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Tag: chen zhenglei
Spring News & Events
Spring at last… it seems as though it has been a long and dark winter. With longer brighter days ahead, there are many great opportunities to get your Qi flowing!
First, we’ll be taking a break between quarters and there will be no classes from March 24th to April 1st, then we’ll begin Spring session with a Sunday practice of Push Hands and Broadsword on April 2nd at the Studio from 10am to noon.
Look below for the full spring schedule and links to class registration. Registration is now open.
Then, coming in April, we’ll be hosting Master Shanti on April 22nd for a training in Structure, Internal Power, and Connection. There are still a few places left. Jump on them as this fills fast.
And, as is our tradition, we’ll be celebrating World Tai Chi Qigong Day at Cal Anderson Park Saturday, April 29th from 10am to noon. Spiral Qigong, Push Hands, and Broadsword will not be meeting and all are encouraged to join us in the park for an extra practice to join the millions of people sending healing energy around the planet.
Also, you may be aware that this year we have a new special series of mini-workshops to support social justice, the environment, and other important causes. The first, Standing for Social Justice, was held on Jan. 14th to raise funds for ACLU. Many people participated and contributed in an afternoon of Silk Reeling and Standing and together we raised over $2000!
Then, just this last Friday, March 17th, we took another take on Green for St. Patty’s day and offered a Spiraling Qigong session to benefit Conservation NW. We are still accepting donations for this great organization to help protect wildlands, connect habitats, restore wildlife, and more. Please make checks out to Conservation Northwest and get them to Viola by the end of the day on Thursday, March 23rd.
Look below for details on our new special series on the Spiral Qigong starting April 8th, at 9am. Spend 8 Saturday’s with us “firming your roots!”
In May, I am excited to be hosting Master Arthur Baner on Push Hands Techniques. See the details below.
Then, in June, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei will be offering another of his Light of TaiChi summer camps, this time in Toronto. There is still time to get an early registration discount, so get your registrations in soon, and join us there if you can!
Lastly, Rus and I had an extraordinary trip to Costa Rica over the holidays, meeting rare birds in the cloud forest, howler monkeys foraging in the canopy, and finding a fitting retreat center for a Tai Chi and Qigong retreat to bring you with us next year. January 2018 we’ll be returning to Costa Rica to offer a journey into deep practice. Details below on how you can join us!
Master Shanti’s workshops will now be held on April 22nd in the afternoon and evening at Wise Orchid Studio. With two sessions on Structure, Internal Power, and Connection as well as integration with movement and partner work. Link here for information and registration.
Spring schedule of classes
Wise Orchid Studio:
-Mon. & Wed. 7:30am, Qigong
-Mon. & Wed. 8:45am, Chen Taiji
-Mon. 10:15am Tai Chi for Seniors
-Mon. & Thurs., 6:00pm, Chen Taiji
-Wed. 6:00pm, Intro to Tai Chi
-Fri. 8:45am, Advanced Chen
-Sat. 9am, Spiral Qigong
-Sat. 10am, Push Hands
-Sat. 11am, Weapons Class
West Seattle Classes:
-Tues. & Thurs. 8:30am Yang Taiji @Center for Movement & Healing
-Wed. 5:30pm Yang Tai Chi for Beginners @SSC
-Wed. 6:45pm Qigong @SSC
-Thurs. 2pm Tai Chi for Seniors @West Seattle Senior Center
Burien Community Center:
-Tues. & Thurs. 10:45am, Tai Chi for Everyone
-Tues. 6pm, Chen Taiji
-Wed. 10:45am, Qigong
Details about the Spiral Qigong Series
Starting in April, we’ll be offering a new Saturday Qigong Series, beginning with Spiral Qigong. Join us for 8 Saturdays, not including World Tai Chi Qigong Day at 9am-10am.
The Ba Fa Pan Gen (Eight Methods to Firm your Roots) Qigong comes from the internal Chinese martial art of Xing Yi, and is designed through it spiraling movements to cleanse and heal the body. The twisting movements of this Qigong stimulate the energetic pathways in your body (meridians) and massage your internal organs while developing a more stable foundation, improving the strength and structure of your legs.
Master Authur Baner will be joining us May 6th in the afternoon for the beginning of a new series of workshops focused on Push Hands skills.
The art of Taijiquan consists of both solo and partner training. Solo practice teaches us about our relationship with ourselves and with gravity while partner training takes that to a new level with the introduction of “external” forces. It allows us to study conflict and harmony in a way that is both effective and a lot of fun.
In this series, we’ll progress from our foundations of form practice, moving into single and double hand exercises that lead to stepping practices and a 2 person form. Link here for registration and more information.
This year, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s Light of TaiChi camp will be held in Toronto, Ontario Canada! Here is a link to registration information and details about the camp. Not only will there be a training offered for beginners as well as advanced this year, but also there’ll be an opportunity to compete. Have a look and join us, eh!
And Lastly, over the winter break, Rus and I journeyed to Costa Rica to take some time in the cloud forest and celebrate my 50th year on the planet. We also researched retreat centers where we might host a Tai Chi and Qigong Adventure Training Retreat and we succeeded! We discovered the beautiful Pura Vida Retreat Center, where we will be hosting a training adventure intensive in January 2018. This is a great opportunity that I am so excited to be offering. Please check out our Costa Rica Retreat webpage where you’ll find information about the location, the training, and cost and then put your deposit down to reserve your spot. For 7 days of training, lodging, and delicious meals, it’s a great deal. Pura Vida!!
So much to look forward to in practice and community this spring. As always, I am grateful to you for joining me in this exploration of deeper connection.
Peace and practice,
Viola
Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei Coming to Seattle & New Fall Sessions
Save the Dates!
Chen Zhenglei workshops Jan. 14-17, 2016
Just in, exciting news that Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei will be back teaching in Seattle for the first time in many years. Some of the topics to be covered: Silk Reeling, Old Frame 1, Old Frame 2, New Frame 1, and Straight Sword. Please stay tuned as details and more news to follow.
In preparation for Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s visit, I’ll be offering pre-camp training on Fridays and Sundays. Whether you plan to attend the workshops or not (are you kidding me?!) you are welcome to join in these fun and expansive training experiences.
- Fridays Beginning in December, expanding the ongoing advanced Chen class to 2 hours beginning 8:45 to 10:45.
- Sundays beginning Nov. 29th from 12:45 – 1:45pm Sword at CMH
Contact Viola if you are interested, pre-registration required. Please no drop-ins. Cost is included in your unlimited tuition. Donations appreciated to cover cost of studio rental.
Starting soon, late fall sessions of the Ba Fa Pan Gen (Spiral Qigong, the 8 Brocade Qigong, and Intro to Tai Chi: Fundamentals for Beginners. Details below. Registration is open now.
Spiral Qigong 4 week session in West Seattle at the Center for Movement and Healing!
Sun., Nov. 29 – Dec. 20, 11:30am
Cost $90, or included with your unlimited Tuition
Registration open now.
Intro to Tai Chi – Fundamentals for Beginners is a new class at SSC on Wed. this late fall beginning Nov. 18, this 4 week session ends Dec. 16 and is from 5:30-6:15pm
Also on Wed. nights beginning Nov. 18th is the 8 Brocade Qigong (Ba Duan Jin), from 6:30-7:15pm at SSC. This series will also be 4 weeks ending Dec. 16th.
Also, a thank you to everyone who came out and supported the workshops with Master David Leung and enjoyed his visits to our regular classes. Pretty beautiful time and practice. Coming Nov. 21st, he’ll be teaching in Vancouver, WA. Here’s a link for more information.
And, if you hadn’t heard, on October 18th, Wise Orchid Taiji family joined with Viola’s Tai Chi sisters Hong Yijiao and Wang Ning and their students to take part in a world Tai Chi practice and broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the greatest number of people practicing Tai Chi at the same time.
Here is a link to one of three articles from local papers, this one in english, and a video taken of some of the participants in China.
It was such fun to participate in this even though it was last minute notice, I want to give a shout out to those who with little information said yes and showed up. Heather Islander, Dawn Aiken, Leo Manzano, Jeff Allen, John Lindsay, John Howe, Rose Slavkowski, Terrill Chang, Kevin Tegmeier, Lisa Glendenning, Jan Ritter, and Rusel DeMaria. Doing Wise Orchid very proud!
And, lastly, just a reminder of our holiday schedule.
No class days:
- Nov. 11, Burien Comm. Ctr. Closed for Veteran’s Day. Regular classes at Emerald City Aikido are still on.
- Nov. 25-28th we are on break for Thanksgiving
- Dec. 23-31st we are on winter break.
Thank you everyone!
Much love and gratitude,
Viola
World Tai Chi QiGong Day 2012, Beacon Hill, Seattle, WA
Part the Wild Horse's Mane, Yang Tai Chi's 24 form, World Tai Chi Qigong Day 2012
One World …. One Breath ….
What an incredible morning! Saturday, April 28, 2012, World Tai Chi Qigong Day, I woke to the forecast of clouds and occasional showers. Â I was braced for the changeable spring weather of Seattle such as we had last year, with a torrential downpour just before we got started and then brilliant sun. Â This year, I brought sunscreen just in case, and the skies did not disappoint. Â Down to just a t-shirt and no hat, you’d think it was already summer in Seattle.
And so we arrived at Jefferson Park, not knowing how many people would be able to come.  I know weekends in the spring are a slam of opportunity as we  come out from under the cover of winter… You have many options and obligations of things to put your energy toward.  But you came, you practiced, and together we created some positive qi and inspiration to all our bystanders at Jefferson Park.  I thank you all who were there in person and in spirit, joining in the wave of healing circling the planet.  With 35+ people in attendance and several dozen onlookers, we had an amazing turn out!  Folks came from Bellevue, Auburn, Renton, Burien, West Seattle and around Seattle proper as well.
We practiced some Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong exercises, Silk Reeling, Tai Chi Walking, and then jumped into some Yang 24 Tai Chi form, Topping it off with some Chen Taiji Laojia Yilu and the finale’ the Yin Yang Medical Qigong! Â Whew! Â Such a treat to have two hours to play together in the park!
2012 World Tai Chi Qigong Day Participants, Jefferson Park, Beacon Hill, Seattle,WA
Yang 24 Tai Chi Group at WTCQGD 2012
Wise Orchid Taijiquan & QiGong, World Tai Chi Qigong Day Seattle 2012 Yin Yang Medical Qigong
for more pictures, check out my flickr page
Thank you to Rusel DeMaria and Leo Manzano for taking these great pictures!
Spring 2011 Newsletter
Travels to Shaolin Temple 2011
Dear Friends of Wise Orchid Martial Arts,
Spring is approaching and as the light returns I thought I would send out a wish for you all to be in good health and spirits experiencing the renewal that this time of year brings. With so much desperation and difficulty in the world, I hope that you are continuing to cultivate peace and goodness in your own lives and in your own way.
Viola’s Travels and Class Cancellations:
With Spring comes the Eugene Chen Tai Chi Camp! Yes, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei will be giving his annual training camp in Eugene at the end of this month, followed by a Chen Tai Chi Summit in Los Angeles. I will be attending both back to back, so mark your calendars; there will be no classes for Wise Orchid Martial Arts on the following dates: March 23rd & 24th and March 31st through April 5th.
NEW and Continuing Classes for Spring 2011:
When I return, there will be new sessions of Tai Chi starting at South Seattle Community College, Delridge Community Center, Renton Senior and Activity Center and the Burien Community Center. Of course, classes will be continuing down in the ID and at Fauntleroy. But the exciting news is that a New Class will be starting on Beacon Hill at the Jefferson Community Center, Mondays & Wednesdays at 11am to noon. In this class I will be offering the Chen 18 form, along with Grandmaster Chen’s Longevity Exercises, Silk Reeling, and Chen Style QiGong. Please come and join us in learning this wonderful style and form.
Why Chen Tai Chi:
I began my journey some 18 years ago now with Yang Style Tai Chi. Not by choice, but because the teacher that came most highly recommended to me in town taught that style. After less than a year of practice learning the Yang 24, Master Leung introduced me to some Chen Style Tai Chi. For me it was love at first spiral. I had loved the introduction of Tai Chi through the structure and grace and openness of practicing the Yang form, but discovering and learning Chen Style was… expansive beyond belief. I began to better understand the development and movement of qi. Through the spiral movements of the form, I felt my practice deepen, my spirit grew lighter, and my roots deeper. I was able to incorporate the foundations I had learned in Yang Style to this new found love of spiraling open and closed, learning about flow, and the potential of my own strength and connection on a whole new level. I would really enjoy sharing this art with you as it will only deepen your own understanding and practice of Tai Chi.
Thank you for joining me on this part of my journey and doing what you do to make this world a better place.
All of my best,
Viola Brumbaugh
…. expand & flourish!
chance encounters, walks with Masters, bumpy roads & wet laundry
Friday early evening, 9/10, somewhere in Henan Province, China, Just gave up on drying my laundry in my room, so took my tree climbing throwline which I brought as a clothes line and took it out to the trees for some different kind of tree rigging. My roommate, Janet, and I now have our underwear hanging out in the grove just outside the building here at the fishing villa resort.
We are located about a half hour drive from Chen Village, so this morning after practice and breakfast, we 13 plus loaded into the bus and headed for the birthplace of Taijiquan. We had just parked outside the shrine entrance when Zhu Tiancai appears walking toward us. We had hoped to be able to arrange some sort of get together with him at some point, but to meet in the middle of the lane was such serendipity… We took a stroll with him down through the famous drainage ditch of Chen Village, passing old men training young men along the path, stopped to do a little demonstration for the Grandmaster (insert bug eyes here) and of course got the feedback that we work hard and need to keep practicing. Then we continued on down the ditch and up the path to where his house is being reconstructed. It was so cool, he gave us a personal tour of his new home and training spaces. This was all before even touring the shrine and museum.   We completed the tour, including having some of his students from Venice who were staying there for a month of study, demonstrate for us, and then went on with our tour of the village’s shrine to Taiji’s origins and ancestors.
Chen Taiji Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai shows our traveling Taijiquan group around Chen Village
We were given a personal tour through the halls and temple and grounds and museum taking pictures and paying our respects, and then went on to a tailor’s shop and were measured for custom Qipao outfits. Exhausted by the humidity and the heat and the long morning, we headed to lunch which turned out to be another banquet… I head down to the hall for dinner here shortly and am looking forward to more of a family dinner again. The place where we are staying, not only catches and serves you fresh carp, but is also an organic farm that serves you all the vegetables they are growing. So far this trip has been an amazing journey. And I haven’t even been here a week. Hydration and rest are the biggest difficulties. But so far my gut is in good shape and I am staying healthy.
The Taijiquan Shrine in Chen Village
Yesterday we went to Yun Tai Mountain which is a national heritage site and hiked down through the red rock gorge and up to the Grand Waterfall. Imagine Yosemite and the Rock Wonders of Utah together on steroids… I can’t even begin to describe the awe of this place.
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Chen Taiji Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai shows our traveling Taijiquan group around Chen Village
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The Taijiquan Shrine in Chen Village
Anyhow, time for supper, so I better close. I will send this off tomorrow or once I have an internet connection again.
Remember to bring water and layers and anything else to keep you comfortable as we move into practice outdoors. If you have bee allergies, be sure to keep any necessary medication on hand. And remember, if you have to turn your wipers on past intermittent on the way to class, we’ll meet back at our home base indoor location. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Spring News & Events
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Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei Coming to Seattle & New Fall Sessions
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World Tai Chi QiGong Day 2012, Beacon Hill, Seattle, WA
Part the Wild Horse's Mane, Yang Tai Chi's 24 form, World Tai Chi Qigong Day 2012
One World …. One Breath ….
What an incredible morning! Saturday, April 28, 2012, World Tai Chi Qigong Day, I woke to the forecast of clouds and occasional showers. Â I was braced for the changeable spring weather of Seattle such as we had last year, with a torrential downpour just before we got started and then brilliant sun. Â This year, I brought sunscreen just in case, and the skies did not disappoint. Â Down to just a t-shirt and no hat, you’d think it was already summer in Seattle.
And so we arrived at Jefferson Park, not knowing how many people would be able to come.  I know weekends in the spring are a slam of opportunity as we  come out from under the cover of winter… You have many options and obligations of things to put your energy toward.  But you came, you practiced, and together we created some positive qi and inspiration to all our bystanders at Jefferson Park.  I thank you all who were there in person and in spirit, joining in the wave of healing circling the planet.  With 35+ people in attendance and several dozen onlookers, we had an amazing turn out!  Folks came from Bellevue, Auburn, Renton, Burien, West Seattle and around Seattle proper as well.
We practiced some Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong exercises, Silk Reeling, Tai Chi Walking, and then jumped into some Yang 24 Tai Chi form, Topping it off with some Chen Taiji Laojia Yilu and the finale’ the Yin Yang Medical Qigong! Â Whew! Â Such a treat to have two hours to play together in the park!
2012 World Tai Chi Qigong Day Participants, Jefferson Park, Beacon Hill, Seattle,WA
Yang 24 Tai Chi Group at WTCQGD 2012
Wise Orchid Taijiquan & QiGong, World Tai Chi Qigong Day Seattle 2012 Yin Yang Medical Qigong
for more pictures, check out my flickr page
Thank you to Rusel DeMaria and Leo Manzano for taking these great pictures!
Spring 2011 Newsletter
Travels to Shaolin Temple 2011
Dear Friends of Wise Orchid Martial Arts,
Spring is approaching and as the light returns I thought I would send out a wish for you all to be in good health and spirits experiencing the renewal that this time of year brings. With so much desperation and difficulty in the world, I hope that you are continuing to cultivate peace and goodness in your own lives and in your own way.
Viola’s Travels and Class Cancellations:
With Spring comes the Eugene Chen Tai Chi Camp! Yes, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei will be giving his annual training camp in Eugene at the end of this month, followed by a Chen Tai Chi Summit in Los Angeles. I will be attending both back to back, so mark your calendars; there will be no classes for Wise Orchid Martial Arts on the following dates: March 23rd & 24th and March 31st through April 5th.
NEW and Continuing Classes for Spring 2011:
When I return, there will be new sessions of Tai Chi starting at South Seattle Community College, Delridge Community Center, Renton Senior and Activity Center and the Burien Community Center. Of course, classes will be continuing down in the ID and at Fauntleroy. But the exciting news is that a New Class will be starting on Beacon Hill at the Jefferson Community Center, Mondays & Wednesdays at 11am to noon. In this class I will be offering the Chen 18 form, along with Grandmaster Chen’s Longevity Exercises, Silk Reeling, and Chen Style QiGong. Please come and join us in learning this wonderful style and form.
Why Chen Tai Chi:
I began my journey some 18 years ago now with Yang Style Tai Chi. Not by choice, but because the teacher that came most highly recommended to me in town taught that style. After less than a year of practice learning the Yang 24, Master Leung introduced me to some Chen Style Tai Chi. For me it was love at first spiral. I had loved the introduction of Tai Chi through the structure and grace and openness of practicing the Yang form, but discovering and learning Chen Style was… expansive beyond belief. I began to better understand the development and movement of qi. Through the spiral movements of the form, I felt my practice deepen, my spirit grew lighter, and my roots deeper. I was able to incorporate the foundations I had learned in Yang Style to this new found love of spiraling open and closed, learning about flow, and the potential of my own strength and connection on a whole new level. I would really enjoy sharing this art with you as it will only deepen your own understanding and practice of Tai Chi.
Thank you for joining me on this part of my journey and doing what you do to make this world a better place.
All of my best,
Viola Brumbaugh
…. expand & flourish!
chance encounters, walks with Masters, bumpy roads & wet laundry
Friday early evening, 9/10, somewhere in Henan Province, China, Just gave up on drying my laundry in my room, so took my tree climbing throwline which I brought as a clothes line and took it out to the trees for some different kind of tree rigging. My roommate, Janet, and I now have our underwear hanging out in the grove just outside the building here at the fishing villa resort.
We are located about a half hour drive from Chen Village, so this morning after practice and breakfast, we 13 plus loaded into the bus and headed for the birthplace of Taijiquan. We had just parked outside the shrine entrance when Zhu Tiancai appears walking toward us. We had hoped to be able to arrange some sort of get together with him at some point, but to meet in the middle of the lane was such serendipity… We took a stroll with him down through the famous drainage ditch of Chen Village, passing old men training young men along the path, stopped to do a little demonstration for the Grandmaster (insert bug eyes here) and of course got the feedback that we work hard and need to keep practicing. Then we continued on down the ditch and up the path to where his house is being reconstructed. It was so cool, he gave us a personal tour of his new home and training spaces. This was all before even touring the shrine and museum.   We completed the tour, including having some of his students from Venice who were staying there for a month of study, demonstrate for us, and then went on with our tour of the village’s shrine to Taiji’s origins and ancestors.
Chen Taiji Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai shows our traveling Taijiquan group around Chen Village
We were given a personal tour through the halls and temple and grounds and museum taking pictures and paying our respects, and then went on to a tailor’s shop and were measured for custom Qipao outfits. Exhausted by the humidity and the heat and the long morning, we headed to lunch which turned out to be another banquet… I head down to the hall for dinner here shortly and am looking forward to more of a family dinner again. The place where we are staying, not only catches and serves you fresh carp, but is also an organic farm that serves you all the vegetables they are growing. So far this trip has been an amazing journey. And I haven’t even been here a week. Hydration and rest are the biggest difficulties. But so far my gut is in good shape and I am staying healthy.
The Taijiquan Shrine in Chen Village
Yesterday we went to Yun Tai Mountain which is a national heritage site and hiked down through the red rock gorge and up to the Grand Waterfall. Imagine Yosemite and the Rock Wonders of Utah together on steroids… I can’t even begin to describe the awe of this place.
-
- Chen Taiji Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai shows our traveling Taijiquan group around Chen Village
-
- The Taijiquan Shrine in Chen Village
Anyhow, time for supper, so I better close. I will send this off tomorrow or once I have an internet connection again.