop was the toilet paper holder!<br />
<br />
(Okay, you Jeopardy! fans out there. You know you want to test this out for yourselves!)<br />
<br />
This anecdote reminded me of our tai chi push hands, where we work with an opponent or partner. (I know, this is quite the segue, but just hear me out.) For many people, it's hard to practice push hands because there's no one to play with. Unless you have a built-in, live-in partner (and I'm lucky because my husband practices with me), you're left to practice with the air. And doing air push hands is much harder than playing air guitar, that's for sure!<br />
<br />
So what's a tai chi enthusiast to do? There are few props that can help you to simulate working with another person. A short cylinder or tube works great, with the length being about the distance between the inside of your elbow to your wrist and the diameter a few inches wide. You can grab the length of the tube with both hands or place both palms on the ends of the tube to practice figure eight movements, etc. An empty paper towel roll (the cardboard tube) is about the right size, but will eventually lose its shape after repeated use. An empty wrapping paper roll might have a stronger, thicker cardboard tube that you can cut down to size. If you can find a really cheap foam pool noodle, those are great, too, if you don't mind cutting them down to size.<br />
<br />
(Sorry, the toilet paper holder will be too small. However, the springiness factor would be interesting....) <br />
<br />
Another great prop to use are balls. I currently use the balls in the <a href="http://www.elainepetrone.com/" target="_blank">Miracle Ball Method</a>. They are soft and squishy and nice to work with, but they are a little small. When I stop procrastinating, I'm sure I can find another similar ball at the local toy store that's a little bigger.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I thought I'd check online to see what other ideas I could find for tai chi push hands props. I found this guy who thought about creating a <a href="http://brianguan.blogspot.com/2012/06/taichi-push-hand-dummy.html" target="_blank">push hands dummy</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFqEHBMk0JAj6J5IuzU8o-okcriUfSd7idB1aJEomPSM3l9P_9OPe129BGwyaCBluA8xUiE1xykXprE-SJbuJrqObGwiwy6c1jjBUWf3wPM86g1Ma7RRlTi6jwYc-RjnnMsJTRZcET0M/s1600/sparring-dummy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPFqEHBMk0JAj6J5IuzU8o-okcriUfSd7idB1aJEomPSM3l9P_9OPe129BGwyaCBluA8xUiE1xykXprE-SJbuJrqObGwiwy6c1jjBUWf3wPM86g1Ma7RRlTi6jwYc-RjnnMsJTRZcET0M/s320/sparring-dummy.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>(Steam Punk Robot. Photo from <a href="http://brianguan.blogspot.com/2012/06/taichi-push-hand-dummy.html">http://brianguan.blogspot.com/2012/06/taichi-push-hand-dummy.html</a>)</i><br />
<br />
What a great idea! I'll have to keep an eye on his blog to see if he actually makes it! From his blog, I also saw a comment that led me to a great <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3QW1rw5wW8" target="_blank">tai chi ball video</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h3QW1rw5wW8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h3QW1rw5wW8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe> </div>
<br />
So what are your thoughts? Any other ideas for cool props to use for tai chi push hands? <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-64289900631923930732015-11-11T16:55:00.002-05:002015-11-11T16:55:36.227-05:00The Four Seasons - Yin and Yang<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
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Today, I took a drive in the dreary, wet, and overcast weather
to the grocery store. It was a short drive, maybe about five minutes or so, but
I noticed that the trees were all in varying stages of transition. Some were
still green, and some were partially green with red, orange, and yellow
accents. Some had already fully turned into the fiery colors of autumn, and
some had already lost all their leaves. Collectively, they were all beautiful
as each tree was on its own time frame for change. There was no pressure by nearby
surroundings to hurry up or slow down.</div>
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<br /></div>
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This transition of seasons reminds me of the many opposites in
tai chi. In the tai chi form, we are empty and full, open and closed, focusing
on the inner (mind) and outer (physical), coordinating upper and lower body. We
are yin and yang – “the two energies present in everything. They are both
opposite, but equal, and one cannot exist without the other.” (<a href="http://blog.freepeople.com/2013/06/yin-yang-summer-solstice/">The Yin and
Yang of Summer Solstice</a>)</div>
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Summer is yin (the yin characteristic of being hot), and
winter is yang (the yang characteristic of being cold). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the height of summer, yin is at its peak
and then begins to weaken as it transforms to yang. At the height of winter,
yang is at its peak, and then begins to weaken as it transforms to yin. And
just like the seasons, tai chi constantly flows from one extreme to a balance
of yin and yang, to the other extreme. We flow from being closed to being open.
We flow from being empty to being full. It is never-ending.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-77647191199168347002015-11-02T15:05:00.000-05:002016-01-26T15:23:56.021-05:00Ranking Season, Part II<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">We had our ranking test yesterday, and I will tell you, I am
so relieved it's over! All the blood, sweat, and tears paid off, and I can
joyfully tell you that I passed! <br />
<br />
Here are the highlights:<br />
<br />
Judges: There were seven judges in all. One head judge, three scoring judges,
and three form judges. The form judges watch you to make sure that you perform
the correct postures in the correct order. The scoring judges watch you for how
well you perform the postures.<br />
<br />
Regarding the written test: This was a four-page written exam where we were
tested on our knowledge of the Yang Family Tai Chi history, theory, and
principles. I studied like a fiend. I think I did well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Regarding hand form: It took me about 20 minutes to do the
entire form. I had sweat dripping down my face, but luckily nothing ran into my
eyes. I felt I did reasonably well. My kicks were fairly stable, but one spin
was a little shaky and I had to touch my foot down before I completed the turn.
There should have been a slight point deduction for that, and anything else the
judges found.<br />
<br />
Regarding saber: I felt pretty good going into this one since we'd been
practicing the form a lot in class over the last couple months and performed it
at a tai chi festival a couple weeks ago. I think my nervousness turned into
adrenaline, and I attacked the form with all the vigor I had. My husband, who
was the organizing judge and was standing outside the testing room, said he thought
I finished it in a minute and a half! (It usually takes about two minutes.) I
was wondering part way if I was moving too fast, but God help me, I was on
cruise control and there was no slowing down!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Regarding sword: That stupid tassel! The tassel on the end
of the sword acts as a tail, and it's supposed to flow and whip around
gracefully to show the proper energy. Unfortunately, I got it wrapped around my
hand a couple times. You are NOT supposed to untangle it; you'll get point
deductions if you do. So I had to make do with the tassel wrapped tightly around
my hand. Aside from that, I let little demons into my head, and doubts and
fears were clouding my brain. I did not feel confident, so I'm sure it showed
in my form. I started to question if I would remember everything, and then I
started to panic! I had to calm myself down, and tried to get rid of my rattled
nerves by imagining I was stabbing and chopping them with my sword! So, it was not
my best performance, but I remembered the form sequence and thankfully didn't make any <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">flamboyant errors.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Regarding push hands (working with an opponent): In addition
to the judges judging your form, there is push hand judge partner for you to do
push hands with, and another judge that calls the moves you are to execute. I
got most of the moves and transitions reasonably right, but near the end, I
botched up the move from double-arm vertical circle into a figure eight (yeah,
I know, technical terms), so I had to calmly, gracefully keep working the form
until I could set us up for the figure eight. A little rough, but I had to give
myself a pat on the back for not panicking and sticking with it (no pun
intended!).</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-25488370384464732282015-10-31T11:54:00.000-04:002016-01-26T15:05:07.706-05:00Ranking Season, Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, and as you can guess, I
haven’t been idle. I spent this year getting ready for my next ranking level, Copper
Tiger, and even though I’d already been through the process, I was more nervous
than ever before. Why, you ask? In the Yang Family Tai Chi <a href="http://yangfamilytaichi.com/association/ranking/index.php" target="_blank">ranking system</a>, the Copper Tiger rank (level 4) is the
first level where you must pass the
written theory test and 103 hand form as well as both weapons (sword and saber)
and push hands (practicing tai chi with an opponent). No pressure!<br />
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<br /></div>
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I felt reasonably good about my hand form and saber form, but I was most worried about sword and push hands. The first time I took push hands in 2011, it was
daunting and overwhelming, so I took a break from it until last year when I started learning it in earnest (but only under protest - it was required for level 4 ranking). To my surprise, I actually started to enjoy practicing with another opponent. However, because I hadn't been practicing it for very long, my form was still pretty rough.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjgKqXf7NKXvQlZS8SlT7xItXuAIlCGT2hjpPXfc2S1rcbBkFw0nP14PXfpbk-NsrNUCnM8xJkR9hRNzYcFm3Z6Lt-41JlSTJHZdBlcFk3lOI5VUsbm2GW8-gjh4cBkxcF7_c9V9Fup4/s1600/The_age_of_18_Bruce_Lee_and_Ye_Wen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjgKqXf7NKXvQlZS8SlT7xItXuAIlCGT2hjpPXfc2S1rcbBkFw0nP14PXfpbk-NsrNUCnM8xJkR9hRNzYcFm3Z6Lt-41JlSTJHZdBlcFk3lOI5VUsbm2GW8-gjh4cBkxcF7_c9V9Fup4/s320/The_age_of_18_Bruce_Lee_and_Ye_Wen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>(Bruce Lee and his teacher, Yip Man. Photo from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts</a>.) </i></div>
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In October, we had to prepare for a performance at the <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/greatlakestaiji/home">Great Lakes Taiji
Festival</a> at the University of Michigan in Dearborn. And because my teacher
wanted us to perform saber, we spent most of the fall working on our saber
form while the sword form pretty much got neglected.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Throughout the summer and fall, I added some private lessons
with my teacher to prepare for ranking. We spent so much time on push hands that there
wasn’t much time for sword practice. When we finally got around to looking at my
sword form a few weeks before the ranking, she made so many corrections that I wanted to cry. (Okay, I actually did cry, but it helped to release the build up of stress I'd been feeling!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe I wasn’t ready. Maybe it was a mistake to try to rank
this year. But always the nurturing (and brutally honest) tiger mom that my teacher was, she told me
that I was ready. She just wanted me to be the best that I could be. I hoped
when the day came, I would be able to deliver my best performance.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-72977893676523243472014-05-20T13:11:00.003-04:002014-05-27T17:16:26.060-04:00Inhale, Exhale <h3>
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<h3>
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</h3>
While I have been running around being busy and not blogging
for the past month, there is one thing that I have tried to remember to do, and
that’s breathe.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we are stressed, concentrating, absorbed, and so on, sometimes
the first thing to go is breathing. I remember last year, after performing with
others at World Tai Chi Day, a bunch of us went out for lunch. Our teacher
asked one of her senior students, who had been sitting in the audience, to
offer a critique of what she noticed. Her comment about me was that during my
weapon performances, I would hold my breath. Really? I hadn’t realized I was
doing that. So afterwards, I began paying more attention to my breath, and sure
enough, she was right. The more I concentrated on what I was doing, the less I
breathed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So for starters, there are different ways to breathe,
depending on what you’re doing. Sometimes there is a rhythm to breathing when
exercising, say, when running or doing stomach crunches or reps with weights at
the gym. Yoga, external martial arts, and other disciplines also have their own
prescribed methods for how and when to inhale and exhale. All these different
methods help to facilitate the type of exercise you’re doing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For tai chi, the emphasis is on breathing naturally. There
is no rhythm that you must follow; you don’t need to coordinate your breathing
with your movements. Breathe naturally while practicing tai chi and never force
or hold your breath. Keep the mouth closed, and inhale and exhale through the
nose while resting the tongue gently on the roof of the mouth. As you inhale,
breathe all the way down into the abdomen, expanding the abdomen. As you
exhale, contract the abdomen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have only been inhaling into your chest (where the
chest expands and the abdomen contracts), breathing into your abdomen may feel
very unnatural at first. You may even feel like your abdomen is not expanding
at all. A good way to get accustomed to this way of breathing is to lie down
and place a light object on your stomach. As you inhale into your abdomen, you
can see the object rise. As you exhale, you can see it fall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you breathe naturally and fully, your body becomes calm.
When you are calm, your chi (life force or universal energy) sinks to your center.
As your chi sinks, your lower body becomes solid and strong, enabling your
upper body to be light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This method of breathing is great not just for tai chi, but
also in every day life. How many times have you been busy, stressed, or
concentrating and had to take a giant breath or sigh heavily? We breathe
automatically to live, but we need to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">remember</i>
to breathe to reduce stress. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-88444792748321478472014-04-22T10:19:00.003-04:002014-04-22T10:38:56.909-04:00Tai Chi – Not Like Riding a Bicycle <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->It’s getting more intense as we get nearer to World Tai Chi
and Qigong Day, which is this Saturday. I remember when my husband and I went
to our first WTCQD back in 2008. We had just started learning Section 1 of the
Traditional Yang Style hand form. Still wet behind the ears, I was so excited
that I asked my teacher if I could participate with the group going out to
perform Section 1.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She hesitated ever so briefly, and said yes, putting me in
the back row. My husband, the more cautious of the two of us, decided to watch
from the stands. In retrospect, he was definitely the smarter one.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know what I was thinking. Just caught up in all the
hoopla, I suppose. I even got another new student to go out there with me. But
there I was, in the back row, happily doing Section 1 with all these students
who were far more advanced than I. That is, until I reached the end of what I
knew (which wasn’t much), and then I had to put on my best acting face as I
flailed along helplessly, doing my best to follow the others. When we were
done, I turned to look at the other new student, only to find that she had
stealthily sneaked off when I wasn’t looking.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obviously, I bit off more than I could chew, but I watched
the rest of the demonstrations with my husband in total awe. Everyone was so
graceful and fluid, and I wanted to be graceful and fluid, too. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
So here it is, six years later, and my husband and I are
still practicing tai chi. (Although, we’re still not as graceful and fluid as
we would like to be!) This weekend, we have several demonstrations that we will
be participating in. And the hazard of having accumulated a little knowledge in
different forms through the years is that our teacher expects us to perform
what we know, even if it’s been a long time since we’ve done them. During the
few weeks before the big day, we start scrambling to run through forms that
have been locked away in remote, dusty regions of our brains.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lesson to be learned here, or at least a reminder – is that
we cannot take what we’ve learned for granted. Even though we’ve spent months,
even years, learning a form, if we set it aside for awhile, it does NOT come
roaring back to us immediately, like riding a bicycle. And I’m not just talking
about remembering the sequence of the form; I’m also talking about how to
execute the form. Where to step, when to shift your weight, how far to extend –
all these things that we had practiced over and over and thought we had
ingrained in our heads are now figments of our imagination.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thankfully, though, with each re-introduction to a form, we
remember more than we did the last time. And with the tai chi hand form as our
steady companion, the one form that we’ve practiced longer than any other
weapon and that we practice the most consistently, the fundamentals we continue
to learn there do permeate our weapons practice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, we will continue to work through everything we know this
week, to prepare for this Saturday’s performance. I pray that we remember all
the forms, pray that we get a spot in the back row for those forms we’re the
shakiest on, and pray that all weapons (especially that slippery fan!) stay in
our grip. If you’re in town, please come and join us. Admission is free!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday, April 26, 2014 @ 10:00am – noon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keller
Elementary School</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1505 N.
Campbell Road (south of 12 Mile)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Royal Oak,
MI</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-22109137166051576072014-03-17T12:26:00.003-04:002014-05-27T17:11:05.730-04:00Back from the Busyness of Tai Chi LifeHappy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! We've had a rough,
intense winter here in the Midwest, but Mother
Nature is doing her best to bring on Spring. This week promises to be nicer and
warmer - we'll actually be the the 40's. Woohoo!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I've been thinking about writing again for some time. I
looked in my old blog files, and I was appalled to see that it's been almost
four years since I've spoken up. Life has been very busy, but mostly good
stuff. To sum things up, here's what's been happening in my tai chi world since
my last post:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Weapons: Tai chi is an internal martial art that also
includes weapons. With the hand form, we learn how to send out energy from our
root (feet), up through the legs, waist, and out through the arms and hands.
With a weapon, we learn how to extend the energy out past the hand to the end
of the weapon's striking point. So, over the past few years, I have been
learning how to use various tai chi weapons, including single fan (there is
also a two-fan routine called mulan fan that I haven't tried yet), short staff
(both single and two-person), sword, and saber.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Push hands (tui shou): Push hands is a two-person hand
technique where we learn to feel and work with another person's energy, using
the basics from the solo tai chi hand form. It explores the martial arts aspect
of tai chi. I found push hands to be quite challenging, so after awhile, I told
myself that I wasn't ready and decided to temporarily put it on the back burner
to work on other aspects of my tai chi practice. However, I'm at the point
where I would like to work on push hands again, hopefully this summer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ranking: 2011 was the year that I decided to enter the
ranking system. The Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Ranking System has nine ranking
levels: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eagle levels - copper, silver, gold</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tiger levels - copper, silver, gold </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dragon levels - copper, silver, gold</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are not required to rank, and it certainly isn't necessary to rank to enjoy practicing tai chi. But I really wanted to work on my tai chi skills, and the best way for me to grow was to set ranking goals for myself. Most people need to set goals to push
themselves to excel, and I certainly am no different. The ranking test covers
both a written exam on the history, theory, and philosophy of tai chi as well
as a demonstration of the tai chi hand form in front of a panel of nine judges.
As you attain higher levels, more is expected of you, regarding your knowledge
of tai chi theory, proficiency in executing the form, and proficiency in using
two tai chi weapons, the sword and saber. I currently have a gold eagle
ranking.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More seminars: Every chance I get, I like to learn from the
Masters. <a href="http://yangfamilytaichi.com/yang/history/#yang-jun" target="_blank">Master Yang Jun</a> returns to our neck of the woods every couple of years
or so to give seminars, which are intense, eye-opening, and informative. I have
also attended a seminar by <a href="http://www.chenxiaowang.com/" target="_blank">Master Chen Xiaowang</a> in 2011 to learn more about
silk reeling, or spiral energy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More performances: Our Michigan Tai Chi Center performs annually
for <a href="http://www.worldtaichiday.org/" target="_blank">World Tai Chi and Qigong Day</a>. This is a worldwide event that is held on the last
Saturday of April at 10:00am local time. As each country/area reaches 10:00am,
tai chi demonstrations begin, so that there is a full day of tai chi energy
emanating around the globe. If you have never been to this event (preferably in
your local time zone!), it's well worth attending. I remember going to my
first WTCQD in 2008, right after we first started taking tai chi classes, and I
was in awe of all the demonstrations in Yang and Chen style hand form and weapons
as well as push hands. It was then that I became hooked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
China:
Ah, I've saved the best for last. The International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan
Association has a <a href="http://yangfamilytaichi.com/events/2012/" target="_blank">tournament</a> in Shanxi, China about
every five years for both competition and ranking. People from all over the
world attend. My husband and I went for the first time in 2012, and it was an
exciting experience. We met people from all over the U.S.
as well as other countries - France,
Italy, Germany, Bulgaria,
Madagascar, Malaysia, Romania, etc. Although we were not
there to compete (too many people there that have been practicing tai chi for
far longer than we have!), we did participate in the opening ceremonies, tested
for ranking, and cheered our friends on as they tested for ranking, too. We
also were there to celebrate <a href="http://yangfamilytaichi.com/yang/history/#yang-zhen-duo" target="_blank">Grandmaster Yang Zhen Duo</a>'s 87<sup>th</sup>
birthday. (Grandmaster Yang Zhen Duo is the Fourth Lineage Holder of the
traditional Yang-style tai chi chuan.) The Chinese sure know how to party!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So as you can see, VERY busy. But now, I hope to spare some
time to share more thoughts on my tai chi journey. So much has happened, and so
much more is yet to happen! I don’t want another four years to go by silently.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-68181648937696611392010-08-18T15:40:00.005-04:002010-08-18T15:47:06.961-04:00Carry Tiger to MountainOver the weekend, I had the chance to participate in something extraordinary – a two and a half day tai chi seminar with Master Yang Jun, who happens to be the sixth generation descendant of the creator of the Yang style. To say I was excited would be an understatement. To say I was nervous would also be an understatement. After all, he holds the title of “Shanxi Province Famous WuShu Master” by the <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Chinese</st1:placename> <st1:placename st="on">WuShu</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>. <p class="MsoNormal">I knew it was going to be an intense weekend (three hours on Friday night, five hours on Saturday, and five hours on Sunday), but not until I went through it did I realize how intense. Master Yang Jun not only covered the proper way to execute each posture of the form, but also described the energy flow (sending and stopping) and demonstrated how some of the postures worked in relation to martial arts. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Having started his training at the age of five, he was clearly totally connected with this martial art form. His combination of strength and softness was amazing to watch. Each nuance of every movement had meaning. There wasn’t anything that was done without purpose.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">As a teacher, he was patient, kind, and relentless. He made us use parts of our bodies that we hadn’t used before; pay attention to parts of our bodies that we ignored before. I don’t think I’ll ever look at pushing open a door the same way again. He would have us start to execute a posture but then stop us in the middle. And then, as we all stood frozen like statues, he would ask us to check if our heads were facing forward, shoulders relaxed, backs rounded, arms bent, and so on. This checkpoint was fabulous for taking a quick inventory before moving on, but holding some positions were really rough, especially if we were standing on one leg at the time. He would also walk around and make adjustments to our still life poses. And then we would do the posture again. And then several more times before moving on to the next one.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">When discussing the postures, Master Yang Jun would call them by their English names, such as Single Whip, Grasp Bird’s Tail, Diagonal Fly, and Carry Tiger to Mountain. But when we ran through portions of the form, Master Yang Jun would call out the postures in Mandarin. I began to imagine all of us being in a public square somewhere in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Shanxi</st1:place></st1:state>, doing our daily morning practice before heading off to work.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">The respect we had for him and the humility we felt in his presence, I believe, were truly genuine for us all. It was not just because we were asked to begin and end each day’s session with a traditional martial arts greeting – “Yang lao shi, hao!” (general translation: “Hello, Teacher Yang!”) and “Yang lao shi, zai jian!” (“Goodbye, Teacher Yang!”) – accompanied with the right fist to left open palm. And in return, he was gracious and compassionate.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">By Sunday afternoon, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could physically and mentally hold out. Already, several people were sitting on the side resting, and some people had administered massages during the breaks. Yet, when it was all over, and we all received our certificates for completing the 103 Hand Form, I was filled with sadness and emptiness and didn’t want to leave. But the good thing is that I can take what I learned with me, and the essence of the class will be there, a part of me each time I practice the form. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-61694105902757876972010-04-15T16:51:00.002-04:002013-03-25T16:21:55.070-04:00Tai Chi and Baseball, Together at LastA couple weeks ago, our tai chi group was invited to participate in the Year of the Tiger Celebration for the Detroit Tigers’ opening weekend at <st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Comerica</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Park</st1:placetype></st1:place>. Our teacher was excited about the prospect of our participating in such an event, and asked the class for volunteers. A few of the veteran students volunteered right away, but the majority of us took two steps back. I took a step behind the person in front of me so that my teacher couldn’t see me while I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do. After all, I’d only been her student a couple years, and I still didn’t know the Yang 103 form very well.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The event sounded like it would be fun. It sounded scary. It didn’t help when our teacher said that we would be performing before thousands of baseball fans.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Although my teacher said that it was purely voluntary, I think she might have been disappointed with the lack of enthusiasm, and she started putting the pressure on. She began picking on a few people to solicit more takers. She leaned over until she saw me, and asked if I would go.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“No,” I said.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“Why not?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
“I don’t know,” I answered in a small voice. What I should have done is told her the truth: Because I’m scared! The other students probably would have laughed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
But my teacher is very artfully persuasive, and one by one, a few of us agreed to participate, including me. And then, we found out we would be performing the 49 demonstration form, which is a condensed version of the 103 form. Some of us had never learned this form before. We knew all the postures, but they were all condensed and rearranged in this shortened form. We had three rehearsals before the event to get up to speed. Thank goodness there was a YouTube video that I could watch and review. Over and over and over again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I went to the first rehearsal, and when I saw that the majority of the people there were the more experienced students from our class and other classes, I wanted to get back in my car and drive home. I didn’t belong in this group. And I didn’t want them to think that I thought I belonged in this group. But I stayed and rehearsed with everyone, partly remembering what I had seen on the video, and partly following when I had a lapse of memory. Each rehearsal got better, until it was the day of the performance, which was last Saturday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We walked in the parade with hundreds of other people from various Chinese associations, schools, and dance troupes. We stopped and gave a quick tai chi demonstration before heading into the stadium. I was nervous, but not as nervous as I thought I would be. Either I was getting more confident, or I was delusional about my abilities.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Finally, it was time, and we stepped out onto the field with the other ribbon dance, tai chi, and lion dance performers. I felt at ease. We got into formation, and waited for our cue to begin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When the music started, we all began to go through our respective routines, but I was only aware of what our group was doing, keeping a watchful eye on the corner people to make sure I wasn’t moving too slowly or too quickly, and doing the right moves. Although I was very aware of the scrutiny of the baseball fans in the stands, I remained miraculously calm. Maybe it was the fact that I was part of a large group, or maybe it was the calmness of the chi moving through us. But I felt like we were one unit, flowing forward and backward and around, expanding and contracting as one. I felt the peaceful energy emanating around us and floating out across the field. Did it reach the fans in the audience? Or were they distracted by the beating drums, dancing lions, and bright-colored midriff-baring ribbon dancers?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We timed our form perfectly, and finished right when the music stopped. We had made it through, and everyone had done reasonably well. I was so happy that I had been a part of this celebration. Sometimes we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zone to find out what we are capable of.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2864872841176220447.post-20567141638665290592008-12-15T16:48:00.000-05:002014-04-22T10:29:42.293-04:00Holiday Cheer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other day, I went outside to get the mail, and I couldn't believe that I
still heard birds chirping. Aren't they all supposed to fly south for the
winter? Actually, we do have some birds that hang out through the winter, like
cardinals, mourning doves, and the trash-diving American crows. How they can
stand the cold, I'll never know! Today, I went outside to catch our recycle bin
that was flying down the street - we were having winds up to 28 mph this
afternoon. It was already around 20 degrees, but adding in the wind that was
biting my face off, it actually felt like zero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week, my husband and I finished Section 1 of our tai chi class (for the second
time). We are learning the Yang style of tai chi, 103 form from <a href="http://www.michigantaichi.com/">Han Hoong Wang of the Michigan Tai Chi
Center</a>. The 103 form is broken down into three sections, which is a
good idea because then we can get somewhat proficient in the first section
before moving on. We thought we might have to take Section 1 a third time, but
at the end of class, she said everyone could move on to Section 2. I was really
excited to hear that, because I was itching to move on. We had a holiday party
for all the students and their family and friends, which was more like a
private exhibition. My husband and I participated in the Section 1 demonstration
before sitting out for the rest of the time. I was so nervous that my hands
were shaking, which was ridiculous because I was way in the back and no one in
the audience could even see me!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
We watched the more experienced students perform Sections 2 and 3, and do other
performances with mulan fan, saber, sword, and short staff. Also, there were demonstrations for two-person push hands and a special solo performance by our
teacher, Han.</span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We ended the holiday party by having
everyone - students and guests - come out and try some tai chi. I recognized
some of the moves and was able to perform them without excess concentration,
but there were others that I didn't know at all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We've had plenty of snow since around Thanksgiving, and I'm hoping that this
year, we will have a white Christmas. We haven't had one yet since I've been
out here, but I've been keeping an eye on weather.com, and it looks like it
will be snowing about every other day from now until then.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
Happy holidays to all, and may the next year bring peace, joy, abundance, and a
bounty of exciting adventures!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0