Saturday, April 27th, 2013, marked another year’s celebration of World Tai Chi & Qigong Day.  In Seattle, there were several celebrations held simultaneously throughout the city.  Wise Orchid Martial Arts hosted a free class at Cal Anderson Park where over 34 people came from Renton, Burien, West Seattle, and throughout Seattle proper.  Together we practiced the Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong, Silk Reeling, Yin Yang Medical Qigong, Yang’s 24 Form, Chen’s 18 Essentials Form as well as the fun and popular Spiral Energy Qigong-Ba Fa Pan Gen.

Sending Healing Energy, Breathing In, Breathing Out

Medical Qigong, Goldfish Wiggles Its Tail

Silk Reeling, Twining Inward and Outward

Chen Taijiquan’s Silk Reeling Exercises

The Cold and Hearty Hardcore Souls that stuck it out through the chill and the wind.

]]> http://www.wise-orchid.com/world-tai-chi-qigong-day-2013-seattle/feed/ 0 http://www.wise-orchid.com/master-leung-returns-new-west-seattle-location-time/ http://www.wise-orchid.com/master-leung-returns-new-west-seattle-location-time/#comments Tue, 29 Jan 2013 00:56:08 +0000 ViSifu http://www.wise-orchid.com/?p=384

Very exciting news! Master David Leung will be here the weekend of February 16 & 17 teaching some great workshops It is an honor and a gift to be hosting another series of workshops with Master David Leung.  Please reserve your spot soon for the following great classes! Saturday, February 16th     Tai Chi Universal Principles, 2pm – 4pm Regardless of your style, learn the true essentials of Tai Chi through development of the principles    Sword, 4:30pm – 6:30pm As an extension of the body, the sword trains the harmony of body and mind    Chinese Banquet Dinner, 7:15pm @ Harbor City, 707 S. King St., International Dist. Sunday, February 17th    Tai Chi Applications/Push Hands I,9:30am – 11:30 am Deepen your understanding of the postures, their purpose, bring intention (Yi) into your practice    Tai Chi Applications/Push Hands II, 1:00pm – 3:00 pm Continued: Cultivate listening, sticking, following with two-person exercises and flow Follow this link to download the registration form! And, beginning in February Tuesday & Thursday morning’s class will have a new start time and location!  Starting February 5th, The class previously held at Seattle Civic Dance at the Hall at Fauntleroy will move to a new beautiful location at The Center for Movement and Healing, 7901 35th Ave SW, 2nd Floor (map).  This comes with a shift in time as well.  We will now begin and end 1/2 hour earlier, starting at 8:30 a.m.  As before, no street shoes allowed on the training floor. This gorgeous studio space can be found at the Swedish Automotive Office location, 2nd floor at the corner of 35th Ave SW and Kenyon.  Parking is on the street and plentiful (the lot for Swedish is small and restricted to their customers comings and goings).  - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - - Lastly, stay tuned for an upcoming Tai Chi Movie Night!  With so many great movies to share, it is about time we got together and enjoyed them.  Our first feature will be Tai Chi Zero which is a recent release about Chen Village the birthplace of Tai Chi.  It is an adventure and romp, far from historic accuracy yet is great fun and demonstrates Tai Chi as a marvelous fighting art.

Master Leung and Dr. Poh Kheng Loi demonstrating Tai Chi Applications, from August 2012 Workshop.  This was such a fun workshop that this time we’ve expanded it to two sessions.  Come learn the meaning behind the moves!  It’s all about intention my friends.  Expand & Flourish!

The new floor at the Center for Movement and Healing.  I’m thrilled and proud for our classes to be part of the offerings at the new CMH.  Looking forward to taking the floor and letting the Qi flow!  Come down and see it for yourself, Tuesday and Thursdays, 8:30am.

Happy Holidays Tai Chi Friends and Family!

As 2012 comes to a close, I wanted to extend a thank you to everyone for your support of Wise Orchid Martial Arts and to your dedication to your health through your practice.

Below are Holiday Specials I would like to extend to you, an update on class fees for the new year, and information about new sessions.

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to sharing better health and strength as we work to further improve ourselves in the new year!

All my best, Viola

New Year – New Sessions

New in January are returning sessions at South Seattle Community College starting January 9th with Yang 24 Tai Chi and Qigong, Seniors Tai Chi Starting January 8th at Renton Senior Community Center, and a NEW Tuesday evening class being offered in Burien, starting January 15th: Chen Taijiquan featuring Chen’s Taiji 18 Essential forms, Silk Reeling, and Joint Lubrication. Get a FREE PREVIEW of this new class on Tuesday, January 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Burien Community Center.

For a complete look at the updated schedule and registration links, check the Schedule and Locations page.

Fees Increasing January 1st, 2013

It’s not easy announcing that rates are going up, and may be why I’ve waited so long in sending this newsletter out. However, these small increases will help bring the increasing costs of providing the classes more into balance.

At SSCC, we have increased the number of classes per session from 9 to 10 weeks so that you are getting more for your money.

Burien Community Center students, anyone 50+ years old can offset the increase by taking advantage of the senior scholarship of $50 per quarter. Talk to the front desk for more information.

For the ongoing classes in the ID, on Capitol Hill and at Fauntleroy, the increases are small (2-15%), and I hope that you will take advantage of the current Holiday Tuition Special available through January 15th.

Holiday Specials

Private Lessons: 4 for $275 (Regularly $90, saving you $85!)

Last Year’s Tuition: Through January 15th, pay in advance for as many month’s or quarters as you like and pay last year’s rates. Cash and Check only.

1 Class per week:
$72/mo. (save $3)
or $173/3 mo. (save $27) Annual $680 (save $85)

2 Classes per week:
$108/mo. (save $7)
or $270/3 mo. (save $10)
Annual $1040 (save $40)

Unlimited Classes:
$140/mo. (save $10)
or $345/3 mo. (save $5)
Annual $1300 (save $55)

Drop Ins:
10 class card $165 (save $15)
20 class card $300 (save $20)

Lower fees only available through Jan. 15, 2013, however can be paid as far forward as you like.

Peace and holiday blessings, Viola Brumbaugh

Hello Tai Chi/Qigong Friends,

Just a reminder that it’s coming up fast! My esteemed teacher Master David Leung will be here in Seattle August 25th & 26th and I am excited to be hosting him for a series of workshops. Everyone is welcome! I hope you’ll come join me and support great teaching and gain an unforgettable experience of learning and fun.

Master Leung was my first Tai Chi instructor and continues to inspire me beyond words. He has the incredible skill of being able to teach to all experience levels with great depth of the art and culture as well as humor. Below is a brief rundown on the workshop schedule.

Saturday, August 25th, 2:30p.m. – 4:30p.m., Ba Duan Jin Qigong (8 Brocade Qigong)
Saturday, August 25th, 5:00p.m. – 7:00p.m., Tai Chi – Universal Principals
Sunday, August 26th, 9:30a.m. – 12noon, Tai Chi Applications and Push Hands
Sunday, August 26th, 1:00p.m. – 3:30 pm, Tai Chi Sword

Each class is $45.00 or take all 4 for $165.00, Fees increase by $10 per class after August 16th. Get your registration in right away to get the early bird discount and reserve your spot!

Here is a link to copy and paste into your browser to take a look at the flyer/registration form for more information:

http://www.wise-orchid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Leung-wkshp-Seattle-June-30-2012.jpg

Then print this form out, complete and mail with your check to Sifu Viola and you are set!

I look forward to seeing you soon!

All my best,
Viola

Viola Brumbaugh
Wise Orchid Martial Arts
206-321-0613
www.wise-orchid.com

…… expand & flourish!

One World ….  One Breath ….

What an incredible morning!  Saturday, April 28, 2012, World Tai Chi Qigong Day, I woke to the forecast of clouds and occasional showers. I was braced for the changeable spring weather of Seattle such as we had last year, with a torrential downpour just before we got started and then brilliant sun. This year, I brought sunscreen just in case, and the skies did not disappoint. Down to just a t-shirt and no hat, you’d think it was already summer in Seattle.

And so we arrived at Jefferson Park, not knowing how many people would be able to come. I know weekends in the spring are a slam of opportunity as we come out from under the cover of winter… You have many options and obligations of things to put your energy toward. But you came, you practiced, and together we created some positive qi and inspiration to all our bystanders at Jefferson Park. I thank you all who were there in person and in spirit, joining in the wave of healing circling the planet. With 35+ people in attendance and several dozen onlookers, we had an amazing turn out! Folks came from Bellevue, Auburn, Renton, Burien, West Seattle and around Seattle proper as well.

We practiced some Joint Lubrication Longevity Qigong exercises, Silk Reeling, Tai Chi Walking, and then jumped into some Yang 24 Tai Chi form, Topping it off with some Chen Taiji Laojia Yilu and the finale’ the Yin Yang Medical Qigong! Whew! Such a treat to have two hours to play together in the park!

for more pictures, check out my flickr page

Thank you to Rusel DeMaria and Leo Manzano for taking these great pictures!

]]> http://www.wise-orchid.com/world-tai-chi-qigong-day-2012/feed/ 0 http://www.wise-orchid.com/tai-chi-and-parkinsons/ http://www.wise-orchid.com/tai-chi-and-parkinsons/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:54:44 +0000 ViSifu http://www.wise-orchid.com/?p=332

Seattle Times, February 25, 2012:

Tai chi may help Parkinson’s patients, study concludes

A six-month program of tai chi exercises helped people with various stages of Parkinson’s disease improve stability, their ability to walk and reduced the frequency of falls.

read the article here.

Travels to Shaolin Temple 2011

Dear Friends of Wise Orchid Martial Arts,

Spring is approaching and as the light returns I thought I would send out a wish for you all to be in good health and spirits experiencing the renewal that this time of year brings.  With so much desperation and difficulty in the world, I hope that you are continuing to cultivate peace and goodness in your own lives and in your own way.

Viola’s Travels and Class Cancellations:

With Spring comes the Eugene Chen Tai Chi Camp!  Yes, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei will be giving his annual training camp in Eugene at the end of this month, followed by a Chen Tai Chi Summit in Los Angeles.  I will be attending both back to back, so mark your calendars; there will be no classes for Wise Orchid Martial Arts on the following dates: March 23rd & 24th and March 31st through April 5th.

NEW and Continuing Classes for Spring 2011:

When I return, there will be new sessions of Tai Chi starting at South Seattle Community College, Delridge Community Center, Renton Senior and Activity Center and the Burien Community Center.  Of course, classes will be continuing down in the ID and at Fauntleroy.  But the exciting news is that a New Class will be starting on Beacon Hill at the Jefferson Community Center, Mondays & Wednesdays at 11am to noon.  In this class I will be offering the Chen 18 form, along with Grandmaster Chen’s Longevity Exercises, Silk Reeling, and Chen Style QiGong.  Please come and join us in learning this wonderful style and form.

Why Chen Tai Chi:

I began my journey some 18 years ago now with Yang Style Tai Chi.  Not by choice, but because the teacher that came most highly recommended to me in town taught that style.  After less than a year of practice learning the Yang 24, Master Leung introduced me to some Chen Style Tai Chi.  For me it was love at first spiral.  I had loved the introduction of Tai Chi through the structure and grace and openness of practicing the Yang form, but discovering and learning Chen Style was… expansive beyond belief.  I began to better understand the development and movement of qi.  Through the spiral movements of the form, I felt my practice deepen, my spirit grew lighter, and my roots deeper.  I was able to incorporate the foundations I had learned in Yang Style to this new found love of spiraling open and closed, learning about flow, and the potential of my own strength and connection on a whole new level.  I would really enjoy sharing this art with you as it will only deepen your own understanding and practice of Tai Chi.

Thank you for joining me on this part of my journey and doing what you do to make this world a better place.

All of my best,

Viola Brumbaugh

….  expand & flourish!

Friday early evening, 9/10, somewhere in Henan Province, China, Just gave up on drying my laundry in my room, so took my tree climbing throwline which I brought as a clothes line and took it out to the trees for some different kind of tree rigging.  My roommate, Janet, and I now have our underwear hanging out in the grove just outside the building here at the fishing villa resort.

We are located about a half hour drive from Chen Village, so this morning after practice and breakfast, we 13 plus loaded into the bus and headed for the birthplace of Taijiquan.  We had just parked outside the shrine entrance when Zhu Tiancai appears walking toward us.  We had hoped to be able to arrange some sort of get together with him at some point, but to meet in the middle of the lane was such serendipity…  We took a stroll with him down through the famous drainage ditch of Chen Village, passing old men training young men along the path, stopped to do a little demonstration for the Grandmaster (insert bug eyes here) and of course got the feedback that we work hard and need to keep practicing.  Then we continued on down the ditch and up the path to where his house is being reconstructed.  It was so cool, he gave us a personal tour of his new home and training spaces.  This was all before even touring the shrine and museum.    We completed the tour, including having some of his students from Venice who were staying there for  a month of study, demonstrate for us, and then went on with our tour of the village’s shrine to Taiji’s origins and ancestors.

Chen Taiji Grandmaster Zhu Tiancai shows our traveling Taijiquan group around Chen Village

We were given a personal tour through the halls and temple and grounds and museum taking pictures and paying our respects, and then went on to a tailor’s shop and were measured for custom Qipao outfits.  Exhausted by the humidity and the heat and the long morning, we headed to lunch which turned out to be another banquet…  I head down to the hall for dinner here shortly and am looking forward to more of a family dinner again.  The place where we are staying, not only catches and serves you fresh carp, but is also an organic farm that serves you all the vegetables they are growing.  So far this trip has been an amazing journey. And I haven’t even been here a week.  Hydration and rest are the biggest difficulties.  But so far my gut is in good shape and I am staying healthy.

The Taijiquan Shrine in Chen Village

Yesterday we went to Yun Tai Mountain which is a national heritage site and hiked down through the red rock gorge and up to the Grand Waterfall.  Imagine Yosemite and the Rock Wonders of Utah together on steroids…  I can’t even begin to describe the awe of this place.

Anyhow, time for supper, so I better close. I will send this off tomorrow or once I have an internet connection again.

Wondering about QiGong and it’s history, it’s health benefits? Check out this great video clip and gain some insight.