March Newsletter Topics:

New classes & Workshops | Master's Wisdom| Chinese Medicine Tips for Self-Healing
A dedication to Mr. Baker | Four Shortcuts to better Tai Chi!!! | Words to live by

NEW CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

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FOUR SHORTCUTS TO BETTER TAI CHI!!!

By Rob Hoffman

You mean after all these years (or months), you're finally going to find out that there are shortcuts to better Tai Chi? Unfortunately, they're not like the Cliff's Notes from your high school days.

#1 - Seva (service). For those of you who attended promotions on November 5th, check out the new Tai Chi handbook for a brief description of Seva or service. Master Zi has told us that there are only two ways to transcend our karma - suffering or service. I choose service!!!!!!! At Shakti's we can always use a little help somewhere. Someone to watch the counter so the regular staff can eat lunch or take care of new students is always a blessing. If you have a special talent that you think can be helpful to Shakti's let us know. For advanced students, seva is a mandatory part of your teacher training so don't be shy. Patricia will be handling the Seva schedule so please make sure you speak to her about your schedule and skills.

#2 - Yoga. What can I say, one class with Psalm and I was a yoga junkie. We also know how strong Master Zi's connection to yoga is. Nothing has propelled my Tai Chi forward more than Yoga. Flexibility and fluidity are absolutely connected. Sunday's are a great time to attend a yoga class right before the open Tai Chi class and Secret Yang. Check it out, see what a difference it makes in your Tai Chi and in your life.

#3 - Meditation. Master Zi recently told the advanced class how important this was to our Tai Chi practice. Luckily, some of us already have a morning meditation. My own practice was something I picked up from Zi while traveling together in Sri Lanka as he was waking up each morning at 4am to do qigong and Tai Chi. Often referred to as sadhana, morning meditation can bring quietude to the mind, reduce stress and help you to gain spiritual realization.

#4 - Practice. You didn't really think you could escape this? I'm not talking about coming to class, I'm talking about practice at home. Class is great for learning new movements and polishing the old; however, the time for you to go inside and really become the movement is during your home practice. Your teachers will be much more excited and giving if they're not repeating themselves each week in class.

Be well,

Rob Hoffman

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March Self-Healing Tips —Traditional Chinese Medicine

written by: Julie Festa, L.Ac.

The Chinese word for the 5 elements is “wu xing.” This literally translates pretty much into “5 movements.” This is how the seasons are viewed in Chinese medicine – not as things, but as the movement of energy. March brings the movement of Water into Wood, Winter into Spring. For our bodies, we experience the power of Water nourishing and infusing Wood. The energy that Water gives to Wood allows for sprouts to emerge fresh and new from branches, and for new leaves to emerge from the inner growth and energetic storage that occurs during Winter. We need to honor this within the body by balancing the Water and Wood energies, and assisting in the infusion of Water into Wood.

Self-Acupressure for the transition into Spring -
Liver 8, Qu Quan, Spring at the Bend, is the Water point on the Yin Wood meridian. Qu Quan treats lower abdominal pain, retention of urine, insomnia, depression, impatience, irritability, and pain in the knee and thigh. It helps to nourish the Liver, and balance and strengthen the Wood element. It is an excellent point for knee pain relieving knee pain.

Liver 8 is located along the inside of the knee. To locate, bend the knee and find where the knee crease ends on the inside of the knee. Just an inch above this point is Liver 8, in a depression tucked right up next to the bone there. It should feel tender on palpation. Massage this point in the evenings and at night before bed on both legs for a few minutes.

Chinese Nutrition for moving from Water to Wood:
As we emerge from the stillness and quiet of Winter into the bloom and awakening of Spring, it is important to balance nourishment with movement. Nutritionally, it is a good time to start adding more cleansing and purifying elements to the diet, but we want to make sure to continue to support the body properly.

Taking black sesame pesto as part of the diet is an excellent way to balance the nourishing and chi-moving required for the vernal transitional period. Black sesame seeds nourish the Kidney and Liver Yin; they help fortify the Yin aspect of wood, as well as to strengthen Water. They help with eyesight, constipation, and prematurely gray hair. Basil is a great chi mover, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory. It treats any kind of pain, including musculoskeletal pain – by moving stagnant blood. Basil is also warming, and helps with sluggishness, depression, pms, headaches, and hypochondriac pain.

Black Sesame Pesto Recipe: 1 cup packed basil leaves – remove stems; one-half cup olive oil; optional – one-half cup parmesan cheese; optional – 1-2 tbs. butter; 2-3 tbs. black sesame seeds; 4-8 cloves chopped garlic. Combine all ingredients in a food processor until blended.