Greetings, everyone,

April showers are coaxing the flowers, buds, and bees to come out. It finally feels like spring. That means T’ai Chi in Hampden Park is less than a month away, and our spring schedule of classes is in full swing, with new classes on deck. The T’ai Chi Fan form will be taught following the Double Saber class, and new Symmetries and Push-Hands Cycles will be announced. I look forward to seeing you soon at the studio and in the park. —Paul

What’s New at the Studio

The studio will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day

Save the Date
This year, our Summer Social will be August 9, 4–7 pm
The get-together will be at Wabun Picnic Area G, 4655 46th Ave. S., Minnehaha Regional Park. A box picnic lunch will be provided by the studio.

Parking for Twin Cities T’ai Chi Members

Creating a culture of caring and safety by looking out for each other while getting to your car after class, especially at night, is important. Don’t hesitate to ask a fellow member to walk with you to your car if you are alone. Simply being aware of each other after class and walking in groups is a way to stay safe.

It can be challenging to find parking near the studio. The following is a guide to help you.

1. The parking lot in the back of the building is a Tenants Only lot and is not available to our members. Please do not park there.

2. Street parking on Hampden is allowed, as well as on Myrtle, the street that intersects Hampden at the south end.

3. The Wright building parking lot across University from the Dow building is available during evening class times and on Saturdays.

4. There is parking for evening classes in the lot at University Crossing on the SW corner of University and Vandalia, next to the Dow building.

Excellence in Our Community

Studio member Theresa Cira works at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as an entomologist. Her team recently released an interactive website for people to explore the decades of pesticide water quality monitoring data that exists for Minnesota. On the website, you can see where, when, and at what concentrations pesticides and/or their degradates have been detected in surface water, groundwater, and rain. Congratulations, Theresa.

Studio instructor and board chair Dr. Stephen May will present a free program of organ music at University Lutheran Church of Hope (601 13th Ave. SE, Minneapolis) on Sunday, May 4, at 3:00 p.m. (The program will be repeated on May 18 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield.)

T'ai Chi in the Park Begins Thursday, May 15

Every spring, summer, and into the fall, beginning May 15, our Thursday-evening T’ai Chi Solo Form class moves outdoors to Hampden Park (993 Hampden Ave., St. Paul, MN 55114), not far from the studio, under the large linden tree at the southeast end of the park.

In case of bad weather, class will be moved to the studio.

Please check the studio website and Facebook page for cancellation notices.

Practicing T’ai Chi in nature is a deep and enjoyable experience. The Thursday Pushing-Hands class will continue in the park after the Solo Form class (see the schedule below).

• The 5:30 p.m. period is for those who haven’t finished learning the Solo Form. Come at that time if you’d like to get corrections and learn some new movements, work on other practices, or just meet to socialize.

• The T’ai Chi class begins at 6:00 p.m. with a short lesson or movement practice that’s followed by warm-ups and Qigong.

• We do a full Solo Form together, finishing around 7:15 p.m.

• A 15- to 20-minute weapons review follows*.

• The T’ai Chi Push-Hands class will begin at 7:30.

• A 12 Animals practice/review follows the Push-Hands class for those who know it.

*There may be a slight overlap between weapons review and the Push-Hands class. Those reviewing their weapons forms may join the Push-Hands class in session after their weapons practice.

Current Class Schedule

• Monday
  T’ai Chi Solo Form 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm (also Zoom)
  Qigong and Meditation 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
  

• Tuesday

  T’ai Chi Symmetries Levels 1 thru 5, 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

  Advanced Symmetries 7:15 pm – 8:30 pm
  

• Wednesday
  Beginning Solo Form Fundamentals 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
  Beginning Solo Form 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
  T’ai Chi Weapons: Double Broadsword 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
  

• Thursday T’ai Chi in the Park:
  Solo Form Refinements 6:00 pm – 7:15 pm
  Weapons Review: 7:20 pm – 7:40 pm
  Beginning Push-Hands 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
  

• Saturday
  Beginning Solo Form Sections 2 and 3, 10:15 am – 11:30 am
  Common Warm-Up & Qigong 11:00 am – 11:30 am
  Beginning Solo Form Section 1, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
  Solo Form 12:30 pm – 1:45 pm (also Zoom)

A Poem by Professor Cheng Man Ch’ing

T A I C H I

T’ai Chi Ch’uan has no opinion. It has no intention. It is an idea without motive.

It is an act without desire. It is, properly, the natural response to an

outside force, not being perceived as such.

For in nature, all are the same, everything is one. That which attacks is the

same as that which responds, the same force—redirected and recycled.

When you initiate an ill-intentioned move, it comes back on you.

The principles of T’ai Chi are the same principles behind the inner mechanism

of the great engine of the universe.

~ Cheng Man Ch’ing

Contact Us

For timely updates, follow Twin Cities T’ai Chi Ch’uan on Facebook. Email: mail@tctaichi.org Website: tctaichi.org Phone: 651.767.0267.
All articles and other content created by Paul Abdella unless otherwise noted.