Newsletter

            
June 2010 Seminars, 5~Element Cooking
& Polishing with your Sigong

Thursday 3 June 2010:  6:30pm

5 Element Cooking
Rivendell
$45
Friday 4 June:  6:00~9:00pm
Miju Quan’ (‘Secret Ancestor Fist’) Seminar ~ Chun Yuen Quan
"A unique form that uses rhythmic movements to loosen the joints and develop co-ordination."
Mercury Theatre
$65 Early bird ($85 after 26 May) Members (plus $40 for newcomers)

Saturday and Sunday 5 & 6 June : 12:00~4:00pm
‘28 Constellation Gong’ ~ Wild Goose (Dayan) Qigong Skill
"A special Daoist Qigong form that connects with the energy of the constellations, helping to open the heart and lungs  and develop stronger kidneys".
Mercury Theatre or possibly airstrip in Cowichan Station
$170 Early bird ($200 after 26 May) Members (plus $40 for newcomers)

Monday 7 June: 6.00~9:00
Polishing ~ Polishing helps us to really develop and deepen what we practise.
$65
Mercury Theatre

Posted 21 April 2010

Posted: 21 March 2010

Posted: 22 February 2010

Hello to each one of you ~

Happy Chinese New Year of the Tiger!!

I'm happy with the very fulfilling Swimming Dragon seminars which are now complete and it is lovely to see a group of you enjoying your new form.

I'm looking forward to the Polishing seminar this coming weekend:
27 and 28 February:
Saturday Qigong / Sunday Chun Yuen
12 ~ 4pm each day
$65 per seminar.

Polishing makes a big difference to our practice as we are able to deepen our experience of the movements we have already learned.  We go back and check carefully to see how time may have shifted what we do in a direction that is less beneficial and we awaken ourselves to things we weren't ready to see before.  The more we polish, the more our bodies become our own and more flow develops in our forms.  When we can flow more, we can connect more with Nature and all of Creation.  When we are connected like that, our presence is more integrated with the Whole, we breathe with it, our thoughts are more in tune with it and we are more balanced.  We sleep better, we better digest our food, we more easily make decisions and we feel more peaceful.  Polishing makes us shine!

Please let me know in class this week if you are able to attend.
Even if you are unable to attend the polishings, please join us for a Qigong family and friends dinner on
Saturday night 27 February
Dragon Yuan Restaurant
5pm
RSVP in class or call (250) 748~4060.

All my best to each of you ~

~Sifu

       Posted: 1 January 2010

Happy New Year to each one of you!
I hope you are having a chance to rest and meditate during these dark days.

The New Year is here and this January we have two weekend seminars:

1.  Wing Chun Kung Fu with Sifu Derek Fowler from Seattle
2.  Qigong seminar: Swimming Dragon

1. Wing Chun Kung Fu Seminar : 16 & 17 January
Below is an article Sifu Derek Fowler has written and a breakdown of what is to be covered in the seminar, followed by seminar details ~ times, cost.

             Wing Chun's  Siu Lim Tao-Little Idea Form

Siu Lim Tao, Wing Chun's first form, translates as 'Little Idea or Little Thinking' and it introduces us to Wing Chun principles and structure. In this form, we begin learning how to develop internal energy- gong lik, how to develop and make use of explosive power-fa ging, and to practice and use basic skills. Like other martial forms, Siu Lim Tao has punches and blocks, however, it is unique in that it trains us to stand in place. When we stand in Yee Chee Kim Yuen Ma- Plum Blossom Stance, an inner calm and stillness develops, the Qi sinks to the center-dantian, the bone Qi becomes stronger, as the posture improves the body relaxes, once relaxed the Qi flows naturally, and the body becomes stronger. Sound too good to be true? The proof is in the practice. When Grandmaster Ip Chun was asked how he remained so fit and strong, he said that if it were not for his Wing Chun practice his health would not be what it is today. At 85, he is still able to move quickly, has good posture, his mind is clear, and this is particularly evident when you see him play chi sao-sticking hands with people 60 years his junior!

 

              Tsum Kiu -Searching for the Bridge Form

Wing Chun's second form, Tsum Kiu trains us to search for the bridge. In this case, we are referring to bridging the gap between yourself and your opponent. Tsum Kiu employs a number of methods to do just that. When we kick, we bridge the gap but we can also maintain the distance between two people as the leg keeps someone at bay.

The hands are also used to bridge and/or maintain this distance and by touching hands our sensitivity allows us to determine a person’s intent, strength, and even their personality!

 

In Tsum Kiu, we continue with basic skill training, but in a way that differs from our study of Siu Lim Tao. This form teaches us how to move using Wing Chun principles. We train the waist and turning -juen ma and so we begin to understand where power develops. As we continue our study of Tsum Kiu, we learn how to kick and when we might use this skill, we learn how to step and use power as we step, and that each movement is used to develop explosive power- fa ging. Just as we discovered in Siu Lim Tao, the posture continues to improve, the spirit develops and the Qi becomes stronger, but by this time in our training we start to see some new benefits. The body is stronger, but now we are able to use relaxed power, simply put, strength without tension. The structural integrity of the skeleton alone is often strong enough, so in the end it is not about force against force or even muscle against muscle but rather position and posture.

How do you stay relaxed when someone is trying to attack, you ask? Or perhaps more familiar, when someone is yelling at you? Just as all movement starts from the center, we too must remain centered and so training the spirit, often times, results from training the body.  

 

 Wing Chun is adept at encouraging us to face our challenges. When we chi sao, we discover how important this is and we must work to solve the problems we face. If it is someone who is stronger or taller, or if there is a conflict at work or home, through Wing Chun training, we will find a way to work it out. Now that is not to say that you are going to go out and hit someone!  In life and kung fu, we must, at times, hold our position, but, and perhaps more importantly, we must also learn when to yield.

 

Wing Chun fascinates me. It makes us think about our actions, how they impact those around us, and what sort of person we can become.

 

Great thanks to Sigong/ Tai Sigong Tse and Sijo Ip Chun for without them, I would not be so lucky as to have this skill.

 

I hope you can join in the Wing Chun Polishing and Seminars n January 2010 at Rivendell in Duncan. We will review material covered in the last seminars and continue on from there. Whether you are continuing on with Tsum Kiu or reacquainting with Siu Lim Tao, it is going to be great!

 

Covered in Polishing:

Siu Lim Tao

Tsum  Kiu

Chi sao

Applications

 

Covered in Seminar:
Continuing Students

Tsum Kiu

Chi sao

Applications

New Students

Siu Lim Tao

Introduction to Chi sao

Applications

 

Remember, for those who wonder, when in doubt…..its

The Golden Rooster that stands on One leg!

by Derek Fowler

Seminar Details

Wing Chun Polishing for returning students: 

Friday 15 January 2010  6~9pm

Cost: $45

The Rivendell Yurt

Wing Chun Seminar

Saturday and Sunday 16 & 17 January 2010: 12~4pm

Cost $140 advance in class during the week $160 on the day (members)

         $180 advance $200 on the day (not-yet-members, inc. membership)

The Rivendell Yurt

 
2.  Qigong Seminar:  Swimming Dragon : 30 & 31 January
Swimming Dragon is one of the more dynamic forms in the Dayan (Wild Goose) system.  The form imitates the movements of a dragon, using spiralling, cloud stepping and even standing on one leg.  All of these movements help develop the leg strength, which is the foundation or roots of our body.  If the legs are strong, then the back and kidneys will be strong.  If your back is stiff and tired, maybe your kidneys are weak.  The kidneys are very important as they create your "Jing" and store your Prenatal Energy.  Swimming Dragon strengthens the kidneys, develops our hidden potential and lifts our energy, leaving us feeling warm and energized.

Seminar Details
Swimming Dragon Seminar
Saturday and Sunday 30 & 31 January 2010: 12~4pm
Cost $130 (members) $170 not-yet members, including membership)
The Rivendell Yurt
Beginners welcome

So, with gratitude to the Tse Qigong Centre, we have much skill to help us to develop ourselves.

All my best to you ~ Sifu

 

 

Posted: 4 November 2009

SCHEDULE REMINDERS AND CHANGES
A warm Autumn hello to all of you as you prepare for the Winter.
There have been some changes to the schedule that I had previously laid out for you.
Please check the schedule below and make the necessary adjustments to your calendars.

Winter Schedule
Qigong Family Dinner:  Friday 4 December 2009
Last classes in December: Tuesday 8 December and Wednesday 9 December.
Begin again Tuesday 5 January and Wednesday 6 January 2010.
 
Wing Chun Kung Fu Seminar : Sifu Derek Fowler
Saturday & Sunday 16 ~ 17 January 2010
New folks welcome

Swimming Dragon Part I, II & III
Saturday & Sunday 30 & 31 January 2010

Qigong Polishing Day
Saturday 27 February 2010

Chun Yuen Polishing Day
Sunday 28 February 2010

And then Springtime ~
 
Wing Chun Kung Fu Seminar : Sifu Derek Fowler
Weekend 13 ~ 14 March 2010
 
Miju Quan, 28 Constellation Gong and Wing Chun
taught by Master Jessica Tse
Weekend 3 / 4 June 2010
plus surrounding days (Thursday ~ Monday)
Please all plan to attend for sure.
 
In short:
 
January ~ Wing Chun Kung Fu
            ~ Swimming Dragon I, II & III
February ~ Polishing
March ~ Wing Chun Kung Fu
June ~ Visit from Sigong Jessica Tse
 
Enjoy your practice and see you next time ~
 
~ Sifu Lee