Category: Tui Shou

Winter Newsletter Dec/Jan

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Greetings and Happy New Year! I am sitting in a hotel room in LA waiting for an early flight tomorrow morning to Costa Rica to begin our adventure to the Caribean side of the country and then our Tai Chi and Qigong Immersion Retreat week.

Last year at this time, this was merely a dream of returning to Costa Rica and launching a retreat for students to come and enjoy the beauty of this place and people and immerse themselves in practice. And, here we are, to my great joy, I put the plan together and many of you not only said yes, but embraced this wonderful journey along with me.

I hope the coming training is the beginning of a series of annual escapes to beauty, culture, and deep work. (ie: China next June & July to Celebrate Grandmaster’s 70th Birthday!!!)
In another couple weeks we’ll be on our way back and diving back in to Wise Orchid’s studio to share this practice we love. Below are a few of the new and continuing classes, along with links for registration. Register early and let me know you want me to come home.
Also, thank you to my dear friend Sophia who designed our retreat T-shirts! I gave her a picture of a Quetzal taken through a spotting scope that suggested a yin yang and look at the beautiful thing she created. Hurray! By the way, Sophie is the one who created our Wise Orchid Energy Swoosh Logo! Quite a talent.

Saturdays at the studio are shifting a little for Winter Session. We’ll start with Spiral Qigongat 9am and then follow with Chen Tai Chi – an all levels class at 10am, then wrap up Saturday’s classes with a round of Sensing Hands training.

Weapons/implement training with return in the Spring with classes back outside where there is room to spread out and reach in all directions.
Wednesdays at 6pm, Join Rusel at the studio for an Intro to Tai Chi – Fundamentals for Beginners.
And Mondays at 10:30am, Viola will continue her Tai Chi for Seniors and Beginnersclasses exploring the principles of practice through the Yang 24 form.

Lastly, let 2018 be an opportunity for deep healing. Let it begin with you. With me. And our community through our commitment for positive change within ourselves and everything we touch. Qigong is one of my chosen paths to reach this goal.

Join me on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30am at the studio. Wednesdays at 10:45am in Burien, and Wednesdays at 6:45pm at South Seattle College. Hey Seattle, can you feel the Wednesday Qi fest happening.

Well, those are some of the highlights of the upcoming Winter Sessions.

Reflecting on 2017 we did some great work together with workshops raising funds for the ACLU, for Conservation Northwest, The Southern Poverty Law Center, as well as Mercy Corps and Kin On Eldercare. Thank you all for taking part and supporting these great organizations doing good work on a local and national, as well as international level.

We passed our one year anniversary at the studio quietly, though inside I am grateful every day I walk in the door, so happy to have a space to nurture this practice and community and myself.

Be well everyone and keep up the practice while we are away.

Here are some links to videos to keep you moving.
– First our friend Master Art Baner’s Ba Duan Jin, 8 Brocade Qigong
– Silk Reeling with Master Wang Haijun
– And, of course, Joint Lubrication Qigong with Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei

Now, off to our rest before another long day of travel. Be well friends and see you in the New Year.

Much love and appreciation,
Viola

Summer 2017 Newsletter

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Summer Sessions begin July 3rd

Greetings everyone and Happy Summer!

Check below for info and links to upcoming summer sessions in the parks and studio, which classes are happening in which parks, upcoming dates for workshops with Master Art Baner, Master David Leung, and Master Shanti as well as info on the next in the Spiral Qigong series.

Also, we have a new online method for registration, check it out and let me know what you think.
The following classes will be meeting in the parks as noted below:
-Mon. & Wed. Morning Qigong,
-Mon, Wed, & Fri. Morning Chen Taiji and
-Mon & Thurs. Evening Chen Taiji will all be in
Firehouse Mini Park at the corner of 18th and Cherry (Map)-Tues & Thurs. morning Yang Taiji will be in
Lincoln Park at the north end by the intersection of 47th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW (Map)

In addition, in Burien, the
-Tuesday & Thursday morning (10:45am) Tai Chi and Qigong for Everyone and the
-Chen Taiji evening class (6pm Tues) will be held in the
Greenhouse Park behind the HiLiners on 144th Ave SW near 4th (Map)

Saturday morning classes will be held at Pratt Park.
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.

The following classes will be indoors:

-Tai Chi for Seniors, Mon. 10:15am at Wise Orchid Studio

-Tai Chi for Seniors, Tues. 1pm at Renton Senior Activity Center

-Intro to Tai Chi – Fundamentals for Beginners, Wed. 6pm at Wise Orchid Studio

-Tai Chi for Seniors, Thurs. 2pm at West Seattle Senior Center

All Summer Sessions are now up on our Calendar Page.

Please join us for FREE Intro to Qigong and Intro to Yang Tai Chi nights being offered at South Seattle College on July 12th and 19th, following  with new continuing sessions of both beginning in August in the garden.

Also, we’ll be offering mini-intensives in the Spiral Qigong in July and Sept. for 3 Saturdays each. There are new sessions of Tai Chi for Seniorsand Introduction to Tai Chi-Fundamentals for Beginners happening at the Wise Orchid Studio beginning this coming week.

All classes are open for registration now.
Master Art Baner returns on Sunday, Aug. 6th for an exploration in the partner work of Push Hands. Check here for more information and sign up early to reserve your spot as space is limited.
Master Leung will be here for a series of Qigong, Tai Chi Principles, and weapon workshops on Sept. 9th and 10th. Save the dates and details will be following soon!
And, Master Shanti will be back in Seattle for a full day of workshops, followed by a day of private lessons on October 15th and 16th. Improve your practice through correcting your alignment, gaining power through connection. Save the dates and registration information will be up on the calendar shortly.
We’ve had a remarkable break studying with Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei and his family and senior disciples. Chen Juan, his daughter gave us a very thorough breakdown on the Chen Single Straight Sword form and I look forward to our Weapons classes on Saturday to bring new corrections and details to the group.


Photo By Master Billy Greer, fellow disciple of Chen Zhenglei and owner of Jing Ying Institute in Maryland.

Looking forward to seeing you in the parks and at the studio and enjoying a great summer of deep practice and fun. Thank you everyone!
Viola

Spring News & Events

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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
Renton Senior Activity Center:
-Tues. 1pm, Yang Tai Chi & QigongFull Calendar of Classes Here.

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

New Home – Wise Orchid’s Very Own Studio, Summer News and more:

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GREAT NEWS – NEW HOME!

There are many exciting things afoot with Wise Orchid this summer.

  • First off, we have a new home: Our Own Wise Orchid Studio!! Yes, I get the keys this Friday, and we’ll be starting out Summer Session on July 4th at our new home with 7:30am Qigong.
  • To celebrate independence in more ways that one, all of Monday’s classes in the new home will be open and free to all.
  • Also, with the new space, we have freedom to offer new classes! Look below for the info on new classes as well as returning summer sessions.
  • Then, we are excited to welcome Master Shanti back to Seattle for a couple workshops to improve your structure and push hands on July 23rd and 24th. Look below for details.
  • Now that the sun is here for a few months, many of our sessions will be moving back out to the parks. Look for us in Lincoln Park, the arboretum at South Seattle College, and the Burien Community Park/Skate Park and Annex Park. If you are not sure of the location, please check our calendar for updated locations or contact Viola.
  • And, Mark your calendars for Master Leung workshops on October 8th!
New Home

For many years now I’ve been teaching wherever there was space to share and people interested in learning. I know that in going to many different locations, I have been able to teach many more people than I would reach in just one spot. And yet it has been my dream to create a space that was Wise Orchid Taijiquan & Qigong. A place that not only myself, but all the students would consider their home. It’s happening now. Less than a week ago, I made the commitment and signed a 5-year lease for our new studio.

We are having a soft opening there this coming Monday, July 4th, and all regular Monday classes will be happening there and free to the public. And, going forward, all classes that were formerly held at Emerald City Aikido on Capitol Hill and the Chinese Wushu TaiChi Academy in the International District will now take place at Wise Orchid Taijiquan & Qigong. We’ll be having aGrand Opening Celebration on Sunday July 31st. Please let me know if you are interested and able to help organize and plan this event.
Our new home is at:

2002 E. Union Street, Seattle, WA 98122


This is the before shot. Katy’s cafe is on the corner to the left. After shot soon to come.

Welcome Home Everyone!
Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei’s training camp, Duanwei Exam, 20th Anniversary Celebration of Chinese Wushu TaiChi Academy and Disciple Pledge Ceremony was a huge success and an incredible week to be part of and participate in. Thank you everyone who pitched in whether you were helping carry water for the snack table, registered arriving participants, or covered classes while we were training. Congratulations to Rusel DeMaria who pledged and became a disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. After 17 years of Tai Chi practice, many of which were with Grandmaster Chen and your years of dedication to the art, it is an honor, well deserved not only for your accomplishments, but also your heart of service you bring to the tradition and your leadership.

In addition, John Howe, after staying long past other participants in the regular workshop classes, studying, practicing and testing for the 4th level Duanwei and did an amazing job! Congratulations!
MASTER SHANTI will be returning July 23rd and 24th for another training in structure and a new session on push hands drills. If you missed last time, you know after hearing everyone talk about the amazing learning, that this one is not to be missed.

Each session is $55 in advance or $65 at door. If you pre-register for both, $100 total.

New Classes

With the new studio we have flexibility and space to offer more classes.
  • Beginning in July, we’ll be offering a An Introduction to Tai Chi for Beginners and for students who want to improve their fundamentals. This class begins Wednesday, July 13th, 6pm – 7pm and will run 9 weeks. This is a great place to start if you are interested in beginning your practice or want to dive deep into your principles work. Taught by Sifu Rusel DeMaria, this class can stand alone or be included in your unlimited class tuition.
    Link here for more information and to register.
Summer sessions are now open for registration and begin next week. Join us:
  • South Seattle College Tai Chi for Beginners in the Garden, Wed. 5:30pm beginning July 6th
  • South Seattle College Qigong in the Garden, Wed. 6:45pm beginning July 6th
  • Burien Tai Chi for Everyone, Tues & Thurs. 10:45am at the Burien Community Park
  • Burien Qigong in the Park, Wed. 10:45am at the Burien Annex Park
  • Burien Chen Tai Chi, Tues 6pm at the Burien Annex Park
  • Senior Tai Chi & Qigong at the West Seattle Senior Center Thursdays 2pm – 3pm, register in person.
  • Renton Tai Chi & Qigong for Seniors, Tues 1pm at the Renton Senior Activity Center, register for this class in person.
  • International District and Capitol Hill Chen Tai Chi as well as Qigong on Capitol Hill will begin Monday, 7/4 at our new location with a free class. You can register there in person for the remainder of the session or sign up online here.
  • Traditional Yang Tai Chi at the Center for Movement and Healing, Tues & Thurs. 8:30am – 9:30am will move outdoors to Lincoln Park, look for us north of the wading pool.
  • NEW: Introduction to Tai Chi, Wed. 6pm-7pm at Wise Orchid with Sifu Rusel beginning July 13th, and runs for 9 weeks.
  • NEW: Tai Chi for Seniors, Mon. 10:15am – 11:15am, at Wise Orchid, begins August 1st and runs for 8 weeks.

Other exciting news: Save the Date! Master Leung will be returning to Seattle on Oct. 8th to share some of his vast experience with some extraordinary energy work. Info will be up on the website shortly.

And, folks who have been interested in 2 person sparring sets will be happy to hear thatMaster Art Baner will be here in late August to launch a series on the Yang 88 form. I will send out more info once I’ve got the details.

And, lastly, now that we have our new home, we have an opportunity to share our space. If you or someone you know is interested in renting out studio please contact Viola. There are many hours that are available as you know I teach all over the place and I still intend to do so.

I continue to be humbled and blessed by your support and I thank you for your stepping into this practice with the vulnerability it takes to explore these arts and do something different to improve our lives. I thank you for joining me on this journey of discovery inward and am honored to be your friend and teacher.

Much love, and many deep breaths to come,

Viola

Tai Chi and Qigong Workshops with Master David Leung, August 2013

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Wise Orchid Martial Arts is honored to be hosting another weekend series of Qigong and Tai Chi workshops by Master David Leung on Capitol Hill in Seattle August 3rd and 4th.

Saturday afternoon at 2:30pm, August 3rd we will kick off the weekend of training with the study and practice of Ba Duan Jin Qigong, the Eight Brocade movements are an ancient Qigong set to stretch and twist the body cultivating better vitality by improving circulation of qi and the health of internal organs.

Then at 5pm, we delve into the core principles of Taijiquan.  Whether you are a novice or are a veteran Tai Chi player, Master Leung’s depth of knowledge and generosity of sharing will help you bring your practice to a new level.

Then Sunday morning we return with a look into Tui Shou, Tai Chi’s push hands and exploring the applications of movements giving clearer intention behind the postures.  Bring Yi into your practice with this fun session of two person play.

And, Sunday afternoon at 1pm we come back to play some Tai Chi Sword.  The jian, double edged straight sword, becomes an extension of your body, expanding your qi and improving your empty hand form.

Leung Tai Chi Qigong training Seattle Aug 2013

Hosted by Sifu Viola Brumbaugh of Wise Orchid Tai Chi & Qigong, Master Leung returns to Seattle Aug. 3rd & 4th 2013 to share more depth into Ba Duan Jin, The Eight Pieces of Brochade Qigong, Tai Chi Universal Principles, Push Hands and Sword play