I’m enjoying learning tai chi. However, I feel like I’m bouncing from one class to the other. I’ve done the seven day challenge, and I’ve done brocade and I’ve done ocean stepping a few times. Is there another seven day challenge that I should be looking at or is the Hunt and Peck method the way to go? Mike

Hey Everyone! Check out this video we made to address one of our most asked questions, “What shoes are you wearing?” This was a lot of fun to prepare for and make. We hope you enjoy! 😊 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kHI5KSKkakg&time_continue=2&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsapp.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwhatsapp.com

Rooted Alchemy update 🌿 Our Tai Chi sticks have arrived. Each one is handcrafted, shaped by hand, and carries its own unique character. No two are the same, just like the practice itself. We are excited to offer these to our community first and pair them with a Tai Chi stick course so you can train with intention, structure, and depth. Comment below if you are interested in a Tai Chi stick with the Tai Chi stick course.

Cheers! Gan Bei! Empty your cup! The empty cup analogy is one that I thoroughly enjoy and is universal to so many practices and experiences. I can remember my teacher in Beijing explaining his personal relationship to this concept and how it gave him the motivation and focus he needed to be the type of person, martial artist, teacher and friend he wanted to be for those around him. The empty cup tells us that if we go into a situation with our mind and thoughts full of expectations we will often miss the the part that we should really be present for and looking to take away with us. I have always felt there is an intention present we when contemplate analogies and metaphors such as this, one that can be felt in context with our own personal experience. Coming into our practice with the intention of becoming a student rather than a master, studying rather than memorizing and simply looking to be more present with our practice helps us look to our own cup. Both how we are crafting it and with what we want to fill it. In a practice such as tai ji and qi gong we are bound to have expectations, yet we can use these expectations to help shape our intention and practice as we learn more about the method and the study. The famous tai ji teacher Cheng Man Ching was once asked how long it would take to learn the long form. He replied, “two years”. The student then asked him how long it would take if he trained really hard. Without much hesitation Professor Cheng said, “three years”. He of course knew that if the student thought that training harder would somehow “hack” the method, his cup was definitely not empty, and probably had a few cracks in it. My teacher in Beijing had a great way of looking at it. He said of course you have to empty your cup, but then what:). In the beginning you don’t actually have a cup, it is more like a teaspoon you empty to fill a cup. Then when the cup is full use your cup to fill a pitcher. When the pitcher is full you use the pitcher to fill your reservoir digging deeper until you find an endless spring so that when those around you need a drink, you will have the strength and energy you need to be there for them.

Here are our new members who joined the community! @Robert French @David Thibault @Lorraine DeYoung @Cristina Pellegrini @Tommy Michael @Cameron McLeod @Graeme Tate @Pat Pheifer We’re so happy you’re here. This is a place full of encouragement and support, so feel free to say hello whenever you’re ready. Let give them a warm welcome, everyone!