Friday, July 29, 2022

MMTCA August Newsletter 2022

 

Rainbow over Bailey Colorado 2022

 

“It takes real courage to grow up and become who you really are.”

- e e cummings

I’m writing this newsletter from Colorado, in the mountains! I’ll be here for a few weeks and will be back August 17th or so. I know you are careful, so I remind you to take care in the heat as you practice outside.

We are having a day long retreat at Karen and Ryan’s home in Ramsey on August 21st. We’ll gather at 830AM and at 900AM and will begin our group practices and lessons. I’m planning on teaching the Hsing-Yi two-handed saber, a simple but effective and fun weapon. (I’ll send you home with a practice video) Bring a bokken, or saber, or a cane or stick. We’ll have a potluck lunch at 100PM, and depart at 300PM after our afternoon session. Your asking for the address is your RSVP, so email me if you are planning on going. I’ve reserved our spot for next year’s retreat at Wild Rice Retreat center and this retreat will prime our Tai-Chi seminar and retreat pumps!

I had the pleasure and honor of initiating Daniel Dale into the 7th generation Yang Style Lineage on July 2nd. Dan is now my disciple and a valuable addition to our lineage and school. Congratulations!




While in Colorado, I’ve been visiting my dear, old friend, Master Ken Cohen. I’ve got photos, videos, and a podcast to share Ken’s amazing story and wisdom with you all.




Speaking of podcasts, here is my latest. Please leave a comment, subscribe, like, and share it! And click the bell to be notified about my posts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z__cpfhLmBY&t=2s

 

In addition to my regular Wednesday night zoom solo form classes, I’m going to be adding a partner zoom class. You will need a partner for these lessons on pushing-hands, sensitivity, and many other special and unique Tai-Chi partner practices. Let me know if you have a partner or would like me to find you one.

Book suggestion = How To Grasp the Sparrows Tail if Don’t Know How to Speak Chinese by Jane Schorre

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/how-to-grasp-the-birds-tail-if-you-dont-speak-chinese/28275826/#edition=58957725&idiq=43997547

 

I really want to thank you for your support, care, concern, and dedication through these strange and trying times. Knowing you are practicing, keeping in good spirits, getting many benefits from your practice and my classes, all makes me feel hopeful and good about the future. I cherish our time together, whether it’s in person or online. I have plans to expand my teaching and classes as well as teach retreats and workshops.

Not that we needed a pandemic to show us how valuable Tai-Chi and meditation can be, but hearing your comments and experiences, I’m even more determined to keep spreading the lessons of relaxation, well-being, empowerment, and health.

I bow to the ground to you,

Sifu Ray

 

“There are three people who are your friend:

Your friend,

The friend of a friend,

And the enemy of an enemy.”

-Imam Ali

 

Contact Info:

Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

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

 

Twitter- Ray Hayward 1988

 

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

#rayhayward#taiji#taichichuan#pakua#hsingyi#sword#qigong#yichuan#wudangsword#chinna#standingmeditation#taoistmeditation#taoistlove#semenretention#masterttliang#wailunchoi#mindfulmotiontaichiacademy#rayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#inspiredteacher#rayhaywardblog#sanshou#prayingmantis#karambit#personalclasses#pushinghands#fajing#imsak#rosslynchapel#druidry#cerridwen#letstalkaboutsex#magic#westernmysteries#breathwork#wimhof#bagua#lulubooksrayhaywardauthor#amazonbooksrayhayward#patreonrayhaywardtheinspiredteacher#taijispear#treegong#knightstemplar#alchemy#holygrail#freemasonry#newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, July 10, 2022

Passing of My Teacher, Dr Leung Kay-chi, R.I.P.

 



It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my teacher, Dr Leung Kay-chi, this morning. He was a few weeks shy of his 84th birthday, this being his animal year, the Tiger. I still practice the Pa-Kua I learned from him 43 years ago as one of my daily forms. 

I will never forget his first demonstration of Pa-Kua on the center circle of the basketball court on the Fens in Boston. One of the most beautiful and powerful demos I've ever seen. Or of how quickly he locked my wrist the first time I did pushing-hands with him! I will miss his martial arts, his history lessons, drinking tea with him, discussing Outlaws of the Marsh, riding to Chinatown after class to eat, and his smile...

This is a reprint from 2018:


My teacher, Dr. Leung Kay-chi, master of many styles.

                     At T.T. Liang's studio in Boston with Master Leung Kay-chi, 1979
     
On September 4th, my teacher, Dr. Leung Kay-chi turns 80! Times files! I remember him when he was a spry 41 year old amazing kung-fu master. Here is a short story of how I met Dr. Leung.

I was learning Tai-Chi from Master T.T. Liang in Boston. Many times he told me I should learn Hsing-Yi and Pa- Kua. I asked him to teach me. He said had had forgotten, but that he would find a teacher for me. A few weeks later Master Liang said he arranged some private lessons with a teacher, Master B.P. Chan, who was teaching at Master Liang's classmate, Master William C.C. Chen's school. I went down and took four hours of private classes and received my first introduction into these two internal martial arts. When I was making arrangements to go for more lessons, Master Liang said he had a surprise for me. Not only was I to study with Master Chan's teacher, but my lessons would be right in Boston!

              My first Hsing-Yi and Pa-Kua teacher, Master B.P. Chan, in New York, 1979.

Master Liang told me that his Shao-Lin teacher, Master Han Chin-tang's son in law,who was B.P. Chan's teacher, was coming to visit Liang in Boston to pay respects. Liang had arranged for me to study Hsing-Yi and Pa-Kua from his friend, Dr. Leung Kay-chi!

When I met Dr Leung ( Liang Chi-tze in Mandarin), he was a trim, gym-teacher looking, martial arts teacher who was the personal body-guard of the president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos. He was in the United States visiting family and friends, and some students like Master B.P. Chan. I saw Leung demo Hsing-Yi for Master Liang, and then Liang had me demo Tai-Chi Sword and Saber. They talked in Chinese, laughed at me, and at the end set the time for my classes.
  Dr. Leung teaching P'i-Ch'uan of Hsing-Yi at New England School of Acupuncture, 1979.

At the basketball courts in Fenway, I learned the Splitting Fist/P"i-Ch'uan element of Hsing-Yi and began the first set of 8 Palm Changes, lien huan chang. Dr. Leung demonstrated two complete sets of changes on the circle in the middle of the court. I was hooked! I arranged for more classes and got some of my classmates involved. We learned all 5 Elements and a set of 8 Palm changes before he returned to the Philippines. Dr. Leung was staying with relatives in New York, and I traveled there to learn from him as well.

                                                         Dr. Leung in New York,1979.

Dr.Leung came back again for a visit the next year, and I arranged seminars, workshops, and many private classes for him. I got to learn a 2nd set of Pa-Kua Palm changes and began exploring Chen Style Tai-Chi, Northern Shao-Lin, ch'in-na, and weapons. I even got an introduction to the 9 Section Chain Whip.

                             Chen Style Tai-Chi in the Rose Gardens in the Fenway, 1982.

In 1981 two big changes happened to my martial arts training. First, Master T.T. Liang announced he was retiring and moving to Minnesota, and second, he told me that Leung Kay-chi told him he wanted to immigrate to the U.S. and could I help. I stayed in Boston and hired an immigration lawyer, became a "business" that needed the best kung-fu teacher in the world, and the rest is history!

When Dr. Leung  moved to the U.S. he came first and then his wife, Han Lin-lin, the daughter of the famous Han Chin-tang, and his two young daughters came later. I would travel to New York City with the Leung's on family visits, Lung-Chun Sword shopping expeditions, as well as dim sum and great Chinese food outings. I demonstrated with Dr Leung at Harvard, MIT, and many other locations around metro Boston. I also drove and assisted at seminars in Western Massachusetts at JR Roy's Martial Arts Academy in Greenfield.

                      Dr. Leung demonstrating Plum Flower Spear at Harvard University 1982.

                        Me as chin-na opponenet with Dr. Leung at MIT 1983.


One time Dr.Leung's teacher, Grandmaster Liu Yun-Ch'iao visited Boston and we got meet him and go to a banquet. Master Liu was the personal body guard of Chang Ching-kuo, the president of Taiwan. I got to meet with him privately and ask him questions. He told me, "Leung Shifu says you practice really hard." In those days I sure did!

                           Mrs. Liu, Grandmaster Liu, Dr. Leung, and me in 1982.

                          Grandmaster Liu with "The General," Dr. Leung's nickname for me.

I learned a lot from Dr. Leung Kay-chi. Here is a short list:

Chen Style Tai-Chi
Tai-Chi Sword
8 Linking Palms
8 Yin Fu Palms
5 Elements
Mai-Bu Ch'uan
San Lu Pao- Chui
Tan Tui
Lien Bu Ch;uan
Gung Li Ch'uan
Sze Lu Beng Da
General Yang Spear
Pa-Kua Saber
Chin-na
Tang-Lang Shou
Shih Tse Tan
Lo Han Shih Ba Shou
Monkey Staff Sing Jia Beng
Just to name a few! Dr. Leung studied with many famous masters. Here is another short list:
Han Chin-tang
Liu Yun-chiao
Chang Hsiang-san
Wei Shao-tang
Tu I-jai
Chao Lien-feng
Wang Shan-ting
Shang Tung-sheng









Saturday, July 9, 2022

MMTCA Newsletter July 2022


Li Shou-chien, M Liang's first long form teacher. Li was a disciple of Yang Shao-hou

“Don’t underestimate the power of vision and direction. These are irresistible forces, able to transform what might appear to be unconquerable obstacles into traversable pathways and expanding opportunities.”

-Jordan Peterson

What a glorious Summer so far! Classes at the River are spectacular and we are regularly visited by eagles, turkeys, and even a coyote!

I’m inviting you to a one-day retreat at Karen Barton’s house in Ramsey, August 21st, 900-300. We will meet for a day to practice and learn together. We’ll do a long warm-up, standing, single postures and various forms together. Partner work and pushing-hands, even some Pa-Kua. I plan to introduce the Hsing-Yi Two-Handed Saber I learned from Master Choi. This will be no cost, but I do need a head count. Email or message me for directions. Bring a potluck dish to share for lunch. This will be a preview and taste for next year’s retreat in Bayfield. Let me know if you are coming and we can do some carpooling!



Book suggestion= Super Human: The Bullet Proof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever by Dave Asprey

I have two t-shirts being worked on and will email with options when they are completed.

I’ve started my own podcast on my YouTube Channel. Just go to the playlists and look for The Inspired Teacher’s Podcasts. Subscribe, like, notify, share, etc. all those good things, please!

I’m giving zoom private classes. Schedule either a 30 or 50 minute one on one session. We can cover a lot in this medium. I’m also giving in-person private classes as well.

I’m also looking to invite you to a Mead and Axes Party at my home. More details in August.

Thank you all for your support. Thank you for the feedback and encouragement for my podcasts, zoom classes, and blogs. I bow from the waist to you.

-Sifu Ray

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”

-Marianne Williamson

 

Contact info

my phone- 1-218-341-9894

 

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

 

Twitter- Ray Hayward 1988

 

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