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2 Students Earned Their White Sash in Tai Chi Today

Today at 5:00pm two students began the test for their White Sash rank.  One student has been training with me for about 10 months and the other has been training with me for nearly two years.  Both have put an incredible amount of time and effort into their training and it was very obvious during the test. 

During the test they were required to show proficiency in the following:

• Yang Tai Chi 24 form
• 5 directional stepping
• Zhan Zhuang Qi Gong
• Tai Chi Qi Gong set
• and more...

At about 6:30pm the test was complete and both students had passed.  Below are some pictures of them receiving their sashes.

Laura receiving her White Sash after the Test.

Laura receiving her certificate.

Rhonda receiving her White Sash.

Rhonda receiving her certificate.

Learning to tie their new sashes with a little help from someone who has done it before.

Laura showing the new certificate with me.

 Rhonda showing her new certificate with me.

Congratulations, ladies!  You did an excellent job earning this rank.  Keep up the good work!

2 Students Earned Their Yellow Sash Ranks in Tai Chi

It has been over 6 months since they tested for their white sashes.  Six months filled with hard work, sweat, perseverance, and dedication to  practicing the same things over and over..... and it has paid off.  The two students who earned their Yellow Sashes today have truly earned this new rank and I'm very proud to have helped them reach this point in their training.

The skills that are required to earn a yellow sash include:

• Knowing and being able to perform the first part of the traditional Yang Style Long Form
• Learning 10 basic Tai Chi stepping sets that enforce many basic moving patterns of Tai Chi
• Rocking Qi Gong Sets that begin to prepare a student many aspects of pushing hands and sticking hands practice
• New stance practice routines that help strengthen the legs and coordinate body movements
• The 8 Doors, or fundamental moving concepts, of Tai Chi.
• And more...

Both of these students have been training with me since the beginning of 2011 and I'm very pleased with the progress they have made and the hard working attitude they have diplayed in their training so for.  It has taken them more than a year and a half to reach their second rank in our sash system.  This is not because they have not worked hard, on the contrary, it is because of their hard work that they have been able to reach this rank so quickly.  It is so important to make sure each skill is truly learned and not just briefly touched on and it can take a long time to get these things down.

Below are some pictures of the sash promotion ceremony.

In this picture my dad is giving me his old white sash and receiving his brand new Yellow Sash.

 Here my dad is receiving his rank certificate.

 

Here Kathy is receiving her new Yellow Sash.

Kathy looking over her new Yellow Sash rank certificate.

Dad and me showing off his new yellow sash and rank certificate.

 Kathy and me showing her new yellow sash and rank certificate.

Congratulations to you both!

They Did It!!! :D

Today was the day that three of my students tested for their White Sash Rank.  The test lasted for 2 hours and they worked like crazy demonstrating the skills they have learned over the past year.  I am very pleased to announce that after 2 hours of demonstrating (and explaining everything they were demonstrating in detail) they passed their first test and have each reached the rank of White Sash!  :)  Congratulations to each of them for this achievement!

Below are some pictures of them receiving their sashes and certificates:

 Paula receiving her Sash and her "Sash Speech"

 Just after Kathy received her sash.  :)

 Just after my dad received his sash.

 Here is where everyone is learning to tie their brand new shiny sashes. :)

 Offering a helping hand.  :)

 There's everyone with their new sashes!  :)

 Paula receiving her Rank Certificate.

 Kathy receiving her Rank Certificate.

My Dad (Pete) receiving his Rank Certificate.

It doesn't get much cooler than that.  :)

I want to extend my thanks to these students for all the hard work they've put into their training to reach this point.  They've really been wonderful and I'm completely thrilled that they have made this step in their training.  Good Job Gals and Guy!!!

Can Tai Chi Benefit People with Fibromyalgia?

The following is a short article from the National Center of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM); I think it is awesome and I think you all will enjoy it too: 

Tai Chi May Benefit Patients With Fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia may benefit from practicing tai chi, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by muscle pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. People with fibromyalgia have chronic widespread pain, as well as "tender points" on areas of the body, which hurt when slight pressure is applied. Although exercise appears to be an important part of fibromyalgia treatment, many people with fibromyalgia need medication to control symptoms and are unable to maintain muscle strength, flexibility, and overall fitness.

Researchers, funded in part by NCCAM, evaluated the physical and psychological benefits of tai chi (which combines meditation, slow movements, deep breathing, and relaxation) in 66 people with fibromyalgia. The participants were assigned to one of two groups: an attention control group that received wellness education and practiced stretching exercises, or a tai chi group that received instruction in tai chi principles and techniques and practiced 10 forms of Yang‑style tai chi. Both groups met in 1‑hour sessions twice a week for 12 weeks and also practiced daily at home. Tai chi participants used an instructional DVD to continue practice for 12 more weeks.
Compared with the attention control group, the tai chi group had a significantly greater decrease in total score on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire at 12 weeks. In addition, the tai chi group demonstrated greater improvement in sleep quality, mood, and quality of life. Improvements were still present at 24 weeks. No adverse events were reported.
The researchers concluded that these findings support previous research indicating benefits of tai chi for musculoskeletal pain, depression, and quality of life. The underlying mechanisms are unknown, and the researchers noted that larger, longer term studies are needed to evaluate the potential benefits of tai chi for patients with fibromyalgia.

References

• Wang C, Schmid CH, Rones R, et al. A randomized trial of tai chi for fibromyalgia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363(8):743–754.
• Yeh GY, Kaptchuk TJ, Shmerling RH. Prescribing tai chi for fibromyalgia—are we there yet? New England Journal of Medicine. 2010;363(8):783–784.

Additional Resources

• Tai Chi
• Fibromyalgia and CAM: At a Glance
• Fibromyalgia (NIAMS)

Journal Publication Date: August 19, 2010
http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/081810.htm


If you're interested in learning Tai Chi in Amador County visit our Class Schedules and Locations page to find out what classes will work best for you.  :)

A Picture of Me with Eric Lee at today's GSKA tournament in Castro Valley. :D

Here's a picture of Eric Lee and me at the Castro Valley GSKA Sid Campbell Memorial martial arts tournament.  Eric Lee was one of the people who came over to congratulate me after I performed a Chen Tai Chi form and got 29.91 points out of a potential 30.00.  It was SOOOO cool to be able to meet Eric Lee in person.  He is considered "The King of Kata" because he is undefeated in open-hand and weapons forms.  Really awesome guy.  I was personally very excited to meet him because one of the first martial arts workout videos I ever bought (clear back when I was in Jr. High) was made by Eric Lee and I've always been a bit of a fan.  :)  I'd have to say that one of the things that meant the most to me while we were talking is that, twice during our conversation, he said I need to be teaching martial arts.  :D  Coming from Eric Lee, that meant the world to me.  :)  Needless to say.....I had an amazing day.  :D

I'm planning on posting the video of my form and another picture that I had taken with a Chinese Grand Master that was at the tournament (I'll tell you the story about meeting him when I post that pic.) in the near future.  .....So stay tuned.  :)

Self Control? Part 4

In the last installment of the Self Control? (Self Control? Part - 3.2)  blog posts we discussed how meditation increases circulation and activity in the part of the brain that is responsible for self control and good reasoning abilities.  We talked about how Tai Chi is practiced by millions of people every day as a moving meditation and we asked what about Tai Chi (compared to other forms of meditation) is so special?

Well, one of the things that sets Tai Chi apart from many other forms of meditation is that when you practice Tai Chi, you are not only getting benefits from the meditation (which strengthen the self control and reasoning center of the brain), but you are also exercising and strengthening your body at the same time.  Exercise helps increase blood flow to the brain and helps keep the body and mind younger longer.  So rather than just receiving the benefits of meditation, or just the benefits of exercise, Tai Chi provides the benefits of both.   In addition to those benefits, practicing Tai Chi requires learning to move your body in ways most people are unfamiliar with and begins to improve coordination.  This is an entire workout for your brain in and of itself which helps keep your mind active and sharp.

So, Tai Chi offers a very "whole being" approach to health.  Instead of the focusing solely on the body or mind, it brings both into the mix and allows you to exercise, calm, and develop both at the same time.  That is one of the reasons I personally prefer Tai Chi over many other forms of meditation. 

Sometimes this brings up questions about whether someone should practice Tai Chi instead of some of the various other forms of meditation available?

To me, this very much depends on a person's personal preference.  One person might enjoy Tai Chi more than they enjoy, say, yoga and another person might enjoy yoga more.  So, rather than saying you should do Tai Chi instead of something else, or that you should do something else instead of Tai Chi....I would say, try them both and see which one is a better match for you. 

A very important thing to remember when studying any meditative art form is that there is no single art that is perfect for every individual person.

I am personally a big fan of Tai Chi because, as I said before, it can benefit both your physical and mental well being simultaneously and the benefits of this can spill over into many areas of your life.  However, the only way for you to know if it's right for you is to try it.  :)

It's good for the body, good for the mind, and good for the soul.   :)

If you would like to give Tai Chi a try check out my Class Schedules and Locations to see when might be the best time for you to try it. 


Feel free to send me any questions or comments you may have. 

This is the final installment of the "Self Control?" blog posts.  I hope you have enjoyed them and have possibly learned something new from reading them.  :)

P.S. The following links will take you to the previous "Self Control?" blog posts if you missed any of them.

Self Control? Part - 1
Self Control? Part - 2
Self Control? Part - 3.1
Self Control? Part - 3.2

My Dad Just Got His Tai Chi Uniform!

Check it out!  My dad is my first student to get a uniform!  :)

Looks pretty awesome, doesn't he?

Let me know if any of you guys or gals want a cool outfit like this. :)

Class Schedule Update

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that there are some changes in my Tai Chi and Qi Gong class schedules as well as some new classes.

At KSW Karate in Pine Grove, CA the Tuesday and Thursday morning Tia Chi classes have been moved from 8:30 to 9:00.  So they will be starting 30 minutes later than they used to.

Also, at New York Fitness in Jackson, CA, starting May 3rd and continuing through the end of June there will be an evening Tai Chi and Qi Gong class from 4:00 to 5:00pm.

Latest News From Your Amador County Tai Chi Instructor. :)

On Saturday, March 12, I joined several people from the KSW Karate Dojo in a GSKA tournament in Manteca, CA.  It was my first tournament in the United States and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  :)  There were some absolutely amazing and extremely skilled competitors at the competition and it was a thrill to watch them all compete.  While I was there I showed a Chen Tai Chi form and got 29.85 points out of a potential 30.00 points.  :)  That made me pretty happy.  :) 

Here's a video that a friend of mine took while I was showing my form. 



It was great getting to see some of the students from the KSW Karate Dojo compete as well.  They did karate forms and sparring and they did a great job too!  I was very proud to be with that group representing Amador County. 

If you live in Amador County and you would like to learn Tai Chi, feel free to contact me for more info or Check out my Class Schedule to see if you can make it to one of the classes I teach.