2010 resolutions!

Happy New Year.....It is time to THINK-PLAN-ACT. Let us think about some resolutions that would improve our body-mind-spirit. I will be doing a 7 min workout each day to keep toned and energetic. I will be reading and doing crosswords and a 10 min meditation for the mind. I will be thankful and kind and do my tai chi form for my spirit! How about you???

Happy New Year

Hello to all my friends –students-family. What a great time of the year to pass on good tidings and cheer (I think someone else coined that phrase). If you want to feel the chi from this holiday and special season! Then all you have to do is help someone who is in need. Give it a try, no matter how small and keep smiling as we count our blessings. Thank you for all you do and I will see you all next year. Love Sifu Mike

Aging without feeling old - Part 2

I think we all agree that we feel younger as we become more active and agile. Next we have to find a way to exercise more. Our first step is to start eating better. Let’s make sure that we are reducing our sugar intake as we strive for a more balanced meal. We need to learn about the correct balance of protein, carbohydrates and fats with our main meals. Lets also learn about eating healthier snacks to keep our energy level higher and more stable during the day. Be very careful with what we drink (more water-less junk).that will help greatly with our plan to feel better so we can increase our exercise.

Tai chi thoughts: When we awake in the morning-how old do we feel? Think about that before we look in the mirror.

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Aging without feeling old!

As a 64 year old man I, like all of us, will and have gone through adjusting to aging. The trick is to accept getting older without feeling old. So how do we do that? This is a question that I would like my seniors to help me answer (all comments welcomed). My first thought is to stay active and agile. Tai chi and yoga and walking and swimming are good ways to stay fit. So let us start with that as we add to the list over the next few weeks. OK? I will check for your comments after my 5 mile walk.

Tai chi thoughts: Sixty is the young age of old. For me old is 25 yrs from now.

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Tough Times

Lots of people are really scared and are having trouble adjusting to our new world of challenging times. Some of my students are even losing sleep because of worry and fear. Many times we get caught up in all the doom and gloom and start to lose hope and feel that we cannot recoup our losses. When that happens, it is time to remember what Theodore Roosevelt said – ‘Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” I have this message over my desk and look at it when I pay my bills. Remember, there is plenty that we can do.


Tai chi thought of the week:
“Embracing the tiger” means to calmly accept our problems and do the best we can. Then go outside and breathe and smile.


Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Questions to Ponder

What is a man? What makes a man a man? Where do we learn how to be a man? Who are we? Where are we going? What do we have to do to get there? How old is old? When we wake up, how old are we? Remember, it is never too late to be what you want to be!!

Tai chi thought of the week:
Since you will be with yourself for the rest of your life, it might be a good idea to enjoy your company.

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Appreciation

As I was sitting around the house this week suffering with a stomach virus, it became obvious that I don't always appreciate being healthy. It's easy to remember to appreciate good health when we are suffering, and also when we are recovering (how sad for people who cannot recover). The question is -- after we are well and feeling better, do we wake up and appreciate how good we feel? Do we appreciate waking up? Do we appreciate what we have, during a time of loss? Do we appreciate our family and friends? Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life -- start appreciating more and more, and see how that helps your happiness.

Tai chi thought of the week:
Freedom from always wanting an answer will help us deal with our problems...

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Maturity

One of the benefits of getting older is the understanding of maturity. My thoughts are – maturity is the ability to control anger and not overreact, the patience and ability to pass on short term pleasure in favor of long term gain, living in peace with what we cannot change and having the courage to change what we can.

Tai chi thought of the week:
Next time you need a snack, how about blueberries or almonds. Maybe add some yogurt and enjoy the taste and health benefits.

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

What is Reiki?

As a Reiki Master I am often asked to explain Reiki. Pronounced ray-key, reiki is a Japanese word for universal life force energy. Just like Chi in tai chi, or prana in yoga, reiki can and is used to for healing, deep relaxation, and inner peace. Reiki can bring balance and harmony to the body and mind as it boasts the immune systems and enhances the body’s ability to heal itself. Reiki can never do harm, and can be used to enhance all other healing modalities. Reiki is done with the client resting on a table or chair. The session takes about an hour, and the client should give himself time to relax and not rush afterwards (so as to enjoy the afterglow). I can perform reiki at my house or yours, and I am certified to attune students who want to become a Reiki Practitioner or Reiki Master. Reiki can benefit you in many ways.

Tai chi thought of the week:
Let’s remember that the purpose of a discussion is progress, not who wins. Don’t you agree?

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Birthdays

When we have birthdays it sometimes creates mixed emotions. In my case it’s always a positive, for it focuses lots of attention on me and reminds me how lucky I am... how blessed I am to have reached 64 (last week!) and feel like 40 (until I look in the mirror!). Then I get cards and phone calls from friends and family. My 5-year-old grandson Carter was born on the same date, and he helped his mom make my favorite dessert. My thanks to all who helped make my birthday a special event in my life. They say you can judge a man by his friends – I hope that is true. Again, I think you all (or is that y’all), it is appreciated to the fullest.

Tai chi thought of the week:
Before I sleep I spend a moment thinking about all the nice things that I will be doing tomorrow. In the morning before I get out of bed I again think about all the nice things I have to look forward to today. It is a great way to start the day. Try it!

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike

Do Your Best!

When you try something new, like tai chi or yoga or any new exercise, try not to put lots of pressure or expectations on yourself. Just do your best! It's simple if you do your best, then whatever happens happens. And that's OK because we can only do our best, whatever that is for each of us individually. Don't you agree? Keep this in mind when you are thinking about the kids or grandkids. If they are trying and doing their best, then whatever the grade on the test is ok. Sometimes the kid with the B is working harder than the kid with the A. Learning how to work and study and practice is more valuble than an A (in my humble opinion, that is).

Tai chi thought of the week:
In our pursuit of happiness we should realize that each and every day has some happy moments in it. When we are not in the moment we will most likely miss that happy moment. That would be a shame.

Stay centered, enjoy the day, and be careful out there.
Sifu Mike