Hello everyone, I hope that you are doing well and staying safe and healthy. Here is a good practice to start your day. From Dr. Chui in the International District, this series of Qigong exercises is to stimulate Qi and support better health.
If you are looking for ways to support the studio, please consider contributing to our relief fund to help pay rent and utilities. Donations are accepted here: https://wise-orchid-taichi.square.site/product/studio-support-during-covid-19-crisis/26?cs=true
or consider becoming a Patron via our Patreon Account at: https://www.patreon.com/join/4149508
Spring Tai Chi & Qigong Online Maintaining Health and Connections
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| Spring 2020 Newsletter Greetings everyone, this was not the Spring break any of us anticipated. Foregoing our trip to the coast and Olympics, we have hunkered into our isolation and have been embracing/adjusting shifting into the new online Wise Orchid Studio. Our Spring sessions begin Monday, April 6th, with much of our regular schedule intact. With the Burien Community Center and South Seattle College closed, I’m hoping to adapt and invite those who attended those classes into our regular schedule of Tai Chi and Qigong since we are not bound by the confines of shared floor space. See more info on this below. We are offering a free Qigong – Surviving and Thriving class this coming Saturday, April 4th at 9:15am so you can make a trial run at setting up your Zoom app and joining us. Please look to our Calendar on the Wise Orchid Website for details on how to set yourself up and join a class. With Spring and the return of yang energy, I’ll be offering Spiral Qigong at 9am on Saturdays this quarter. No previous experience necessary. Please note the time for the Saturday Qigong class has shifted. We’ll be starting 15 minutes earlier to accommodate a small break between the Qigong, Chen, and Sword classes.  |
| Today we paid the rent for our sweet studio, and as you can see, the garden is keeping the Qi flow strong with a parade of spring color. If you are able to contribute to support keeping our space while we wait for a safe time to return, we’ve started a Patreon account to help cover the costs of the lost income from the classes that we are not able to run due to closures of Community Centers and colleges. Become a Patron!  If you have attended the Tai Chi for Everyone classes in Burien and would like to join our online classes, please feel welcome to join us for Yang Tai Chi on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30am.Burien Qigong participants, feel free to join us on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30am, or Wednesdays at 6:35pm (10 minutes earlier than normal) Burien Chen for Beginners will be 6pm on Tuesdays online joining with our Intro to Tai Chi class. And Students from South Seattle College, please look for us at our regular times on Wednesday evenings, 5:30pm Yang 24, and 6:35pm Qigong. Please contact me if you need assistance in getting set up to join us. Look below for more info, how to Zoom is also on our Calendar Page.  You are not alone… It has been such a delight to see many friends already online as we come into this new way of sharing practice. Thank you for showing up and helping me learn new ways of transmitting this art and practice that connects us all. What is special about this time of isolation is how we can come together across distance regardless of miles, traffic, walls. We have a space to share and I look forward to seeing you online soon. To get started: Step 1. Find the Zoom app on the system you’ll be using. It’s available on Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. Whatever device you choose, set it up so you can see it and have space to move during the class. Step 2. Open the Zoom application and choose the option to Sign In. Enter your email and pick a password that you will remember, and/or write it down. You will receive an email from Zoom. Click the link in the email to verify that it is you and complete the initial login process. Step 3. Open the Wise Orchid website, choose Calendar, and find the class or event that you will be attending. Select and copy the meeting number. Step 4. In your Zoom App, select the option to “Join” and paste the meeting number where prompted, then enter the password as noted in the calendar event. Step 5. Select how you want to join. Most of you will want to join using computer video. You can also choose to enable your audio.Protocols: During class, please keep your audio muted. The mute button is on the bottom left of the Zoom screen. This is to prevent noise or echoes during class. When the teacher asks for comments, please unmute only when you want to speak. If more than one person wants to speak at the same time, use courtesy to allow each person the opportunity to speak uninterrupted.Now come join us on Saturday for an All Welcome Qigong class, 9:15am and give it a try. From my home to yours 🙏❤️🙏  I know we are all inundated with a constant news cycle focused on the virus, politics with only some relief from cat videos. Here are a few pieces that have come into my view that I’d like to share: Tai Chi in Wuhan hospitals to help people healing, From North of Wuhan, Our Tai Chi birthplace Chen Village Master Chen Zhiqiang has words of encouragement for getting through the coronavirus And, also from friend David Gaffney’s blog: Keeping Balance in Strange Times  NEW VIDEOS FOR HOME PRACTICE Lastly, I’ve been learning how to make video content for you and have started working on content, lighting, location, and editing. Here is my first attempt. Please enjoy our Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong. Practicing often and consistently will keep your body from getting stiff during this stay at home/stay safe time we are in. Much love and gratitude for all your patience. More videos to come. We’ve already recorded the Yin Yang Medical Qigong and hope to have a version of that up to you soon. Peace, practice, and patience, Stay safe & healthy, Viola |
Qigong at Home Video
It’s been a long time coming. Sorry that it’s taken a pandemic to kick me in the butt to provide you with video content. Now that we are all stuck at home, I’ve had time to learn a bit on how to do this and put this first attempt together for you.
I offer this with love and gratitude to you and my teachers. Practice at your own pace and range of motion, modifying as you need. Stay loose and drink lots of water and I look forward to seeing you online in class soon.
Protected: Video Classes with Mary & Kay
Now ONLINE Tai Chi Qigong
| Your Safety is our priority. Greetings from Wise Orchid. In order to preserve our health and the health of others, we have decided to make the necessary adjustments while the virus threat still remains. All upcoming classes will be conducted online through the Zoom conferencing app, which is free for participants. To join the upcoming classes, check our calendar for your class and follow the link. By following the link in the calendar, you will be able to participate. Note that the class will have a specific number and password. You can download the Zoom app, or join the conference via your browser or the app if you download it. If you have any difficulty with Zoom, feel free to call or message me. Our first online classes will be tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18) at the regularly scheduled times. All other classes will also be online, with the exception of the Thursday morning Yang class, which will be outdoors at 8:30am in Lincoln Park at the large baseball field towards the north end of the park. We will be closed for two weeks for our quarterly break, starting next week and resuming online classes on April 6th. Please register in advance if you have not already. Please note that due to closures, the Burien Community Center and South Seattle College classes have been postponed until they reopen. We are looking to begin later in the spring, but as news brings us changes on a daily basis, we cannot be sure when the institutions will be safe to reopen. With these closures, I am losing 1/3 of my income and would like to offer that if you’ve attended these classes and would like to practice with us online during this time of isolation, I welcome to you offer contributions to keep us going through our Patreon account. Become a Patron! In the Wise Orchid page blog, I will continue to post videos and make reading suggestions to keep your practice going as well. If you have something that you think would be good to share, other videos, books, articles, training tips, please let me know. Much gratitude to everyone, stay safe and keep practicing! Looking forward to sharing practice with you online, Sifu Viola |
When stuck at home…
Here are some links to some practice videos that I recommend.
First, here is a link to Grandmaster Chen and his Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong Warmups:
Here is some silk reeling practice for you to follow:
Tai Chi for Seniors/Beginners Students and Students at South Seattle College Beginner’s Tai Chi class, here is the Yang 24 form that you can follow from behind:
For the Qigong students, here is a nice practice video of the 8 Brocade:
I’ll be posting more soon, and if there is a video that you like, please feel free to send me a link to share.
Stay well and take good care of yourselves. Drink water, rest, wash your hands and limit your exposure when you can.
With much love,
Viola & Rusel
Winter 2020 Newsletter, Greetings from Costa Rica
Happy Holidays Everyone!
We are in Costa Rica exploring some new areas before our retreat begins next Saturday. I am sitting in the dining hall of Rancho Naturalista overlooking the yard where they put out bananas to feed the birds. Beyond the yard is a sweeping view of the valley of Turrialba, and the volcano behind, both of which are completely obscured by the falling rain and fog. The sun came out yesterday for our birding adventures and we saw many new birds and had a fun time crossing a creek and hiking up a very rutty road with our new friend and guide Mercedes. What a treat!
We will be back in less than two weeks to begin our Winter sessions. Below are the classes being offered this coming Winter and links for registration. Please register in advance. Winter session runs Jan. 13th through March 21st. New this year, beginning with the Spring Quarter, I am asking that all registrations be made before the end of the previous quarter.
2020 Winter Classes:
Qigong at Wise Orchid Studio, Mon & Wed 7:30am, Sat. 9:15am
Chen Taiji at Wise Orchid Studio, Mon & Wed 8:45am, Sat. 10am and Mon & Thurs. 6pm
Tai Chi for Seniors at Wise Orchid – FULL – Mon. 10:30am & Thurs 2pm
Intro to Tai Chi at Wise Orchid, beginning Jan 8th, Wed 6:30pm
Push Hands/Weapons at Wise Orchid, Sat. 11am
Yang Tai Chi at Limber Yoga, Tue & Thur 8:30am
Yang Tai Chi for Beginners at SSC, Wed. 5:30pm
Qigong at SSC, Wed. 6:45pm
Yang Tai Chi for Everyone in Burien, Tues & Thurs 10:45am
Qigong in Burien, Wed 10:45am
Chen Taiji in Burien, Tues at 6pm
Advance Chen Practice, Fri 8:45am
All classes at Wise Orchid Studio or Limber Yoga, link here to register.
With the turn of the New Year, I reflect on this last decade, our first 10 years in Seattle. It has been such an honor to continue to learn this art and share it with you. I am continuously amazed at the endless treasures discovered in learning this practice. My hope for the New Year is to continue to inspire you to go deeper into your own practice, committing to bring you the best of instruction with humility and authenticity.
The day before yesterday we were blessed to see just hatched turtles released to make their imprinting path down the beach to the ocean. To witness this first journey touched me so deeply. Nature and the circle of life is always such a good teacher and reminder of the path of Tai Chi. As our calendar turns, new life begins. Each little life like a prayer as it reached the water to disappear into the surf.
I am grateful to you my, Tai Chi family, for all your kindness, love and support as we made our way through the challenges of 2018 and 2019. Being in Costa Rica and witnessing Rus in his returning function and strength in real time is still such a miracle from where he was this time last year. Our hearts are full and we recognize each of you as a part of this recovery. Tomorrow morning we rise at 5am to hike the Corcovado National Park. It will be a new challenge and the discoveries will be both within and without.
From the drenching rain last night to the howler monkey alarm clock this morning, I send you the deepest bow and New Year’s greetings from Costa Rica. See you all in 2020!
Be Well, and Practice, Pura Vida,
Viola
Summer 2019 Newsletter
Greetings everyone,
Happy Summer Break to all. We will be off in a couple days to train with Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and family in Las Vegas. We’ll be back and ready for our Summer classes to begin on July 8th. Look below for:
- Our Summer Schedule of classes
- Info on our upcoming Costa Rica Tai Chi & Qigong Retreat!
- Drop in Wednesdays with Myles
- Rus’s Rehab Update and our Go Fund Me campaign
- Erlu with Eldan on Thursdays continues, and
- Laojia Yilu Section 6 intensive
Summer Sessions begin July 8th, Monday, back at the Studio. Due to wildfires and park issues, we’ll be training inside at the studio for the summer Mon-Fri. for the Central District classes. Saturday mornings will be at Pratt Park unless the AQI is above 100. See below for info for specific classes and links to register:
- All levels Chen Tai Chi resumes Monday & Thursday evenings at 6pm as well as Monday and Wednesday mornings at 8:45am, and Saturdays at 10am.
- Qigong All levels is back on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30am and Saturdays at 9:15am.
- Yang 108 Tai Chi All levels will be back at Lincoln Park in West Seattle Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30am.
- Burien Tai Chi for Everyone will continue Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Burien Community Center at 10:45am.
- Chen Tai Chi for Beginners in Burien will have a new session beginning Tuesday, July 9th at 6pm at the Burien Community Center.
- Burien Qigong for Health of Body Mind & Spirit will return on Wednesdays at 10:45am starting July 10th.
- Intro to Tai Chi – Fundamentals for Beginners will start Wednesday July 17th at 6:30pm at the Wise Orchid Studio and will be DROP IN Only $15-20 per class, sliding scale.
- Erlu with Eldan will return Thursday, July 11th at 7:30pm following the all levels Chen Taiji.
- and at South Seattle College, Summer sessions of Yang 24 Tai Chi 5:30pm and Qigong in the Arboretum 6:45pm will begin Wednesday, July 10th.
- Tai Chi for Seniors will also return for two sessions a week beginning July 8th, Mondays at 10:30am (class full) and Thursday afternoons at 2pm (only 3 spots left).
- and for summer, Saturday classes will continue at Pratt Park between Yesler and Main off of 20th Ave. South, as long as the AQI is below 100.
Our Costa Rica Taijiquan & Qigong Immersion Retreat is a great opportunity to get away for some transformative practice, fun, and a tropical escape in the midst of winter. You are invited to join us next January for this week long retreat in the central mountains of Costa Rica. Come immerse yourself in beauty, relaxation, and focused training. Early Bird registration (save $150) continues through Aug. 15th. Full amount due by October 1st. For details and registration link here.
“Being at and learning Qigong and Tai Chi in Costa Rica with Viola was a fantastic treat. We learned and appreciated both the fundamentals of Qigong and Tai Chi in the beautiful country of Costa Rica, that truly inspired us to want to learn more. We would recommend this retreat to family and friends, as Viola is not only a wonderful instructor, there is a calm, gracious, and kind spirit that exudes in her, whether you are in her class for the first time or have been for many years.” — 2017 participant
Summer is always busy, now you have the flexibility of a DROP IN class. INTRO TO TAI CHI – FUNDAMENTALS FOR BEGINNERS is Wednesdays at 6:30pm this Summer, Starting July 17th. Join Myles for $15-20 a class sliding scale, and begin your practice or work the basics to improve and deepen your foundation. Look to the calendar for specifics. Class only running through the end of August to give you Labor Day and September to continue your practice in any of the All Level’s classes.
Rusel Update!
Rus completed the Functional Restoration Program through Swedish Hospital’s Pain Clinic and since that time, has slowly been able to return to a few Tai Chi classes each week. Making a lot of progress, he is now able to walk the dogs without the assistance of a crutch. Pain and weakness are still a very taxing challenge, and he has a way to go in rehabilitating the nerve damage to his left leg. With the help of physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic, he is working to manage pain and regain strength and function. The journey is a long and slow process.
The expenses incurred for his treatment are continuing to come and so we are still asking for whatever support you are able to offer. Even if it is to share this GoFundMe campaign with your network, it all helps. As always, we are so grateful for you and this community. The help we’ve received so far has made a world of difference.
We are hoping that with your help we can meet the medical bill obligations and stay afloat. Please have a look at the campaign and share with your friends and contribute if you are able. You have all made a difference in us getting this far. Thank you so much for all you do and give.
Continuing this Summer Session, join Eldan on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm for Laojia Erlu at the studio. Begins July 11th.
Beginning July 13th, Saturday’s sessions will continue in Pratt Park as long as the AQI is below 100. We’ll begin with Qigong at 9:15am, followed by All Levels Chen Taiji at 10am, and rounding it off at 11am with Chen Spear and short weapon review. If we run into inclement weather, we will meet under the shelter. Bring water and layers and see you there.
Lastly, we’ll be offering a Laojia Yilu section 6 – 2 hour intensive training on Friday Aug 2nd, at 2pm at the Studio. Suggested donation $50 to be contributed toward a social justice organization. Contact Viola if you are interested in particpating.
So, we are off to Las Vegas to train with Grandmaster Chen and family. Looking forward to returning in July and sharing more insights and good practice. Stay tuned for news about Master Leung workshops later this summer or early fall.
In the meantime, be well, breathe, practice and take your time.
Much love and gratitude,
Viola
SPRING 2019 NEWSLETTER
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Snow Days
Snow and More Snow. Let’s practice anyway!
Greetings Students and Friends,
This week looks like we’re heading into even more snow. If class is cancelled due to snow, here’s our back up plan.
First, how to tell whether class will be held at our regular spot. Check twitter, facebook, or our website to see what the homepage says (latest tweets are at the bottom left corner of our page).
If class is not happening at the Studio, check our calendar for the class you are scheduled to attend. When you go to your class on the calendar, there will be a link to join the class online which I will host live from home via Zoom.
Please be safe, stay inside if need be, and join me in our maiden voyage of online classes.
Peace and good practice,
Viola