In case you didn’t feel it, it is winter again. Please be careful out there. Go out only if necessary during the storm.

In the event that Kathryn or I have to cancel Thursday morning class, we will call or leave a message with the center. I will also add a post here, so you can either check on line or call the center (608-270-4290) to check before coming to class. If driving conditions are not safe, please stay home. Take care and remember if you feel yourself slipping, point your (b__t or a_s) straight down.

Happy to announce that Master Chen Zi Qiang will be coming to Madison next year (2026). He will be here Dec 3rd – 7th, 2026. Plenty of advanced notice this time unlike last year.

A friend asked me if I had pics to share from my training with CZQ in France and that’s when I realized that I have not been taking pics. I’ve been listening carefully to what he is saying and practicing the corrections he gave me. My understanding of his family’s art has deepen with each correction. He told me that it is easy to mimic what looks right, it is more difficult to know what right is inside. He said not to think too about what the outside looks right. When the inside is correct, the outside with be correct.

The saying about when the student is tardy, the teacher will appear is so accurate. I can take pictures and videos all day long (which one student did) but to truly understand, I have to watch, listen and reflect. I need to discover within myself what’s right and what’s not and ignore what others are seeing or what I’m seeing.

Someone at the seminar asked me how long I’ve been practicing taijiquan and I said I started in 1990 (the year I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease). That’s 33 years ago!!! He said ‘oh, you must be good’. I said  ‘No’. I said, ‘I only get corrections 1 or 2 times a year whenever I get to see CXX or CZQ. The rest of the times I practice the same mistakes again and again.’ Some people think they just need a workshop and they know what taijiquan is. Or, they are upset that we couldn’t finish the form during the 3-day workshop. Pour moi  – only 1 jin gang is enough. Hands on corrections are the best form of corrections for me. I owe CZQ and CXX a lot for my progress.

Yesterday’s correction was minute but profound! At the end of the class Master CZQ asked – how has it changed your form. I said the  changes are huge and I’m now applying that knowledge and feeling to the rest of the movements.

https://www.facebook.com/1042240652/videos/296192672811564/

Sorry this is only through FB.

This book is now available on Amazon. I’ve mine, go get yours today.

Due to the extended Safer At Home initiative, Fitchburg Senior Center offered me the opportunity to make a video of our weekly warm-ups and silk reeling exercises and because the space is small and tight. I’m only doing the stationary portion of the silk reeling exercises.

The video is available at http://factv.fitchburgwi.gov/CablecastPublicSite/show/12329?channel=2 as well as scheduled air times. I hope by the time we get back together in person again, we can add on standing corrections, moving steps , and do the forms together. Until then, please stay safe, protect not just yourself but others through social distancing, earning masks etc until we are sure our healthcare system is ready for us to get the coronavirus. It is not “IF” but “when” we will get the virus.

To all my taijiquan friends:

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, taijiquan friends from all over the world have sent us a lot of greetings of concern. Under the leadership of my government, the epidemic in China is now under control and the crisis situation is easing. Today COVID-19 has spread on a global scale, and each of us is just an ordinary member of the global family. Although we are not all able to be fighting the virus in the frontline like medical and hospital staff, we can all contribute to our country’s effort by protecting ourselves.

My friends, following the outbreak in my country, I wish to convey to you China’s valuable experience and the measures taken to prevent the spread of the contagion. You must treat the virus outbreak very seriously and protect yourself well!

1. Stay at home as much as possible

2. Wear a mask when you go out

3. Keep distance between people

4. Avoid crowds

5. Avoid touching things; don’t rub your eyes

6. Be sure to wash when you get home

7. Leave outdoor coats and shoes at the door

8. Avoid bringing the virus into your home

9. The house should be ventilated every day

10. Keep regular hours and eat a balanced diet

Remember to practice Taijiquan every day! Enhance your immunity!

Friends, please protect yourself. I look forward to meeting you again!

Chen Ziqiang

致我的太极拳朋友们：

自新型冠状病毒爆发以来，世界各国的太极拳朋友给了我们很多关心和问候，在中国政府领导下，我国的疫情目前已经得到控制和好转。现在新冠肺炎疫情在全球多国暴发，而我们每个人都只是全球大家庭中普普通通的一员，我们没有能力像医护工作人员一样冲锋在前，但是保护好自己，就是为大家为国家做贡献，我的朋友们，经历了我国的这次疫情，我希望把我们国家在疫情防护中的重要经验转达给你们，请你们一定要慎重对待此次病毒疫情，保护好自己！

1、尽量在家不外出

2、外出必须带口罩

3、与人之间有距离

4、搭乘电梯避人多

5、少触碰、勿揉眼

6、回家一定要清洁

7、外套鞋子放门口

8、防止病毒带家中

9、居家每天要通风

10、作息要按时饮食要均衡

一定记得每天要练拳，增强免疫力，朋友们，保护好自己，期待与你们再次相见！

陈自强