.jpg) |
| So many masters from my lineage, including my teacher, Master T.T. Liang, sitting lower left. Three of his teachers are in the very center, Prof Zheng Manqing, Master Li Shoujian, and Master Chen Panling. So many others, can you spot them? |
“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to
its original dimensions.”
~ Oliver Wendall Holmes Sr
(The above is my new favorite quote, summing up for me
learning, practicing, and teaching.)
May is here, blessed May! What a glorious month to be alive
and in Minnesota! It’s our reward for Winter, ha-ha!
May is when I hope to start outside classes, weather
permitting. I’m shooting for Tuesday, May 19th, outside at the St
Sahag backyard. If it’s cold or raining, we can easily go inside. If we
successfully hold class outside, then I’d like to start our outside season.
Here are our locations for class outside.
Tuesdays- St Sahag Backyard
Thursdays-East River Flats Park
Saturdays- East River Flats Park
I’ll keep you updated as it gets closer. Thursday Hybrid
classes will stop when we go out, and resume in the Fall when we go in again.
I’ve scheduled a Spring cleanup for the church on May 16th,
100-300 PM. Members of the church may help out and I’d appreciate any volunteers
to help pick up branches, rake the last of the leaves, and just tidy up and
make the yard ready for me to start the mowing season. It shouldn’t take too
long. Let me know if you can help me.
Monthly book club will be Monday, May 11th,
630-730PM. I’d like to read both Brennan’s translation of the Thirteen Postures
Classic in Huang's book, and Master Liang’s translation side by side, for a lively discussion. And we’ll
continue with the book. I’ll send out a zoom invite for that.
Because of Memorial Day, I’ll do the monthly Pushing Hands
zoom class Monday, May 18th 630-730PM, instead of the fourth Monday.
I’m going to review footwork and Rooting in Willow # 3. I’ll send an invite for
that also.
I was in Delaware for a big part of April, conducting
seminars and workshops at Sifu Bryan Davis’s Twin Willows Tai Chi Studio and Simu
Diane Cannon’s Ming Tao Tai Chi. Lots of classes, subjects, awesome students, and great work! And hours spent on the final work for my Pushing Hands book, including more photos and editing. Thank
you Artimus and Jenn! Stay tuned!
 |
| In Delaware, doing what I always do on World Taiji Day... |
While I was in Delaware, my substitute teacher was Margo
Bock. She took over all my classes and people were treated to her insights and
teachings for the whole time I was away. Thank you Margo!
 |
| One of Margo's lessons on the white board. |
In Delaware, an old-time student of Sifu Bryan
Davis, Charley Parker, looked over my various social media and gave me great
ideas and insights for updates. Then he came over and did most of the work
himself! Check out the new look of my blog, and Charley’s wonderful
artistic eye for detail. Thank you Charley, I love it! Here are links to
Charley Parker’s work.
Web design- www.cparkerdesign.com
Online comics- www.zark.com
Take a look at my blog, and read about an early
demonstration by Professor Zheng and Master Liang in the mid-1960s.
http://www.rayhayward.com/2020/09/prof-cheng-man-ching-1966-demonstration.html
Also while in Delaware I got to see my old friend Don
Franklin. Don is a poet, artist, writer, painter, historian, and a fabulous guitar
player! And he has a great voice. I got to pick his brain about guitar chords
and hear him play and sing. And he gifted me a poem which I use here with permission.
I roamed under life
“I roamed under it as a tired, nude Māori;
everything I said could translate
backward as well as forward.
A paladin in the alkalai,
I roamed under it;
in an aboriginal direction;
whistling, cool, when I’d see
an awesome sound, or
“Jeez” under my breath if
someone danced by, living.
If you ask where I come from
I’d say, I’m a student
and have no definite roots;
embryo in art class,
a native of colorful, whispered ideas,
draw pupil’s lip upward.”
~Don Franklin
 |
| Don playing my Gibson Les Paul, "Smokestack!" |
Check out Don's music on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-In2eWUrCuY
Let’s have an amazing May, an amazing Spring, enjoying the
simple pleasures of walking outside, and practicing Taiji in the fresh air.
~Sifu Ray
“Magic always moves towards souls who are no longer negotiating
fear.”
~Matt Cooke
Contact Info:
My Blog- http://www.rayhayward.com
My Patreon Page- https://www.patreon.com/c/rayhayward
My YouTube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/@rayhaywardtheinspiredteach8246
Call/Text- 218-341-9894
#taiji#pushinghands#rayhayward
.jpg)
