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  • Musician and Tai Chi Practitioner Lou Reed Passes Away

    Musician and Tai Chi Practitioner Lou Reed Passes Away

    Musician and Tai Chi practitioner Lou Reed (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013) passed away at the age of 71 years old. Reed was well known as a musician, first as the principal songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist for the band The Velvet Underground and later for his solo musical career.  Lou Reed was lesser known for his passion for Tai Chi Chuan, which he actively promoted.

    Lou Reed died of liver disease. He had received a liver transplant earlier this year for chronic liver failure, but unfortunately the disease was too advanced.

    Lou Reed began his journey in Tai Chi during the 1980’s. He first began learning with Eagle Claw Kung Fu master Leung Shum, from whom he learned the Wu/Hao style of Tai Chi Chuan for 15 years. Lou Reed then began learning the Chen style from Ren Guangyi, and studied with him for more than 10 years.

    Below is a beautiful video which features Lou Reed and his teacher Ren Guangyi perform on stage at the Vivid LIVE 2010 event at the Sydney Opera House, as well as lead a Tai Chi class on the Northern Foyer of the opera house.

    We will truly miss the presence of Lou Reed, for his contribution to music and Tai Chi Chuan will always be appreciated and remembered.

  • Practicing Tai Chi While High

    Practicing Tai Chi While High

    No this is not practicing tai chi while under the influence of a certain substance. This video is about taking your Tai Chi practice to new and higher levels… literally!!

    Enjoy this video below as we get to watch Eli Gordon practice Tai Chi while on his excursions to the higher altitudes that are available to us if we want to seek them out.

    This is the great thing about Tai Chi Chuan, that is the fact that you can enjoy your practice no matter where you are. Whether on top of mountains, at the airport, in the middle of the road or a rainstorm, enthusiasts of Tai Chi Chuan will find time to practice.

  • Master C.K. Chu Passes Away

    Master C.K. Chu Passes Away

    Master C.K. Chu (1937-2013) passed away from cancer complications on October 12th, 2013. C.K. Chu taught Tai Chi Chuan in Times Square area of New York City since 1973.

    Below is a video showing C.K. Chu demonstrating the Yang Short Form of Tai Chi Chuan from when he was younger.

    C.K Chu was well known in the Tai Chi community. He taught Tai Chi, and his own style of Chi Kung known as Eternal Spring. He also taught the martial side of Tai Chi, having trained champion fighters. C.K. Chu was an author of several books on Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung. He also produced several instructional DVD’s on the subject as well.

    You can find more information on him at his school’s Facebook page, Chu’s Tai Chi and on the school’s website, CK Chu Tai Chi

    Here is a link to a wonderful video of Master C.K. Chu talking about his experience with Tai Chi and teaching. View it here: C.K. Chu: the ultimate Tai Chi Master

    His presence and knowledge will sadly be missed. Condolences to his family.

  • Art Of Tai Chi Sailing

    Art Of Tai Chi Sailing

    Here is a wonderful video by the film company 2digif called “The Art Of Tai Chi Sailing” featuring Chen Tai Chi Chuan practitioner Piotr Walczak. It was filmed in Poznan, Poland on the the grounds of the 19th century Fort Winiary, also known as the Citadel. Piotr Walczak sails through his movements using a 28 pound (12 kg) Halbred (Kwan Dao), a traditional weapon of the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan.

    [quote]“Initially, we wanted to show the art of Tai Chi closer to nature. However, because of problems with the weather and some of the places, we decided that the film will be shot in the ruins of the fort. Tai Chi is an art that goes back many years so we hope that fits perfectly with the old architecture.“

    Szymon Sierakowski – 2digif[/quote]

    The Art of Tai Chi Sailing from 2digif on Vimeo.

    Piotr Walczak is a practitioner of the Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan. He started his training in 2009 under the guidance of Peter Ziemba in the Tai Chi School in Poznan, Poland. He had trained the Saber and the Halbred (Kwan Dao) when learning the Chen style, and still enjoys practicing both to this day. Piotr has also studied with Howard Choy and Sam Chin at seminars held in Poznan. Piotr Walczak

    Piotr talks a bit about the art of Tai Chi Chuan.

    [quote]“Looking for Tai Chi as a system of internal development, we see that it contains a lot of procedures in the field of martial arts, each of which refers to the routine collection of movements. The movements of Tai Chi have been developed based on the assumptions of the ancient Chinese medical knowledge for the human body. Fighting Techniques – Applications of weapons, such as the bill are consistent with the bio-mechanical principles of physical exercises, combining “action and omission”, “balance of Yin and Yang”, “complement brute force and gentleness” and “inclusion strength of spirit to making a move. ”

    With them it was born the theory of “Liu He” ie “Six Harmonies”.
    These are:
    1 Harmony of the hands and feet,
    2 Harmony elbows and knees,
    3 Harmony shoulders and pelvis,
    4 The harmony of heart and mind,
    5 The harmony of the mind and Qi,
    6 Harmony Qi energy and life.

    According to ancient Chinese philosophy of “Tian Ren He Yi”, ie “unity of man and the universe”, reasonable and economic movements are most compatible with the natural structure of the human body. Forms of Tai Chi are the essence of this assumption….“

    Piotr Walczak[/quote]

    2digif is more than a company to its founders. It was created by Szymon Sierakowski and his good friend Wojciech Żelasko. They wanted to realize their own passion and spend time outside of work in a productive manner, To be able to show through film, the world and the people and leave something behind. You can visit them at their Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/2digif

    The music featured in this video is the song “Sail” by Awolnation. You can download it following the link below.

  • Iggy Pop and Tai Chi

    Iggy Pop and Tai Chi

    IggyPopMany people know the singer Iggy Pop (a.k.a James Newell Osterberg Jr) as a musician, who has lived his life on the edge as many singers have. He was the lead singer of the protopunk group “The Stooges”, and was known for outrageous and unpredictable antics on the stage.

    Now 66 years old, he is still performing, but Iggy Pop has slowed down his lifestyle off stage for the last few years. He has taken a more gentle approach to life including the practice of Tai Chi and Chi Kung for over twenty years, which has helped keep him fit!

    [quote]“To feel good when I was 21, all I had to do was to smoke a joint. Now I have to turn off my phones and do tai chi for an hour.”

    – Iggy  Pop -[/quote]

    Watch this interesting video below to hear Iggy Pop talk about his current life, and how Tai Chi has helped him. You can even watch him practice a few Tai Chi movements!

    Just like thousands of other people, many celebrities have found that the practice of Tai Chi Chuan and Chi Kung have helped them with their health and peace of mind, and have incorporated the practice into their lives.

  • Tai Chi Practice In The Rain

    Tai Chi Practice In The Rain

    Many practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan practice outdoors all year round. They train in all types of weather… Cold, Hot, Windy, Rain, even in the Snow! Below is a passage written by Guy Tomash, a practitioner and instructor of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Guy wrote this after finishing a Tai Chi form in the pouring rain!

    “After work I usually stop by a park on the way home and practice my tai chi. It was a mixture of dark clouds and sunshine as I started my Yang long form. When I got to Brush Knee I felt the odd droplet of rain upon me.

    Arriving at the first Wave Hands Like Clouds, it had become a very light, slightly warm shower. By the time I Hit my first Tiger, I found myself in a torrential downpour!

    Closing my eyes to keep the water out, all I could hear was the rain falling, with the sounds of the odd bird calling out from the shelter of the woods. Even the squirrels ran for cover!

    I had to really focus to not be distracted by the rain falling on me, dripping off my face. When I lost the slight bit of focus I could feel the chilling effects of the cool rain, but when the focus was regained, I felt quite comfortable. I must say that it was a wonderful experience, and felt quite invigorated afterwards!”

    By Guy Tomash

    Unfortunately Guy did not have a video to record this wonderful moment. Please enjoy the video below of David-Dorian Ross doing Chen Tai Chi Chuan during a tornado warning!

    The Die-hard practitioners of Tai Chi Chuan will practice no matter what nature brings them!

  • Helen Mirren Performs Tai Chi In Calendar Girls

    Helen Mirren Performs Tai Chi In Calendar Girls

    In the movie “Calendar Girls” which stars Helen Mirren, we find Tai Chi being featured several times throughout the movie. The movie is about a group of older women who decide to raise money to fight cancer after one of the women’s husband dies from leukemia.

    In the scenes that feature the Tai Chi, Helen Mirren leads her group of friends through their practice of the Yang style Tai Chi. The scenes were filmed on a grassy hill in the beautiful countryside of North Yorkshire, England.

    In the first scene of the movie we see the group of friends practising their Tai Chi. It is a little comical as Helen Mirren calls out incorrect names for the movements which her friends notice!

    It is wonderful as an avid enthusiast of Tai Chi to see Tai Chi Chuan being featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials. Often we see the Tai Chi being performed in the background, but more times we are starting to see it being featured as part of the storyline with the one of the main characters practising this wonderful art!

    Now you can watch Calendar Girls, just click the image below!

    Check out our other articles about Tai Chi in Films and TV!

     

  • Wu De

    Wu De

    As a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan, what relation does Wu De have to my art? Wu De can be called the “Martial Code of Conduct”. Wu De is how one, as a martial artist, should conduct themselves in their training with their learning brothers and sisters, their students, their teachers, as well as their social interactions with anyone else.

    Tai Chi Chuan is part of the Chinese styles of Kung Fu. We practice our art for health and mental well-being, culture, social interaction, and even self-defense. Wu De is an integral part of Chinese Kung Fu, and therefore should be practiced in our study of Tai Chi Chuan.

    Below is a wonderful short documentary in which master Wong Xing Hui gives a talk about traditional Kung Fu and how Wu De is part of it’s philosophy and practice.

    There are five important points contained in Wu De. They are Respect, Humility, Trust, Virtue, and Honor.

    [quote]

    Respect (Zun Jing; 尊敬)

    The term respect means to acknowledge the feelings and interests of another in a relationship and treating the other at a standard that rules out selfish behavior. Respect is derived not by behavior but by one’s attitude. Respect is appreciated as demonstrating a sense of worth or value of a person, a personal quality or ability. In martial arts, respect is the cornerstone of all the teachings of martial arts. In regards to Wu De, respect begins with the individual and manifests outward meaning that those who respect themselves as well as others will, in turn, be respected. Respect must be earned as well as displayed. This is why we bow and why we use titles.

    Humility (Qian Xu; 谦逊)

    The term humility is the quality or characteristic of a person that is unpretentious and modest. Humility comes with controlling one�s pride and ego. Pride and ego are the killers of good martial arts and good character. When we allow our own pride and ego to infiltrate our rational judgment we start to make decisions based on self-pride and not solid facts. When your ego and pride take over you will become satisfied with yourself and stop thinking deeply. Try daily to display humility in everything you do. Train for yourself and not the title or color around your waist. Keep your cup of tea empty allowing yourself to yourself to always learn.[/quote]

    Please check out the rest of this quote by Lao Shi Yungeberg. You can find the whole passage on the the aspects of Wu De here!

  • Amongst White Clouds – Documentary About Buddhist Hermit Monks

    Amongst White Clouds – Documentary About Buddhist Hermit Monks

    “Amongst White Clouds” is a beautifully filmed and an amazing look at the lives of the Buddhist Hermit Monks that live in the mountains of China. Follow one man as he travels to the Zhongnan Mountain range of China to seek out and learn more about the lives of these amazing hermit Monks.

    Watch the trailer below!

    This documentary was filmed on location in China, and was written and directed by Edward Burger, produced by Chad Pankewitz, and is a production of  Cosmos Pictures from Canada.

    Now you can own this wonderful documentary about the Buddhist Hermit Monks, and learn more about their lives and the amazing journey that was undertaken to film this story!

    Check out the DVD below!

  • Stewie Griffin Does Tai Chi!

    Stewie Griffin Does Tai Chi!

    Stewie Griffin from the animated TV series “Family Guy” is seen practicing Tai Chi at the beginning of the episode “the Blind Side” from Season 11 which aired on January 15, 2012.

    Enjoy watching Stewie practice Tai Chi in this video clip below!

    While this show is not always politically correct and not everyone enjoys this type of Humor, this is a fine example of Tai Chi being used in TV and Movies.