Greetings! I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. We're entering the Fall
season and
that means many wonderful new opportunities to share our experiences with Hwa Yu
T'ai
Chi.

I am continually reminded about the importance of the mind during practice. The
first five
verses of the Chinese Five Word Song are about the mind:

1. Empty the mind.
2. If one thinks there is a method, that thought is in vain.
3. By making the mind void of thoughts, one can gain a natural meditative state.
4. With a calm mind, one is free from hesitation.
5. A quiet mind opens the pathway to harmony within and without.

The first combination (harmony) is the body combining with the mind. The second
combination is the mind combining with the idea.

Our first classes emphasize the importance of the body and mind combination: how
to
relax the mind and body (relax being the primary word). A relaxed mind leads to
a relaxed
body which leads to great speed and accuracy for self-defense and improved
health for
the body. A calm mind leads to the natural state. As Master Li wrote: "In the
natural state
you can enjoy your inside and outside movements. There are no interruptions and
there
are no questions to your soft, peaceful movements."

I look forward to hearing from you this Fall as we focus on the importance of
the mind and
body combination.

Mark McGee
Hwa Yu T'ai Chi