Next Door Chicago

Next Door is a nice little gem tucked away in the borders of Lakeview, and Lincoln Park. It is a thriving cafe that serves up Intelligensia, and a nice selection of noshes to keep the mouth satisfied. College students of all kinds come here to cram, prep, or what not, as well as self employed entrepreneurs, who need a breath of the fresh buzz in here. Conceived of by State Farm, the cafe is thought of as a hub for the community, to bring ideas, innovations, and self help classes for those who are interested. Located near Trader Joes, on Diversey, the space is ample for a multitude of projects and developments. The modular furniture, allows a play for the space to reform according to the needs of the day. 

Just recently, I have been teaching Tai ji chuan on Thursdays in the eve, at 7:30pm. The class is simply an introduction class, focusing on the Yang style 8 form. If anyone is interested in getting their qi flowing and moving in the eve, head out and experience what this great place has to offer.

http://nextdoorchi.com

Sterling Levine at Millenium Park

Sterling was my first teacher, here in Chicago. Nice to see him on-line, and performing in Millenium Park.

Wu Wang, Tri gram 25

  Many years back, when I first started dabbling with the I – Ching, I stumbled on to this trigram, and it seem to resonate with my person. It stuck with me, and for some reason it is still with me. The name of the Tri-gram can be translated in many ways, “Fidelity”, “Inoncence”, and “The Unexpected”. Recently, I stumbled onto it again, as I saw a comparison of the Tai ji forms with the I – Ching. Actually many of the basic moves are contrasted to the Wu-Xing, the Five movement, or Phases. Positioning and action are characterized by the five movements in the Tai ji symbol position. As larger forms are mapped out, some have drawn I – Ching correspondences. As sifting through the forms, I noticed “my trigram” pop up, corresponding to a move. Not one of my favorite moves, but nonetheless it was there.

INNOCENCE. Supreme success.
	Perseverance furthers.
	If someone is not as he should be,
	He has misfortune,
	And it does not further him
	To undertake anything.

Actually the move looks far from innocent but breaking down the symbol, it consists of Thunder, supporting Heaven. It maybe a difficult move for beginners and the like, since it is a spinning turn on one foot while the other is held at a high kick. Balance is the key to this movement otherwise one will fall.Thus practice would make it perfect, if one cannot concentrate on the move they are sure to loose rhythm and balance, and may even fall.

8 form Taiji Chuan

Quick morning basics. With some light stretching, or silkreeling, this is a great way to start the day. The video does a nice break down in showing the moves of the form.

Taiji Cane

I just started playing with the notion of getting older. After seeing a couple of demonstrations of Taiji Cane, the thought of having an ambulatory device that can assist as a weapon, just staggered my mind. A simple hooked cane would do just to start. Unlike the Taiji Ruler which is used more for Qigong like postures, the cane is very effective for Charlie Chaplin Hijinks, and take down effects. The first video is a little too flourished, and feels extremely technical, however, its grace is said for. In the second one by Chosun Ninja, its use is exemplified!

32 sword form Yang Tai ji chuan

Remember to polish your sword.

18 Luohan Arhat hands

A change of pace, since picking up the Broadsword, I started practicing Choy Lei Fut with my good pal, Rodrigo. At first I was so hesitant, since it is a hard style, and my mind sometimes wants to put it all in nice circles. Easily said than done. However, I do appreciate the cardio! There is a nice qigong form that is a little softer than the wide horse stances and 120* flung fists. It is mindfull with long oblique stretches.

18 Luohan demonstrated by Chen Yong Fa