Amazing Start for the Weekend

The "Rise and Shine" Qi Gong Session in Detert (Jackson) Park on Saturday morning was the perfect way to start this weekend.  A small group of people arrived at the park at 6:30 in the morning looking forward to trying something new.  A couple of them have been to my Tai Chi classes before, but we usually only spend a small portion of the Tai Chi classes practicing Qi Gong and at this event....it was all about Qi Gong.  :)

The air was cool and crisp, the park was practically empty, and the sun was just rising into the sky when we began.  We started by taking a little walk in the park to help get our blood circulating, then we practiced a moving Qi Gong set, took some time to work on stationary Qi Gong focused on breathing, and we topped it off with some very simple and invigorating Qi Gong cool down exercises that left us feeling revitalized, rested, rid of the weeks burdens, and ready to fully enjoy our weekend.  :)

After we were done everyone who came told me how much better they felt, how much more alive they felt, and how happy they were that they came.  :)  Hearing that thrilled me because that was the whole point of this early morning session.  If that sounds like a way you want to start your weekend come join us for the next "Rise ans Shine" Qi Gong session.  I'll post the time, date and location soon.  So stay tuned.  :)  I hope to see you there.

"Rise and Shine" Qi Gong in the Jackson Park

Just a heads up that on Saturday (7-30-11) I will be hosting a Qi Gong "Rise and Shine" session in the Jackson park at 6:30am.  It will last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much fun we're having.  :)  Qi Gong exercises help open the body's vital energy flow and they relax the mind while revitalizing the body.  They are meditative movements that focus on breathing and mental concentration.  You won't need to wear any special clothes just dress in layers as it will still probably be a bit brisk at this time of the morning.  :)  I will accept donations, but there is no obligation to pay anything for this "Rise and Shine" session.  This is just about starting your weekend off right.  :)  I hope to see you there and please tell everyone you know who would be interested in trying this.  :)

New Tai Chi Class Time at New York Fitness

Since the Tuesday afternoon classes at New York Fitness will interfere with my school schedule in Aug. Natalie and I have moved that class to Wednesday mornings from 7:30 to 8:30.  Same time as the Monday morning class.  This new time will be starting on Aug. 3rd and continuing indefinitely.   The Tues. afternoon from 4:00 to 5:00 Tai Chi will be ending this Tues. (7-26-11).  I hope this new time works well for everyone.  I'll see you all there!  :)

Update and Some Screen Shots for the Tai Chi DVD

Good news!  I'm coming up on the half-way mark in the editing process.  I've still got a lot of work to do before this DVD is ready for everyone, but it's coming along!  :)  I thought I would share a couple of still photos from the video footage so you guys could get your first glimpse of what's on this DVD.  :-D

This first photo is from the Qi Gong section of the DVD.  In this photo I'm explaining how to do the Qi Gong exercise called "Sink the Qi to the Dan Tian"

 

The next picture is from the section of the DVD where we go over the Yang Tai Chi 24 step form.  In this photo I'm performing the move called "Single Whip" :)  

  

And finally, this last picture is one of my dad and me working on a partner exercise for "Firming the Center." A practice designed to help you learn to maintain your balance....even if someone is trying to knock you off balance.  :)

I'm actually taking a break from editing right now to post these pictures, but I thought you all might enjoy seeing them.  :)  I'll keep you all updated as this project progresses.