Friday, November 26, 2021

MMTCA December Newsletter 2021

 


“For me personally, practicing the Taoist life-arts, especially Taiji, has been an endless source of delight and inspiration, and a most practical way to learn Taoist philosophy.”

-Master Paul B. Gallagher

 

As December rolls in I wish you and yours a happy and healthy holiday season! The longest nights and shortest days are here, but that all begins to change with the Winter Solstice. Hang on!

Our schedule to finish out the year is as follows:

All Tuesday night classes are being held through December, no closures for holidays

Saturday classes will be held on the 4th, 11th, and the 18th. No classes on the 25th and Jan 1st.

Friday night classes will be held on the 3rd, 10th, and the 17th. No classes on the 24th and the 31st.

I’m planning on continuing the Wednesday Night Zoom classes throughout the month. I’m also going to expand the schedule in the new year.

I am still figuring out how to add private class times and will have more ideas for you in January. Thank you for your patience.

 

Book suggestion = The Biology of Belief by Bruce Lipton

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-biology-of-belief-10th-anniversary-edition-bruce-h-lipton-phd/1122116052

 

I initiated the final group of three disciples on November 14th. Congratulations to the newest 7th Generation Lineage Holders:

Matthew Barrett

Paul Dahlberg

Paul Ittner

Margo and Mark hosted the ceremony at their house. A banquet afterwards at Little Szechuan made it a truly enjoyable and unique experience for all.

I’ll be in Colorado for the majority of December. Classes will continue as usual, and I’ll zoom classes from the Rockies. Any questions, concerns, or emergencies you can call or text me 218-341-9894, Julie 612-876-7915, Fred 651-210-5401, or Margo 651-338-1702

A Chinese New Year Demo and Celebration is in the works! The actual date is February 1st, 2022, and I’m looking to have a celebration on the 5th or 6th. I’ll give you more information in the January newsletter.

Thank you for all your support, interest, appreciation, and patience in another year under the shadow of CoViD19. May the upcoming 2022 be a year full of health, hope, laughter, joy, and relaxation for you and yours.

A bow from the waist,

-Ray

“I strongly believe in cause and effect. While we are living, we must live virtuously, try to enjoy our life, appreciate nature, and finally wait for our allotment so that we have not spent the best of our days vainly.”

-Master T.T. Liang



 

The year in review from Sifu Ray.

2021 was certainly a challenging year for Tai-Chi classes! And yet it seems to have been a pretty regular year when I look back and see all that was accomplished.

Throughout the year I blogged and filmed lessons, worked on my book, and was able to keep in contact with many of you.

February, we had a modified Chinese New Year demo on zoom. I did MC duty from Duluth, and many people joined in to watch and to demonstrate. We even had people from Delaware join us!

In May we began meeting for outdoor classes at both the East River Flats Park and Lauderdale Park. We were able to continue right up to October, when we went inside for classes held at two locations. We now have St Sahag in St Paul and Christ Lutheran in MPLS for our indoor classes.

It was a year of initiation and ceremony to bring in 7th Generation Disciples and Lineage-holders. I had the honor and pleasure of initiating the following in three full traditional rituals:

 

Rondi Atkin

Stephen Peterson

Robert Wozniak

 

Michelle Ashmun

Jennifer Graves

David Kielkof

 

Mathew Barrett

Paul Dahlberg

Paul Ittner

I also renewed the discipleship of James Postiglione and Bryan Davis with the full ceremony.

I witnessed Diane Cannon initiate two disciples into the 8th generation, Christopher Venaccio, and Will Allen VI. At the time of this writing there is another 8th generation disciple in the wings!

I corresponded with Grandmaster Wai-lun Choi and had weekly phone calls with Master Paul Gallagher. And I reconnected with two of my original karate training partners, Paul Annese and Paul Barrett. I continued my training in Modern Tactical Martial Arts with Master Rob Jones twice this year in Colorado.

My Patreon and YouTube pages are doing well and I’m able to connect in a much bigger circle of students and friends. I’ve posted many videos, both historical and educational, and am in the beginning of cataloging the Pushing-Hands curriculum to coincide with my upcoming book.

I spent the month of October in Delaware, teaching classes, seminars, private classes, and visiting with friends and family. I taught at Twin Willows Tai-Chi Studio and Ming Tao Tai-Chi Studio, and even got to spend time with my son Alex!

No matter the restrictions and difficulties, I feel very good about 2021 and all we’ve accomplished. I’m proud of your relaxed warrior spirits and all the roadblocks and obstacles you’ve overcome to continue your Tai-Chi Journey. I’m thankful for all your support and dedication during this past year. I look forward to more training, more lessons, more conversations, and more ways to share this art with you.

Thank you all for a great year. I mean that sincerely. No matter what life throws at us, Tai-Chi has a way of smoothing things out, giving energy to deal, and calm to recharge. I feel so lucky and blessed to have this art!

 

-Sifu Ray

 

Contact info

my phone- 12183419894

 

email= skrayhayward@gmail.com

 

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

 

my books on Amazon= amazon.com/author/rayhayward

 

my Patreon page= patreon.com/rayhayward

 

Instagram= Ray Hayward, or, ataoistsufitemplardruidviking

 

Business address,

P. O. Box 28295

Oakdale, MN 55128

And my residence,

1076 Mary St N

Maplewood, MN 55119





Sunday, November 7, 2021

MMTCA November Newsletter 2021

 



“I’m a believer in the power of knowledge and the ferocity of beauty, so from my point of view, your life is already artful-waiting, just waiting for you to make it art.”

-Toni Morrison

November is here and we are fully indoors with our classes and practices. I don’t know what will happen with the next season of CoViD19, but if it doesn’t get bad again, I’m going to continue in-person classes.

Speaking of classes, my schedule for the foreseeable future is the following:

Tuesday 6-8Pm at St Sahag   http://saintsahag.org/

Wednesday 630-715PM on Zoom (email for an invite if you haven’t been attending regular class or outside practices)

Friday 6-730PM at Christ Church   http://www.christchurchluth.org/

Saturday 9-10AM at St Sahag

I am also posting lessons on my Patreon and YouTube pages.

No Classes Friday Nov 26th, but there will be class Saturday Nov 27th.

If you find yourself locked out call either me 218-341-9894, Fred 651-210-5401, or Julie 612-876-7915 and we’ll let you in.

 

My trip to Delaware for the month of October was full of Tai-Chi, friends, hospitality, and some serious classes and events. Not to mention some great food! I taught at both Bryan Davis’ Twin Willows Tai-Chi Studio and Diane Cannon’s Ming Tao Tai-Chi Studio, both in Newark. In addition to seminars, classes, and private classes, I witnessed two disciple ceremonies conducted by Diane, and renewed Bryan’s discipleship in the full traditional ceremony. I also filmed more for my Patreon and YouTube pages and got to visit with my oldest son, Alex.



It was my honor and privilege to stand as witness for the initiation of the first disciples into the 8th generation of our lineage. Simu Diane Cannon, 7th generation disciple and lineage holder, initiated Christopher Venaccio and Will Allen in separate ceremonies. In addition to the kow-tows, incense, and witness, the initiates also performed a traditional tea ceremony marking the entrance into our Tai-Chi family. I was asked to give an introductory talk about the history and tradition of the ceremony, and we enjoyed feasts and fellowship after both ceremonies. I was deeply moved and could see the sincerity and appreciation of all who attended.



I also renewed Bryan Davis’ discipleship with the traditional ceremony. Bryan was one the earliest “bestowed” disciples and he asked for the traditional initiation. I performed the ceremony and his daughter Rose stood in as the witness.



There will be one more disciple ceremony this year during this month. I will give you a full report in the December newsletter. Congratulations all disciples new and veterans!

Book suggestion= 7 Star Praying Mantis Kung-fu by Leung Ting

 

Thank you to Fred, Karen, and Dan who hosted pushing-hands practices at their homes during October. I bow to the ground to you three.

Thank you again for all your patience, support, and appreciation. I have more plans for 2022 and hope we can get back to more regular training and practicing. I am already working on a Chinese New Year Demo and Banquet and will give you more details after New Year.

A bow from the waist,

-Ray

A message from Simu Diane Cannon-

Reflections on Discipleship Ceremonies October 16-17, 2021

On October 16 & 17, 2021, I had the honor to welcome into our Yang Family Lineage two very dedicated T’ai Chi students, Christopher Venaccio and William Allen VI! It was a very exciting and emotional day, as the realization of the magnitude of commitment I was making to these fine men became very real. The decision to bring them into my family, for life…..it is truly a promise and a bond that exceeds any bloodlines or contracts I have made in the past. I felt very honored and humbled to realize that they too were all in - ready to make that commitment to me and my family and this profound Art and Lineage we all share.



I began the ceremony with a brief welcome and explanation of the day, then introduced Sifu who we were so blessed to have with us! Sifu gave a wonderful talk on the history of discipleship, I shared some thoughts and feelings as to what was about to take place and then we began the Kow Tows, followed by a beautifully executed traditional tea ceremony, offering of incense to the altar, signing of the discipleship certificate, exchange of gifts, congratulations and thank yous! It was truly a special moment in time….you could feel the presence of the Masters before us, the sincerity in the room, the level of trust we share, and the seriousness of what just took place! Families United! The 8th Generation of Lineage Holders has now begun - what an historic event!




The love and excitement in the room was tremendous! We were all ready to celebrate the day, the new life we are embarking on with one another, the idea that now the best is yet to come! We shared fantastic meals and drinks with celebratory smiles, laughter, and joy! I am beyond grateful to have these two men in my life, my family, and the lineage. It is a day that will resonate with me forever, inspire me to become a better teacher, student, and friend.



“Rain

Black clouds,

Fallen blossom and pale moon,

The hurried flight of birds,

The arrival of lonely autumn,

The time for us to part.

Much has been said, yet

We have not come to the end of our feeling.

I leave you this poem

Read it where the silence of the world possesses you,

Or when you’re fretted with disquiet,

Long must be this parting, and.

Remember,

That all my thoughts have always been of you.”

-Translated by Bruce Lee