Posted by terrepruitt on November 11, 2022
As is often the case, I am rushing to post a Friday Photo. Had I thought about it, I would have posted a picture relating to Veterans Day. But instead I will post a picture from my Rose Garden visit earlier this year. I don’t even know if these are on the same bush. And I will say to thank all those who have served and sacrificed so much, without a picture to post that reflects that. I am grateful for all that they and their families have sacrificed.
Posted in Friday Photo | Tagged: Friday Photo, grateful, rose garden, sacrifice, Veterans Day | Leave a Comment »
Posted by terrepruitt on November 11, 2014
It is Veterans Day today. A day where we stop and thank our Veterans. Many thank our Veterans all year round, but this is the day that the government and some stores are closed, other stores have sales, cities have parades, and Facebook feeds are full of black and white pictures in a proud display. I am grateful for the freedom that has cost so many so much. Thank you, Veterans, for your sacrifices and service. Since it is a city Holiday the community centers where I teach my Nia class and yoga class on Tuesdays were closed. So I decided to take advantage of my morning off and attend a class. I went to Tai Chi at the YMCA. The schedule indicates 30 minutes “Intro to Tai Chi” followed by 45 minutes of “Tai Chi”. My plan was to attend the first one then I would just hang around for the second one to see if I could do it without disturbing the class too much. Well, at one point several people exited the class. But the other woman who was new to the class stayed . . . so I thought, “Ok, I’ll stay too.” We didn’t really follow the clock. The first portion of the class seemed as if it was Tai Chi exercises, then the second portion was the actual Tai Chi moves. I learned that there are different styles of Tai Chi.
The instructor went through the beginning slowly as we all followed along, a couple of times. Then he told us to do it on our own a couple of times. I couldn’t remember the moves so I was following my neighbors. Then the instructor did it again with us, then he said to do it on our own without watching our neighbors. Well, that kind of worked. Then he asked another woman in the class to take the intermediate people and he would take the beginners. I felt bad because if there had been a cut and dry end and start I would have left so as not to disturb the intermediate people. But at the end of class, as I was leaving I thanked the woman who took over the intermediate students and she said that it was ok that is how they do it. So I felt better.
Right before we broke into the two groups the instructor asked us if we had any questions. I was going to ask how many moves he had just shown us, but I let it go thinking it was about five. Then the instructor said to us (me and the other newbie), “So those first two moves are called . . . “. And I laughed, because what I thought was about five moves was actually only two. He also explained that he practiced and taught the Chen style.
Just like yoga there is more than just one type of Tai Chi. In looking for the names of the first two moves (I forgot what he called them. “Pestle Warrior” did not bring up the move.) I came across this explanation on WikiHow:
#5 of part 1 of 4
“Experiment with different styles. Because all Tai Chi is good, it’s more important that you do any rather than worry about which style is right for you. But once you get immersed in the world, you may want to experiment. Here’s a brief rundown:
—-The Chen style mixes up the tempo, going very slow and then being explosive. It can be difficult for beginners.
—-The Yang style is the most popular. It has a steady tempo and, as discussed above, uses large frame movements. It’s probably what you think of when you think of tai chi.
—-In Wu, the movements are almost microscopic. This makes it easy to do, but difficult to master — there’s a lot of focus on powerful flows of energy and inner, pressured movements. The movements are very slow and deliberate.
—-The Hao style isn’t very widely spread. You probably won’t find a teacher that practices it.”
So as this says I DO think of the Yang style when I think of Tai Chi. However, I think the Chen style with mixing up of the tempo is good. It really aligns with the “balance” of it all. Fast – slow. Hard – soft. Steady – explosive. Reminds me of the song in the Nia Routine, Zensation, where the focus of the Kata is Tai Chi and we move fast and slow. We change the tempo. That is the Chen style of Tai Chi.
I was very happy I was able to take Tai Chi class. I even came home and practiced. I don’t know when I will be able to get back to the class, but I want to try to remember the first two moves. I am not certain I am doing them exactly right, but I will practice what he said was the most important part and then if I need to be corrected at least I will have a solid base.
And thank you again to ALL the Veterans!
Did you know there are different styles of Tai Chi? Do you think that you think of the Yang style (as the article states)? Have you ever taken a Tai Chi class?
Posted in Misc | Tagged: Chen style Tai Chi, city Holiday, community centers, Facebook, Hao style Tai Chi, Nia, Nia at the YMCA, Nia class, Nia for the City, Nia routines, Tai Chi, Veterans Day, WikiHow, Wu Tai Chi, Yang style Tai Chi, YMCA, Yoga, Yoga class, Zensataion | 4 Comments »
Posted by terrepruitt on May 26, 2012
Don’t you love three day weekends? I remember when I worked a corporate job, three day weekends were looked upon as revered things. I had been in the mortgage business all my working life and for some reason there was a practice of companies closing a bit early the Friday before a three day weekend. Rarely was it announced too far in advance, but just sprung upon us a little before lunch. The management would let us know we would be getting out at 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm. We would get to start our holiday early! Eventually it became such a common practice that we kind of began to expect it. And some companies would even be so kind as to announce the early departure time the day before so that people could actually make plans. Ahhh, yes, the three day weekend is something corporate America loves. Sometimes the actually Holiday is forgotten in the joy of having an extra day off. Forgotten in the excitement of the prospect of gathering with friends. Forgotten in the moment. Usually there is a mention of it somewhere and we say, “Oh yeah, THAT’s why we have an extra day off.” In the case of Memorial Day it really is more than an extra day off, isn’t it? Because of the people who have served and died in the United States Military, we, in America, have so much more than a day off.
Memorial Day is actually May 30th. In 1968 an Act was signed into law that changed the federal observance of some holidays to be on Mondays so that federal employees could have a three day weekend. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect on January 1, 1971. According to the all-knowing Wiki:
“The Act moved Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day from fixed dates to designated Mondays.
The Monday holiday dates this act established are:
Washington’s Birthday: third Monday in February (formerly February 22)
Memorial Day: last Monday in May (formerly May 30)
Columbus Day: second Monday in October (formerly observed on October 12)
Veterans Day: fourth Monday in October (formerly November 11 and subsequently moved back to November 11 effective 1978)
Though the holiday was not in existence at the time, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (established 1983) is celebrated on the third Monday in January, instead of King’s actual birth date, January 15, for the same reasons.”
So it is no wonder we might sometimes forget what the holiday actually was created for, because at one point it DID become about having a three day weekend.
I do hope that you take advantage of the time off and I hope you do enjoy yourself. I really believe that having time off from work is necessary to help recharge the body, mind, and spirit. While you are sharing good time with family and friends maybe you can take a minute to remember those that died serving in the military. In fact, in 2000 there was a White House Memorandum issued that would be a wonderful thing to participate in. It encourages “Americans everywhere, to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.” Will you join me?
Since Nia is a workout/dance/practice that recharges the body, mind, and spirit I am not taking Memorial Day off. I will hold both my morning Nia class and my evening Nia class which will allow those that are normally working to participate. The focus will be sacrifice and freedom, the intent will be to express gratitude for the sacrifices made for our freedom.
I hope you enjoy your weekend. If you have a three day weekend, I hope you take advantaqge of that extra day off. I also hope you will join me for a minute at 3:00 pm this Memorial Day and every Memorial Day and take a moment to remember.
Posted in Misc | Tagged: body, Columbus Day, corporate America, February 22, focus and intent, freedom, gratitude, January 15, Jr. Day, Martin Luther King, May 30, Memorial Day, mind, mortgage business, National Moment Of Remembrance, Nia, Nia class, Nia Dance, Nia Practice, Nia workout, November 11, October 12, sacrifices, spirit, three day weekend, United States Military, Veterans Day, Washington's Birthday | 4 Comments »
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