MMTCA May Newsletter 2026

 

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 19^th, 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 16^th, 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 11^th, 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 18^th 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

Art- www.charleyparker.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