Milestones
Today, I reached several milestones. I have: Completed (and redone) a set of videos - BIG rock All the equipment necessary to keep going Video goals for the next 2 weeks And a plan for 3 months It's taken 2…
My Favorite Silks
Today is Sunday. My 'trip' started on Friday. I've been home mostly. But it's felt as if I had traveled back in time to the days when I was competing in tournaments. Still does. I know why. But it still…
The Five Elements: What is Earth 土?
In Taiji as well as in Xingyi, we pay attention to the 5 elements: metal, water, wood, fire, earth. They combine with the 8 directions to form the 13 postures of taiji. Among the elements, earth is the most pervasive…
Staying Home
Today, so many of us are staying home and keeping away from others. Most of us aren't used to that. We're used to being out, meeting friends, sitting with family for Sunday dinners. Staying home, especially if you are home…
Don’t Fight Yourself
Being mindful is about being present, now. here. In this second. It’s also about turning down the noise. If you engage in “battle” to do this, you cannot succeed. Why not? Because you are fighting yourself. You have to acknowledge…
What we give away
What we give away merges into who we are. I just sent away some comic books from the 1960's. DC Comics. Superman. Batman. Legion of Super Heroes. Wonder Woman. Detective. And more.... They were mine. I didn't plan to give…
What is Qi (气)?
What is qi (气)? Literally, it means air. It also means breath, not the act of breathing (呼吸), the breath itself. But that's not quite accurate either. Qi is pervasive. Every living thing and some that once were living and…
Trust Your Intuition
In practice and in basic self-defense, it's important to trust your intuition - about your surroundings, about your circumstances, about those you meet. When we are in a familiar place, we tend to not be quite so alert. We have…
Being fully present
We don't often think about being present, being fully present in this place at this time, now. Most of us are busy thinking about how to solve this or that problem at work, picking the kids up from wherever they…
Not Wanting
Buddhist teachings tell us that wanting is more of a problem than not having and 'not wanting' is the key to happiness. That is one of the most important points in learning to calm the heart. If you don't want what…