A Natural Approach to Trigger Finger & Arthritis (Video)

Here's a short video we put together in response to some questions we have received from students about trigger finger and arthritis.  Enjoy!  :)

Pan Gen Qigong Video Series (23 videos)

After several weeks of working on this series it is finally finished and available for everyone to enjoy.

As with the other video series we have posted, the first several videos in this series walk you through each stationary and moving posture of Pan Gen Qigong.  The last 6 videos are follow-along videos that contain no instruction and are simply meant to make it easier for you to schedule a video into your day, to make practicing easy to time and accomplish. 

Pan Gen Qigong (roughly translated as "Turning Foundation" Qigong) is for developing internal power and a strong root for internal martial arts training (such as Tai Chi).  However, the benefits of developing internal power and a strong root extend beyond martial arts training into everyday life.  It is believed in traditional Chinese medicine that ailments are a direct result of imbalanced energy flow through the body.  Because this Qigong set places a great deal of importance on developing your internal energy and circulating it through your body, and the postures aid in directing the energy to break up blockages, this Qigong set can easily be used for health purposes, as well as martial purposes. 

For the internal martial artists, the stationary postures aid in developing your root while stationary and the moving postures help you maintain that root while walking in a particular pattern.

I hope you all find this series and this Qigong set useful and I hope you enjoy practicing it as much as I do.  Enjoy! 

8 Pieces of Brocade (Ba Duan Jin) Qigong Video Series

We just posted another Qigong video series on YouTube and this time it's for a Qigong set that is considered to be one of the most popular Qigong sets practiced around the world.  There are many versions and variations of the movements in this set, but they all work on the same principles and are considered very beneficial for health.  It is believed by many that this particular Qigong set was developed by the legendary Chinese General, Yue Fei, to keep his troops strong, healthy, and battle ready.  People all around the world now enjoy these exercises to stay fit, strong, and flexible.

In this video series the first video gives you an introduction and explains how the series works.  The next 8 videos each describe one of the 8 movements in this Qigong set.  The last two videos are follow-along videos that are silent, except for quiet chimes that alert you when it is time to change moves.  We hope you all find this series very helpful and useful in your daily exercise routine.  Enjoy!

Wake Up or Cool Down Qigong Exercise Video

Here is a short video (approx. 10 min.) of self-massage Qigong exercises that we use as a cool down after every Tai Chi Class.  These exercises are an excellent way to help you wake up in the morning and to make you feel energized as you start your day.  They are also excellent cool down exercises after any workout (running, martial arts, weight lifting, etc) to relax the body and increase circulation to the muscles and joints.  These types of self-massage techniques can help your body repair faster after workouts, which means less down time and a healthier body.  Most of these exercises are very silly looking, but once you feel the difference they make, you probably will not care about their silly appearance.  Enjoy!

Free Shipping from "Amador County's Online Health Food Store"

We know times are tough for a lot of people and we are always trying to help those in our community save money on the products and services we offer.  For that reason, we are proud to present this offer.

There is a Free Shipping program available on "Amador County's Online Health Food Store" that is designed to help simplify your ordering process and save you money, at the same time. 

Here is how it works:
If you sign up for automatic shipments with at least 3 products, the shipping is free.  The really cool part is that you can have your products shipped to you once a month, once every two months, or once every three months.  For example, if you use one bottle of Daily Complete each month, you can set your auto-ship to send three bottles, once every three months.  That way you don't have to pay for the shipping and you still get one bottle of Daily Complete for each month. 

I hope you all find this program useful and I hope it makes your lives a little simpler.  If you have any questions please Contact Me. 

Congratualtions to Our Students!

Over the past few weeks we have had several students at the KSW Karate Dojo in Pine Grove, test for their next Sash Level in Tai Chi Chuan.  Due to their hard work and the time they have put into their training, they have passed each test with flying colors.  Here we would like to congratulate them on their accomplishment and show you all pictures of these students' promotions. We hope you will join us in congratulating them.

 Pete (AndrewPlitt's Dad) removing his old sash.

 Pete receiving his new Level 3 Orange Sash.

 Pete tying on his new sash.

 Pete Receiving his certificate.

 Pete showing off his new rank certificate with Andrew Plitt.

Kathy handing in her old sash.

 Kathy being presented with her Level 3 Orange Sash.

 Kathy being presented with her Level 3 Orange Sash certificate.

Kathy showing off her new rank certificate with Andrew Plitt.

 Samantha receiving her new Level 1 White Sash.

 Samantha receiving her White Sash rank certificate.

 Samantha Showing off her new rank certificate with Andrew Plitt.

 Elizabeth receiving her new Level 1 White Sash.

 Elizabeth receiving her White Sash certificate.

 

Elizabeth showing off her new rank certificate with Andrew Plitt

Congratulations to all of these students for their hard work, perseverance, and achievements!  We're proud to have them training with us!

A Video on Detoxification

When it comes to health, most people know that exercise and proper nutrition are very important, but fewer people understand the importance of detoxifying the body.  If you click on the following link you will be able to view a video by Dr. Joel Robbins M.D., N.D., in which he discusses the importance of proper detoxification in a healthy lifestyle.  He also discusses the ancient Mediterranean herbal blend that we carry on Amador County's Online Health Food Store.  He offers very good information for anyone interested in living in a healthy manner.  Enjoy!

Click the Following Link to Watch the Video:
http://secure.awarenesslife.com/ecard/viewer/index.cfm?vcard_id=149055

A Video From Last Saturday's Qigong Workshop

A big thank you to Stef Tofanelli (Owner/ Operator of "Photoplay Sound," a local multimedia production company) for taking video footage of last weekends Qigong Workshop and putting that footage together into this montage video clip.  This video will give you a little peek at some of the things we worked on at the workshop.

If you are interested in learning Qigong there will be another workshop for the "8 Pieces of Brocade" Qigong Set (the Ba Duan Jin) this Saturday (Jan. 12, 2013).  Find the details on our Workshops and Seminars page.

If you need multimedia work done for your business or event, you can contact Stef Tofanelli, and see more  samples of her work, at photoplaysound.com.  You can also view some of her other videos on her Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/photoplaysound.

Enjoy!

An interview with Master Chen Xiao Wang

The video below is a clip from a CCTV (a Chinese television station) show called "Journey of Civilization", in which Chen Xiao Wang (A direct descendent of the creator of Chen style Taijiquan who has never been defeated at push hands) discusses many of the principles upon which Tai Chi is founded.  He discusses some of the martial concepts of Tai Chi briefly and offers historical information, as well as tips on how to better practice Tai Chi.

Because it is a Chinese television show everyone is speaking Chinese, but if you can read fast there are English subtitles that allow you to follow along with the discussion.  The whole clip is a little over 40 minutes long, but if you are interested in learning more about Tai Chi from one of the greatest masters in China, it's well worth your time.

Enjoy!

Two Summer Classes Have Come to an End

Two of the Classes on our Summer Class Schedule have come to an end.  The First is the Lunch Break Qi Gong Classes that were held at the Motherlode Holistic Connection in Jackson, CA and the second is the Aqua-Aerobics Weight Loss Boot Camp.  The registration time for the July Aqua-Aerobics Weight Loss Boot Camp passed last week and because the Sutter Creek Pool will not be open through the end of August there will not be any Aqua-Aerobics Weight Loss Boot Camp in the month of August.  However, the regular Weight Loss Boot Camp at the KSW Karate Dojo in Pine Grove will continue to the end of August and you may register for the August Boot Camp any time this month.

World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day in Amador County

On April 28, 2012 at 10am Tai Chi and Qi Gong enthusiasts around the world will gather to celebrate these ancient Chinese arts by having public practice sessions that anyone can attend and enjoy.  This is our way of spreading our love for these arts in hopes they they will change lives by introducing people to these ancient practices for a healthy mind and body.  For this event I'm planning to host a free Tai Chi and Qi Gong Session (at a currently undecided location) in Amador County and I want to invite as many people as possible for this experience.  This is an experience that I would love to share with all of our Amador County community and with anyone from any other county who would like to join us.  I will be posting further information about this event (such as the location) in the near future.  If you know anyone who would be interested in an event like this please let them know about it to begin to raise awareness.  :)

Also, on a rather fun side note, I want everyone who attends this event to have something they can take with them to remember their first World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day in Amador County.  So I've put together a T-shirt for anyone who attends.  Anyone who is there will be more than welcome to order one if they want.  Below are some pictures of a possible design and I would love to hear any suggestions any of you might have.  :)

This is the Front View

This is the Back View

January 2012 Product of the Month

For the new year Ancient Wisdom for The New You is happy to present Harmony as product of the month.  This herbal blend has been in use in the Mediterranean for nearly 300 years and is used to bring the body into a state of balance and promote healthy kidney function. It has been one of my favorite products since the first time I used it because it makes me feel more energetic, yet very tranquil and focused, both mentally and physically.  I also sleep way better when I take the Harmony herbal blend.

If you know anyone who is feeling a little bit "off" or is looking for something that will promote healthy kidney function, needs more energy, or just needs to feel better, have them check out this months Product of the Month at Amador County's Online Health Food Store.  :)  Happy New Year!

Product of the Month for November 2011 - Pure Trim Truffles?

This month I decided to make a video instead of just writing about the Product of the Month from Amador County's Online Health Food Store.   This product is designed to help people control their cravings in a healthful manner* with it's all natural ingredients.  Check out the video and see what you think.  :)

Great News About the Tai Chi DVD

After months of set-backs, technical difficulties, and a super busy schedule to contend with, the "Tai Chi Basics" DVD is finally finished!  :)  I just finished putting the first batch into my gym bag to take to class tomorrow morning at New York Fitness and I will be bringing several copies to the classes in Pine Grove as well.  So they will be available at both locations during each class.  :)

This project originally started as a single DVD and has turned into a 2 DVD set because I was not able to fit all of the information on one disc.  Some of the topics covered in this set are as follows:

• Basic Movements
• Basic Footwork
• The Yang Style Tai Chi 24 form (With each step broken down in detail)
• Basic Stances
• Standing Like a Tree Qi Gong
• A Tai Chi Moving Qi Gong Set
• Warm Up Exercises
• Cool Down Exercises
• And Other Information

I'm really excited to have this project complete and to have this learning aid available to all of my students.  I am very much in hopes that these DVD's will help you all practice at home.  Thank you all for your patience while this project was in the works!  See you at class.   :)

New "Lifestyle" Post.

I just added another post in the lifestyle section of this blog.  It's titled "Vitamin D and Calcium Help with Weight Loss"  feel free to have a look.  :)

Qi Gong Massage for Stress Relief - Part 2

Back on the 1st of September I posted Qi Gong Massage for Stress Relief - Part 1 and I said I would be posting a Part 2 fairly soon.  Well, here it is.  :)  This video picks up where the last video left off adding more Qi Gong Massage techniques that can be used to relax your mind and body any time you have the need.  If you use the information in both videos back to back you should pretty amazing by the time you're done.  :)  Enjoy!

New "Lifestyle" Section

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up about the new "Lifestyle" section of this blog.  The link to it is on the left side of this page under the *New Section* heading (Sandwiched between the "Pages" list and the "Product of the Month" listing).  :) 

This section will contain articles from the Awareness Lifestyle eMagazine which is put out by the company that produces the products I carry in Amador County's Online Health Food Store.  They contain healthy eating tips, product information, weight loss tips, nutrition information, etc. and I want to make them available for you to read.  :)

I hope you all enjoy reading this new section and find the information useful for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. 

Click Here to visit the NEW Lifestyle section of the blog.

Monday, May 30, No Tai Chi class at NYF

Just FYI.  There will be no Tai Chi class at New York Fitness on Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day.  All classes will resume as usual on Tuesday, May 31.  I just wanted to let everyone know.  :)  Please comment if you have any questions.