Here’s their story …

In a Chinese modern dance competition on TV, one very unique couple won one of the top prizes. The lady, in her 30′s, was a dancer who had trained since she was a little girl. Later in life, she lost her entire left [...]]]> READ THE STORY BEFORE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO.

Here’s their story …

In a Chinese modern dance competition on TV, one very unique couple won one of the top prizes. The lady, in her 30′s, was a dancer who had trained since she was a little girl. Later in life, she lost her entire left arm in an accident and fell into a state of depression for a few years. Someone then asked her to coach a Children’s dancing group. From that point on, she realized that she could not forget dancing. She still loved to dance and wanted to dance again. So, she started to do some of her old routines, but having lost her arm, she had also lost her balance. It took a while before she could even make simple turns and spins without falling.

Then she heard of a man in his 20s who had lost a leg in an accident. He had also fallen into the usual denial, depression, and anger type of emotional roller coaster. But she determined to find him and persuade him to dance with her. He had never danced, and to “dance with one leg….are you joking with me? No way!” But, she didn’t give up, and he reluctantly agreed thinking, “I have nothing else to do anyway.”

She started to teach him dancing 101. The two broke up a few times because he had no concept of using muscle, how to control his body, and knew none of the basic things about dancing. When she became frustrated and lost patience with him, he would walk out. Eventually, they came back together and started training seriously. They hired a choreographer to design routines for them. She would fly high (held by him) with both arms (a sleeve for an arm) flying in the air. He could bend horizontally supported by one leg with her leaning on him, etc. In the competition, as you will see, they dance beautifully and they legitimately won the competition.”

Dr. Leo Kim will be speaking along with Mark Maxon. There will also be a question and answer [...]]]> Dr Leo Kim, Author of “Healing The Rift: Bridging The Gap Between Science And Spirituality” will be speaking at the University of Utah Orson Spencer Hall on MY BIRTHDAY,  Saturday, May 23, 2009 from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Dr. Leo Kim will be speaking along with Mark Maxon. There will also be a question and answer segment.

This event is FREE to the public!

Here’s where it will be:

University of Utah
Orson Spencer Hall (OSH) Building
200 South Central Campus Dr.
Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Here’s the itinerary:
10:00am to 10:45am: Mark Maxon speaks
10:45am to 11:45am: Dr. Leo Kim speaks
12:00pm to 1:15pm: Question and Answer session with Dr. Leo Kim and Mark Maxon
1:15pm to 2:00pm: Book signing with Dr. Leo Kim and Mark Maxon

Dr. Kim’s appearance is being sponsored by: The Anniversary Inn, K-Talk Radio, LifeWorks Int’l, The Maxon Show

Here are directions:

Go east on 100 South until you reach Central Campus Dr. Turn right (south) onto Central Campus Drive and follow the windy road forward until you reach the pay-lot directly east of the student union. Orson Spencer Hall is directly south of the Ray Olpin Student Union, and the auditorium is inside of the east doors.

I was only able to take a few lessons due to financial and time constraints and didn’t learn the entire form. [...]]]> I was first introduced to the Yang Style Short Form of Tai Chi by Veera Kasicharenvat at his Aikido Studio in Salt Lake City. That introduction was made during the first part of 1989.

I was only able to take a few lessons due to financial and time constraints and didn’t learn the entire form. However, in 1994, I was re-introduced to the Yang Style Short Form when I noticed a video tape sitting on the coffee table at my friend’s house. The tape was made by Terry Dunn. I asked if I could borrow the tape to see if it might be the same style of Tai Chi that Mr. Kasicharenvat taught. I was elated when I found that it was! So I bought my own copy and started the process of learning the entire form. Within three months, I had learned the Yang Style Short Form in its entirety.

Knowing that it can sometimes be difficult to get the entire form correct with all of its nuances from a video tape, I did a search for Veera Kasicharenvat to see if he was still in the Salt Lake Valley. It was my hope that Mr. Kasicharenvat would be willing to spend an hour with me to critique my form and correct what needed to be corrected.

Fortunately, Mr. Kasicharenvat was still in the valley and he was willing to help me! I made an appointment to meet Veera at the University of Utah. That hour with Mr. Kasicharenvat was very wonderful. Veera has a very calm, spiritual nature and he was very gracious and kind in helping correct the few things that I needed help with. And it turns out that Veera knows Terry Dunn!

I have been an active practitioner of the Yang Style Short Form ever since. I don’t practice it for the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi, but for the calming nature of the quiet, slow movements.

If you’re interested in learning the same style of Tai Chi that I have learned, the video tapes are still in print (as far as I know) and are available from Terry Dunn’s website: taichimania.com.

In addition, I recommend Qigong

“Qigong is a study of the energy of the whole universe, which includes physics, chemistry, psychology, biology, astrology, electricity and medicine. Qigong is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong has been practiced in China for over five [...]]]> This short description of Qigong is an excerpt from Spring Forest Qigong, Level One by Chunyi Lin:

“Qigong is a study of the energy of the whole universe, which includes physics, chemistry, psychology, biology, astrology, electricity and medicine. Qigong is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Qigong has been practiced in China for over five thousand years and has been shown effective in the prevention and cure of many diseases.

In Chinese philosophy, ‘Qi’ or ‘Chi’ (pronounced Chee) means air or breath, vital energy, or the Universal Force that forms all animate and inanimate things. “Gong” means work, the function and benefit of this energy, or self-discipline leading to the art of mastery. We are born with the vital and intelligent energy of Qi. This complete energy substance, fundamental to life itself, is comprised of an informational message and its carrier energy.

Qigong deals with the cause of sickness, gives the body a perfect healing, and heals the body physically, spiritually and mentally. Qigong heals the body faster and more completely with fewer or no side effects, lower cost and while actively involving the patient. At the same time, Qigong prevents future problems.

Qigong teaches you to use your mind, body and spirit together to unblock energy and balance Yin and Yang energy in the body.”

For information on Spring Forest Qigong, please visit this website: springforestqigong.com