13 “Musts” from Master T.T. Liang.

 

13 “Musts” from Master T.T. Liang.

When I was studying with Master T.T. Liang, he used to tell me, “Young man, you must do, or you must have, or you must try to, etc.” In the last few weeks, I heard myself repeat a few of them in class, so I thought I’d share some with you.

1.      You must relax.

2.      You must sink your chi to the dantien.

3.      You must have a root.

4.      You must unify your body.

5.      You must become sensitive and alert.

6.      You must learn all the forms and practices on both the right and left sides.

7.      You must learn the complete system.

8.      You must invest in loss.

9.      You must practice every day.

10. You must get a good teacher.

11. You must try to make it correct.

12. You must follow the Taiji Classics.

13. You must become a rebel.

I had intended to write Master Liang’s explanation for each and offer my insights as well. Instead, I’m going to make this interactive, or not! If you write to me and ask, I will follow up for the one you are asking about. If you say all of them, no soup for you!

If one of these “musts” calls to you, or you have no idea what it means, or how to accomplish it, write to me. I will publish each one as I do them. Or not!

Answers published on my Patreon Page:

https://www.patreon.com/c/rayhayward

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

 

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website= mindfulmotiontaichi.com

 

Facebook= Mindful Motion Tai-Chi Academy

 

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                 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