Monday, September 8, 2025

MMTCA September Newsletter 2025

 

Tao Ping-hsiang and Robert W. Smith, pushing hands at Master T.T. Liang's house, Taipei Taiwan.


"The reward of our work is not what we get, but what we become."

~Paolo Coeho

Wow! Where did the Summer go? Classes outside are still beautiful, just bring a coat or hoodie in case. I'll go until the end of September, then I'll move classes indoors due to the loss of light.


Wednesday Zoom classes are now being taught by myself and Julie Cisler. Julie is a teacher in her own right and teaches many classes a week, both in person, Zoom, and hybrid. I'll teach the 1st, 3rd, and when it happens, 5th Wednesdays, focusing on principles. Julie will be teaching the 2nd, and 4th Wednesdays, and she'll continue with sequence review and also teach principles and share training tips. Here is the first list I'm working from.

1. Alignment

2. Relaxation

3. Breath

4. Mind

5. Movement


My friend and brother, Elliott Monds is a martial artist, a professor, and an expert on many subjects. He is also a great source for finding rare and out of print books. And, he can tell you what is good, what is expensive, and what is a heck of a deal! Here is is website, tell him I sent you.

www.elliottsemporium.com


St Sahag, our home, is having their annual Armenian Festival September 13th and 14th. Go and get some amazing food and help support our lovely and historic home!





Brennan Translation= https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2025/04/11/yang-style-taiji-sword-according-to-jin-yitian/


Thank you to all my subs who kept our classes going while I was in the mountains. I bow to you!


I have a lot planned for Fall, so take this short newsletter as the calm before the...fun!

-Sifu Ray


"And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good."

~ John Steinbeck


Twin Willows Taiji Seminar in Delaware 2025

T’ai Chi Seminar - October 24, 25, & 26


Friday, October 24th 7:00PM-9:00PM Session

Meditation and Orbit / Chi Circulation while doing the Solo Form

Learn how to breathe and have a meditative frame of mind while doing the solo form. In addition,

learn how to direct the Ch’i through the body in accordance with the postures.


Saturday, October 25th 8:00AM-10:00AM Session

Solo Form Refinement

Learn the details of the postures. Clean up the little aspects of your form. Add more

understanding of what you are doing while you do the Solo Form.

Saturday, October 25th 10:30AM-12:30PM Session

Solo Form Applications

Learn the basic applications of the postures of the solo form. See how the movement is used and

not just performed.


Saturday, October 25th 2:30PM-4:30PM Session

Willow Bends Version 3

Willow Bends 100 Times in the Wind – The most important 2-person exercise in T’ai Chi. This

session will focus on Yielding, Rooting, Lines, Generation of Power, and Neutralizing. Important

training for beginners and advanced.


Sunday, October 26th 8:00AM-10:00AM Session

Swimming Dragon - Part 1

Learn the first part of this beautiful Pa Kua form. Available to the beginner or the advanced.


Sunday, October 26th 10:30AM-12:30PM Session

How to Train Against the Mattress

This session will focus on using power in the correct T’ai Chi way while keeping you and your

partner safe.


Sunday, October 26th 2:30PM-4:30PM Session

T’ai Chi Sword Form Refinement

Learn the details of the postures. Clean up the little aspects of your form. Add more

understanding of what you are doing in the sword form. Must know T’ai Chi Sword.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cost – 1 Session - $40, 2 Sessions - $75, 3 Sessions - $100, 4 Sessions - $140,


5 Sessions - $180, 6 Sessions - $220, Entire Seminar - $240


---------------------------------------------------------------


Location – American Karate Studio, Branmar Plaza Shopping Center,


1812 Marsh Rd #421, Wilmington, DE 19810


----------------------------------------------------------------


Venmo (ID - @BryanDavis28), PayPal (ID - TinWindUp@yahoo.com), Cash, or Check


Make checks payable to Bryan Davis


Email bcdavis28@yahoo.com to confirm your attendance and expected sessions.

Saturday, August 9, 2025

13 “Musts” from Master T.T. Liang.

 



13 “Musts” from Master T.T. Liang.

When I was studying with Master T.T. Liang, he used to tell me, “Young man, you must do, or you must have, or you must try to, etc.” In the last few weeks, I heard myself repeat a few of them in class, so I thought I’d share some with you.

1.      You must relax.

2.      You must sink your chi to the dantien.

3.      You must have a root.

4.      You must unify your body.

5.      You must become sensitive and alert.

6.      You must learn all the forms and practices on both the right and left sides.

7.      You must learn the complete system.

8.      You must invest in loss.

9.      You must practice every day.

10. You must get a good teacher.

11. You must try to make it correct.

12. You must follow the Taiji Classics.

13. You must become a rebel.

I had intended to write Master Liang’s explanation for each and offer my insights as well. Instead, I’m going to make this interactive, or not! If you write to me and ask, I will follow up for the one you are asking about. If you say all of them, no soup for you!

If one of these “musts” calls to you, or you have no idea what it means, or how to accomplish it, write to me. I will publish each one as I do them. Or not!

Answers published on my Patreon Page:

https://www.patreon.com/c/rayhayward


Wednesday, July 23, 2025

MMTCA August Newsletter 2025

 



“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

~ Alice Walker

 

What can I say? Outside practice, early mornings mostly, are SO awesome and beautiful. The air, the light, the temperature all contribute to amazing rounds and practices. Try to get up one morning a week to start, and get outside and practice something, anything, and you’ll feel amazing. Classes outside are also at another level of awareness and perception, not to mention relaxation.

Our schedule and curriculum stay the same throughout August. We will be moving to Bohemian Flats Park on August 14th. Also, the last Wednesday of July and the first Wednesday of August, I will be taking the Zoom classes off for my Summer vacation. We’ll resume August 13th with more Right Side review.

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks-destinations/parks-lakes/bohemian_flats_park/

 




We will be having our school camping retreat August 22-24th. RSVP to me or Margo for space availability. In addition to hikes and group practice, I’ll be covering Taiji Post Training.

 

I’ll be on vacation from July 24th to August 7th. You will have substitute teachers to guide you through your practices and lessons.

 

Book Suggestion= A Tooth From the Tiger’s Mouth by Tom Bisio

https://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/9780743245517?invid=18466129885&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=NMPi&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20865478211&gbraid=0AAAAAC92pG7cq4XBQy21eK1hc77p1D_O-&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhO3DBhDkARIsANxrhTr39-rKNaZwTy8cSiurvz0zUucN1H3yKISI_PEdtOAiPGdMdQJ53dcaAt1TEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

A fantastic layman’s guide to Chinese healing and theory. Thank you, Good Dan!




 

Please consider writing reviews for any of my books you bought from Lulu. It doesn’t have to be long or wordy. Just have it come from your heart!

https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward?srsltid=AfmBOoqXUWP5xg_6Kk19I2M7vVxfHZs6wYQErOW7VPMatFXuGoMEznr5

 

Paul Brennan Translation= From Master Liang’s teacher, Shi Diaomei.

https://brennantranslation.wordpress.com/2024/09/30/shi-diaomeis-baduanjin-instructions/

 

Thank you all for exploring this amazing art with me.

-Sifu Ray

 

“Learning more is a smart person’s favorite form of procrastination.”

~ Mark Manson

"In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.

In the pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped."

~ Tao Te Ching, verse 48.

 

Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

email= skrayhayward@gmail.com

 

my Patreon page= patreon.com/rayhayward

 

 blog= rayhayward.com

 

website= mindfulmotiontaichi.com

 

Facebook= Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

 

                Ray Hayward Enterprises

 

YouTube= Ray Hayward, the Inspired Teacher

 

                 Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

 

 

my books at Lulu= lulu.com/spotlight/Ray_Hayward

 

 

Instagram= Ray Hayward, or, ataoistsufitemplardruidviking

 

School shirts-        https://www.zazzle.com/single_whip_chakra_tee-235016484610969225

 

My address,

5140 W. 102nd St

#307

Bloomington, MN

55437

 

 

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