5,000 SPARROWS
In this special 30-day training, participants will perform 5,000 repetitions of the “Grasp Sparrows Tail” sequence–the 4 linked movements of Ward Off/Roll Back/Press/and Push, which contain and express the Four Cardinal Powers of all Tai Chi systems: Peng, Lu, Ji, and An. The five thousand will be completed over the course of one lunar month, starting August 22 and ending September 19th.
Once the basic routine is established, we will explore and integrate the all-important Variables that bring Tai Chi practice to full fruition: the 3 Frames, 3 Speeds, 7 Footwork Patterns, 5 Hands, 10 Points, Intention/Non-Intention, and Relation to the Environment.
There will be five 2-hour Class Sessions, every Sunday beginning August 22. (Missed classes may be viewed as Zoom recordings). Between classes, students will be expected to practice on their own roughly 150 repetitions every day, requiring about 20 minutes–done all at once or split into several shorter practices. In addition to the 5 online sessions, there may be several optional outdoor sessions (TBD); and BTC Director Don Miller will be available for private consultations by phone or email throughout the month.
This is an experience of “old school” Tai Chi, probably unlike any practice you have done before. It will produce improvements to virtually every aspect of your Tai Chi practice–conferring more energy, internal power, centering, fluidity, relaxation, confidence, understanding; and authenticity. Upgrades guaranteed!
Open to all students who have learned Peng Lu Ji An at BTC; or by permission of the instructor.
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JINGS SERIES
PART I: The Eight Powers
The Eight Powers, or Eight Gates (Ba Men), are the Primary Energies of all Tai Chi styles. They are:
1. Peng: Expanding/arcing upwards/bouncing/warding off;
2. Lu: Dissolving/flowing back and down/diverting/leading;
3. Ji: Converging, condensing, like the prow of a ship or an axe blade;
4. An: Downward-pressing power, utilizing gravity to create a flowing, heavy energy; sink-project;
5. Tsai: “Pluck”, to pull sharply using the whole-body energy; to grasp, using the hand linked to the root and dantien;
6. Lieh: “Split”, to use two opposing energies in the same technique; to apply forces in crossing or diverging paths;
7. Zhou: “Elbow”, not only the actual use of the elbow but the smooth knitting of the whole body with the arms to create arcs of rooted power;
8. Kao: “Shoulder”, the use of whole-body power, integrating the legs and torso, without the “distraction” of the neurology of the arms and hands.
PART II : Eight Advanced Jings
The Second Eight Jings expand into deeper waters, from physical skills (spiraling, tenacity), to interactive skills (sticking, neutral-izing), to non-physical attributes (sensitivity, projection), to higher levels of personal and interpersonal transformation. They include:
9. Chan Si / Chou Si Jing: Silk Reeling/ Silk Pulling/ Spiraling;
10. Ren: Tenacious strength, pliable yet strong, like a vine;
11. Ting: “Listening/ alert and accurate sensitivity;
12. Zhan/Nian/Sui: Sticking/adhering/following;
13. Fa: Sudden discharge of energy;
14. Jie: Receiving/”borrowing”/repelling an attack, using its own force;
15. Kong Jing: “Empty force”, the expansion or projection of energy beyond the limits of the physical body;
16. Hua Jing: Neutralization/transformation. On a basic level, how to dissolve and/or avoid the physical effects of an external force; on a higher level, the transformation of oneself that leads to the transformation of an entire situation, from negative/opposi-tional to harmony and peace. It is the highest expression of Tai Chi and the ultimate purpose of the art.
Workshop I is open to all those with at least a working knowledge of a short Tai Chi form (any style). Workshop II requires a knowledge of the Basic Eight Jings, either through Don’s classes and workshops or by permission. Both limited to 18. Early registration highly recommended!
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TAI CHI FOR HEALTHY AGING AND BETTER BALANCE ™
20-HOUR TEACHER TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
PLUS FOLLOWUP/IMPLEMENTATION AND STUDY
Brookline Tai Chi will hold its Spring 2020 TAI CHI FOR HEALTHY AGING AND BETTER BALANCE ™ Teacher Training Certification Program, February 23 – March 29, with Instructors then participating in a state-wide implementation among seniors in community settings, from April through June. Data from this implementation will then be the subject of a Study directed to the attainment of Evidence Based status for the TCHABB program. Training will include 20 hours over 4 sessions, with follow-up during delivery. This opportunity is made possible through support from the Healthy Living Center of Excellence at Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley.
Brookline Tai Chi is one of New England’s oldest and most respected schools of Tai Chi and Qigong, offering programs for people of all ages and levels of capability for the past 27 years. Since 2011, beginning with a grant from the Tufts Foundation, BTC has developed a uniquely effective program for restoring vitality and improving balance in senior populations and those with balance challenges and increased risk of falls. The program, Tai Chi For Healthy Aging And Better Balance (tm), uses Tai Chi principles of Rooting, Centering, Pulsing, and Flow to increase vitality, reduce stress, and improve stability and balance. It is rooted in decades of teaching experience, combining the ess-ence of the ancient arts with modern, scientific understanding of the human body-mind.
Teacher Training Certification Dates:
Due to high demand, there will be 2 Certification Training Groups:
Group A: 2/23, 3/8, 3/22, 3/29
Group B: 3/1, 3/15, 3/21, 3/29
Trainings will be held at: Brookline Tai Chi, 131 Cypress Street, Brookline, MA
TCHABB TEACHER TRAINING 2021-22:
A 40-HOUR TRAINING WILL BEGIN LATE FALL 2021.
To apply for participation or for further information, contact BTC Director, at:
don.miller@brooklinetaichi.org
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TAKE YOUR TAI CHI TO THE NEXT LEVEL!
DON ETHAN MILLER’S
OLD SCHOOL TAI CHI BOOT CAMP WEEK
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OPEN TO ALL STYLES
AUTHENTIC, POWERFUL TRAINING
NO FORMS, JUST AUTHENTIC TAI CHI GONGFU!
THE LEGENDARY VITALITY, INTERNAL POWER, MARTIAL PROWESS, AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD TAI CHI MASTERS WERE NOT DEVELOPED THROUGH A FEW HOURS OF FORMS PRACTICE EVERY WEEK. ORIGINAL TAI CHI TRAINING INCLUDED MANY HOURS OF CHIKUNG, TWO-PERSON PRACTICES, EQUIPMENT, SINGLE-MOVE REPETITION, JING DEVELOPMENT, AND STANDING MEDITATION. THIS SUMMER, EXPER-IENCE A TASTE OF AUTHENTIC “OLD SCHOOL” TAI CHI, AND SEE HOW RAPIDLY YOUR TAI CHI GONG (SKILL, ABILITY, POWER) CAN PROGRESS!
OLD SCHOOL TAI CHI TRAINING CAMPS CURRICULUM:
–Root and Jings Training
–Tai Chi Equipment Training
–Dan Lian single move power training
–2-Person interactive exercises and Push Hands
–Taichi weapons, self-defense, martial applications
–Standing, sitting, moving chi kung/ meditation
–Cross Training: Yiquan, Kuntao, Sports Science
–outdoor training/working with nature…and more!
OPEN TO ALL LEVELS. GROUPS MAY BE DIVIDED SO THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL BE CHALLENGED AT THEIR PERSONAL LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY. EXPECT TO WORK HARD, SWEAT, LAUGH A LOT, AND SERIOUSLY UPGRADE YOUR TAI CHI!
HEAD INSTRUCTOR: DON ETHAN MILLER HAS OVER 40 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN TAI CHI, CHI KUNG, AND OTHER MARTIAL AND HEALING ARTS. HE WAS 4-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION IN TAI CHI TUI SHOU (PUSH HANDS) AND IS LINEAGE HOLDER IN MOHDAR KUNTAO, THE INTERNAL COMPONENT OF THE KUNTAO-SILAT DE THOUARS SYSTEM.
ALL CAMPS LIMITED TO 20. EARLY REGISTRATION IS A GOOD IDEA!
TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFO: BROOKLINETAICHI.ORG