Monthly Fee Change in 2021

Dear All,

I've been absolutely delighted by the persistence many of you have shown in continuing with your Tai Chi and Qigong studies throughout 2020, through our Zoom sessions. It's been my pleasure to continue to offer instruction, as well as to include Lok Hup Ba Fa and other advanced sets as part of our continuing exploration of the Taoist arts. 

Something I haven't shared with you is that I had intended to increase the monthly fees this year, starting with our new teaching season in October 2020. I delayed announcing that decision because current events have seemed to provide a never-ending cornucopia of changes, and I didn't want to introduce anything new into the mix.

I know things are still in flux, but it is necessary for me to introduce the planned fee increase now. I hope you'll understand that this change is vital to my ability to support all of you. In return, I'll continue to offer the highest quality of instruction.

Beginning in January 2021, the fee for Tai Chi and Qigong lessons is $50 / month.

If you are a student, on ODSP, OW, or in financial need, the fee is $30 / month.

I understand that there may be some of you who have lost work or income due to covid. Since I'm in the same boat, I understand completely. If you had budgeted for the previous rate of $40 / month and you can't afford more, please let me know. My priority is that you are able to continue studying Tai Chi and Qigong, and I'll do whatever I can to facilitate that.

Thanks for understanding. All my best to you and yours. See you on December 30th for class (don't forget the schedule's a bit different that day!), and / or in 2021. 

If you need to contact me for whatever reason, please do so at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

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December 2020 Holiday Schedule

Hi Everyone!

I trust your truly bizarro year is about to be capped off, like mine, with a Christmas with a Difference. I'm planning to take it easy this year, stay close to home, and have a truly cosy holiday season. 

Tai Chi and Qigong Classes

All online Tai Chi and Qigong classes will run as usual throughout December, with the following exceptions:

There will be NO classes on Saturday, December 26, 2020, or Monday, December 28, 2020.

Classes will run on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 but in anticipation of highly variable attendance, and to make up for the two Qigong classes that will be cancelled on the 26th and the 28th, I'm changing up the schedule for this one day. 

Classes on Wednesday, December 30th will be as follows:

1-2 pm Qigong

2-3 pm Tai Chi All Levels (I promise this will be easy for beginners and challenging for intermediate and continuing folks)

3-4 pm Lok Hup, Sword, and sundry advanced review

I won't be teaching new content so if you can't attend on the 30th, don't worry! I reckon some of you might like to get a workout in.

The regular class schedule will resume on January 2nd, 2021. 

Meditation and Chakra Discussion Sessions

Sunday, December 13, 2020, 3 pm 

We'll continue our discussion of Anodea Judith's Eastern Body, Western Mind, with the chapter on the Solar Plexus chakra. There is no charge for these sessions. It is a casual discussion of a very challenging book.

Sunday, December 20, 2020, 2-4 pm

Winter Solstice Guided Meditation

This beautiful moment in the year is among the most peaceful and powerful from an energetic perspective, although we often fill our time with busy-ness and extra socialising. I believe this year offers a unique opportunity to slow down, check in with ourselves, and practice self-care. This session will include a fun and gentle guided meditation to help you align with the true purpose of the season: to embrace the spirit of restfulness and rejuvenation. The cost is $20.

Sunday, January 3, 2020, 2-4 pm

Heart Chakra Guided Meditation

The chakra series continues in the new year with this, the turning point of the chakra system. In the heart, the earthly energies of the lower chakras meet the spiritual superhighway of the upper chakras. Learn how to mingle these two forces with love as we explore the heart through discussion and guided meditation. Fee: $20.

The complete Chakra Meditation Series schedule is here. The discussion of the corresponding chapter from Eastern Body, Western Mind occurs the week after each guided meditation.

All meetings take place via Zoom. For more information or to join, contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Guided Meditation Session this Sunday, November 22, 2020, 2-4pm

This guided meditation session will focus on the sacral chakra, the feeling centre of the body. This chakra is the seat of the emotions, and the conduit through which we experience and appreciate the sweetness of life, as well as its dynamism. When it's aligned, we move freely no matter what comes our way.

I hope you'll join us for an exploration of this chakra, and a guided meditation designed to clear, realign, and engage its energies.

We'll meet on Zoom from 2-4pm. The fee is $20. If you haven't joined one of these sessions previously, but would like to, contact me to register at (905) 521-0043 or smithmk2@gmail.com.

New Guided Meditation Series beginning Sunday, November 8, 2020

With apologies for the last-minute invitation, I'm writing to let you all know that I'll be running a new guided meditation series this fall and winter. Although the sessions will be interlinked, each one will contain standalone lessons related to that day's topic. I always find that people manage to make it to the sessions that are most appropriate for them. Again, you do not have to attend every session! Please come to any that you both wish to attend and are able to attend.

The focus of the series will be the chakra system, with an emphasis on the psychological dimension of  each chakra. We'll talk about the ways in which the skills and abilities supported by each of these energy centres can become blocked or muted due to life experience and habitual ways of thinking, we'll learn about ways to heal energetically, as well as practical exercises and approaches to shifting old patterns, and we'll do a guided meditation to encourage healing and enhance our relationship to each chakra.

The schedule will be as follows:

Sunday, November 8, 2020, 2-4pm: Root Chakra

Sunday, November 22, 2020, 2-4pm: Sacral Chakra

Sunday, December 6, 2020, 2-4pm: Solar Plexus Chakra

***Sunday, December 20, 2020, 2-4pm: We'll pause the Chakra program to do a session dedicated to the Winter Solstice.***

Sunday, January 3, 2021, 2-4pm: Heart Chakra

Sunday, January 17, 2021, 2-4pm: Throat Chakra

Sunday, January 31, 2021, 2-4pm: Third Eye Chakra

***No Meditation on February 14 so you can spend Valentine's Day with the person of your affections and / or practicing self-care***

Sunday, February 21, 2021, 2-4pm: Crown Chakra

This course is appropriate for all levels. Participation costs $20 per session. Meetings will take place via Zoom.  

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like to join the next session: smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Thanksgiving weekend schedule, 2020

Hi everyone!

I hope you're all doing well and looking forward to whatever this coming holiday weekend holds for you and yours. 

There will be NO CLASSES on MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2020. All other classes will run as usual in October, including Saturday classes this weekend. 

If you can't make it on Saturday, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Anything I teach on Saturday will be repeated at a later date, so you won't miss anything vital. 

Classes Begin Saturday, October 3rd, 2020

I'm writing with a quick reminder that classes resume this Saturday at noon! I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing you all again, sharing some insights and new practices I worked with while I was away, and helping you learn and improve your art.

We'll meet at the same Zoom link we were using before. If you've misplaced it, or if you'd like to join for the first time and you need instructions, please get in touch at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

ONLINE SCHEDULE:

Monday
Qigong 1pm-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing (Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I*) 3-3:30
Lok Hup Ba Fa: 3:30-4pm

Wednesday
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing (Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I) 3-3:30
Lok Hup Ba Fa: 3:30-4pm

Saturday
Qigong Noon-1pm
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm

Continuing (Tai Chi, Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I, Lok Hup review) 2-3:30  

Tai Chi Newsletter, Fall 2020

Dear Friends,

I'm writing to you from the depth of my hiatus during a truly glorious September. I hope you're having a wonderful month and taking advantage of the cooler temperatures to enjoy some time outdoors. The pandemic continues, but so will Tai Chi and Qigong class, in our safe online format. I very much hope you'll join us in October!

If you have any questions about any of the following information, or if you'd like to join, please contact me (Melissa Smith) at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. Once you let me know you'd like to join and I have an email address for you, I'll send you the instructions for signing on to class, and you'll be all set. If you've already been to online classes, I'll see you in the same Zoom room we were using before.

Important Upcoming Dates

Tai Chi and Qigong classes start again on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020. The schedule will be the same as it was before I took my break. You can review the class schedule here. I'll be leading all of the classes while we're working online. I'm very much looking forward to class!

The New Beginner's Tai Chi cycle also starts on Saturday, October 3rd, 2020. For this fall, and possibly only for this fall, I'll be accepting students from anywhere in the world. The occasion of the pandemic means we're not limited to one physical location anymore. (I do recommend finding a local-to-you instructor when it is safe to start training again, and if you are local to Hamilton, Ontario, I would love it if you decided to come out and practice in person once all this is over.) 

Because of the online format, we will be taking our beginner's lessons more slowly than usual. If you've always wanted to comb through the set a tiny bit at a time, this is your year! You can read more about learning Tai Chi online as a new beginner here.

Tai Chi and Qigong fees will remain the same: $40 / month for unlimited classes; $20 / month for students, people on ODSP or other forms of social support, or in situations of financial need.

If you are brand new to me and you want to come try classes out, just ask! I'm offering a free week of classes to anyone who hasn't trained with me before. Once you try class, if you decide you'd like to stick with it, your first month will be $30. ($15 for people paying the lower rate.)

There's much more to look forward to at class: new content for Qigong practitioners, polishing the set for Intermediate Tai Chi folks, and lots of challenging technique for Continuing / Advanced students. For those exploring other internal martial arts, we'll keep polishing sword, and Lok Hup Ba Fa sessions will continue from where we left off in the summer (at Nine Circulations After the Emergence of the Golden Pill, a move name of which I will never tire!). 

Other Classes

Guided Meditation sessions will resume this fall, every other week. I thoroughly enjoyed running these sessions throughout the summer, and I thought they were very productive. My plan is to run these sessions on alternate Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm, beginning on Sunday, October 25th. The topic for the first session will be Setting Spiritual Goals. Please let me know if you'd like to participate. Guided meditation sessions are $20 each.

Private and semi-private outdoor sessions, weather permitting, will be available from October 3rd forward, as well as individual online sessions for those seeking to polish their forms or looking for guidance. I'll continue to offer Reiki and Shamballa distance healing. In-person healings won't be available until the pandemic resolves. Private and semi-private sessions are $60 / hour. Reiki and Shamballa sessions are $30 for healing alone, or $60 for a consult plus healing.

A Final Note

I've had several inquiries about whether in-person classes will start again at the Regent Centre anytime soon. The answer is no: all regular classes will be online only. There is a learning curve involved in attending online classes, but that's a small inconvenience when set against preserving our safety and peace of mind. Unfortunately it just isn't safe to exercise indoors in a group setting yet: aerosol transmission of the virus and the ever-changing nature of community spread means I can't guarantee everyone's safety. It's impossible for me to reconcile this level of risk with helping you build your health and wellbeing. When the time comes to return to in-person classes, I will announce it here. In order to address some concerns about online classes, I've set up a new section on the FAQ page. If you have any questions that aren't addressed there, please let me know!

Diaphragm and Abdominal Muscle Synergy, or, Why Belly Breathing Matters

Earlier this week at Qigong class I shared some information about work I've been doing around correcting diaphragmatic breathing and the digestive system. It reminded me of how important breathwork is, and the unique way we can incorporate the breath into Tai Chi and Qigong practice. I did a bit of an introduction to this topic at class, and some of you requested the research I've been doing, so here you go!

If you're not familiar, the diaphragm is a thin sheet of muscle, shaped like a dome, that separates the lungs and heart from the organs of digestion. It is responsible for breathing: as it contracts, the dome flattens and draws air into the lungs. At the same time, if everything is working well, the abdominal muscles and the ribcage expand to give room to the air entering the body, while at the same time, the pelvic floor lowers. As the diaphragm relaxes, it goes back to its dome-like shape, the abdominal muscles contract back into place and exhalation occurs. People (and animals who have diaphragms) breathe fully into their bellies when they're relaxed and not stressed or in pain. Because people are often stressed (i.e, in some kind of psychological pain state), we often lose the ability to belly breathe, or our ability to take a deep belly breath becomes diminished.

You can read more about diaphragmatic breathing here.

If you've asked about breathing in class before, you've probably heard my standard answer to the question of how to breathe during practice: just do it. Ensuring that you aren't holding the breath is very important, since many of us do that subconsciously while concentrating. There is another level to breathing during Tai Chi and Qigong practice: relaxing the breath so that it flows evenly and deeply (a fully belly breath / complete diaphragmatic breathing). Even though Tai Chi and Qigong can be vigorous exercise at times, and the heart rate will increase as you do some of the more challenging moves, the breath still tends to be long and slow, or should be. If you find yourself panting or your breathing becoming erratic or frantic, it's time to relax more deeply and work on deepening the breath, while asking if you're taking a complete breath. 

I was always taught that it's important not to tie a pattern of breathing to Tai Chi and Qigong movements. Breathing will change and shift as you deepen your relationship with energy and with the practice, and so you shouldn't train yourself to coordinate the breath with each movement in a particular way. Doing so inhibits spontaneity.

I stand by that answer, but the fact is that many of us (myself included, from time to time) need to return to an evaluation of the breath and ask: is it truly relaxed? Is it deep enough? Is it flowing freely? And, most importantly, is the breathing mechanism doing what it's supposed to do? Most people breathe too shallowly, or clench while breathing (see above re: chronic stress).

The current state of research into breathing and its connection to good body mechanics and internal health supports the vital importance of good breathing. Erin Chapman and colleagues have argued that breathing is so important to correct movement that a breathing assessment should go hand in hand with treatment of musculoskeletal pain in active people. (You can read more about these assessments and the different types of breathing dysfunction here, in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.)

Disordered breathing also has implications for a wide array of seemingly unconnected issues. This article by Bruno Bordoni and Bruno Morabito in Cureus discusses the links between diaphragmatic dysfunction and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the course of their discussion they link dysfunction of the diaphragm to a stunning array of physical issues, including (but not limited to): swelling or bloating of the abdomen, pelvic pain, lower back pain, TMJ (a dysfunction of the jaw), chronic headaches, GERD (acid reflux), anxiety, depression, increase in both pain and the perception of pain, and inflammation. That's a ton! (They link all of these issues to IBS—it is quite fascinating and horrifying reading. For those of you who were at class when I mentioned this topic, this is the article that started my deep dive into reading about breathing, after I had already begun to work with my own breathing as a new approach for a couple of issues I'm personally working on.)

My takeaway from all this is to reaffirm how vital it is for us to reset our relationship with good breathing mechanics from time to time. Fortunately retraining is accessible and something we can do from the comfort of our homes. (If you've got severe symptoms, you could consider consulting a doctor and ask about the possibility of biofeedback, which has proven quite effective in retraining the breath.) 

I recommend working with the breath as a practice on its own, so that the diaphragm learns to move freely, and in coordination with the other body systems, and then trying to fold your new breathing habits into your practice slowly over time. For many of us, reminding the body of how to breathe well and completely will feel so good, it will become second nature (or become second nature again) while we do complex tasks, including Tai Chi and Qigong. Deep breathing / belly breathing / diaphragmatic breathing is a great practice to do hand in hand with the postural realignment work we've been doing in class recently, especially in Qigong. Releasing old and restricted breathing patterns will really help support the new postural and movement habits we're all constantly trying to develop!

Some notes:

A little goes a long way when you are first working with all this. Try doing some relaxed breathing where you just pay attention to the breath, and then 1-3 deep or belly breaths once a day. Work your way up to more. 

Don't force anything. If you've been breathing more shallowly, you will be strengthening the diaphragm and the other muscles involved with breathing, as well as stretching them, but that doesn't mean you should force breath to deepen. Relax and allow the breath to move freely: belly breathing is a product of a relaxed body. Deepen your breathing over time, not all at once. 

The concept of timing that we talk about in class—coordinating movement so everything works all together, and no body part is left behind—also applies here. If you haven't been breathing fully, then you'll probably hesitate to expand the belly when inhaling, and on exhalation, the contraction of the abdomen will probably lag behind as you release your breath. Try allowing the belly to expand (while relaxing it!) a little bit sooner than you think you should. Likewise, let the belly fall or contract "ahead" of the breath as you let it go and exhale. For me personally, the benefits I'm experiencing so far from working in a deeper way with my breath have largely come from completing the inward movement of the belly with exhalation, so I've been making sure to play with letting it contract more than it usually does. 

Good luck! Don't overdo, don't strain, and enjoy folding this practice into your routine. It really doesn't take long, and it's deeply relaxing and refreshing.

Resources:

A short video on how to perform basic diaphragmatic / belly breathing (3 minutes)

A slightly longer video on how to perform diaphragmatic / belly breathing, with some information about GI health and deep breathing from the University of Michigan (4 minutes)

A good discussion by pelvic health expert The Flower Empowered on the relationship between belly breathing and the pelvic floor (6 1/2 minutes)

More advanced: an explanation, also by The Flower Empowered, of how to do hypopressive exercises which will help retrain and feel the muscles involved in exhalation, if you're having trouble feeling your exhalation fully (7 1/2 minutes) 

Class Schedule for July, August, and Class Break, September 2020

Hello everyone,

As many of you know, I take an annual break from teaching in order to rest, reflect on any changes that need to take place with classes, and focus on my own training. This break usually occurs in September, and has sometimes extended into the first part of October.

Due to (positive) changes in my personal life, this break is going to start a little earlier than normal, and I'll be sneaking away for a couple of days in July.

So:

All classes will run as usual in July, except for Monday, July 27th and Wednesday, July 29th. There will be no classes on those two days.

All classes will run as usual in August, but the last day of class will be Saturday, August 22nd. For the last week and a bit of August, there won't be any classes. There will be no classes in September 2020.

The monthly fee for August will be $30 instead of $40. 

Classes will resume on October 3rd, 2020. (This is the first Saturday in October. The monthly fee of $40 will resume at that point.)

There will be a lot to look forward to in October, including a new Tai Chi Beginner's cycle and the continuation of Lok Hup Ba Fa training, as well as new depths to our study of Qigong. 

Things might change between now and October, but my current plan is that all classes will continue to be offered online until it's reasonably safe for us to gather and practice indoors. This includes reasonable safety for all our members. Depending on how things develop, I may be offering some in-person teaching at the Regent Centre in the fall or winter on the same limited basis I've been offering training this summer, but I don't currently have concrete plans to do this.

I very much appreciate hearing any opinions from you on how you would like things to proceed, given our limitations and what's comfortable for you. Many of you have offered me feedback already, and it's been very helpful. My primary aim in all of this is to continue to offer lessons in the safest way possible.

I hope to see you at a class sometime soon! And I'm looking forward to a time when we can train together in person again.  

July 2020

Hi everyone! A couple of quick notes on class:

Classes will run as they have been in July 2020, online on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. You can view the complete schedule here. If you haven't accessed online classes yet, but would like to, please pop me a line at smithmk2@gmail.com or call (905) 521-0043.

The next guided meditation session runs on Sunday, July 5 (not the nonexistent date I originally listed, Saturday, July 5). For more information on guided meditation, read the post here.

If you're a continuing student and you haven't contacted me lately or have chosen not to attend online classes, I would like to touch base with you. Please let me know if you're available. Thanks!

A less quick note on some content we discussed the other day:

During a recent qigong class we were discussing the TCM clock associated with the organ systems of the body. We've talked a lot about the cycle of the five elements in qigong, but each of these elements also maps onto each day, creating a circadian rhythm.

This is very handy for understanding any symptoms you may have that repeat at the same time each day. (Why do I always get sleepy at 2pm? Why do I always wake up at 3 in the morning?) Lily Choi, a TCM practitioner in New York state, has a wonderful article about the organ clock, including tips and tricks for strategically supporting each organ at its ideal time, and a good image of the clock for your reference: TCM Organ Qi Cycle: Our Body Clock. Go check it out!

Guided Meditation Sessions for Summer 2020

Hello everyone,

Guided meditation sessions will continue throughout the summer, on the full and new moons each month. These are mini-workshops, lasting two hours each, and include a check-in to see how everyone's doing, a discussion of the energies we'll be working with, a guided meditation, and post-meditation discussion. (Don't worry if that sounds like a lot! We take a break in the middle.) 

Guided meditation is a wonderful way to receive a fresh infusion of new positive energies. At a time when much of our input is distressing or negative, it's great to be in a position to receive something helpful. The discussions we have around the meditation are a wonderful source of insight into working with energy and receiving guidance. We learn from each other as we work together.

The next four sessions will continue the theme we started on Friday, June 5, as we began to explore the five Taoist virtues or positive traits, and by way of doing so, the five elements, and five aspects of spiritual energy, as outlined in traditional Chinese medicine. We began on the Strawberry Full Moon with metal element / lungs / the Po or "animal soul," which is responsible for reacting to situations as they arise. 

Don't worry if you missed the first one, or if you know you can't make all of the remaining meditations: each of these sessions stands alone, and is an in-depth exploration of a beneficial energy. As one of my mentors always says, you end up coming to the sessions that offer what you need! That may be all of them, or it may be that certain meditations resonate with you. 

If you're brand new, you're welcome to attend. If you've been to my classes or these meditations before, you're welcome to attend. Guided meditation sessions are $20 per session. 

Here's the schedule for the rest of the summer:

Sunday, June 21, 2020 New Moon

6-8(ish) pm

Water

There's a ton happening on this date! It's the first full day of summer, astrologically speaking—the solstice takes place on June 20th at 5:43 pm. In traditional calendars, the solstice marks midsummer, the time when the days are longest. On the 21st there will also be a special type of solar eclipse. When aligned with the sun, the moon will cover 99.4% of its surface, creating a ring of fire effect. In other words, it should look really cool. It won't be visible from North America, but keep an eye out for photos from parts of Africa, India, and China. 

For this session, we'll be working with the water element. Water governs the kidney / bladder systems. In Chinese medicine the kidneys store Essence, what Ted Kaptchuk calls the "deep, 'soft,' 'juicy' potential in living beings." They're also responsible for the will: the decisions and commitments we make, as well as the understanding that on some level we're connected to destiny. This meditation will help balance the will and access inner wisdom. 

Sunday, July 5, 2020 Full Moon

6-8(ish) pm

Wood  

This meditation falls on the full Buck moon, also known as the Thunder moon, named for the time of year when bucks' horns pick up speed in their growth and development, and the time when thunderstorms are most likely. This year the July moon rises on Saturday evening, and reaches peak illumination or fullness after midnight. There will be a penumbral eclipse on this day—the moon passes through the outer edge of the earth's shadow, making it appear darker between 11 pm and 2 am.

All of these eclipses enhance any energy work we might want to do. On this evening we'll work with the wood element, which governs the liver / gallbladder. Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of qi in the body. At its best, the liver creates an even disposition. It's connected to the non-corporeal soul or Hun, and is responsible for kindness, benevolence, and the ability to recognise the humanity in others. We'll work with this aspect of the soul to help establish an open, flexible and firm sense of our own boundaries. 

Monday, July 20, 2020 New Moon

6-8 (ish) pm

Fire

This is a less action-packed New Moon than the previous month! But we'll be in a fabulous element with fire. This meditation will focus on the heart, which is the organ that governs the connection between a person's spirit or shen and their daily actions. With this meditation, we'll work on developing appropriate and timely actions and reactions, ensuring that our heart energies are strong and supple enough to allow the big picture of Spirit to guide our choices.

Monday, August 3, 2020 Full Moon

6-8 (ish) pm

Earth

This final meditation of the summer takes place on the night of the full Sturgeon moon, the time when sturgeon are most readily caught. (That Old Farmer's Almanac link has a ton of other names for this moon, including "Blueberry Moon," if you prefer something less fishy!) This moon takes place two days after the traditional holiday of Lammas or Lughnasadh, which celebrated the first wheat harvest—it's a very significant time of year for celebrating the ripe fullness of the season in the Northern hemisphere, and a great time to complete our series with the earth element!

Earth governs the spleen, which is responsible for extracting and distributing Qi. In Chinese medicine, it's considered the primary organ of digestion. On a psychological level, the spleen rules our ability to see potentials, meaning, if it's in balance, we can consider possibilities, weigh our options, and make clear-headed decisions. In this meditation, we'll explore the concept of having enough, and help ourselves to meet the world with clarity and decisiveness. 

On the Future of Classes, This Summer and Possibly Beyond

Hello everyone!

As we continue on with the new reality, I wanted to touch base with everyone who's been part of my classes online and in-person. Summer is always a time when demand for classes drops off, as we go to work in the garden and take part in more outdoor activities. I'm not sure how that will affect classes this summer, since we're all going to be a little bit more limited than usual, but I've already been seeing some reduced numbers. In any case, I'm here for you and class is here for you in its online capacity. 

In June, the schedule will remain the same as it has been. 

If it seems like there's dwindling interest in class through July and August, I'll modify the schedule to reflect that, but I plan to continue teaching until the last week of August. If enough people are still interested in training (hint: this means I need to see you at class), I'll keep the schedule as is. In September I'll be taking the same hiatus I always do, with a plan to resume class in October. More details on this will follow as the time approaches. I'll give plenty of heads up before I alter any schedules.

The unfortunate truth of our current situation is that my hands are tied with regard to starting in-person classes again. The limit on gatherings is still (wisely!) in place. Even if it lifts, there is no way I'll be taking any risks with anyone's health. Until I can rest assured that we can run in-person classes safely, I won't be resuming them. 

This could mean that we wait until a vaccine is available, or until there's some kind of unforeseen breakthrough that guarantees a sufficiently low risk to everyone. This fact is tough to face, but I mention it because I hope those of you who haven't been attending, but who do feel a need for training, will consider coming back to class. The online format is different, and can be difficult to get used to, but I don't think there's going to be a better option anytime soon for group classes. I would love to see you! As would your classmates. (If you're camera-shy we can just wave to you, knowing that you're there!) If you haven't visited us online, but you were a regular part of classes at the Regent Centre, rest assured you've been missed.

Because my time and capacity to teach at a high-quality level is limited (I do get tired after a while, y'all!), group online classes are the best way for me to continue to teach, and the best way for you to receive regular instruction and company while you practice.

That having been said, as of now I am considering requests for individual in-person training on a case by case basis. Individual training would be done outside and in a socially distanced manner, with a large buffer zone between me and any attendee(s). Obviously this is only going to be available while the weather is warm enough for training outside, essentially, through to the end of summer. 

In-person sessions won't be a substitute for regular classes. Unfortunately I can't offer them at a frequency that would add up to a full training regime for any one person. But if you feel a need to supplement what you've learned at classes past or present, if you feel like you need some individual corrections for your practice, or to ask me questions, I'm currently piloting ways to manage this safely and legally. At this time, I'm exploring one-on-one sessions only. I may expand to allow two students at a time in the future.

This service will be available for people who have attended my classes in the past, or who are attending classes now. I need to get to know you a bit before I agree to train you individually.

I'm also happy to do one-on-one Zoom sessions for those of you who feel like they need to supplement their training but aren't comfortable with in-person training. I'm continuing to offer distance Reiki for people who would like to work with this powerful healing modality in a safe manner, and group guided meditation sessions, which have been running for the past couple of months, are also going to run on the Full and New Moons for the rest of the summer.

If you're looking to join classes for the first time, Qigong training is currently open to new beginners. Learn about Qigong here. Qigong classes run on Mondays from 1-2pm and Saturdays from noon to 1pm. Guided meditation is also open to all levels.

The fee for online classes is still $40 / month, or $20 for people on ODSP, students, or those dealing with financial hardship.

Guided meditation sessions are a separate fee of $20 / session.

The fee for one-on-one sessions, in-person or otherwise, is $60 / hour. Distance Reiki is $30. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. You can reach me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. 

If you've received this message by email, don't hit "reply"—your message will go into the void! Make a separate message with smithmk2@gmail.com in the "to" field. 

Classes are on for Victoria Day, Monday, May 18

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'll be running online classes this Monday, May 18, 2020, as well as for the rest of May and on into the future, if people want them!

Monday Online Classes

Qigong 1pm-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing (Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I*) 3-3:30
Lok Hup Ba Fa 3:30-4pm


The complete online schedule can be found at the top of the page here.

If you're not currently a part of online classes, but you would like to be, contact me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Some Audio Content for You

Dear All,

Just a reminder that there are no classes this coming Monday the 11th or Wednesday the 13th of May (2020 if you're still counting).

While I'm otherwise occupied this week, I thought I would leave you with some material to keep you entertained and hopefully help you continue to practice. I was originally going to release this on class days but some of you got excited when I spilled the beans at class, so here you go! You should be able to listen directly at the link, or download these files for later by clicking on the three little dots on the right side of the screen under the file info and selecting "Download."

AUDIO TAI CHI SET

This is a rough draft that isn't road tested but let me know if it's helpful: it's the Tai Chi Set, narrated in the same terms I use at class. I found it a little tricky to narrate this while sitting at my desk but it's a start anyway! Future drafts to follow. 

SIX HEALING SOUNDS

This is a set we've done at class many times, but I've been struggling to figure out a way to lead it during Zoom classes. I sat down to record it, deciding that I would really take my time with it and...it's 43 minutes long! It's a really take-your-time-ish version of this meditation, and if I do say so myself, will leave you feeling really refreshed and balanced. It can be done sitting in a chair or standing. Either way, you'll want to have enough room to move your arms out to each side. Enjoy!

***

If you're not part of my classes but you find these files useful anyway, that's great! You can share these and any other original work from this site if you credit me, but you can't remix them or sell them.  

These works are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. 

No Online Classes for Monday, May 11 and Wednesday, May 13 2020

This is a reminder that if you're part of online classes, there will be no classes on Monday, May 11, or Wednesday, May 13. All other classes will run as usual in May 2020 and beyond.

Check this space for some audio content on Monday and Wednesday to keep you occupied while classes are on hold!

***

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Guided Meditation Sessions, May 2020

As many of you know, I've been running guided meditation sessions for the past few weeks in order to help us stay connected as a community and meditate together. Developing and leading guided meditations is a skill I learned in order to help people understand energy and spiritual matters better. Guided meditation has certainly served to deepen my own practice in all kinds of ways over the years.

If you're not familiar with it, a guided meditation is a journey or visualisation that participants follow as a facilitator talks them through it. These can be very simple, like the meditation we do for relaxation and grounding at the beginning of a Tai Chi or Qigong class, or they can be more elaborate, like a story you are part of. These evening guided meditation sessions involve the more elaborate kind of meditation.

The session includes a check-in, where we each share a bit about how we're doing (this is optional and voluntary—you can pass if you want to), then after a break we go through the meditation, and then we finish by sharing whatever we wish to about our experiences with the meditation. The session takes around two hours.

I wanted to extend the invitation to join the guided meditation sessions to our larger community. There's no prior experience necessary to attend.

Thursday, May 7, 2020, 6-8 pm 
Topic: Finding Guidance

This meditation takes place on the night of the Flower Moon—which is also the last supermoon of 2020! There should be great viewing that night! In accordance with the energies of this moon, we'll be working with a meditation that should help us blossom.

Sometimes, we want to know if we're on the right path, or we just want help, or to know that we're not completely off kilter. If you've been a part of New Age or meditation circles, you might have heard people talking about seeking guidance, or getting in touch with their guides. This meditation will focus on accessing intuition, your higher self, and benevolent energies in order to learn to find and understand guidance in almost any situation. 


Friday, May 22, 2020, 6-8 pm
Topic: Finding and Creating Sacred Spaces

Sometimes, we need a place to settle into ourselves or connect with higher energies. According to feng shui, there are some arrangements of objects in our homes that make for optimal energy flow, and in nature, these arrangements happen quite spontaneously. There are many places where the terrain and plant life come together in order to raise the energies of a particular area. This may be a corner of your own balcony or yard; it may be a small area of a public park, or it may be a small area of your home.

This meditation will invite you to go within to find and create a sacred space so you know what one looks and feels like, therefore allowing you to locate or make one wherever you may be.

This meditation takes place on the night of the New Moon. This is a wonderful time for planting seeds of self-development: as the moon waxes or grows over the course of the following two weeks, so the skill or ability we learn at this meditation will be easier to develop.


How to Join

All meetings take place via Zoom. If you'd like to join, contact me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043 and I will send you an invitation. If you've joined previously and you want to invite a friend, please do!

If you haven't been a part of our classes before and you're not coming in through a past participant, please get in touch with me ahead of time so I know you want to attend.


Fees
Cost is $20 per session.

This fee is flexible for people who have already studied with me. I know this is an uncertain time. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns.

***

This blog is the primary way I communicate with my students. If you're not signed up and you wish to receive future posts in your email inbox, and keep updated about classes, workshops, and Tai Chi and Qigong topics, subscribe.

If you have received this message by email and you wish to respond, don't hit "Reply"! Your message will go into the void. Make sure smithmk2@gmail.com is in the address bar of your email program or app.

Online Tai Chi and Qigong Classes~Now with Lok Hup Ba Fa!

Hello everyone,

I realise it's been over a month since I last updated this site. If we haven't been in touch (or even if we have), I hope you're doing well, and holding steady in the face of all the adjustments we've had to make in the past few weeks.

It looks like our current need to practice social distancing is going to carry on for a while, so we'll be limited to online classes for the medium or long term. If you've been missing Tai Chi or Qigong classes or are hankering for some training, but you haven't had the chance to drop in yet, you are absolutely welcome to do so! I'm offering regular online classes at all levels of Tai Chi and both regular Qigong (Saturdays) and Health Recovery sessions (Mondays). In Qigong we've just switched routines, and are now working on Five Elements Qigong, so this is a great time to join.

If you've been a student of mine at the Regent Health Centre but haven't joined yet, then please ping me at smithmk2@gmail.com and I'll send you instructions for joining. If you have a computer, tablet, or phone with a functional screen and speaker, you should have no trouble seeing the session and following classes. If you don't wish to appear on camera, or you don't have a functional camera or microphone, that's fine. You'll appear in the gallery of participants as a black box with your name on it. There is a chat function so you can communicate via text if you want. (Needless to say if you want corrections, I would have to be able to look at what you're doing.)

I'm writing now because some participants in the continuing session on Monday requested that I add  Lok Hup Ba Fa training to the mix. I'm delighted to do this, since before things shut down, I was planning to add Lok Hup to our program at the Regent Centre.

Lok Hup Ba Fa is a complex, deeply satisfying, and sophisticated internal martial art. Similar to Tai Chi, but more challenging to learn and perform, it represents the essence of our practice, and is well worth trying if you've already learned Tai Chi and are looking for something more advanced. Lok Hup sessions will begin Wednesday, April 29th. I'll be teaching the set from the beginning. See notes below on how this will work.

The new reality, and the limits of online classes, call for a different approach to training, so I'm going to be adding 30 minutes of Lok Hup lessons to the end of the current schedule on Mondays and Wednesdays, with a further opportunity to review in the last few minutes of Saturday's continuing sessions. If it's appropriate in the future to explore Lok Hup in a different format or at a different time, we'll do so!

The new schedule for online Tai Chi, Qigong, and Lok Hup (plus weapons work!) is as follows:

Monday
Qigong 1pm-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing (Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I*) 3-3:30

Lok Hup Ba Fa: 3:30-4pm

Wednesday
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm

Continuing (Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I) 3-3:30

Lok Hup Ba Fa: 3:30-4pm

Saturday
Qigong Noon-1pm
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm
Continuing (Tai Chi, Sword and sometimes Sabre and Hsing-I, plus a skootch of Lok Hup review) 2-3:30

*At this time, Sword, Sabre, and Hsing-I sessions are review only. While we are going over some movements in detail, I'm not teaching these sets from scratch at this time.

NOTES ON LOK HUP ONLINE SESSIONS

These sessions are meant to be add-ons to the Tai Chi program. If you want to attend but aren't able to or don't wish to come to the Tai Chi Intermediate and Continuing sessions that precede Lok Hup, then I strongly suggest that you come to class having done your own warm-up. We won't have time to do any warm-up in the Lok Hup session itself. You will get much more out of your Lok Hup training if your body is prepared when you begin.

Yes, these sessions will be short! We're not going to be ambitious about how much we do in each class. For twenty minutes, I will be teaching the moves one at a time from the beginning of the set, and we'll be spending the last ten minutes doing the set from start to finish. If you don't know Lok Hup, you can begin to learn, and if you already know it, you'll get the chance to practice.

This is a unique opportunity to learn the set in tiny, digestible increments, and to comb through it and renew your relationship with it if you've learned it previously. For the first couple of sessions, before we start doing the set itself, I'll be going over technique relevant to Lok Hup. This is material you already probably have a sense of from Tai Chi or Qigong, but which is essential to bear in mind when you practice Lok Hup.

Learning Lok Hup this way is going to require you to practice in between sessions. A few minutes on your own each day, going over what you've learned, will be extremely beneficial. Success will also depend on a commitment to attending as many sessions as possible.

The prerequisite for learning Lok Hup is Tai Chi. I recommend Lok Hup for people who have done Intermediate and Continuing Tai Chi training. 

FEES

There is no additional cost for Lok Hup online training. At this time I'm offering these lessons as an extension of regular classes, so they're included in your regular fees.

For Canadians, I accept e-transfer at smithmk2@gmail.com

I've also set up a ko-fi account which should enable you to pay from anywhere or pay with a credit card.

I understand that this is an uncertain time, and some of you may have experienced disruptions to your income. If you've been a student of mine at the Regent Centre, and you simply cannot afford to pay, know that I consider you part of my Tai Chi and Qigong family, and I am committed to continuing to train you. I would love to see you at whatever classes are appropriate for your level of training. Please get in touch with me if you're unsure about any of this.

I am extremely grateful to the people who have been paying for online classes. Teaching is my business and my part-time job, i.e., an important source of income for me. It's also my vocation and something I love to do. Your support has allowed me to continue at a time when I may have otherwise been forced to stop. Thank you very much!


A NOTE FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T TRAINED WITH ME PREVIOUSLY

I've had a couple of requests from people to come into the online classes who haven't trained with me before and whom I don't know personally. If this is the case for you, I would like to accommodate you, but please understand I will need to process you in differently from the people I already know. This is in order to ensure that both new participants and current students have as positive an experience as possible, and also that I can adequately meet your needs.

Some things to consider before you ask to be included:

Online training is quite different from in-person classes. There is an adjustment period in terms of getting used to the way I use technology to show moves and to offer corrections. If you're coming in for Tai Chi or Lok Hup, I'm very hesitant to include you if you aren't local to Hamilton, Ontario and don't intend to follow up with in-person classes or workshops later on, so we can fix whatever bits and pieces you might have missed. In the past I've taught Lok Hup as part of advanced class, as a special summer evening weekly class, and lately I've been offering instruction in a four-hour Sunday workshop format. All of these formats, or other formats, are possible in the future, once we're back to doing in-person training. Obviously I don't know when that might be happening.

If you've trained at an outside club, you'll have some habits to correct / some polishing to do, especially if you're interested in training in an advanced set. If you're very attached to the technique you've learned so far, you probably won't enjoy learning from me. If you feel that you need improvement and your current training isn't quite cutting it, you might be very happy.

Before you join, I require people I don't already know to attend an online interview, 20-30 minutes in length. The purpose of this interview is for me to ensure that you understand the software we use, to discuss your training, and for you to get to know me. Doing this interview is free of charge and will enable me to make recommendations about which classes are appropriate for you, and to help you decide if you want to train with me. I am nice and I will not bite and this will probably be a pleasant experience.

If I don't know you already, you must pay fees in order to attend. This indicates your commitment to the training. I promise that in exchange, you'll learn a great deal.

My fees are extraordinarily reasonable:

$40 per month, unlimited classes
Students / ODSP / OW / Under 18 / Financial Need: $20 per month, unlimited classes

Drop-In: $20 per class

Thanks for understanding! For more information, please contact me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Let's Keep Practicing (Online Classes Starting Wednesday, March 25th, 2020)

Dear All,

This has been a week, hasn't it? A week that has seemed to last approximately a thousand years.

BUT given the new reality:

It is my absolutely weird pleasure to announce online classes. 

The first day will be this Wednesday, March 25th, 2020. 

The schedule:

Monday
Qigong 1pm-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing 3-3:30

Wednesday
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm
Intermediate Tai Chi 2-3pm
Continuing 3-3:30

Saturday
Qigong Noon-1pm
Beginner's Tai Chi 1-2pm
Continuing 2-3:30

The Intermediate Classes will include some instruction for continuing practitioners if they wish to attend. I'll answer any questions you have and offer continuing level corrections during this time. The material we cover will be intermediate level, i.e., practicing the set, polishing different sections of it, and going over some foundation technique.

Continuing-only sessions will include instruction in Sword. (Let's break some lamps together!)

Because of the disruption to our regular teaching schedule, I'm planning to do review with the Tai Chi Beginners before we continue to learn new material, to make sure you remember what you've learned so far, so if you've forgotten stuff, don't worry.

Monday's Qigong sessions will be our health recovery sessions, where we can troubleshoot any issues you may have. The health recovery classes are a time for us to discuss common physical, mental, and emotional challenges, and to talk about how to use Qigong to overcome them. Saturday will focus on flow, technique, and small set routines. Qigong is open to all levels. Even if you're a brand new beginner, you might benefit from Qigong. If you've been doing Tai Chi for a while, you'll definitely benefit from Qigong!

How to join

I will be using Zoom to run these classes. If you're not familiar, this is a video conferencing service. I'm not going to be publishing the link to these meetings publicly on my website.

If you want to join, please email me at smithmk2@gmail.com and I will send you an invitation.

***If you've received this message by email because you're subscribed to the blog, don't hit reply to this message! See how it says no-reply at the top? There's a reason for that. Just start a new email and make sure my address is there. If all else fails, text or call at (905) 521-0043 and let me know you want to join. So long as I have a functional email address for you, we should be fine.***

You can download the Zoom app / program for free (if you're on a computer, you'll want the first option on that page) or, when you click on the link I'll send you before the session, you can join through your web browser.

So again, to join, email me at smithmk2@gmail.com and I will send you an invitation. A few minutes before the class, just click on the link in the invitation, follow the instructions, and you'll be all set.

To answer some of your concerns ahead of time:

This is weird.

Believe me I know. If you've heard me talk about being filmed before, you know I am not in love with the idea. I hate the idea of you all not practicing more, though, so here we go, this is the future, the future is now.

I don't want to appear on camera.

That's fine! You'll still be able to see me and follow along. You can ask questions via audio if you have a microphone. (Your phone, tablet, or laptop probably have perfectly functional cameras and microphones, but you can choose to leave these turned off when you join the meeting.) There is also a chat function if you would prefer to type out questions or requests.

If you want corrections or help with something, it's very likely that I'll need to see you, so it might be appropriate to have your camera on. It's up to you how you want to engage. Absolutely no judgement here.

I will also say that it will be strange for me to run classes without being able to see any of you, so if you're on the fence or at all inclined to turn your camera on, I'll be really happy!

Zoom has a recording function, but recording will be disabled for these classes, and I ask that you not use other software to record these sessions.

How is this going to work?

It's going to be me in my living room, teaching the same lessons I would in person. I'll be using my laptop camera and a somewhat good quality microphone that may or may not pick up every sound in the room, including the click of my dogs' nails as they walk across the floor. Production values will be low, but we'll get to work out together.

How is this going to work for Tai Chi specifically?

We'll see! I have a 12 foot by 7 foot space for Tai Chi. I can get most of it (10 feet by 7?) into the frame of my laptop's camera. There will probably be some stepping back so I can stay in the frame. This is a great opportunity for us to all practice doing a set in a limited space. Doing the set in a tiny space is better than not doing it at all.

Worst case scenario, we'll learn how to do our foundation exercises really, really well.

Can I Invite My Friend Who Lives Far Away?

Sure! I am inviting my friends who live far away. Just let them know that Qigong is a good option for new beginners, as is Beginners Tai Chi.

How Much Does this Cost?

If you paid a monthly fee for March with the idea that you would be studying at the Regent Centre, I really don't want you to pay any more at present. I consider these online classes to be an extension and continuation of our in-person practice at the studio. For the next week or two, I expect we'll still be ironing things out.

My plan going forward is that online classes will be a voluntary payment service. This decision reflects the fact that things are up in the air for all of us right now. My priority is that if you want to practice, you're able to keep practicing.

What If I Want to Give You Money?

I'm incredibly grateful. As you probably know, teaching Tai Chi and Qigong at the Regent Centre is my part-time job, and unfortunately, putting things on pause has meant a sudden and unforeseen end to a source of income for me, as it has for most small businesses that depend on in-person services. Again, I'm fine for March—I'm not at any immediate point of concern, and if you've already paid for March, we're square (well, I owe you two weeks worth of lessons!), but if this whole self-isolation / lockdown thing goes long, and I think it very well might, every little bit will definitely help.

If you're new to these classes (hi!) or looking for guidance about what to pay, my extremely reasonable fee schedule is here.

For Canadians, I accept e-transfer at smithmk2@gmail.com

I've also set up a ko-fi account which should enable you to pay from anywhere.

Classes are on Pause Until April 2020

Dear Friends,

In keeping with the general theme of social distancing and maintaining reasonable protocols for health and safety during the current coronavirus pandemic, I've decided to put our classes on hold until April. I believe this is the best way to keep everyone as safe as possible, and to ensure that, at a time when many measures are underway to curtail the spread of the virus, we are working in alignment with those measures. 

Early interventions are our best bet to limit the impact of coronavirus, as history has proven. At a time when it's easy to slip into fear over what might happen in the days to come, the current school closures and event cancellations are good reason to be optimistic. I'm delighted with this response, which is timely and appropriate. I'm very happy to operate in tune with it. 

If it proves to be excessive or unnecessary, then that will be a wonderful result. 

***

I'm not going to give a firm restart date at this point. I will reassess at the end of March to see how things are shaping up, and I will keep you all updated about what comes next via this website. So, I ask that you check back here once or twice a week, or sign up for email updates (see the form in the sidebar, or the link at the end of this post). Currently the situation seems to be rapidly evolving from day to day (or hour to hour), so predictions are impossible to make. I promise that however things play out, I'll try to make as balanced a decision as I can. 

If you paid fees for March, you'll receive two weeks of classes without charge when we resume.

*** 

I intend to spend part of my time away updating and adding to the Resources page. If you haven't had the chance to visit it yet, it includes a very detailed and very homemade guide (stick figures by me!) to the first part of the Tai Chi set, which you can also access here: 

Tai Chi for Beginners Lessons

The current beginners classes have covered everything through Lesson 2.

For Qigong practitioners, the Ba Duan Jin / Eight Silk Brocades handout (my classiest handout ever!) is here:

Ba Duan Jin (Eight Silks) Handout

Note: these links go to my Dropbox. You can download or save the linked documents to your home computer or tablet. In the days to come, I'll be adding more handouts and some audio content, so keep an eye out for posts notifying you of those party favours!

For each of you, of course, I recommend practicing what you've learned so far! Even if all you can remember is the first move of the Tai Chi set, or a single Qigong exercise, that's great! Practice it sincerely. Although class is a necessary part of learning, solo practice is the end goal of all of this, so it's always good to have an opportunity to work with it, whatever the circumstances.

If you need to contact me for any reason (I answer to Tai Chi and Qigong emergencies and non-emergencies!) you are absolutely welcome to ping me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. 

I wish you all the very best of health and peace in your hearts in the days to come. 

***

This blog is the primary way I communicate with my students. If you're not signed up and you wish to receive future posts in your email inbox, and keep updated about classes, workshops, and Tai Chi and Qigong topics, subscribe.

If you have received this message by email and you wish to respond, don't hit "Reply"! Your message will go into the void. Make sure smithmk2@gmail.com is in the address bar of your email program or app.

How We Are Different

I want to thank everyone for their patience with my absence from class this week! And to thank Mary, Gillianne, Sam and Marilyn for filling in. It's very likely that Monday, March 9, 2020 will see my return to class. I'm eagerly looking forward to practicing Tai Chi and Qigong with you again!

Events this week have conspired to make me think more thoroughly than I previously have about our club and the things that make us different, besides that I have the best students in the world (have I mentioned I missed you this week?). I would never claim complete uniqueness from all other Tai Chi clubs—after all, Tai Chi is part of a long tradition with a global history that goes back thousands, if not tens of thousands of years, depending on how you define Qigong. At the same time, not all Tai Chi and Qigong classes are created equal. So here we go, an informal list of the things that make our group especially great.

***

Attention to Detail

Tai Chi and Qigong are complex arts that involve precise body movements, frames of mind, and posture in order to work well. While almost anyone can look at the outside of a movement and copy the motions of the legs and arms, it takes a lot of training to understand what we call the internal aspects of a movement (aka, how it really works). And yet, understanding the internal aspects of the movement is the key to unlocking the healing power of Tai Chi and Qigong—i.e., making them super effective.

I was fortunate to receive meticulous training that gave me a thorough understanding of the internal aspects of Tai Chi and Qigong, and the foundation principles of movement that operate across all the arts that I teach. I've been even more fortunate to have plenty of time and opportunity to deepen this understanding over three decades of practice.

What this means is if you ask a question in one of my classes, you'll get an answer that will serve you for many months (or years) to come. (Some might say you'll get a really, really long answer, but hey I like to be specific and give complete information.) That answer will be consistent with the other information you'll receive in class. If I or one of my co-instructors doesn't know the answer, you'll hear "I don't know." (You'll seldom hear "I don't know.") 

Your question will never be dismissed. You'll never be told to "just do it" without having enough information to understand how or why you're doing something, or how to do it correctly. When you start learning a new art, like Sword, Sabre, Hsing-I, or Lok Hup, the principles you've already learned with Tai Chi or Qigong will still apply and it will make sense to you. The more you learn, the more you'll get to enjoy building on the knowledge base you already have. In this way, your practice will always deepen, and so long as you keep practicing, you'll develop a more and more sophisticated toolkit to help you with whatever you want to do in life as you get stronger and happier, and feel better and better.


Emphasis on the Individual

All bodies can benefit from Tai Chi and Qigong, but not all bodies handle the movements in the same way, especially in the beginning. The reason why I offer Qigong and Tai Chi as separate classes is that some people need a way in to Tai Chi, or they want to deepen and soften their Tai Chi practice after time spent doing it but not quite grasping the internals. Qigong offers an opportunity to slow down and focus on the mechanics of each movement. On the other hand, when you're looking for a bigger challenge, Tai Chi and the other internal martial arts that I teach are there for you. The class schedule is designed to help you tailor your training to your needs and interests.

Beyond the ability to choose one's own adventure with the classes, I focus on making sure that if a movement isn't sitting well with you, you're aware of the options you have for modifying it, or the bodily habits you have that are causing you discomfort. Every Friday at our Qigong for Health Recovery class, we discuss specific physical, mental, and emotional challenges (mostly physical) and how to deal with them. But this isn't just a topic for Fridays: any class is an opportunity for you to ask about the issues you want to work on. Chances are, someone else shares them.

I have a long history of helping people troubleshoot the challenges that have made movement difficult for them in the past, and I'm confident that I can help you. Believe it or not, moving can become less painful and more pleasant for you. There is no instant fix, but over time, improvement isn't beyond most people.

My co-instructors and I are here to help you meet your training goals, regardless of how small or lofty they may be.

Personal Empowerment Through Kicking Arse

I've been made aware through the years that there are some groups who don't consider Tai Chi a martial art, and don't teach it that way. That's not us.

Now, we're not in the business of inviting participants to fight each other (although we do play Push Hands from time to time.) Bottom line, the movements of Tai Chi are evidently punches, kicks, blocks and strikes. To see them any other way is to miss the spirit of the thing, and more than half the fun. The point is to learn how to apply force with one's entire body, from the ground, up through the core, and out through the hands.

In real life, chances are you won't need to get into a physical fight of any kind. (Let's hope not!) But there will come a time when you have to do something (lift a heavy box, push a heavy piece of furniture) that might be a bit beyond you. When you've learned how to do Tai Chi correctly, these physical challenges become a lot more do-able, and you greatly reduce the chances of hurting yourself.

My understanding is that those who teach that Tai Chi isn't a martial art do so with the claim that their focus is on Tai Chi for health "instead" of Tai Chi as martial art. I can think of few better ways to protect one's health than avoiding injury. Or, if it comes down to it, it seems obvious to me that self-defense, or learning to stand in one's power and physical integrity, is also an essential component of health, if only for the self esteem boost it brings. (Pro tip: there are many other reasons this is good for you!) In any case, it's been my experience that in Tai Chi, health and martial art go hand in hand: you can't have one without the other.

For many people, learning the martial art aspect of Tai Chi becomes their favourite part of class. I hope anyone who feels intimidated by this idea or isn't sure they'll like it would give it a try.


That Mojo Though

I've met more than one Tai Chi practitioner who doesn't want to talk about Chi or energy. (Qigong people tend to be a little more into the woo, bless you all!) As someone who started Tai Chi as a Chi skeptic, I understand, but I can tell you firsthand that it's more fun when you're not stuck there. Chi is literally everywhere, and the sensations that accompany Tai Chi and Qigong (warmth, tingling in the hands, a sense of liveliness) are both common and ample evidence that Chi is in the mix when we practice. If you're interested in learning more about energy and you're attending my classes, you have only to ask. I have many years experience with Chi in a Tai Chi context, as well as in the context of other energy healing modalities, and can talk about it all day long (I'm sure that's great news!), and show you how to experience it for yourself.


Small Classes 

Our studio is moderate in size. This means our classes are not overpopulated and never will be. We can fit 15-17 people maximum into the space at one time. Many of the classes tend to average half that number. Beginner's classes tend to be even smaller. I'm not interested in teaching massive classes where people don't feel like they have access to individual instruction, and I won't.


Safe Space

I actively cultivate an environment where people are mutually respectful, pleasant, and full of good humour. Tai Chi and Qigong are tricky arts that can sometimes be frustrating, so it helps to laugh. We're also disciplined, dedicated to practice, and focused on the task at hand. We're social, but we're not a social club. We don't waste your precious practice time.

Unlike larger organisations, ego and politics don't have a place here. We don't harass our members or bully outside organisations or individuals. (Sorry, but there will be no rumbling in the parking lot with rival clubs! It's a matter of principle.)

Our classes are for the purpose of learning Tai Chi, Qigong, and related arts, and for that purpose alone.


Things We Do Not Do

Ask you for exclusivity
There are many groups where members who wish to train elsewhere are told in no uncertain terms that they can't unless they leave. That's not us. What you do with your own time is up to you.
 
Ask you for "donations" or "fundraising"
The fees you pay monthly and for any occasional workshops or classes serve to cover the cost of our rent and to compensate me for my time. This club is my part time job, and I'm very grateful that I get to do something so interesting and worthwhile as my work. I believe completely in the principle that you should get value for your money. Beyond the fees you pay for your training, you will not be asked to open your wallet.

Offer partial instruction
I don't teach internal martial arts sets in halves. If I commit to offer instruction in an art, I teach the whole thing. Although achieving balance in this is tricky, I try to honour whatever we've studied with some practice time each week or month. (If I slip on this, remind me!) 

***

Above all, I'm very proud of the group that I've built with the help of each of my students. If you're already a member, I'm so glad you've chosen to train with me. If you're thinking of joining, with new Beginner's Tai Chi classes just underway this week, and Qigong classes always open to all levels, it's an excellent time. 

Sincerely, 

Melissa.

Classes Cancelled Monday, March 2, 2020

Dear All,

Unfortunately I've caught a cold that's going to make it impossible for me to safely and comfortably run class this coming Monday, March 2nd. Rather than scramble to arrange for people to cover class, I'm going to cancel.

Unless otherwise noted, class will proceed as usual on Wednesday, March 4 and going forward. I'm sure I'll feel better (and be less likely to pass it on) by then!

Classes are On for Family Day Weekend

All classes will run as usual all weekend and on Family Day, February 17, 2020. If you're free and you'd like to come work out, please join us!

***

Reminders:

Tai Chi Beginners starts a new cycle in March 2020! If you've been wanting to try Tai Chi, your chance is coming up fast. Read more about Tai Chi Beginners classes here.

There is still room in the Qigong workshop that's running on February 23rd, 2020. We're going to dig deep into the topic of the mind and how to work with it in order to cultivate inner peace, including some discussion of Taoist perspectives on the mind, and lots of time to slow down, relax, and practice. This workshop is open to all levels of experience. Learn more about it here.

***

Don't miss a post! To receive future newsletters in your email inbox, and keep updated about classes, workshops, and Tai Chi and Qigong topics, subscribe.

If you have received this message by email and you wish to respond, don't hit "Reply"! Your message will go into the void. Make sure smithmk2@gmail.com is in the address bar of your email program or app.

New Tai Chi Beginner's Cycle Starts March 2020, and Intermediate Tai Chi Class Information

Tai Chi Beginners Classes

Start Date: March 2020

Class Times: See below

Location: Regent Health Centre, 150 Locke Street South, Hamilton Ontario

Cost: $40 / month 

$20 / month for students, people on ODSP / OW / or in financial need 

The current class of beginner students has been working hard on learning the Tai Chi set (108 moves!) since October 2019, and they're nearly done. If you've been waiting for a chance to learn Tai Chi from scratch, or if you want to start again from the beginning, then March 2020 is the month for you!

Tai Chi is a challenging art that requires you to learn a new way of moving the body as you practise the sequence of movements. It's appropriate for brand new beginners. It takes some time to learn from start to finish. If you're interested in starting, it's best to get into a session from the very beginning. 

The next round of classes will start on Wednesday, March 4th, with repeat classes on Thursday, March 5th, and Saturday, March 7th, 2020. The set typically takes 5-6 months to learn, so you can expect to be studying as a Tai Chi beginner until July or August 2020. 

Tai Chi Beginners Class Times

Wednesdays 2:00-3:15 pm (Instructor: Gillianne Shaver)

Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm (Instructor: Sam Rush)

Saturdays 2:00-3:00 pm (Instructor: Marilyn Nazar)

Your monthly fee entitles you to attend any or all of these classes. You don't have to sign up for one in particular—just pick whichever classes work for your schedule. In any given week, all three classes will cover the same material, so if you have to miss one, you can catch up in the others, or if you wish to review a move, you'll have the chance to. I recommend attending as many classes as you can each week.

Your monthly fee also entitles you to attend Qigong classes. They are always open to new beginners, and may be more appropriate for you if you have physical limitations or your schedule won't allow you to attend regularly.

To learn more about Tai Chi vs. Qigong, go here.

More information about Class Schedules and Fees is available here.

To register for Tai Chi Beginners or to find out more, contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Intermediate Tai Chi

For people who have been with us since October and are just about finished the set, congratulations! We're restarting our Intermediate classes for you in March. These classes are designed to take you from where you are to the next stage of your practice. In a typical class, we'll run through the complete set from start to finish, review any sequences you would like to practice in detail, polish your technique, and introduce some advanced Tai Chi concepts (slowly!).

Again, this class is for people who have just finished the set, or for those of you who would like to go over intermediate topics. If you would like to repeat Beginner's in addition to attending Intermediate class, or instead of attending Intermediate class, you are very welcome to do so. All members of Tai Chi at Regent Health can attend any classes for which they meet the prerequisite.

Intermediate Class Times

Mondays 12:30-2:00 pm (Instructor: Melissa Smith)

*Wednesdays 1:00-2:00 pm (Instructor: Gillianne Shaver)

**Thursdays 8:30-9:30 pm (Instructor: Melissa Smith)

*Gillianne offers instruction in sword, sabre, and other sets before the 1 pm class, from 12:45-1pm. If you want to run through any of the other internal martial arts sets, arrive a bit early and bring your weapons!

**Thursdays at 8:30 we'll start with a Tai Chi set and focus on technique. For those of you who've been attending these very mellow sessions, they'll continue to have a similar relaxed flavour.

Saturday Advanced classes, 3:00-4:30 pm, will always start with a Tai Chi set, for those people attending the Saturday Beginner's session, but have already done Beginner's Tai Chi, and want to run through the set start to finish.

Correction: Qigong Workshop Date, Sunday, Febrary 23rd 2020

Just a quick note to correct my recent advertisement for the Qigong workshop: I'd originally said the workshop was on February 21st. The correct date and time are:

Qigong Workshop

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Time: 1-5pm

Location: Regent Health Center, 150 Locke Street South, Hamilton

Instructor: Melissa Smith

Cost: $60

Open to all levels of experience.

More details about the workshop are available here.

To register, contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. 

Don't miss a post! To receive future newsletters in your email inbox, and keep updated about classes, workshops, and Tai Chi and Qigong topics, subscribe.

If you have received this message by email and you wish to respond, don't hit "Reply"! Your message will go into the void. Make sure smithmk2@gmail.com is in the address bar of your email program or app.

Qigong Workshop, Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

NOTE: This workshop was originally advertised for January 21st. That date was incorrect. The correct date is Sunday, February 23rd.

Qigong Workshop

Date: Sunday, February 23, 2020

Time: 1-5pm

Location: Regent Health Center, 150 Locke Street South, Hamilton

Instructor: Melissa Smith

Cost: $60

Open to all levels of experience.

The focus of this workshop is going to be, well, focus! Of the mental variety. 

Too often we allow our mental processes to run roughshod over us. Tai Chi and Qigong movements are named after metaphors for thoughts that have run amok: the mind is a wild horse that races away from us, or a fierce tiger, poised to strike. When we don't teach the mind to settle down, it torments us with random thoughts, and our emotions become disturbed. Often we don't even realise it's happening: we simply end up with anxiety, physical tension, and a plethora of symptoms related to stress.

Qigong offers a solution in the form of physical exercises and mental relaxation and focus. This combination helps retrain the mind, allowing it to settle down and rest, as well as strengthening and relaxing the body. Working to change the mind's patterns is a long term project, but with a little deliberate effort and practice, it's well worth it. 

I hope you'll join us for a day of gentle movement and meditation. It's delightful to find one has some control over how the mind responds to daily life, as well as to any surprises that might come our way.

To register, contact Melissa at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043. 

Don't miss a post! To receive future newsletters in your email inbox, and keep updated about classes, workshops, and Tai Chi and Qigong topics, subscribe.

If you have received this message by email and you wish to respond, don't hit "Reply"! Your message will go into the void. Make sure smithmk2@gmail.com is in the address bar of your email program or app.

Classes are on for Saturday January 18

Roads in town are messy but passable and the promised windstorm seems to have not manifested, so I'm going to be at class, as is Marilyn. Be careful driving if you are planning to come in, and if you choose not to attend, happy shoveling / snuggling!

Snowfall warning for Saturday, January 18, 2020—watch this space

Hi everyone,

I'll be keeping an eye on the weather Saturday, January 18 into the late morning and early afternoon to see whether it looks like class should go ahead. For now I'm assuming it won't be an issue for me to make the drive across town, but if it's very bleak and class is cancelled for Saturday, I'll announce that on the website at taichionlocke.blogspot.com.

Eventually you'll receive the notification in your email inbox, but a last-minute cancellation probably won't show up in your email until after class. The system I use involves a large delay between the time I post to the site and the time emails get pushed out to you.

SO if you have any doubt at all about the weather tomorrow, please check taichionlocke.blogspot.com before heading out. If I am cancelling, I'll post that information before 1pm tomorrow. You'll be able to see it on the website, but it won't show up in your email until later.

If class is going ahead as usual, I won't post anything, so if you don't see any notification about cancellation, then assume class is on.

I hope that's clear! As always use your own discretion with regard to whether it's safe for you to travel. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly with the weather tomorrow. For those of you planning to attend the Lok Hup workshop, I'm guessing that tomorrow's storm will be well cleared away by Sunday, so it will almost certainly go ahead.

Take care and stay cosy!

Melissa.

Thursday Evening 8:30 Class and Upcoming Lok Hup Workshop

Happy New Year, everyone!

Two scheduling announcements this time round.


Thursday Evening Classes, 8:30-9:30pm: Tai Chi and Qigong Foundation

I've decided to make a change to these classes for January and February 2020. This slot was initially intended as a place for people who want to study intermediate and advanced Tai Chi, but since there are no beginners ready to finish the set until March, it's been a bit of a tough sell. What I have been doing with this hour is teaching foundation techniques and exercises: focusing on the how of correct movement and alignment, which really is where Tai Chi—and Qigong, for that matter—get their unique qualities as a practice.

There's no reason why Qigong people can't benefit from these lessons, nor why people earlier in their Tai Chi practice can't come and learn as well. This class will still be a technique class, with exercises taken from both the Tai Chi and Qigong side of things. (Don't worry if you're unfamiliar with one of those areas--all the exercises will be explained during class.) We'll be spending part of the class on flow--precise content to be determined. For now, I'm dropping the Tai Chi prerequisite. The class will be open to all who are willing to dive in. If you can manage to leave the house in the dark winter evening, I'll guarantee a great, relaxing, and deep workout.


Lok Hup Workshop, Sunday, January 19, 2020
Location: Regent Centre
Time: 1-5pm
Fee: $60
Prerequisite: Some experience with Lok Hup Ba Fa

I've had some requests to return to the Lok Hup Ba Fa set for January's Sunday Workshop. Last season we spent some time working on the end of the Lok Hup set. This workshop will focus on polishing it from the beginning.