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 14^th. 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 13^th 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 22-24^th. 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 24^th to August 7^th. 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. 102^nd St

#307

Bloomington, MN

55437

 

 

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10 Taiji Books When You're Stuck on a Desert Island.

"The more that you read, the more things you'll know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

~Dr Seuss

For years, I've been  doing this mental exercise, what 10 Taiji books do I take if I'm stuck on a desert island. This is good for me to ponder; what books give the most or the deepest concepts, principles, and theories? Which ones catalogue the most about Taiji for me? What books cover the classics or the history? What books do I reference the most, reread, or gain insights with every reading? It's also a good study for when people ask for book suggestions. 

I'd say half of them firmly remain on my list, while the other half have moved up the ranks, been swapped out,  or added to over the years. With the fantastic translations of Paul Brennan, I've had so many more books to consider. Here is my current list. Some are readily available, and some, good luck on your quest!

1. Tai-Chi Chuan for Health and Self Defense by Master T.T. Liang

2. Tai-Chi Touchstones, Yang Family Secret Transmissions by Douglas Wile. (revised edition)

3. Cheng-Tzus 13 Treatises on Tai Chi Chuan by Cheng Man Ching, translated by Benjamin Lo and Martin Inn

4. The Skills and Essentials of Yang Style Taiji Boxing by Huang Yuanxiu

5. Tai-Chi Chuan and Meditation by Da Liu

6. On Tai-Chi Chuan by T.Y. Pang

7. The Essence and Applications of Taijiquan by Yang Chengfu

8. Fundamentals of Tai-Chi Chuan by Wen-shan Huang

9. Explaining Taiji Principles by Yang Banhou

10 Yang Family Taijiquan by Chen Yanlin

Ok, ok, five honorable mentions!

1. Drawing Silk by Paul B. Gallagher

2. The Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan by Jou Tsung hwa

3. Brain Aerobics of Tai Chi Chuan by Great Grandmaster William C.C. Chen

4. There Are No Secrets by Wolfe Lowenthal

5. Questions and Answers on Tai Chi Chuan by Chen Weiming, translated by Benjamin Lo and Robert W. Smith

My Guest Blogger, Wanda Koehler

 

Wanda, front and center. with Annie, and Renee.

Ancora Imparo (I am still learning)

 

     It is sometimes hard to believe that it’s been 26 years since I first began learning Master T.T. Liang’s Tai Chi Ch’uan Long Form.  From that very first lesson, I was hooked. While many other activities had been big parts of my life, the one that I have stuck with is Tai Chi.  Or maybe it has stuck with me.

 

     Tai Chi Ch’uan became my favorite activity. I have taught myself left side of every solo form; as well as, the left side of sword, saber and cane.  I have practiced in campgrounds, hotel rooms, waiting areas at Mayo Clinic and even an emergency room when my husband was taken out for tests.

 

     There were days when tiredness, activities or life got in the way of my practice.  A dozen years ago, multiple hospitalizations including three joint replacements, kept me from doing Tai Chi for 11 months.  I had to relearn it all with the help of classes, instructional materials and a little muscle memory.

 

     In the past few years, physical issues, declining eyesight, isolation and feelings of inadequacy made everything a struggle including my practicing.  Then came November 6, 2024.  With the an overwhelming feeling of sadness and that so many things were beyond my control, I decided to practice the Long Form both right and left side every day. It was something I could control.  As of the date of this writing, I have not missed a day. It’s not always easy to accomplish. Some days I am too busy to do the form, or so tired it’s hard to keep moving, or too emotional or I just don’t feel like doing it. I do the form anyway. This means my form is not always pretty. 

Even though I do my very best to follow the principles of Tai Chi and practice as closely as I can the form according to Master Ray Hayward’s teaching; sometimes my form looks more like a fast form. Some days I struggle to balance.  Sometimes my brain is so tired that I start parts over multiple times before I get through it.  And sometimes I finish a section and wonder if I missed a posture because I don’t remember doing it. I have learned that things don’t have to be perfect to be beneficial. 

 

     I cannot unequivocally say I will never again  miss a day of practicing the Long Form.  I can only try my best not to skip a day because the benefits I’ve gained, while seemingly small  and incremental, are very evident to me. The subtle, indescribable feeling I have when I’ve completed both sides has actually motivated me to spend more time practicing other forms and weapon forms.

 

     There is a plaque on my wall that says “Martial Arts: A few years to learn. A lifetime to master!”  In the past 26 years, I’ve gained so much in knowledge, technique, skill and insights into myself. I’m a long way from being a master, but I am still learning.                                                                ~Wanda Koehler