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!