On 17/02/2012 9:40 AM, Joanne Lau wrote:
Dear Sifu
When we were doing the Cheng Man-Cheng form today amongst you, Andrew, and Magda, I noticed I was more relaxed and hence able to observe some differences between what I was doing compared to the others. My neck around the base of my head felt as if it was straining to adjust to something more natural. Amazingly, my neck cricked at the point which I’d been having rigidity problems for a very long time moving (around the mouth level).
This is probably the first time my neck has moved naturally at this juncture without manipulation in a long while. It’s great news.
Subject: Tai-Chi Sock
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:15:17 +1100
Re: Yuan-Chi Tai-Chi / Sahaja, I did the ‘Tai-Chi sock’ during the aarti at Sahaja Yoga. My position became steady and solid; I felt my body beaming with strength, and my lower legs meld and firm up. While we were reciting the aarti, I noticed my voice was clearer and stronger than it’s ever been. I was joyful, feeling myself deep in meditation. For the 1st time ever, I was actively doing something whilst being in timeless meditation. My head felt as if it was expanding. The feeling was immense and invigorating. I am so glad to experience such deep meditation in the presence of a Sahaja Collective.
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 3:40 PM
Subject: Diary April May 2008
Tai-Chi diary April May 2008
Week 1 – Since our classes focussing on bow + arrow stance and Grasp Bird’s Tail, I’ve found my legs, shoulders and arms are more fluid when doing the form. This looseness is esp. evident when doing the warm up exercises. Before my arms wouldn’t swing as my shoulders were stiff; my legs were v. tight. hurt to slap, tired quickly. My legs are shaky. Maybe they aren’t used to proper balancing.
The days between class I felt very tired and slept easily. Had a long sleep some days. Some days after practice there is a warmth in my tummy.
This week was demanding @ work. .. In addition to work, this time in writing and sitting took a toll. By week end I was hunched over in back and shoulders, and in a lot of pain. I shouldn’t have sat through a 2.5 hr meeting taking only 1 break to realign my posture.
Practised Tai Chi Chuan less than required, mainly before and after work, but often even during.
Yin style typing requires focus. However my hands are less rigid and no longer cupped.
Week 2 – 2 nights of rest since bad pain, my back is a little less sore and slightly less tense. Arms v. tight, jabs of pain.
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 8:00 PM
Subject: Update from 04.10
In our classes on 4 and 5 April, we revised Grasp bird’s tail and the Bow and arrow stance, focusing on the upper body and footwork. This helped work my shoulders, which are / had been very tight. The footwork helped bring my posture to a more natural one. Also did form correction + 04.10.
19 April 2008 update
wk 1 after class – I was able to sleep much better and am more relaxed. I sense my fatigue better and know I critically need to sleep more.
04.10 emerged in some parts, but didn’t seem to be clear in others. I wasn’t in good form for sprinting ahead in things.
Forearm strains when dropping shoulder in ‘Wild Horse Parts Mane’.
Muscles were sore. Flu/cold getting worse. A day and a bit in bed. Missed practice those days. Mouse hand getting rigid and wrist sore. When typing using the yin correction am very focussed on keeping the position correct.
Had to adjust to the ending of day light saving and getting up in AM to practise.
wk 2 – warm up exercise good to start practice, although legs tight to start with. Crouch v. effective for realigning posture during work. Muscles are v. tight, jabbing pain in random places.
04.10 didn’t emerge much more during practice this wk.
wk 3 – feel tranquil when practising Tai Chi Chuan, and one practice was at the correct pace whereas I’m often distracted and too fast.
I worked through some priorities and will try to improve my work environment to be more suitable 4 my condition.
Tai Chi practice since the March class has been good, and interesting. I’ve been doing the warm up exercises of the crouch which are helpful. I’ve tried the arm drop / twirl but don’t seem to have it and am not seeing any obvious benefit. I enjoy doing the form, where some days some movements are smooth. I had a few blank spots in the form, which cleared up 2 weeks later. My balance isn’t so good a week from the class.
I was getting sharp pains in the arm and wrist for a few weeks, maybe over a month, but haven’t had one in the last week. Arms and wrists are sore after work and typing.
week 1 in from the Easter classes – I got a flu / cold and my joints and muscles are aching. Was still practising Tai Chi whilst sick but less.
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:44 AM
Subject: Tai Chi update
TAI CHI DIARY
11 March 2008
Since Tai Chi class in late February 2008, I have only followed Ric’s suggested routine in practising daily. I hadn’t been motivated to have an hour long practice. Practising feels light and relatively easy, in light of having starting out with stiff muscles.
I have had spasms of sharp pain in my wrists and forearms. Experience pain all day even when I’ve ceased computing. The pain occurs after mousing or keyboarding, more likely from mousing. My forearm and shoulders muscles are very tight.
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:44 AM
Subject: update
Since our class in December last year I’ve tried to slow down the Tai Chi practice. Up til then I went through form in 20 minutes. Then quite suddenly about 2 weeks ago I did my form in 40 minutes. That time I practised for an hour. It was exhausting although satisfying and enlivening.
I’ve tried practising on different surfaces to alleviate my knee pain. I’ve moved from practising on a brick area which caused a lot of friction, to practising on smoother surfaces (carpet, cement). My knee pain has reduced in intensity, no longer a startling burning, but a smaller ache. Perhaps relevant to note my ankles on the outside were sore after a long walk.
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:37 PM
Subject: News
Your classes were great in restoring my confidence that I could move with some fluidity. In following your 4 steps I’ve started getting some more sleep. I have some nights that I don’t sleep much.
I am trying to do 30 min of practice 5 days a week. I think I’ve lost some ground but it’s still good to practise the bits that I can do.
I’m mainly well rugged in warm clothes but as the weather is unpredictable some nights have caught me out.
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 6:23 PM
Subject: misc.
Doing Tai chi or thinking of Tai Chi is calming. I get tired from challenges, work and study and treatment. I am getting a lot of benefit from practising Tai Chi as required and am grateful for the respite it provides for the pain I have.
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 1:46 PM
Subject:: re the benefits of your classes
I can now do the transition before Repulse Monkey in S.3 and raise my knee to my elbow – that’s amazing!
Also, I had less slouching after a 3.5 hr bus trip sitting still than before I came to your class. Sounds good so far. Will let you know about the benefits.
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 7:37 PM
Subject: Tai Chi DVD
Hi Ric
I started viewing the section 1 DVD you gave me. It’s really hard work. I felt physically strained whilst practising although moving was almost effortless. This automatic mode is not as prevalent as when I had been practising without the DVD. This is all very surprising considering I’d been pretty exhausted for about a month…
A highlight was that I noticed my body is buoyant and pretty smart during some moves. I especially noticed this on the first of the 3 days I slept through.
Thank you for your persistence. I am glad to have something to get my body back into action after so much sleep and inaction.
On 17/02/2012 9:40 AM, Joanne Lau wrote:
Dear Sifu
When we were doing the Cheng Man-Cheng form today amongst you, Andrew, and Magda, I noticed I was more relaxed and hence able to observe some differences between what I was doing compared to the others. My neck around the base of my head felt as if it was straining to adjust to something more natural. Amazingly, my neck cricked at the point which I’d been having rigidity problems for a very long time moving (around the mouth level).
This is probably the first time my neck has moved naturally at this juncture without manipulation in a long while. It’s great news.
Subject: Tai-Chi Sock
Date: Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:15:17 +1100
Re: Yuan-Chi Tai-Chi / Sahaja, I did the ‘Tai-Chi sock’ during the aarti at Sahaja Yoga. My position became steady and solid; I felt my body beaming with strength, and my lower legs meld and firm up. While we were reciting the aarti, I noticed my voice was clearer and stronger than it’s ever been. I was joyful, feeling myself deep in meditation. For the 1st time ever, I was actively doing something whilst being in timeless meditation. My head felt as if it was expanding. The feeling was immense and invigorating. I am so glad to experience such deep meditation in the presence of a Sahaja Collective.
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 3:40 PM
Subject: Diary April May 2008
Tai-Chi diary April May 2008
Week 1 – Since our classes focussing on bow + arrow stance and Grasp Bird’s Tail, I’ve found my legs, shoulders and arms are more fluid when doing the form. This looseness is esp. evident when doing the warm up exercises. Before my arms wouldn’t swing as my shoulders were stiff; my legs were v. tight. hurt to slap, tired quickly. My legs are shaky. Maybe they aren’t used to proper balancing.
The days between class I felt very tired and slept easily. Had a long sleep some days. Some days after practice there is a warmth in my tummy.
This week was demanding @ work. .. In addition to work, this time in writing and sitting took a toll. By week end I was hunched over in back and shoulders, and in a lot of pain. I shouldn’t have sat through a 2.5 hr meeting taking only 1 break to realign my posture.
Practised Tai Chi Chuan less than required, mainly before and after work, but often even during.
Yin style typing requires focus. However my hands are less rigid and no longer cupped.
Week 2 – 2 nights of rest since bad pain, my back is a little less sore and slightly less tense. Arms v. tight, jabs of pain.
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 8:00 PM
Subject: Update from 04.10
In our classes on 4 and 5 April, we revised Grasp bird’s tail and the Bow and arrow stance, focusing on the upper body and footwork. This helped work my shoulders, which are / had been very tight. The footwork helped bring my posture to a more natural one. Also did form correction + 04.10.
19 April 2008 update
wk 1 after class – I was able to sleep much better and am more relaxed. I sense my fatigue better and know I critically need to sleep more.
04.10 emerged in some parts, but didn’t seem to be clear in others. I wasn’t in good form for sprinting ahead in things.
Forearm strains when dropping shoulder in ‘Wild Horse Parts Mane’.
Muscles were sore. Flu/cold getting worse. A day and a bit in bed. Missed practice those days. Mouse hand getting rigid and wrist sore. When typing using the yin correction am very focussed on keeping the position correct.
Had to adjust to the ending of day light saving and getting up in AM to practise.
wk 2 – warm up exercise good to start practice, although legs tight to start with. Crouch v. effective for realigning posture during work. Muscles are v. tight, jabbing pain in random places.
04.10 didn’t emerge much more during practice this wk.
wk 3 – feel tranquil when practising Tai Chi Chuan, and one practice was at the correct pace whereas I’m often distracted and too fast.
I worked through some priorities and will try to improve my work environment to be more suitable 4 my condition.
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 8:05 PM
Subject: update Mar-April 2008
Tai Chi practice since the March class has been good, and interesting. I’ve been doing the warm up exercises of the crouch which are helpful. I’ve tried the arm drop / twirl but don’t seem to have it and am not seeing any obvious benefit. I enjoy doing the form, where some days some movements are smooth. I had a few blank spots in the form, which cleared up 2 weeks later. My balance isn’t so good a week from the class.
I was getting sharp pains in the arm and wrist for a few weeks, maybe over a month, but haven’t had one in the last week. Arms and wrists are sore after work and typing.
week 1 in from the Easter classes – I got a flu / cold and my joints and muscles are aching. Was still practising Tai Chi whilst sick but less.
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 10:44 AM
Subject: Tai Chi update
TAI CHI DIARY
11 March 2008
Since Tai Chi class in late February 2008, I have only followed Ric’s suggested routine in practising daily. I hadn’t been motivated to have an hour long practice. Practising feels light and relatively easy, in light of having starting out with stiff muscles.
I have had spasms of sharp pain in my wrists and forearms. Experience pain all day even when I’ve ceased computing. The pain occurs after mousing or keyboarding, more likely from mousing. My forearm and shoulders muscles are very tight.
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 7:44 AM
Subject: update
Since our class in December last year I’ve tried to slow down the Tai Chi practice. Up til then I went through form in 20 minutes. Then quite suddenly about 2 weeks ago I did my form in 40 minutes. That time I practised for an hour. It was exhausting although satisfying and enlivening.
I’ve tried practising on different surfaces to alleviate my knee pain. I’ve moved from practising on a brick area which caused a lot of friction, to practising on smoother surfaces (carpet, cement). My knee pain has reduced in intensity, no longer a startling burning, but a smaller ache. Perhaps relevant to note my ankles on the outside were sore after a long walk.
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 12:37 PM
Subject: News
Your classes were great in restoring my confidence that I could move with some fluidity. In following your 4 steps I’ve started getting some more sleep. I have some nights that I don’t sleep much.
I am trying to do 30 min of practice 5 days a week. I think I’ve lost some ground but it’s still good to practise the bits that I can do.
I’m mainly well rugged in warm clothes but as the weather is unpredictable some nights have caught me out.
Sent: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 6:23 PM
Subject: misc.
Doing Tai chi or thinking of Tai Chi is calming. I get tired from challenges, work and study and treatment. I am getting a lot of benefit from practising Tai Chi as required and am grateful for the respite it provides for the pain I have.
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 1:46 PM
Subject:: re the benefits of your classes
I can now do the transition before Repulse Monkey in S.3 and raise my knee to my elbow – that’s amazing!
Also, I had less slouching after a 3.5 hr bus trip sitting still than before I came to your class. Sounds good so far. Will let you know about the benefits.
Sent: Wednesday, November 01, 2006 7:37 PM
Subject: Tai Chi DVD
Hi Ric
I started viewing the section 1 DVD you gave me. It’s really hard work. I felt physically strained whilst practising although moving was almost effortless. This automatic mode is not as prevalent as when I had been practising without the DVD. This is all very surprising considering I’d been pretty exhausted for about a month…
A highlight was that I noticed my body is buoyant and pretty smart during some moves. I especially noticed this on the first of the 3 days I slept through.
Thank you for your persistence. I am glad to have something to get my body back into action after so much sleep and inaction.