For many years, decades actually, one of my teacher's Andy Dale produced an in house newsletter. I have archived almost all of the material and with his permission will be sharing articles and pieces from the vast collection. I thought it fitting to start with a piece on "Beginner's Mind" that I can remember reading way back when I first began training.

Warming up! Ready for another fantastic practice with Sonny! Enjoy Everyone!🌱

So I was bringing in some 20kg salt bags, that's about 50lbs. to you Americans. Decide to practice tai chi walking. I'm pretty sure I would have crashed through the ice.

Join me tomorrow morning for our first Coffee & Qi from 11:30-12:30pm PST. We can enjoy a simple chat about the practices we now share. If you have any questions or topics drop them in the comments or just ask away tomorrow. In China, it is quite common for teachers and students to sit over tea before or after class and discuss the practice. Over the years, all my teachers, whether they were from China or someplace else had their own way of going about this. Here in Visalia we have a local coffee shop that I have always loved. When I moved away to China I would get beans from them any chance I could get. After I moved back I liked taking students there and introducing them to this local gem. Our small town had grown so much in the time I was gone, but Mavericks Coffee still was relatively undiscovered. Of course, our chats would usually center around qi gong, tai ji, marital arts and general practice topics and that is why we now have Coffee & Qi! No beverage needed:).

This saying was oft repeated by one of my teachers, so much so that I still hear it in my own practice for which I am very thankful. As with any principle it is there as a gentle reminder, to be recalled only as needed. In this way we can simply relax and be present as our practice unfolds around us. If you feel like you are forcing a movement or not quite getting it, then allow those concepts to guide your intention and your individual connection to the practice to grow. Please feel free to ask questions or comment on any of the topics or concepts shared in this section.