Ringing in the new year Thai Chi Chuan style...

The first few lines of the Tao Te Ching read:

'The tao that can be described
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be spoken
is not the eternal Name.'

So I guess the fact that I am finding it hard to find any words to describe the last ten days makes perfect sense. But for the sake of telling some stories here it goes..

I just finished a Thai Chi and Meditation 60 hour course. Starting an intensive like this on the first day of the year just seemed like the right thing to do. The days began with morning meditation and Qi Gongs (Energy Skills) followed by the study of a basic set of Thai Chi postures that built up (to about a 45 minute sequence) over the 10 days. The afternoons were spent polishing the movements, meditating, and studying Taoist Philosophy (including the I Ching, the Tao Te Ching and other texts).

I had taken one or two Thai Chi courses in the past and kind of expected this course to be a relaxing break from the intensity of my Thai Massage study. I couldn't have been more wrong. Although in the end, practicing Thai Chi is really relaxing, being introduced to this much (this fast) proved incredibly demanding.

Keith Good was our instructor and his presentation and devotion to the topic was so heartfelt and well rounded it made the tough times bearable and inspiring. He has been studying Thai Chi for roughly 12 years but has spent the last 30 some odd years studying eastern philosophy, yoga, etc... He is extremely forthcoming with his own personal experiences and does well by using them to bring the teachings of the Tao Te Ching to life. If you are in Chiang Mai and interested in the course go to http://www.taichithailand.com/ to get more info.



We all worked together over the 10 days developing our skill, deepening our connection to spirit (or Shen), and all in all just had a great time. Here are some pics to give you an idea of the beautiful space we were in.

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Again, I feel the most valuable thing I am taking away from this experience is my time spent getting to know some of the incredible people met in the course. From human rights activists to Chinese Medicine healers...Yoga teachers to Shiatsu practitioners...it was an inspiring group. And in the end the hard work paid off as I leave with a 45 minute Thai Chi sequence I can practice daily, a better understanding of 'The Tao', an entirely new understanding of energy and how it relates to the flucuating states of nature and the human body, and eight great new friends.





We capped the 10 day experience off with a wonderful dinner on the roof. It was a fitting end and great to decompress with some food and wine after the hours of meditation and rigorous practice. As the Taoist philosophy goes...everything in moderation.





I also had the fortune (again on the advice of Chris Ray) of working with one of the most sensitive and thorough thai massage practitioners in Chaing Mai. Her name is Jang, and if anyone is ever in Chiang Mai (or headed that way) just shoot me an email and I will send you Jang's contact info. She is sincere, thoughtful and here massage will leave you feeling balanced, energized and at peace. It took some convincing, but I got her to take a photo with me:



Some random photos...















Much love and thanks to everyone who has sent emails and made posts. Every one I receive reconnects me to home and keeps my heart at ease.

All the best,

Kevin