Download - taichichuan com br EQUILIBRIUS Quarterly Newsletter · PDF fileEQUILIBRIUS® Quarterly Newsletter Yang FAMILY Tai Chi Chuan ... Nowadays, Master Helen Wu teaches Tai Chi Chuan and

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13FEB

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EQUILIBRIUS® Quarterly NewsletterYang FAMILY Tai Chi Chuan

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EQUILIBRIUS® NewsletterYang family Tai Chi Chuan

Editorial

First, I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017, chinese year

4714 – the year of the Fire Rooster. As done in previous years,

we are organizing and preparing many Courses, Events and activi-

ties for all our students and the general public.

Our goal is to always create and deliver opportunities for people

to learn and evolve in a healthy and balanced way, having the teach-

ings of the great Masters and the abundant philosophy and culture

of the east as our foundation.

In 2017, we’re organizing TWO GREAT EVENTS:

• First, we are gathering a group that will take a Trip to China in

March, to participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the Interna-

tional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association’s Asian Headquar-

ters and the Cultural Tour; it will be an historical landmark event

for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan.

• Second, we are preparing the 3rd International Workshop of Thera-

peutic Chi Kung with Master Helen Wu in Ribeirão Preto. She will

teach us two Therapeutic Chi Kung traditional sequences and share

several teachings that will help prevent health issues, following

the ways of natural healing.

The EQUILIBRIUS’s team will continue working ceaselessly to

promote Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Meditation, Acupuncture, Yoga

and the wisdom of the great Masters, with the main purpose of

helping people to conquer a healthier and balanced lifestyle.

I believe that the greatest goal in our lives is to become better

people and evolve spiritually, and so being, we should nourish our

virtues and higher qualities – so as to acquire more consciousness

and wisdom, putting aside all negative thoughts.

We should stimulate and cultivate what is good, what’s truly

healthy and useful, so we can live in a better way, in harmony with

others and all living beings. Health and Wisdom to all!

Prof. Fernando De Lazzari

within Ribeirão Preto - SP

3rd International Workshopof Therapeutic Chi Kung &The Way of Natural Healing

MASTER H E L E N W U

www.taichichuan.com.br/helenwu_2017.php

60 participants only.Register now!

For detailed information,read Newsletter nº 13

(feb 2017), and visit the link:

AUGUST11TH – 13TH, 2017

Trip toCHINACHINACHINACHINACHINACHINACHINACHINACHINACHINA

CULTURAL tourCULTURAL tourCULTURAL tourCULTURAL tourCULTURAL tour

& TAI CHI CHUAN& TAI CHI CHUAN& TAI CHI CHUAN& TAI CHI CHUAN& TAI CHI CHUAN

SEMInarSEMInarSEMInarSEMInarSEMInar

march march march march march 2424242424ththththth –––––

april april april april april 0606060606ththththth,,,,, 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017

www.taichichuan.com.br/china2017.php

Be a part of our group!

For detailed information,read Newsletter nº 12

(nov 2016), and visit the link:

xtGuwxtGuw

This is a quarterly electronic publication by

EQUILIBRIUS® – Centro de Tai Chi Chuan, Acupuntura e Cultura OrientalYANG CHENGFU TAI CHI CHUAN CENTER BRAZIL

R. Cerqueira César, 1825 - Jd. Sumaré - Ribeirão Preto - SP - CEP 14025-120Phone/Fax: (16) 3911-1236 – E-Mail: [email protected]

DIRECTORS: Fernando De Lazzari and Dra. Cenira Braga BarrosGRAPHIC DESIGN AND TRANSLATIONS: Cyntia S. Levy / EDITING: Cyntia S. Levy and Fernando De Lazzari

SUPPORT: RTBC (Tai Chi Brasil Magazine) - www.RevistaTaiChiBrasil.com.br

This publication and its contents may not be utilized or reproduced, in any form (electronic or mechanical), without the Editor’s prior permission.

http://www.facebook.com/equilibrius.rphttp://www.youtube.com/equilibriusbrasilwww.taichichuan.com.br

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EQUILIBRIUS has won the first place in the TOP ofMIND – Class A Awards, from 2011 to 2016.

For the sixth consecutive year, EQUILIBRIUS was themost remembered company and brand in RibeirãoPreto in the ACUPUNCTURE category.

On March 25th, the Grand

Opening Celebration of

the Association’s new Head-

quarters will take place in

Kunming, Yunnan Province

in China.

This center will also be

our Association’s first office,

as well as a training base in

China’s southwest area – the

first step in developing and

promoting our International

Association in Tai Chi Chuan’s

homeland. Along with the

Grand Opening Celebration,

the Association organized a

Cultural Tour, as well as a

Seminar with Master Yang

Jun. (read more in Newsletter

nº 12 – nov 2017, pgs. 3-4)

In a recent interview to

the Association’s Newsletter,

Master Fang Hong tells us

about this new phase in the

development of Tai Chi

Chuan in China:

“Master Yang and I

wanted to choose a place

where Tai Chi is not too popu-

lar. We could have put it in

Taiyuan – where we were

born and raised, and it is very

familiar for us.

But lots of people teach

Tai Chi there, so we wanted

to move somewhere new to

develop Tai Chi.

Yunnan province has lots

of people from ethnic mi-

norities. The other nice thing

is the weather is very good

in Kunming – it’s called a

“spring city”. It’s not too cold,

not too hot, and not too

much rain like in Seattle.

The center in Kunming is

really three things. It is a Yang

Chengfu Center. It is also a

Training Base. It is also our

Association’s Asian headquar-

ters, just like we have Associa-

tion headquarters or branches

in Europe and South America.

All of these headquar-

ters are part of the Interna-

tional Yang Family Tai Chi

Chuan Association.” (read full

interview in the Association’s

Newsletter nº 39)

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arch

ivesThe new

instalations of theAsian Headquarters,

to be inauguratedon March 25th

EQUILIBRIUS® NewsletterYang FAMILY Tai Chi ChuanInternational Yang Family

Tai Chi Chuan AssociationNew Asian Headquartersin Kunming

International Yang FamilyTai Chi Chuan AssociationNew Asian Headquartersin Kunming

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3rd International Workshopof Therapeutic Chi Kung &The Way of Natural Healingwith

in Ribeirão Preto – SP – BrazilMASTER H E L E N W U

AUGUST 11th – 13th, 2017

MASTER HELEN XIAO-RONG WU was born

in Shanghai – China, in 1956. When she

was 3-years old, she began training and study-

ing Martial Arts with her grandfather, Zi-Ping

Wang – legendary Martial Artist and Tradi-

tional Chinese Medicine Doctor.

She also studied with her mother – Ju-

Rong Wang, the first female person to become

a Martial Arts Teacher in China.

Master Helen Wu gathered expertise in

several different Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan

styles, and graduated in Physical Education at

the University of Shangai in 1982. She wrote

five books about Tai Chi Chuan, Wushu, trau-

matology and sports medicine.

Nowadays, Master Helen Wu teaches Tai

Chi Chuan and Chi Kung at the School of Ki-

nesiology and Health Science of York Univer-

sity in Canada, where she lives since 1989.

For the third time, EQUILIBRIUS is proud to bring

Master Helen Wu to Brazil. This year, she will

teach the 24 Postures Therapeutic Chi Kung’s com-

plete sequence (Wu Yi Jie He), the Five Animals Chi

Kung sequence (Wu Qin Xi) and Self-Acupressure

techniques for health improvement.

She will also share her knowledge about Chi

energy development, the energy meridians and

oriental philosophy – concerning the way of natu-

ral healing and prevention of illnesses.

Any person, regardless of age, can attend this

Workshop. No experience in Chi Kung, Tai Chi Chuan

and Oriental Arts is required.

The sequences were created as a way of dimin-

ishing chronic pains, preventing health problems,

reducing tensions and stress, regulating physiologic

functions, improve circulation, boost the immune

system, thus resulting in mental wellness.

View detailed information about MasterHelen Wu, about the Chi Kung sequences,the schedule, prices, payment options andregistration in the website:

www.taichichuan.com.br/helenwu_2017.php

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The year of the Rooster is

sometimes known as the

year of the Phoenix or

Chicken. The Rooster from

the Chinese astrology corre-

sponds with the sign of Virgo,

and is associated with the

Sun, since it crows at dawn.

Those born in the year of

the Rooster are observant,

hardworking, courageous

and talented; always active,

talkative, outspoken, frank,

honest and loyal.

Roosters are happiest

when they are surrounded by

others. They are drawn to re-

ligious and spiritual studies,

especially regarding healing.

Problem solving is your spe-

cial talent.

Predictions for the Yearof the Rooster 2017It will be a year when it is

better to do less, but do it

perfectly. It will be oriented

towards progress, honor and

maximum integrity.

The year of the Rooster

teaches us about order, scru-

tiny and strategic planning.

The sage Sun-Zi’s advice,

which is still taught in mod-

ern military circles, advises

one to “achieve psychologi-

cal advantage over the adver-

The Fire Rooster

The Rooster is the tenth animal in the chinese zodiac. The year of the Fire Rooster hap-

pens once every 60 years. Those born in 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981 and 1969 have the Rooster

sign. The colors golden, brown and yellow, and the numbers 5, 7 and 8 are considered

auspicious. Read more about the chinese zodiac, the origins of chinese New Year, festivi-

ties and legends in Newsletter nº 5 (feb 2015) and Newsletter nº 9 (feb 2016).

2017Year of the Fire Rooster

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ces:

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sary and use force only as a

last resort”. 2017 is the year

when diplomacy wins!

There’s a Chinese saying:

“If you take a step back, you

will find the sea and the sky

is boundless.” Remember,

good values never go out of

style, no matter how hard it

may seem to apply them.

Therefore, 2017 is a time

of conscientiousness and

realistic outlook. Be a bit

frugal financially, and refrain

from complaining. Choose

your battles wisely, because

there could be much crow-

ing and pecking. Do not en-

gage in petty arguments.

Keep life simple.

The Legend of theRed EnvelopesDuring the Chinese New Year

period, the married or the eld-

erly give red envelopes to chil-

dren or unmarried juniors.

A red envelope is called

yasui qian (suppressing Sui

money). According to legend,

on New Year’s Eve, besides

the monster Nian, there was

a demon named Sui, that came

to terrify children while they

were asleep.

It was said that the chil-

dren who were touched by

the demon would be too

scared to cry out loud, got a

terrible fever, and even be-

came mentally unstable.

To keep children safe from

being harmed by Sui, parents

would light candles and stay

up for the whole night.

On one New Year’s Eve,

the parents gave their child 8

coins to play with, in order to

keep him awake and avoid

him being hurt by the demon.

The child wrapped the coins

in red paper, then opened it,

and kept playing with it,

until he was too tired and fell

asleep. Then the parents

placed the packet with 8

coins under his pillow.

When Sui tried to touch

his head, the coins emitted a

strong light and scared the

demon away. The 8 coins

turned out to be 8 fairies.

From then on, giving red en-

velopes became a way of

bringing good luck.

EQUILIBRIUS® NewsletterYang FAMILY Tai Chi Chuan

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SergioArione

INTERVIEW WITH PROF.


Sergio Arione is the Founder and Director of the Yang Chengfu

Tai Chi Chuan Center in Montreal – Canada, and Master Yang

Jun’s direct Disciple.

Sergio Arione was born and raised in Buenos Aires. As a teen-

ager, he played professional handball. In search of an activ-

ity that went beyond physical skill, he took his first Tai Chi Chuan

class in 1976, studying with the late Master Tsun Kuen Ma,

from 1976 to 1992.

He left Argentina for Toronto in 1985, helping a friend to

run a Tai Chi school. He also worked as a banker at the time,

juggling between two jobs.

The bank offered him a job transfer to Montreal in 1988.

Arione immediately opened a small Tai Chi Chuan school that,

as years went by, became bigger. Today, Yang Chengfu Tai Chi

Chuan Center Montreal has 40 Instructors and 700 students.

For the last twenty years, Tai Chi Chuan has been his full-

time job, and he has been a gold medalist in international events

more than thirty times.

Arione is direct Disciple of Grandmaster Yang Jun – of the

Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan International Association, and of

Master Chen Yong Fa – of the Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu and Lohan

Chi Kung system.

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1 • EQUILIBRIUS: First, we would like to thank

you for this opportunity of interviewing you

and learn with your experience in the prac-

tice and teaching of Tai Chi Chuan.

PROF. SERGIO: Thank you for reaching out, it is

great to work together and to share our expe-

riences.

2 • EQUILIBRIUS: When have you known and

started to practice Tai Chi Chuan?

PROF. SERGIO: I started Tai Chi in 1976, a bit

more than 40 years ago, when a friend of mine

at University suggested trying some Tai Chi

classes. In those years, I used to play handball

professionally – I was a member of a team com-

peting in the National Association of Handball

in Argentina.

While I was young, I noticed that the main

purpose for training in sports was to win the

championships. I felt that generally in sports it

was more important to win than the Olympic

Values or self-improvement.

I was looking for something more spiritual

than sports, where instead of being better than

someone else, I could focus on becoming a

better person myself.

After watching Tai Chi for the first time,

I was so touched that I could not stop crying.

I felt quite embarrassed because I could not

stop crying and I could not explain why.

I knew deep in my heart that there was

something special inside Tai Chi.

In those years, Tai Chi was something not

known in the western world; even 12 years later

(in 1988) I was almost arrested by a policeman

at a park in Canada for practicing Tai Chi.

This policeman approached me while I was

practicing Tai Chi in a park; he thought that I

was a bit crazy because I was moving strangely

in a public area.

When he asked me what was I doing,

I explained to this policeman that this was Tai

Chi, a kind of exercise very good for the bal-

ance, health and relaxation.

He still looked at me suspiciously, but he

could not arrest because I answered all his

questions and he could tell that “probably I

was not crazy”.

After his interrogation was finished,

he said that a neighbor had called the police

and complained about a crazy man in the park

near the playground area and she was afraid

to come to the park with her children.

3 • EQUILIBRIUS: What made you decide to

teach Tai Chi Chuan?

PROF. SERGIO: After training Tai Chi for 6

months, I knew with absolute certainty that

Tai Chi would be my profession for life.

Tai Chi had helped me so much that I felt I

had to share Tai Chi in my community, teach-

ing Tai Chi was a way to say thank you.

Teaching Tai Chi became very important

to me because it was a way to return to soci-

ety what I had received from society, it was a

way to say thank you to Life, it was a way to

return to Life what Life had brought to me.

Image: http://montrealgazette.com/news/localnews

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4 • EQUILIBRIUS: Could you tell us about your

story in the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan?

PROF. SERGIO: My first Sifu was Master Tsun

Kuen Ma, a student of Master Yang Chengfu

and classmate of Master Cheng Man Ching.

I trained Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan with

Master Tsun Kuen Ma for 17 years (from 1976 to

1993). After the passing of Master Tsun Kuen

Ma in 1993, I started to participate in Tai Chi

tournaments all over the world, hoping to find

the best competitors and eventually hoping to

find the best Sifus behind the best competitors.

Every 2 months, I was traveling to various

tournaments and Seminars, trying to balance

family life, Tai Chi practice, Tai Chi teaching

and competitions.

In 1996 I met Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo

and Grandmaster Yang Jun during their first

Seminar in New York.

This was very meaningful to me because

it represented to be connected with the source

of Yang Family Tai Chi.

I fell in love with the Yang Family and for

the next 20 years I could not attend enough

Tai Chi Seminars with Grandmaster Yang

Zhenduo and Grandmaster Yang Jun; I think

that I attended more that 150 Seminars dur-

ing the last 20 years.

5 • EQUILIBRIUS: And about the opening of the

Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center in

Montreal and what it represents to you.

PROF. SERGIO: The most significant event in

those days was the opening of the Interna-

tional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association

in 1998, and subsequently, various Yang

Chengfu Centers were opened worldwide.

The opening of the Yang Cheng Fu Tai Chi

Chuan Center in Montreal was a great oppor-

tunity to officially share Traditional Yang Fam-

ily Tai Chi Chuan in our communities, under

the banner of the Yang Family.

This represented the opportunity to teach

Yang Family Tai Chi in its most pure and pris-

tine manner, as it was taught “at the Source”.

At the center, Master Yang Jun and Prof. Sergio Arione, after winning medals at an event in China

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6 • EQUILIBRIUS: How is the development

of Tai Chi Chuan in Canada? Are there many

practitioners?

PROF. SERGIO: Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan has

been very well received in Canada.

The Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center

in Montreal has taught Tai Chi to more than

20.000 practitioners since it’s opening.

For about 15 years I have been personally

teaching 60 weekly classes in 12 different loca-

tions within Montreal. The Yang Chengfu Cen-

ter in Montreal hires 4 full time employees.

More than 20 Tai Chi Instructors teach weekly

classes at the Yang Chengfu Center in Montreal.

We also have a school in Ottawa, managed

by Dr. Laird Trimble and another school in

Yukon, managed by Pam Boyde.

7 • EQUILIBRIUS: According to your experience,

why is Tai Chi Chuan considered a precious Art,

recommended to help people improve their

health and quality of life?

PROF. SERGIO: Tai Chi is certainly a precious Art,

I have clearly seen many people changing their

quality of life again and again over the last 40

years, thanks to the practice of Yang Family

Tai Chi Chuan.

I will start by answering the second part

of your question. It is recommended because

Tai Chi has real impact on people’s balance,

coordination, concentration, mobility, equilib-

rium, relaxation.

I have seen members improving in all the

above-mentioned areas. Some members improve

faster than others and there are various variables

in the equation that determines the progress

made by students in each of these areas.

Some of these variables are age, genetics,

medical conditions, sports done earlier in life,

injuries, etc.

Some of these variables can determine the

pace of the progress made in each of these

areas, yet the focus in our teaching should al-

ways be to help our students to make continu-

ous and natural progress.

We have also seen the profound benefits

brought by Tai Chi to students with several

medical conditions, such as arthritis,

fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, scoliosis, spi-

nal stenosis, osteoporosis and many stress re-

lated disorders.

I would love to explain more about all the

benefits experienced by many students at the

Yang Chengfu Center in Montreal through the

practice of Tai Chi, but it would be impossible

due to space limitations.

Tai Chi is certainly a “precious Art” because

it can help people in so many ways.

It is not just about physical balance, coor-

dination or flexibility.

I have seen Tai Chi helping people with

very deep emotional wounds; I have seen many

people changing their lives and finding hap-

piness and balance through Tai Chi.

Advanced practice of Tai Chi can help stu-

dents calm their minds, center their minds, see

more clearly, consequently we learn to make

better choices and contribute to society in a

more meaningful way.

PROF. SergioArione

Master Yang Jun’s first Disciple Ceremony in August 5th, 2012: Prof. Arione(Yang Yazhong) standing at the left, between Profs. Roque and Angela

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8 • EQUILIBRIUS: How did your teaching meth-

ods change throughout the years?

PROF. SERGIO: I am presently writing a book on

this topic. In the last 40 years, I have taught

more than 35.000 hours of Tai Chi classes.

I have explored various teaching methods,

keeping always in mind the needs of the stu-

dents and the levels of the students. This is a

fascinating topic.

There are several things

that are very important to keep

in mind as a Teacher.

1 • Warm Ups:

The first thing that a Tai Chi

Teacher should do when the

class starts is at least 10 to 15

minutes of warm ups.

Even though Tai Chi is prac-

ticed slowly, students (particu-

larly some adults and seniors) could

be candidates for injuries if we

do not warm up their body

before starting all the Tai Chi

rotations, weigh shifting and putting 100% of

the weight on one leg while stepping during

the Hand Form.

It is important to have an appropriate

warm up system to prevent injuries and to help

students of all age groups.

2 • Body Alignment to strengthen the body

properly and to prevent injuries:

This is such a crucial thought to keep in

mind; particularly for the spine and the knees.

It is very important to keep the front knee

aligned with the toes.

The knee never passes the toes’ line

(on the weight bearing leg).

3 • Understanding and Implementing Jing, Chi

and Shen as a teaching method:

This is a very deep topic; the understand-

ing of Jing, Chi and Shen is indispensable to

maintain the momentum within a Tai Chi class.

Understanding Jing: Every Teacher needs to

ensure that we teach the most essential things

first: Relaxing, alignment, balance, coordina-

tion, etc.

This face of the training is related to the

understanding of the human body and the dy-

namics of movement.

The understanding of Jing is

not just limited to this, but this

basic aspect is very important in

every class. We cannot talk too

much in classes, there must be sig-

nificant part of body movement.

Understanding Chi: Under-

standing how energy works is

so indispensible to maintain the

momentum of a class, the flow

of a class, the energy of a class.

Tai Chi movements are im-

portant as mentioned above,

but it is not enough.

Very often Teachers can get

carried away trying too hard to

teach the perfect Form, make the students

practice and incorporate all the corrections the

Teacher has in mind.

Yet we should not ignore the importance

of the “enjoyment of the Tai Chi class”.

Most of people come to Tai Chi to relax and to

reduce stress not to do the “perfect Form”.

If the students are not enjoying the Tai Chi

classes, most likely they will not continue.

If the student does not continue, our chances

to have an impact on our students get dramati-

cally reduced.

One way to measure the skill of a Teacher is

by the years his students attend the Tai Chi classes.

If an Instructor wants to promote and per-

petuate the teachings of Tai Chi, the Tai Chi

Instructor needs to be inspiring enough to

make sure that the students learn and have

an enjoyable time in their classes.

When a Teacher can coach students for a

longer period of time, this can help the Teacher

to have a significant impact in the lives of the

interview with

“We should not

ignore the

importance of

the ‘enjoyment of

the Tai Chi class’...

...It is not about

perfection, but

about perfecting

over time.”

“We should not

ignore the

importance of

the ‘enjoyment of

the Tai Chi class’...

...It is not about

perfection, but

about perfecting

over time.”

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students in order to produce proficient Instruc-

tors capable of promoting and perpetuating

the Art.

Paradoxically, by renouncing (at the begin-

ning) to the perfect Form during the classes,

over time students make a more significant and

continuous progress. It is not about perfection,

but about perfecting over time.

The right approach as a Teacher helps

maintain the energy and momentum of the

Tai Chi class.

Understanding Shen: Understanding how to

help our students to get a deeper vision of the

Tai Chi principles and how to incorporate these

principles to our practice.

This is another fascinating topic.

The Teachers have to understand how to

maintain the momentum of the Tai Chi class,

how to keep the students engaged and happy

without overwhelming the students with too

many details.

The student should enjoy the corrections

and feel a “sense of accomplishment” after

every correction. If the student cannot make

the correction suggested by the Teacher,

it means that the Teacher is making corrections

that the student cannot digest.

This is mainly the responsibility of the

Teacher. If the Teacher is truly a Sifu, the Teacher

will treat the student as his/her

own child and the Sifu will

always ensure that his/her stu-

dent gets a sense of accomplish-

ment after every correction.

My teaching method has

been changing and evolving

continuously during the last

40 years. The Sergio that was

teaching 1 year ago, 10 years

ago, 30 years ago, that Sergio

is long gone.

I feel that every year new insights guide

me into a clearer vision on how to help stu-

dents better.

Yet there is a foundation that is always

present in the teaching attitude: while teach-

ing we are serving our students, we are not

the center of our classes, the students are the

“center of our classes”, we are the servants.

9 • EQUILIBRIUS: What are the most common

difficulties of the students in the beginning?

PROF. SERGIO: I think that the most common

difficulty for most of Tai Chi students is to find

a good Tai Chi Teacher.

We can say that the coordination is a

difficulty, we can also say that the balance is a

difficulty, we can also say that memorizing the

sequence is a difficulty, but we can also say

that a good Teacher will make every student

feel good, a good Teacher will make any

student get a sense of accomplishment and

self-esteem.

A good Teacher will pace the information

and the degree of difficulty in each class.

I realize that students face difficulties

when they learn Tai Chi, but I think that the

PROF. SergioArione

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ne’ s

pers

onal

arc

hive

s

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12FEB

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main source of the problem for the student is

the ability of the Teacher to be inspirational,

pedagogical and motivating.

This concept is deeply connected with the

understanding of how to implement Jing, Chi

and Shen in our classes as Instructors.

10 • EQUILIBRIUS: How can we overcome these

difficulties and balance will and perseverance

with the pleasure of the practice?

PROF. SERGIO: This is a very interesting ques-

tion. The answer is very simple: we need to

learn to desire to do the right-just thing based

on the laws of nature. Probably this is the clos-

est definition to wisdom.

There are some poems

from Shaolin that address

this very thought and they

refer to “the Dragon and

the Tiger embracing each

other in Heaven” referring

to the mind (the Dragon) and

the feelings of the passionate

heart (the Tiger) working

in harmony creating a heav-

enly state of mind.

The magic word is: Balance.

The pedagogical approach should include

a balanced training. Cultivating a healthy body,

a calm heart and a clear mind.

11 • EQUILIBRIUS: What are your recommen-

dations for the beginners and people who

want to start practicing Tai Chi Chuan?

PROF. SERGIO: Be patient, do not try to have

the Form, try to enjoy Tai Chi.

Imagine a palm trying to grab more air by

closing the hand and making a fist. The harder

we try to grab air with our palm, the less air

we have around our palm.

If we relax and open our palm, air will em-

brace our palm and our palm will experience

abundance of air. For this reason sometimes it

is important to let go to have.

12 • EQUILIBRIUS: And your recommendations

for the advanced practitioners?

PROF. SERGIO: Try to understand the dynamics

of Jing, Chi and Shen. Try to become a Tai Chi

Teacher with the heart and mind focused on

helping people. We really learn Tai Chi when

we teach Tai Chi.

13 • EQUILIBRIUS: Please, give a final message

to our readers?

PROF. SERGIO: I want to express my gratitude

to Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo and Grandmas-

ter Yang Jun for these decades of teaching and

sharing the Yang Family Tai Chi knowledge.

I also want to express my gratitude to all

my brothers and sisters that thought me so

much in all these years.

I also want to thank Fernando De Lazzari

for the opportunity to share my experiences and

insights as a Tai Chi student and Instructor.

EQUILIBRIUS: We are most thankful for your

kindness in participating in this interview,

and sharing with us some of your precious

experience in the world of Tai Chi Chuan.

Profs. Fernando and Sergio at the 2012 Seminar in São Paulo

Imag

e: P

rof.

Fer

nand

o D

e La

zzar

i’ s p

erso

nal a

rchi

ve

“Be pacient,

do not try to have

the Form...

...Sometimes

it is important to

let go to have.”

“Be pacient,

do not try to have

the Form...

...Sometimes

it is important to

let go to have.”

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2017

☯

13Nº

EQUILIBRIUS® NewsletterYang FAMILY Tai Chi ChuanStudent Testimony

Personal views about the practice of Tai Chi Chuan

My great encounter with Tai Chi Chuanhappened while I was having a major

anxiety crisis, during a turbulent period of my life.Diagnosed with GAD (Generalized anxiety disorder),I started a complex search for an effective treat-ment, which could help me calm the mind andminimize anguish and anxiety.

This illness is caused by excessive liberationof serotonine in a region of the brain calledamidala – resulting in irritability, lapses of memoryand fobias as symptoms. There also can be adrena-line outbursts, which leads to breathing difficul-ties, palpitations, intense sweating and tingling.

I had most of these symptoms and sensations.I’m not boasting – I can say that my life was com-pletely transformed after I got in touch with TaiChi Chuan’s and Meditation’s fundamentals andpractices. Practicing them consciously brings ben-efits not only to the physical health, but especiallyto the mental aspect.

Basically, they lead to a quieter mind, hencetaking control of the mind/thought disorderswhich, according to Augusto Cury, represent the

pillar of the health problems which our modernsick society faces today.

Tai Chi Chuan brought me serenity, peace, andteachings about humanity, solidarity, tolerance,anguish control, emotional intelligence, clarityand mental balance. The results are clearly felt inmy personal and professional relationships.

The transformation was so deep that my es-sence flourished, having been hidden for so manyyears of carelessness and sedentarism. In regardsto the physical aspect – amazing stretching andflexibility, stronger muscles and, most of all,the balance – were gradually improved. The onceconstant lumbar pains are just memories today.

The stressful period – consequence of greatlosses and difficult challenges I went through,was also the moment I lived with more easiness,because of the way I chose to deal with these prob-lems. Tai Chi Chuan plays the major role in thisgreat transformation, offering me a new philoso-phy for life. I reccommend its practice to any per-son who wishes to build the foundation and toexperience mankind’s highest values.”

Rogéria Rocha Gonçalves

“

We all have a story that tells why we started to practice Tai Chi Chuan. Many practitioners that I

know of were seeking for a moment of quietness, or for a help-improvement kind of practice.

Whatever different the reasons, many of them sought the Tai Chi. Not me.

I’ve always been an anxious, explosive person. I fell in love with Kung Fu – its practice and theory. It was

4 years of hard practice. But when I moved to a different location, I had to stop it because there wasn’t the

same School. In those 2 years, I began to learn Tai Chi Chuan; my husband was finishing the Instructor’s

Graduation Course, and he began to teach me. It was easy for me to memorize the exercises and the move-

ments of the Form. But the biggest challenge was the mental one. I must be honest: Tai Chi Chuan irritated me.

When my husband started to give Tai Chi Chuan classes, I was very happy. To encourage him, I went to

his first class. No students. I couldn’t imagine him alone – a Teacher without students, so I decided to

attend the classes. Considering the annoyance it caused me, I can honestly say that this was only possible

with a lot, A LOT of effort.

During Chi Kung, I felt like running away, and asked myself: “what am I doing here?”. Standing still

was already annoying, but to control your thoughts and pace your breathing with the movements… ah,

that was madness. The Form was less sufferable, but still a torture. Nonetheless, I kept practicing.

It didn’t take long to feel the benefits; suddenly the neverending Chi Kung was finished before my

impatience wore out, and the Form was a kind of challenge I wanted to face. After a few years, I began to

realize the obvious: Tai Chi was not the problem, the problem was me.

Today I feel that Tai Chi Chuan is more related with the practice’s inner aspects. Somehow, it touches

that part of myself that I dislike; it points out my flaws – that’s why it irritated me so much. The practice is

helpful in the transformation of consciousness.

I started practicing it to be a companion/partner, not because I felt identified with it. I keep practicing

it because I know that this annoyance is, in fact, an effect generated by a process of internal transforma-

tion. And I want this process to continue.”

Nathália P. Oliveira

“

☯

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201713Nº


History of the Chinese Language V – Etymology of Chinese Language • Pictograms

Nihao to all the fans of the chinese culture and language! In our first article, we studied

the history and development of the chinese written language. In the following ones,

we went through this historical evolution, seeing the different types of calligraphy and their

artistic and esthetic beauty.

From now on, we’ll study in more detail this language’s logic of construction, how it was con-

ceived, and how it developed until our present time. In this manner, we will better understand the

way of thinking of the chinese people, thus making our study of the chinese language easier.

Nowadays, we frequently see the chinese language all around: people with character tat-

toos, car stickers, t-shirts with ideograms, besides our contact with the imigrants’ stores and

restaurants. But why are they so frequently used? How does a chinese character communicate

its meaning? “Each ideogram is a sign or symbol which represents one or various meanings

and concepts.” (Tai Hsuan-Na, 2006).

Have you ever wondered

when we’re on the streets

and see traffic signs, or when

we receive a cellphone

message with an emoticon,

that we

quickly and

i n s t a n t l y

recognize the meaning that

that image is suggesting?

In China and other parts

of the world – such as Egypt,

for example, that was the

way the languages origi-

nated. Man in his earlier

stages already had the neces-

sity of expressing himself,

and for that he used his abil-

ity to make accounts – in a

formal or informal way.

In these attempts, he rep-

resented what he saw, felt

and thought in a simple and

basic way. How? “Drawing

it”. Seeking the simplest form

of expressing what was seen,

in such a manner that could

be understood by whoever

looked at that image.

From there originates

what is called pictogram or

pictographic sign. “Picto” –

an image, and “gram”– the

description. Simulating some-

thing seen and tranforming

the image into something

possibly decipherable to

someone else who sees it.

That’s how the chinese

written language originated!

Have you imagined what

comes next? How can they

describe more complex ideas,

such as emotions, etc? Don’t

miss our next article, we’ll be

digging deeper!

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Starting to expresshimself throughdrawings, mansought to representthings in a simpleand intelligibleway. To expressmore subtle orcomplex ideas,the ideogram maycontain differentconcepts andmeanings to forma single word.

Above, mountain and day, going fromwhat is seen to its drawing description,and the to the character per se.Below, the evolution ofthe “horse” pictogram(ma) until its ideogram.

Chinese Language, Culture and Historyby Prof. Castro Júnior ( Yang Yazhong)

View EQUILIBRIUS’s Photo Gallery at:www.taichichuan.com.br/fotos.php

PAG

15FEB

2017

☯RETROSPECTIVE

OF

EQUILIBRIUS

ACTIVITIES

13Nº


IV International Yang Family TaiChi Chuan Seminar – Long Form,at EQUILIBRIUS, Ribeirão Preto, SP

Nov 18th-20th

Meditation Course last 2016 class withProf. Castro Júnior, Ribeirão Preto, SP

Nov 2nd-12th

Dec 10th

Students GraduationAdvanced Pa Tuan

Chin Course withProf. Castro Júnior,Ribeirão Preto, SP

Dec 11th

2016’s final outdoor classwith Prof. Geraldo Teixeira,Goiânia, GO

Dec 20th

Special Tai Chi ChuanPerformance at EQUILIBRIUS,

Ribeirão Preto, SP

Celebration of the Chinese New Year – FireRooster, at EQUILIBRIUS, Ribeirão Preto, SP

Jan 28th

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16FEB

201713Nº

Tai Chi Chuan Instructor’sGraduation CourseProfessional Graduation Courserecognized by the InternationalYang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.

Monthly Graduation CourseStarts: February 4th – 5th, 2017

Intensive Graduation Course1st Module: May 12th – 21st, 2017

Pa Tuan Chin CourseEight Pieces of the Brocade

Date: April, 2017

Instructors Reunion & AdvancedTai Chi Chuan TrainingDate: April 21st – 22nd, 2017

Introduction to Do-In (Acupressure)

and Traditional ChineseMedicine Fundamentals CourseStarts: April 29th, 2017

Tai Chi Saber Intensive CourseStarts: May, 2017

Meditation and BreathingExercises WorkshopDate: July 1st, 2017

COURSES • EVENTS • SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

other places

at EQUILIBRIUS • Ribeirão Preto • SP

Where to Practice /Representatives

EQUILIBRIUS Ribeirão Preto – SPPROF. Fernando De Lazzari

(16) [email protected]

www.taichichuan.com.br

EQUILIBRIUS Ribeirão Preto – SPPROF. José Luiz de Castro Junior



EQUILIBRIUS Ribeirão Preto – SPPROFA. Patty Brown



Belo Horizonte – MGPROF. Tiago Vieira Tosi


Goiânia – GOPROF. Geraldo Alves Teixeira Júnior


Guaíra – SPPROF. Lucas Saraceni

(17) 99976-9696 / (48) [email protected]

São Carlos – SPPROFA. Débora Ferreira Leite

(16) 99704-1416 / [email protected]

São Manuel – SPPROFA. Simone Destro


Saquarema – RJPROFA. Maria Therezinha M. Firmo


Sertãozinho – SPPROF. Daniel Henrique S. Madruga


Cultural Trip to ChinaCultural Tour, Grand Opening of theInternational Yang Family Tai Chi ChuanAssociation’s Training Center inKunming city and Tai Chi ChuanSeminar with Master Yang Jun

Date: March 24th – April 3rd, 2017

3rd International Workshopof Therapeutic Chi Kungwith Master Helen Wu

Date: August 11th – 13th, 2017Place: Ribeirão Preto - SP

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OUR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, VISIT:

www.taichichuan.com.br/agenda.php


BECOME A MEMBER OF THE INTERNATIONALYANG FAMILY TAI CHI CHUAN ASSOCIATION!

JOIN NOW!

Individual Registry US$ 20/yrFamily Registry US$ 50/yr- The prices are in US$ dollars.- The annuity payment can be made through bankdeposit in brazilian currency (Reais - R$).

To become a member of the International TaiChi Chuan Association, fill the form on the link:http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/associa-tion/members/new/

Member Benefits:

• Access to the download of Association Journalsand electronic publications

• Right to an Association’s Member Credential• 10% discount on Seminar tuition• 10% discount in monthly fees for Tai Chi Chuan classes

at EQUILIBRIUS• Discount on Association products• Discount on EQUILIBRIUS products• Right to participate in Ranking System• Right to be a Certified Instructor• Members may apply to establish a Yang Chengfu

Tai Chi Chuan Center

EQUILIBRIUS® / Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Chuan Center - Brasil -Ribeirão Preto represents the Association and is authorized toregister any person who wishes to become a member.