“The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.” —Charles Dickens

It’s been more than 100 days since we last held classes at the Academy space. With new COVID-19 spikes occurring in several states, I wish all of you continued good health and safety. Formal classes are cancelled for the months of July and August. But take heart – we are going to start meeting in person again!

Starting in July, Sifu Ray and Julie Cisler will be holding weekly outdoor practices. As we learn more about Covid-19, it is clear that meeting outdoors is significantly less risky for virus transmission. You are welcome to wear a mask for outdoor practice. We will practice at a safe distance, to comply with Minneapolis Parks guidelines.

Sifu Ray will hold a three-hour practice every Saturday, starting July 11, from 9am-noon. Please join him at East River Flats Park:

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lakes/east_river_flats_park/

He will lead three separate hour-long practice sessions:
9-10am – Tai-Chi
10-11am – Weapons
11am-12pm – Hsing-Yi, Pa Kua, and 12 Animals

Julie Cisler will hold a 90-minute practice every Monday, starting July 13, from 11:30am-1pm. This practice will meet at Thomas Lowry Park, on Douglas Avenue behind the Walker Art Center:

https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks__destinations/parks__lake/thomas_lowry_park/

These practice sessions will focus on Tai-Chi and weapons.

Julie is also continuing her Zoom classes on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Contact her if you’d like to be added to her Zoom invite list.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to pay tuition! We bow to you for your steadfastness.

July’s book selection: 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos — Jordan B. Petersen

May you continue to experience good health in mind, body, and spirit! We hope to see you in person again soon.

—Ray

My address-1721 Jefferson St, Duluth, MN 55812
cell- 612-404-7320
email- skrayhayward@gmail.com

 

From My Notebooks

“We have so many things worth learning.
But knowledge is unlimited, and life is limited.
So even in our whole life we cannot finish our studies.”
— Master T.T. Liang T’ai-Chi Ch’uan For Health and Self Defense.

Only a month has passed, but it feels like a year! I am working hard to keep myself healthy in body, mind and spirit, but it is always more rewarding to practice and teach together with you in person. I’m looking forward to outdoor group practice, even with a mask on!

It’s easy to experience the physical benefits of this practice after only a short time. It takes much longer to experience mental benefits. After many years of practice, I feel better equipped mentally for these “interesting times” than I would have been in the past. But I know I still have much to learn. How exciting!

I bow at the waist to Sifu Ray, who has taught me so much. I may have joined classes to learn about health and martial arts, but Sifu has taught me many important life lessons too. Many of these lessons have allowed me to develop greater compassion for myself, and by extension, compassion for others in my life. I’ve learned how to be a better listener, and that careful observation can be a valuable learning tool. I’ve learned to pay attention to every question others ask, because important lessons can come from anyone, including beginners. I’ve learned to see that my shortcomings and struggles are simply signs that I am human. When I see your mistakes, I recognize my mistakes too. Strange as it may seem, this helps me feel more connected to you, my fellow humans! I am forever grateful for all these lessons, and opportunities to continue my learning. I hope to keep learning my whole life, and I look forward to sharing that journey of learning with you!

 

Julie