Maria’s Thoughts on Women and Push Hands – Part 4

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Double grab

Addendum on boundaries: I did not mean to imply that boundaries are bad. They are necessary to have a game. It is helpful in life to recognize what the boundaries are in any given situation, so that you can work within them, get around them, dissolve them, shift them or set them yourself. (or decide that it is not a game that you want to play) Those of you who have done the Edge exercise know how an unawareness of where your edge is can provoke fear and indecision, tension and reactive stress. You have also seen how recognizing your… Read More

Filed Under: Love or Fear, Martial Arts, Push Hands

The Dragon & The Condor — A Workshop in the Catskill Mountains

April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment
fallscropped

THE DRAGON & THE CONDOR Kaaterskill Falls, Catskill Mts. May 19, 9am-4pm $100 including lunch Join the event on facebook and stay up to date Contact info@taichialchemy.com for more information Chinese internal martial arts meets American indigenous shamanism.The remarkable Tom DeLacy (martial artist, healer, indigenous Honduran shaman, and NYC police detective) joins Rick Barrett (martial artist, energy healer, and author of Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate) for a very special healing retreat in the Catskill mountains. They combine their diverse skills and eclectic interests to empower and inspire, accessing the healing energies of water by the beautiful Kaaterskill Falls in the… Read More

Filed Under: Events, Martial Arts

Maria’s Thoughts on Women and Push Hands – Part 3

April 2, 2013 by 3 Comments

Let’s talk about intimacy and boundaries. Some people do not like the intimacy of push hands, feeling that it is an intrusive exercise and thus not a happy activity. When you are truly present, (in the present moment) and engaged (recognizing the presence of another being in the game) then you enter a level of intimacy beyond that of your normal state. This is true not only in push hands practice, but in life as well. If your essence is strong and you are at peace with yourself, then it is not a problem. Exposing your existence is merely the… Read More

Filed Under: Exercises, Love or Fear, Martial Arts

Yao, Not Waist, in Taijiquan

March 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

How do you generate internal power in taijiquan? For years I have emphasized the essential triad of: Energetic coherence. Central equilibrium. Ball-Knee-Kua   Energetic coherence brings your body-mind into a state of wholeness by marshaling the organizing power of the liquid crystal matrix, your connective tissue system. The easiest, most reliable way to do this is to point and reach with your index fingers. Central equilibrium is that sweet spot that connects you up to the Big Qi of Heaven and Earth. It is most easily found by centering your body’s mass over the balls of your feet. Instant root.… Read More

Filed Under: Exercises, Martial Arts, Videos

Maria’s Thoughts on Women and Push Hands – Part 2

March 11, 2013 by 5 Comments

Don’t expect me to approach this discussion in a linear fashion, as I tend to think laterally or in a scatter pattern. Let’s consider Yin and Yang. We have often heard that yin is the female principle, yielding, softer, earth, darkness, absorption. Yang is often thought of as male, heaven, light, activity, outgoing. Yang is directionally up and out and Yin is down and in. There is yin in yang and yang in yin, if you consider the well known symbol. There is a need in life for balance between the two. When we are working on tai chi form,… Read More

Filed Under: Love or Fear, Martial Arts, The Edge
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