Full Metal Tiger Moon

   Tigers are on top of the food chain. Once they eat their fill, they could nap for days on end and not have a single care in the world. The only thing that can get a tiger moving again is it's own hunger, otherwise, you've got a big, lazy cat on your hands. As fun as this sounds, it's actually quite fragile. Just think, a tiger has zero defense because it never needs to flex it - that's why you'll always find the big bad cat taken down by a little prick in it's paw.

   As for the poetry of the moment, this is the plight of a titan - pretending to be high and mighty on the outside to protect something meek and feeble on the inside. It's all fun and games until a genuine giant arrives. In that light, it might be best to ride the side of modesty - at least for this phase. 
   To make this make sense, rear back. This is exactly why tigers crouch and dragons hide. It's a dangerous world out there, and the day is still too young to put it all on the line. Use your energy to rest and reflect. You'll get plenty of time to rush about this year - for now, post up where you're safe.

✧ Off to a Solid Start ✧
Hello Horse: Think about your purpose.
Hello Tiger: Have a mission, hone your skills.
Hello Spring: Nature wants to bloom with you!
Hello Sunshine: Light your life with a smile.
Hello Life: Live as if the day is all yours!

It's a Beautiful Morning

Contents

・Shifu Says: A brief word from our head teacher, Shifu David Wei.
・Eight Immortal Methods: We're switching the curriculum again!
・The Daoist Calendar: Special holidays and how to observe them.
・Deep Steeps: This week, Shifu has Sifu Kris Kritscher at the table.
・Functional Feng Shui: A simple suggestion relative to the season.
・Final Fortune Cookie: Big wit and wisdom from a tiny little idiom.

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✧ Shifu Says ✧

   Last week, we had our colleague Seanan Zook of ZhenWuAstrology give a two hour lecture on the Yang Fire Horse Year. It was pretty much the same as his lecture at Kokko Wellness the previous week, but this version was far more in depth. He gave a big breakdown of the Yang Fire Horse and what it means for us socially, economically, politically, and spiritually. Then he went into detail for each zodiac animal before taking questions from the crowd.

   The key takeaway of the lecture was to anticipate change - sharp, severe, and decisive change - both naturally occurring and politically engineered. If you were hoping for rest, tough luck - this is sure to be a turbulent ride, full of volatility and rapid transformation. And sure enough... on the very same day as our event, allied forces launched an attack on Iran with a three-day strategic military campaign that finished on the full (blood/eclipse) moon - the first full moon of the lunar new year. Coincidence? 🧐
   At any rate, in the face of such uncertainty, I try to remind myself that the sky has always been falling. Every generation has had their own doomsday scenario to deal with - and yet, the sun still shines. If anything, all this hard news should arise as an invitation to check in with our loved ones, connect, be vulnerable, and demonstrate care for one another. When the going gets tough, there is no better time to be polite, patient, and kind.

The Beginning is Near

Eight Immortal Methods

   For the past several weeks, our Monday and Friday free training sessions have returned to a favorite sequence that doesn’t come around all too often: the Eight Immortal Methods. We’ve explored that series in every expression possible - standing, seated, lying down, and our favorite “broken rule” style - we've even added massage! Whether you're tired from work, busted from an injury, or just in need of a quick pick-me-up, the Eight Immortal methods meet you where you are and take you where you want to go.

   It has been at least two years since we last offered this curriculum, and if history is any guide, it could be just as long before it returns again. These practices carry a rare practicality - they're simple but they give profound results. Watching students rediscover mobility, breath, and clarity through such principled, yet adaptable, training has been one of the great joys of the Winter season. If you’ve been thinking about trying out one of our free sessions, then now is the moment to step in!
   Soon, we'll move forward into our next expression: Tai Chi Treasures. This upcoming series focuses on essential Tai Chi foundations curated to deliver the benefits of a long-term practice without requiring endless choreography or memorization. Structure, balance, circulation, and internal awareness will take center stage of this program - all set to give you practical tools for you to use in your life, not just in our class. 
   Join us every Monday and Friday for our free online training sessions and experience the final stretch of the Eight Immortal Methods before we begin the journey into the Tai Chi Treasures together. 

✧ Online Training Sessions ✧

Every Monday and Friday at 4pm PST
Online Training Over Zoom

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Tai Chi is for Everybody!

Daoist Holidays

First/Square Moon: Yang Metal Tiger
Qi Node: Insects Stir
Holiday: Qiu Chuji (Seven Perfected Beings) Birthday
Put your Own Spin on a Standard, Network with Influential People