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Caesura – What is it and why is it important in Yoga and Tai Chi
The Merriam Webster word of the day for July 16 was “caesura” pronounced sih-ZYUR-uh. Caesura means a break or interruption. Caesuras are those slight pauses one makes as one reads verse. We often need these little stops to set the cadence and phrasing of natural speech into the metrical scheme. This word intrigued me because I…
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I honor that place in you…Strength, friendship, humility.
I like ritual in my classes. It adds a structure and a serious tone to the class. In my yoga classes I always start with the ringing of a Tibetan bowl. I end class with Namaste. In my tai chi classes I start with the ringing of my Tibetan bowl and the formal greeting of…
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A Touch of Silk
“Move like a cat Flow like water Soften like silk” This is my mantra. Am I talking about tai chi or yoga? Actually the more I study both arts the more I use this mantra for both my yoga classes and my tai chi classes. It’s about practicing softly, slowly and continuously. But the aspect…
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Tai Chi and Yoga: Similar, Not Similar, Similar
When I began taking tai chi lessons I was apprehensive that tai chi would conflict with my yoga practice – a practice that I have nurtured for over 30 years and a practice that I continue to polish and hone for my physical, spiritual and mental health. I wondered if tai chi would dilute my…
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The Symbol of Yoga and the Symbol of Tai Chi: What do they represent, and are they helpful tools for teaching?
I am always looking for ways to inspire my students and myself. Chanting AUM has been an integral part of my yoga experience and the yin/yang symbol is becoming an integral part of how I do my tai chi. What do each of these symbols represent? What is their purpose is our endeavors to keep…
Yoga & Tai Chi 