Hello Everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed our classes this term and apologise for early closure

subject to the corona virus. We thank you all for your continued support and

assure you that once the Community Centres re-open we will continue with our

programmes. Because we are in unchartered territory, and obviously our concern

is for your health and well-being, our term dates are all tentative.

This year is the Year of the Rat and one of new beginnings (certainly different to

what we envisaged). For those of you not familiar with Chinese astrology, this is

the Year of the Metal Rat, one of the twelve animals in the ‘Great Year’. This is equal to twelve ordinary

years and, I understand, is the time taken by the planet Jupiter to complete its orbit of the skies.

The Chinese recognise twelve animals which correspond to the twelve units of the ‘Great Year’, with

each animal relating to one of the five elements, metal, water, wood, fire and earth, producing a cycle of

60 years.

The Rat is the first of the twelve animals to give its name and the ancient sign for this year is Tzu, which

means ‘infant’, signifying the beginning of a new era. This sign is also used for the midnight hour of the

Chinese clock, announcing the birth of a new day. At this time the most active creatures are rats and

mice and hence the first hour of the day is often referred to as the ‘rat hour’. Although the rat in

Australia is not one of our favourite animals, in China it is often revered. Some Chinese believe that a

rat should be allowed to stay in the house to guard against intruders and a particularly fat rat is

welcomed with great glee, for the ‘money rat’ only visits a house where food is likely to be plentiful.

The Year of the Rat is considered to be an ideal time to inaugurate new plans and projects. It is also a

time for reorganisation and re-vitalisation - it is a time of change. If you happen to be a ‘Rat’ you are

probably adaptable and creative, quick witted and sociable but with a tendency to ostentation.

Financially the ‘Rat’ can be erratic, saving carefully when money is scarce but inclined to extravagance

in times of plenty.

If you are a ‘Metal Rat” (born in 1960) this is your year. The Chinese believe that the year will bring

happiness and success in whatever you do. However this doesn’t mean there are no dangers and it is a

good idea not to get ‘carried away’.

In keeping with new beginnings, we have produced several new DVD’s “Tai Chi Qigong Shibashi

Sequences 1 and 2”, “Tai Chi for Beginners” and “Tai Chi for Mindfulness”, which are now available

for purchase to help with your home practise. (see further in newsletter).

Tai Chi and Qigong will assist your immune system and we highly recommend that you continue to

practise each day during the closure of Centres. It doesn’t have to be for a long period. Your practise

can be as little as 20 minutes but it is important to implement it into your daily routine for your health’s

sake. We will keep you up to date of developments within our school, stay safe and well and we will

notify you when classes recommence. If you have any questions please contact me.

Best wishes, Rosemary

TERM 1 2020 MOVING MEDITATION SCHOOL OF TAI CHI & QIGONG Tel: 83817969

Tai Chi News

TERM DATES 2020 (all dates subject to change due to corona virus)

Term 2: 4th May-29th June (tentative)

Term 3: 27th July– 18th September

Term 4: 12th October—5th December

TAI CHI NEWS Page 2

This is a difficult time for everyone around the world and it is

important that we stay safe.

We are at present discussing the possibility of organising free park

sessions to keep our skills up but this needs to be in accordance with

Government Guidelines and keeping a safe distance from each other.

We will let you know as soon as a decision is made.

If you would be interested in Park Practise Sessions (which would be

local) let us know either by texting me on 0434847524 or

Email: movingmeditation@mytaichi.com.au.

If you would like to keep up with your current programme we do have DVDs available (see attached

pricelist). We will then forward to you freight free. To obtain a DVD please forward your payment to

our account: BSB 633 000 A/C 148 332 067 (remember to include your name and class).

Relaxation: The dictionary defines relaxation as: rest after work or effort, a form of recreation, diminution of tension and restoration of equilibrium following

disturbance.

So how does Tai Chi and Qigong help? It is time out, a time to let go of the worries of

work and home and calm the mind from its inner chatter. Learn how to un-clutter

your mind and allow yourself to ‘just be’,

When you perform Tai Chi be soft and yielding, like water. Exert no force. Water is

the softest of elements, yet it has an internal power which, while not always visible on

the surface, can penetrate the hardest of materials.

Therefore let go of inner tensions and give yourself permission to relax and enjoy your

special time.

Meditation: Tai Chi is poetry in motion. When practising, move slowly and evenly in arcs and circles, using visualisation of movement (picture the movement in your mind and allow yourself to

copy this image). Tai Chi movements should be continuous, with no beginning and no end, the end of

one movement becomes the beginning of the next. Allow the mind to think only of one movement at

a time.

Concentration: Let your mind be your guide. Focus your thoughts on what you want to achieve and the body will follow. You will be amazed how your Tai Chi will improve once you allow

yourself to focus only on your movements. Never mind what you will be doing after your practice,

concentrate on the ‘here and now’.

Breath: Keep the breathing relaxed and natural. Breathe gently through the nose and, with each breath, allow yourself to relax a little more. Let your breath be your guide.

Harmony of Mind, Breath and Body. If your mind is calm, your Qi will flow and the body will follow. You will achieve a feeling of everything working together—mind, breath and body working

as one with balance and coordination

TAI CHI NEWS Page 3

Elemental theory is sometimes referred to as the “Five Energies”. The Chinese elements are slightly different to those of the west. There are five elements, Earth, Metal,

Water, wood and Fire. Each element relates to specific organs of the body, the seasons, directions, colours,

flavours, emotions and vital functions.

This term we look at the element of ‘metal’ as we are just coming into Autumn.

Autumn is traditionally the time for harvest, the time of advancement and contraction of energy. This

sounds like a contradiction but from the expansive energy of summer comes the contraction of autumn.

Contraction causes hardening and is the force behind “Fa-jin”, the explosive power which makes Tai Chi

such an effective martial art.

Our internal organs are classified either as ‘yin’ or ‘yang’. The yin organs (passive) are the storage

facilities within our bodies and the yang organs (active) are those involved in transportation. The two

internal organs associated with metal are the lungs, (yin) and the large intestine (yang).

The colour for ‘metal’ is white, the taste is pungent, the emotions are grief/courage and its direction is west.

The mental quality associated with ‘metal’ is that of intuition.

In Tai Chi ‘metal’ energy is one of advancement.

Some of the Tai Chi Postures associated with ‘metal’ are:

Fan Through Back

Snake Creeps Down

Seven Star Punch

The six harmonies consist of three external harmonies and three internal harmonies. Externally— we need harmony between:- the hands and the feet (with fingers above toes) the elbows and knees (keeping them on a vertical line) and the shoulders and hips (keeping them on a vertical line).

Internally - we need harmony between:- Mind and Will (yi and nian) - the concentration of a tranquil and relaxed mind controls the

power of the will. Will and Chi—through the power of the will the chi flows through the body without interruption. Chi and Force—for the chi to create force the internal organs must relax when the chi descends and contract when the chi ascends.

In the “Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine” it states:- “the force lies hidden as if in a drawn crossbow and which is capable of displaying the

power of a released arrow”. This force is known as Fa jing in Tai Chi and is also the healing power of Qigong.

TAI CHI NEWS Page 4

Approach your practise of Tai Chi with awe respect and love. Realise that people have being doing the same movements you are doing for at least twenty generations, and every time you start the

cumulative greatness of this art is expressed through you. You are the forward edge of a wave that is moving endlessly forward,

pushed by the entire ocean of past experience. By Michael Gilman, 108 Insights Tai Chi Chuan—A String of Pearls

World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is the brain-child of Bill

Douglas and was first celebrated on April 10, 1999, follow-

ing the United Nations World Health Day. It is usually

celebrated each year on the last Saturday in April but this

year it has been postponed to 30th May due to the virus.

Again I will keep you informed of developments.

I often get asked whether the warm-up exercises are just to warm-up or have other health benefits. The majority of the exercises we warm-up with are Qigong exercises, to increase our flexibility, warm the muscles and open our energy channels so the ‘qi’ can flow smoothly. I have chosen three of our beginning exercises for this edition of our newsletter. HEAVENLY LIFT: This exercise encourages elasticity of the whole body. It gives a vertical and side stretch to tendons and ligaments, strengthens abdominal muscles, exercises joints and encourages the flow of ‘qi’. When performing this exercise, keep the breathing low and relaxed and stretch only as far as is comfortable for you. SWINGING ARMS SET: This is a most important set of exercises for stress reduction, for loosening the shoulders and increasing flexibility in waist and hips. With regular practise it will reduce tension in the shoulders and back, help to strengthen the legs and improves posture. It is also beneficial for the digestive system. ARM CIRCLES: This is a whole of arm exercise, expansive and energising. It will improve blood circulation and relieve stress through gentle stretching and relaxing movements.

If you ordered Polo shirts they are now in and we will keep them till we recommence our classes

unless you would like them earlier, in which case let us know.

The cost is $35.00 and this can be paid into our account—BSB 633 000 A/C 148 332 067.

Alternatively you can pay us next term when you collect your shirt.

TAI CHI NEWS Page 5

CONTACT US

email: movingmeditation@mytaichi.com.au

website: mytaichi.com.au

Ph. (08)83817969 Mobile: 0434 847 524

MUSIC CDs

AATC: $28.00 KEN DAVIS MUSIC: $20.00

DVDS TAI CHI FOR BEGINNERS $30.00 TEMPLE QIGONG $25.00

TAI CHI QIGONG SHIBASHI $25.00

TAI CHI (Chapter Two) $25.00

TAI CHI (Chapters 3-4) $30.00

BLOSSOMING LOTUS: $15.00

TAI CHI FOR MINDFULNESS $30.00

TAI CHI SUN STYLE (73 forms) $40.00

TAI CHI CHEN STYLE (36 forms) $40.00

POLO SHIRTS S/SLEEVE $35.00

L/SLEEVE $38.00

JACKETS (fleece) $50.00

SWORDS: Collapsible $20.00

Flexible (when available) $100.00

TASSELS: $5.00