Al Simon – The Tai Chi and Qigong Blog

I have some exciting news …

Our Kindle book of “Chi Stories” is now on Amazon.com!

And I say “our” book, because this is the book WE wrote together.

50 True Chi Stories (click here) includes inspirational stories from fifty people whose lives have been made better by Tai Chi and Qigong.

The stories in this book were contributed by readers of this blog, plus by our friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. These are real, everyday stories from people just like you!

So it really is OUR book. I hope you’ll join me in thanking all the people here who were willing to open themselves up and contribute these stories. They did this so that all of us could learn about the amazingly transformative power of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Just click here to download your copy NOW!

No Kindle? No Problem!

Because it’s on the Kindle platform on Amazon.Com, it makes it easy to purchase, easy to download,
and extremely affordable. Kindle is the world’s best selling E-reader, made exclusively by Amazon.com. This new book is displayable on *all* versions of the Kindle.

But what if you don’t have a Kindle? No problem!

Just click here to get your Kindle.

… OR …

Get your FREE Kindle app. If you have a Mac, Windows PC, iPad, iPhone, Android, Blackberry, or Windows Phone 7, we’ve got you covered! Just download any of the free Kindle reading apps (click here) and you’ll be ready to go!

The Story behind the Stories

This book is the result of a project that we put together for the online Chi community.

As part of this community, I regularly get stories from people who have been helped by Tai Chi and Qigong. I had often thought that these stories should really be captured and preserved, and then distributed. That way everyone can see the effects – big and small – that Chi development has had for those of us in the online community.

So in 2011, we funded the Chi Stories project. For the first six months of 2011, we invited the entire online community to contribute their Chi stories. And this was not just our own students and instructors. Through email, blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, we invited the entire online community, no matter where they trained, to contribute their stories.

We received quite a few contributions, but eventually narrowed it down to the fifty in this book. While a few of these stories are from my own students and instructors, the vast majority are not. Many of the contributors were unknown to me when we started this project. That’s how far reaching this online community has become.

You’ll find stories about how the Chi arts have helped heal people, physically and emotionally. You’ll find stories about how people got started, or how they stumbled across training when they traveled.

You’ll find stories about things that happened in a class, or happened while practicing alone. You’ll find people who connected with other healing traditions and practices as a result of the training.

And yes, you’ll read about a healing miracle or two.

To see a list of contributors to the book, just click here and scroll down the page.

I hope these stories will inspire you in your pursuit of the Chi energy arts.

Wishing you the best in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development,

I wanted to thank everyone who sent me comments about our last post, on A “Chi River” or a “Chi Goal” Person – Which are YOU? (click here).

A number of you left public comments, but quite a few of you emailed me directly.

Many of the emails were quite emotional.

Quite a few echoed what Jackie, John, Mary, and other “River people” posted publicly in the blog. They talked about being made to feel by other teachers or other “gurus” like there was something wrong with being a River person … that they need to be more goal oriented in order to succeed.

Many said that this was the FIRST TIME EVER they were told it was OK to be a River person!

I also received email from Chi Goal people. They talked about having Chi River teachers who didn’t understand their need for structure. The impression Chi River teachers left them with is that being a River person was what being a Chi student was about. And if you aren’t a River person, you are just not “getting it”.

Let me first say, I truly do understand what both of these groups are talking about. I’m more of a River person myself, so I understand what it’s like when most of the messages and role models you are shown and told to emulate are goal people. And I have to admit with a cringe, that 20 years ago I was one of those asinine River teachers who though that that being a River person was actually part of Chi Development.

Today, that seems so obviously wrong, and I’m really embarrassed to admit that I ever taught that way. But I heard from student after student how their teacher is a Goal person who insists on everyone using Goal methods, or a River person who insists on everyone using River methods.

The longer I teach, the more I realize that each of us is unique. We have unique ways of learning, unique ways of perceiving the world, and unique strengths and weaknesses. And that a good teacher HONORS that uniqueness, and even CAPITALIZES on it in their instruction.

I believe the best way to do that is to teach students how to customize what they are learning. Whether it’s a physical movement, a concept, or a learning approach, you need to teach the student how to make it uniquely his or her own.

It’s obvious to see how important customization is to the physical movements. I was emailing about this with one of our new students who just joined us this week.

She was telling me, “I injured my knee and shoulder through bagua. I really hate it now, I was absolutely healthy, I guess it is my fault, bagua is not for middle aged women.” Well, of course it’s NOT her fault. I told her bagua wasn’t the problem. I told her the problem was she had an inept bagua teacher, who didn’t help her customize the movements to her situation.

She also said that her Tai Chi teacher told her that because of her injuries, she shouldn’t practice Yang style Tai Chi – that Sun style was much better for the knees. I told her that I’d stay away from a teacher who would make such a stupid statement. It’s her teacher that’s the problem here, not Yang style.

As I wrote her, “Forgive my bluntness, but I’ve been there. I had injuries as a student. It wasn’t intentional on the part of my teachers. But when a student complains of injury, it’s a sign that they need to re-examine their teaching skills (or lack of them) – and not shift the blame to a ‘style’ or anywhere else.”

Well, if that’s true of the physical movements, it’s also true of the learning process. Whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal person, there is a place for you in Chi Development. Don’t ever let any teacher, or anyone else, tell you otherwise.

Though he’s not a Chi teacher, I think Harry Browne put this best:

“You are what you are. Your greatest pleasures will be those you experience when you can be yourself completely. Only then will you be free to enjoy every good thing the experience has to offer you …

“Being yourself is actually a skill. It takes time to become thoroughly acquainted with yourself, to throw off a lifetime of pressures, to relax and accept what you see in yourself (no matter how it may conflict with social standards), and to learn to act in ways consistent with your nature.”

- Harry Browne, How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World

And if you can’t be yourself in Tai Chi and Qigong, well then, where CAN you be yourself?

All my best for your continued Chi Development,

Can you find your name in our annual Thanksgiving Day list?

It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S. And a few years ago, I started a Thanksgiving tradition here in the blog.

Each Thanksgiving, I list the first names of all the students and instructors who’ve joined us for online Tai Chi and Qigong training in our private ChiFusion courses.

While it’s fun to look through the list to find your name, I actually do this for a very serious purpose. And that’s to express my sincere appreciation to each and every one of you for your support throughout the years.

When we opened our web-based programs in 2003, many people said to me, “You can’t teach this stuff online. That will never work!” It was an uphill battle, and those first few people who joined us were brave pioneers. But now, eight years later, learning Chi Development online is an accepted practice – thanks to the commitment and dedication of ALL of the students and instructors listed below.

Maybe you were one of those first brave pioneers who joined us in 2003. Or maybe you just joined us this morning. Or maybe you were somewhere in between.

No matter when you joined us, I greatly appreciate having you in our program.

Also, I hope all of you will join me in thanking your “senior classmates” – those who joined our program before you. Without their support, this program wouldn’t have been here for you to join.

I’m very thankful to all the support you’ve shown us during the last eight years. We literally could not do what we do without your support.

Thank you to each and every one of you! You have my best wishes for health and happiness now, and for the upcoming New Year.

2003: Rosie, Jill, Adam, Karen, Jennifer, Margaret, Yakup, Bhavesh, Karen, Philip, Daniel, Sally, Donald, Sydney W, Florence, Jerry, Peter, Debra Ann, Paul A, Dick, Michael, Joyce and Joan, Jolanta, Brian, John, Ruth, Lynne, Steven, Gary, Donald, Russ, Erika, Ronald, Shafi, Lynn, Norman, Jan, James, Pat, Alvin, Elaine, Janina, Adam, Arun, Diego, William, William, Manuel, Arun, Paul, Adam, Joyce, Adam, Janina, Norman, James, Rosie, Rosie, Stephen, William, Ute, Theresa, Theresa, Lavaughn, Elaine, Daniel, Girija, Donald, John, Richard, Fanny, Michael, Judith, Katherine, Jarius, Eric, Michelle, Sash,

2004: Joan, Clifton, James, Peggy, Sandro, Mark, Tony, Walter, Carolyn, Richard, Don, Lori, Robert, Nigel, Ryan, Martin, Robert, Tom, Michele, Jeffrey, Loriann, Brian R, Lynn, Robert, Lubov, Kim, Tim, Michelle, John, Candice, Ray, J H, Gary, Adebisi, David, Gerry, Rae, Martin, Keith, Virginia, Virginia, Patrick, Malcolm, Ed, L Kelly, Leslie, Karen, Joel, Tom, Sally, David, S V, Derek, Jg, Cesar, Deborah, Clyde, William, Michael, Tony, Geri, Lillian, T C, Arthur, Robert, Peter, James, Lucia R, Daniel, Craig, Timothy, Abhirami, Robert A, A M J, Rodney, William, Tony, Daniel, Christopher, Cheong, Adam, Carlos, Nancy, Ray, Mario F, Evans, Eric, Sherry, Henry, Rev. Mother, Jerry R, Cynthia, Bella, Robert, Sanjib, Andreas, Gloree, Geoffrey, Michael, Ira, Harry,

2005: Brian, Andrea, Marco, Aubrey, Steve, Gordon, Luke, Robert, David, James, Gerald, Joyce, Geoffrey, Peggy, Norman, Cathleen, Rosie, Francesco, Carlos, Virginia, Adam, Jeff, Gloree, James, Julee, Charles, Donald, Donald, Gary, Arun, John, James, Don, James, Jg, Lillian, Sanjib, Andrea, Martin, Robert, Paul, Michelle, Richard, William, Andreas, Rodney, Lynn, Geri, Girija, G S, Walter, Fuhry, Jeffry, Judith, Marco, Daniel, Tony, Daniel, Gordon, Paul, David, Abdul, Jeffry, Susan, Carole, Carole, Daniel, Gregory, Tom, Louise, Justin, Roger, John, Bonnie J, Jan, David, Jeff, Richard, Manuel, Keith, Pat, Anne, Gregory, Paul, Sharon, Alex, P L, Jeffry, Peter, Robert, Robert, Robert, Manole, Florence, Virginia, Selena, Dennis, Colin W, Stacy, Gloree, Denis, Charles J, Raoul, Chad, Maureen, Chris, Giustina, Ellis, Dr. Munis, Sulten, William, Karen, William, Geoffrey B, Gary, Ronald, William, Douglas, Richard, Roy, Peter, Lewis, S M,

2006: Phyllida, Clyde, Clint R, Deborah, Steve, David, Jeffry, Steven, Douglas F, Gail, Jerry, Loretta, Parnell, Clyde, Jamie, Paul, Peggy, Stan, Pilar, Rob, Derrick, Derrick, James E, John, John, Celia, Elly, Arin, John, Thomas, Alan, Alan, Natasa, Timothy, Michael, John A, Barbara, Ira, Wendy, William, Doug, Arthur, Mr C J, Kimberly, Robbert, Alex, Rotaunja, Ronald, Myrna, Wolfgang, Scott, Patrick Kar Yiu, Jim, Lesley, Nancy, Barbara, Phyllida, Bennett, Khai Quan, Janyce, Heather, Michelle, Gilberto, Josel, P, Karen, K, Roy, Michael, Lorraine H, Michael, Hans, Annie, Doug, Neil, Miguel, Kevin, D A, Annie, Anna, E Marie, Kevin, Peter, Janusz, John, Kevin, Kenneth, K, Laura, Ronald, William, Anna, Carlos, Robert N,

2007: Jose R, Christos, Mario, Charles H, Christine, Charles, Jeffrey, Robert, Elizabeth, Thomas, Connie, Kenneth, Winston, Katherine, Daniel, Robert, Todorka, Rebecca, Greg, Terrell, Katherine, Paul, Michael, Terry, K, Danny, Anita, William, Hans, John, Harold, Thomas, Anthony, George, William, Jessica, Fabio, Terje, Jan, Glenis, Michael, Kathleen, Robert, Ronald, John, Annie, Marianne, Judith, Robert, Mary, John, Lee, Terrilee, Tahir, Allen E, Kathy, Carolyn, Richard, Mira, Elizabeth, James, Pauline, Shirley, Karen, Kelly, John, Naresh, Janet, P. David, Alexandre, John, Angela, John, Dan-Thomas, Sean, Harvey, Arian, Alex, Donald, James, Matthew, Patrick, Raul, Ann, Rae, Peter, Don, Pat, Raymond, Dag Ole, Patricia L, Judith, Larry, Felix, Gerald L, Judith, Patricia, Betty, Gregory, James, Robert, Carles, Eric, Gordon, James, Gina, Jeff, Michael, Celinda, Mladen, Martin, James, Kendall, Joseph, Gary, Deborah, Bruce, Abdulmanan, Stan, Robert, Arthur, Tania, Belinda, Paula, Ah Kiat, Richard,

2008: Robert, Benoit, Tracy, Stefanie, Tom, Virginia, Nha, Paul, Corazon, Lori, Emma Beatriz, Rick, Calvin, Yiu, Rex, Michael, Mary Ellen, Shannon, Kenneth, Kimberly, Julien, Bonnie, Tim, Jan, Alex, Neil, Carl, Ian, Karen, Tony, Alhassan, Alan, Gerardo, John, Todd, Julee, Eugene L, John, Neil, David, Nelson, Patricia, Wesley, Melvyn, Ben, Charles, Peter, Joseph, Ingrid, Cliff, Lisa, Alex, Brian, Petr, Laurie, Guillermo Ruben, Kelli, Larry, Peggy, Joanne, Michelle, Sal, John, Danny, Barry, Patrick, Pamela, John, Michelle, Chrj, David, Georgina, Steven, Jason, Ronald, Svein-Kre, John, Deb, Derek, Allan, Paul, Ramona, Conny, Deborah, Keith, Maria, Khai Quan, Manuel, Ewan, Kelly A, Ronald, Jeffrey, Manfred, Linda, Steve, Kim, Joseph D, Roy, Janet, Graham, Cyril, Irene, Martin, D A, Janice, Christian, Jacqueline A, Kioomars, Paul, Gayle, Judy, Narelle, Paul, Melinda, Marie, Michele, Barbara, Chris, Carol, Lam, Lisa, Glenn, Annette, Evzen, Lorne, Benoit, Tom, Arthur, Alexander, John, Mwezo, Wallace C, Justin, Steven, Rotaunja, Lesly, Betty, Carlos, Christina, Royce A, Ron, Jack, Simon, Norman, David, Harry S, Atsushi, Brook J, Terrell, Marcie, Paul, G A, Maud-Alexandra, Marian, Margaret, Gregory, L Kelly, Derek, Marit H, Rodrigo, Adolfo, Gilda, Azhar, Marios, Lucia R, Agustin, Warren, Patrice, John, John, Robert, Paula, Hendra, Daniel, Mirja, Chad, Edward, Tatiana, Mike, Rodolfo, Annastasia, Scott, A J, Amy, Pamela, Colin, Derek, Salvatore, Anita, Ling, Preston, Aref, Carole D, Evelyn, Margaret, Gordon, Paul, Pascal, Matthew, Christopher, Mary, Norman, Theresa, Lesley, Timothy, Steven, Maryjane, Michael, David, Erich, Sandra, Elisabeth, Jim, Fred, Sean, Emma Beatriz, Amy, Dag Ole, Mary, Ethan, W. David, W. David, Gregory, Linda, Jeffrey, Rosie, Isabel, Erich, Lucky, Annie, Homer, Annette, Jana, Keith, James, Robert W, Robert W, Frances, L Kelly, John, Peter, Maureen, Tim, Stan, John, Maryjane, Maryjane, Judith, Alex, Marianne, Gloree, Clifford, Patrice, Doug, Adam, Linville, Paul, Todroka, Walden, Maurice, A J, Johanna, Donald, Greg, Alex, Scott, Raymundo, C F M, Eyal And Zora, Tom, Tracey, Nancy, William,

2009: Nancy, Sue/Darlene, Anita, Anita, Gilda, Brian, Hisham, Joan, Thelma, Claudia G, Stephanie, Steve, Kevin, Jolanda, Mary Ann, James, Nataliya, Frank, Roger, Tommi, Clare, Catherine, Winston, Antonio, Bill, Atsushi, Homer, Arun, Christina, Christina, Marion, Michael, Tatyana, Gary, Theodore, Glenn, Van, Ronald, Donald, Isabella, Gary, Roy, Bernice, Robert, Sandro, Martin, Harold, Diane, Theresa, Bennett, V, Shelly, Thad, Umera, Ryan, Frances, Saun, Melody, Roy, Richard, Eugen Mario, Dennis, Ken, David, Dan, Richard, Douglas, James, David, Doyle, Lawrence, Jose M., Angelo, Joseph, Carlos, Mishelle, Ralph, Paul, Michael, Ramona, Branko, Tom, Mark, John, Tom, Alton, Alexander, Colin, Eugene, Robbert, Sarah G, Frank, Janet, Won Chull, Kevin, Kathryn, Clay, Georges, Willard, Stephanie, Diana, Alberto, Donal, Frank, Roger F, Sarah G, Hugh, Van, Debbi, Lenga, Mary, Thomas, Olivia, Walter, Kirsten, Joyce, Yuen Sun, Yuen Sun, Dennis, Catherine, Debbi, Ralph, Walter, Mihaela, Claudia G, Simon L, Gene, Ken, Olivia, James, Lorraine, Barbara, Peter, Jeffery, Jose, Richard, Apolonia, Stephen, Nicholas, Lewis, Richard, Kenneth, Vidojko, Ted, Evelyn, Margaret, Stig Rune, David, George, Orlando, David, Thomas, Susan, Jerry, Marjorie J, Stanley L, Dawn, Thilo, Dixie, Mr Steven, Christine, Helen, Mrs S, Dr Valeria N, John, Lesley, Diane, Wong Sin Hing, Abw, Marianne, Cherry, Marin, Marin, Mary, Ronald, Pietro, Michael, Ernest, Bob, Kari, Kaye, Margrit, Patrick, Gino, Peter, David, Abdullah, Tranchie, Derek, Dennis, William, Christopher, Yoshinobu, Rita, Chris, Thomas, Darbella, Eric, Ron, Darren, Linda M, Louise, Olga, Ellie, James, Alvin, Diane, Joost, Aldona, Maryann, Gene P, Charlotte, Wendy, Judy, Shawn, Allen, Steen, Patricia, A P, Rick, Helen, George, Clair, Irem, John, Karen M, Lorene, Allan, Pawan, Ritamarie, Richard, Marie-Michelle, Laurie, Wendy, Marina, Peter Alan, Scott, Glosnie, Eric, Dennis, Timothy, Ronald, Darren, Roeland, William, Robert S, Jonathan, Linda, Alan, Mike, John, Barry, Harold, James, Julio, Pilar, Ricardo, James, Chris, Sia, Miriam, Roger, Robert, Ron, Linda M, Gerard, K V, Robert, Ilse, James, Thomas, Padraig, Alex, Chris, Patricia, Ronald, Richard, Ron, Richard, Jean, Hans, Jehangir, Gene P, Michelle, Barry, Jonathan, Martin, Mary, Christopher, Gunter, Ruth Anne, Shawn, Patricia, Allen, Joan, Theofania, Darren, Chris, Anne, Mark, Jacqueline, Kevin, Laura, Lisa, Brian, Reinaldo, Allan, Basil, Ayse, Richard, Linda, Larry, Agnes, Laurie, James, Simon, Caroline, Mark, Gary, Dennis, Fidelis, Keith, Justin, Beate Helene, Lauree, Mary, Robert, Susan, Jonathan, William, Yves, Chris, Angelina, Frank, Ann, Linda, Nadia, John, Marianne, Mathias, Ed, Christine, Raymond, Robert, Patti, Bette Ann, Karen L, Chris, Christian, Linda, Ron, Linda M, Danny, James, Suzanne, Hg, Ilse, Leon, Gene P, Lynette, Peter, Amy, Thomas, Gunter, Candice, Allen, Joan, Patricia, Shawn, Theofania, Jacquelyn, Wayne, Hans, John, Jacqueline, Reinaldo, Allan, Richard, Linda, Toni, Laurie, James, Angie, Caroline, Dinah, Janice P, Justin, Soi, Elke, Michael, Grant, David, Ipatia, Jonathan, Robin, Barbara, Ann, Allen, Jennifer, Carla, Caroline, Simo, Harry, David, Linda, Dion, Larry, Cathy, Geoffrey, Karen L, Simon, Indra, Weldon W, Camilla, Øystein, Christian, Linda, Ilse, Susan, Donald, John, Gudni, Mary Carol, Lorenz, Suzanne, Kay, P, Ivars, Warren, Vibeke, Martin, Trevor, Rob, David, Javier, Joan, Sherwood, Alexander, Wayne, David, Stephen, Colt, Reinaldo, Dr Alison, Rejean, Theofania, John, Crispino, Carol, Carmen, Linda, Jacqueline, Brian, Miguel, Davide Alberto, James, Dorothea, Caroline, Janice P, Cryslea, Bruce, Justin, Gary, David, Mary, Vincent, Ben, Nancy, Louise, Stephen, Amit, Nikolai, Stevenson, Mark, Dana, Keith, Emanuela, Richard, Janellen, Dag, John, James, Stephen, Robert, Jude, Jose, Daphne, Clifton, Aisha, Yazid, Roberto, John, Colin, Joyce, Jonathan, Joelle, Tzu Fann, Steve, Heather, Alice, Unni Elisabeth, Edward, Mark, Margo, Elizabeth, Roselie F, Neilo, Magaret, Clyve, Donald, Kevin, Karolien, Kenneth, Bob, Mohinder, Genni, Robert, Joseph, R.E., Chris, Jeanne B, Regina, Brian, Jean, Jami, Ken, Hans, Arthur, Christine, Ilmari, Charles J, Steven L, Tatiana, Mike, Frederick, Suzanne, Kara, Philip, Bj, Paula, Christine, Norma, Lauren, Salvatore, David,

2010: Ernests, Rachel, Paul, Arlyn, Joan, Jeffrey H, Jolyn R., Marie, Suzanne, Aisha, G. Nick, Vicky, Steven, Michele, Judy, Agung, Chaarani, Suz, Dennis, Martha, Carla, Tom, Diane, Erick, Carol, Richard, Edward, Dorothy, Aghee, Kim, Cynthia, Igors V, Sarah, Paul, Michael, Shari, David, Mette Lyngsoe, Brian, Deborah, Nancy J, Robert, Binh, Richard, Dorothy, Robert, Nancy, Barb, Peter, Karen, Ruth, Andrew, William, Bev, Debby, Trong Hiep, Richard, Michael, Robbin S, Frank, Sandra, Clare, Kathy, Linda, Kerstin, Helen, Sandra, Rosie, Sunada, Igor, Guy, Paul, Michael, Nancy, Suzanne, Tisha, Rick, Alain, Kathy, Shella, Kwok, Gordon, Robert, Joseph, Roderick, Jennifer, Laszlo, Shirley, Jane, Richard, Peter, Eva, Carolyn, Sharon, Dorothy Louise, Nicole Y, Leila, Mark, Ruth E, Steven, Mary, Tina, Bruce, Fontana, Colin, Kevin, Cynthia A, Alia, A W, Yeow Len, Sylvia, Charles, Richard, Cheryl, Bobette, Richard, Emilia, Camille, Shari, Thomas, Nena, Frances, Robert M, Nancy, Jane, Luis, Michael, Wei, Kevin, Elfriede, Sarah V, Hannie, Sindra, William, Patricia, Ysabel, Florence M, Jerzy, Kenneth, Michael, Judyann, Jackie, Debra, Arya, Daniel, Michael, William, Larry, Sheila, Darlene, Steve, David, Andy, Jim, Christine, Yvon, Jean-Paul, Ruchith, Kathryn, Carol, Mamoru, Arthur, Lillian, Valerie, Gary, Laslo, Mario, Mark, John, Marte, Dean, Lori, Michael, Perin, Linda, Steve, Jean, Susan J., Justyn, Arthur, Robert, Malcolm, L, Albert, Donna, Louise, Peter, David, Marguerite, Genci, Bernard, Keimpe, Pamela, Christy M, Matt, Andrew, Jessica, Tim, K Y, Jill, Carel, John, Maureen, Gretchen, Dennis, Anna, Juan A, Walter, Peter, Thomas, W T, Anne Marie, John, Aspy Framroze, Dean, Andrew, Marta, Henry, Frank, Blanca E, Tom, Patrick, Richard, Ron, Ben, Lesley, Diane, Robin, Steve, Stephen, Brock, Suzanne, Brian S A, Renato, Bjarne, Deanna, Edith M, Nancy, Janice J, John, Robert, Paul, Peter, Jeremy, B E, Mary, Kim, Sandra, Kathleen, Debora, Angela, David, Marijke, Shella, Lowell, Nicholas, Marian, Christine, Paul M, Jennifer, Cheney, Suniti, Anthony, Maureen, Lawrence, Bart, Luis, Paula, Pamela, Ron, William, Simon, Michael, Justyn, Craig, Carol, Desiree, Charles, Etienne, Sally, Catheryn, Jannine, Chari, Trygve, Martha, Kathleen, Anthony, William, Mary Beth, Jim, Lucille G, Michael, David, Louise, Viviane, Sharon, Kathleen, Barbara, Dean, Susanne, Karen, Patricia, Jeanette, Marilyn, David, Pauline, Christina, Hitomi, William, Janet, Rachel, Linda, Emma, Maimuna, Roger, Ruth, Linda, Francine, Linda, Waltraud, Linda, Valerie, Mihaiela, Leslie, Craig, Jacqueline, Michele, Cynthia, Stephen, Nikki, Jeffry, Patti, Barbara, Nagako, Stephanie, Martha, Caroline, Marilyn, John, Christopher, Ina, Leanora, Lenice, Lidia, Ann Marie, Joleen, M, Frank, Yaron, Howard, Victoria, Lara, Judith, Christine, Valerie, Betsy, Amanda, Sharon, John, Anne, Katherine, Bibi, Carol, Charles, Edward, Sylvia, Jennifer, Ashley, Elaine, Jason, Gregory, Vasin, Kee Seng, Carmela, Joan, Jeffrey, Gary, Peter, Magda, Marilyn, Prem, Pascale Marie, William, Jo, Ubk Ki Dojo, Alison, Marina, David, Anita, Thomas K, Thomas, Janice, Loriann, Dave, John, Terry, Patricia, Mayer, Rebecca, Robert, Barbara, Rivka, Dana, Eileen, Theodore, Jelani, Karen, José, Frans, Philip, Philippa, John, Blanche, Lara, Aiko S, Mr, Michael, Kathy, Eileen, Iris, Hung, Jason, Donna, Anthony, Eileen, Molly, Sara-Gene, Jim, Caroline, Robert, Thomas, Carolyn, Richard, Carl, G Sridhar, Andrew, Kerry, Kaye, Lisa J, Henry, Christine, Grayson, Astrid, Robyn, Doug, Me, Hans, Paula, Katherine, Matthew, Ann, Paolo, E, Jorge Armando, Rebekah, Christoph, James, Livia, Donald, Cory, Robyn, I, Chris, Susan, Susan, Sean, Ankica, William, Martin, Patricia, Alexander, Marge, Donald, Sarah, Linda, Simon, Ferruccio, Amit, Kit, Sunny, Ann, Tammy, Sally, Fausto, Dave, Dr, Sayuri, Chuck, Barnett, Deborah, Barbara, Kevin, Kevin, Richard, Rolf, William, J Raymond, Preethi, Ron, James, John, Sharon, Esther, Marilee, Huy, Dominik, Marc, Sandi, John, Julia, Roy, Clare, Robert, Sandra, Larry, Jenny, Julio, C, Nick, Cherie, Dolli, Gary, Terry, Shamsulbahriah, Roberta, Henry, Laurie, Thomas, Gregory, Diana, Tom, Rebecca, Larry, Seena, Sandra, Robert, Judy, Lorraine, Leslie, Nicholas, John, Patrick, Gunnar, Karen, Coleen, Stevens, Edna, Abhijit, Abigail, Donald, Abigail, Susanne, Phyllis, Michael, Susan, Kristi, Randolph, Richard, Frederick, Robert, Dwen, Teri, Ava, Randolph, Connie, Jon, Meredith, Jonathan, Neil, Adriana, Nancy, B Carol, P. Sidney, Lester, Christine, Lynnette, John S, Dane, Victor, Christopher, Jim, Carol, Geoffrey, Kelly, Barbara, Ken, Patricia, Wayne, Carolyn, Spencer, Jacquelyn, Howard, Karen, Larry, C, Katie, Katherine, Michael, Christian, Dave, Rhese, Gita, Jaime, Tammi, Wesley, Jeane, Kenny, Marjorie, Valerie, Jack, Nancy, Bruce, Peter, Virginia, Mona, Charleen, Gwendolyn, Pearlena, Bruce, Laura, Jackie, Sondra, Tedario, Devendran, Atossa, Majna, Roger John, James, Michael, Richard, John, Soei Tien, Leif Erik, Jane, Ihor, Sharon, Flemming, Bryna, Louise, Del, Stephen, Lan, Patrick, Eva Marie, Henrik, John, Smm, Tommy, Leeorr, Sharon, Paul, Inger, Laurent, Simon, Dellwyn, Jan, Vibeke, Kathryn, Lutz, Neil, Gav, Paul R, Burkhard Michael, Linne, Benjamin, Peter, Marina, Denya, Marianne, Veselina, Vivi, Arun, Rodney, Rodney, Richard, Carol A, Nan, Dustin, Matthias, Tamara, Alayna, Judith, Anthony, Jacqueline, Kamran, Steven, Annette, Alok, Maria, Joseph, Aranka, Shelley, Juanita, Beatrice, Michael, Pat, Gloria, Marla, Marjorie E, Irene, Lorna, Carl, Brett, Robert, Therese, Christine, Heather, Linda, Rex, Thomas Kenneth, Josh, Drena, Kc, Megan, Stephen, Faj, Larry, Jonathan, Marcela, Ryan, Michael, Kevin, Deborah, Susan, Judith, Tony, Tom, Miriam, Trupti, Marv, Judith, Bob, Kathe, Gabriel, Kenneth, Charles, Bobbie, J’Ette, Randy, Eva, Gurcharan, Michael, Sandra, Charles, Rainer, Brian, Andrew, Douglas, Sherry, Angel, Maryanne, Bruce, Christine, Clara, Phyllis, Keld, Susan, Deborah, Cathleen, Gerald, Brett, Richard, Stanley, Nanette, Oumah, Georges, Alex, Vlado, Michael, Doris, Christopher, Robert, Christopher, David, Chuck, Thomas, Winifred, Alfred, Brett, Robert, Dorothy, Gunnar, Joslyn, Donna, Michael, Cynthia, George, Wallace, Arazak, Wei, Ann, Stephen, Jeffrey, Mrs Virginia F, Thomas, Vui, Stephen, Sandra, Mabry, Marianne, Bergthora, Donald, Pei, Riva, P Blake, L. Joan, Katie, Thomas, Curt, R.P., Richard, Victoria, Larry, James, Raymond, Lucy, Olena, Peter, David, Robert, Susie, Jim, Doreen, Douglas, Preethi, Connie, Lawrence, Erica, Richard, Walter, Jerzy, Helen, Richard, Lincoln, Kimberly, David, Garry, Jeff, Linda, Gillian, Mohammed, Eric, Martin, Ed, Bill, Anita, Ken, Wilson, Noah, Kashif, Jose, Faj, Paola, Mary, Michael, Andrew, Tino, Ellen, Shalini, Sam, Daphne, Sandra, Charles, Belinda, Marina, HJ, Gary, Barry, Suzanne, Erin, Michael, Dian, Sunny, Stephanie, Barbara, Elke, Mary, Carole, Francine, Edward, Sean, Paul, Lynda, Robert, Woodrow,

2011: Alexa, Kjell-Erik, Mirja, Brenna, Alan, Robert, Kelly, Pat, Margaret, Tom, Lorie, Tanase, Walter, Benjamin, Viswanathan, Roberta, James, Jane, Karen, Birgit, Tony, C S, Kevin, Leeba, Audre, Åse, Sue, Kirsten, Rosemary, Paul, Jerry, Pene, Eva, Miodrag, John, Sue, Michael, Loretta, Laura, Linda, Dianne, Peter, Leslee, Beryl, Susan, Stuart, William, Marilyn, Patricia, Ferdinando, Ibrahim, Marty, Anon, Janet, John, Doug, Dave, Dennis, Ayodele, Anthony, Gary, Alfred, Barbara, Heather, Henry, Jacquelin, Jean Claude, Lee, John, Lisette, William, Allen, Robert, Wesley, Lorraine, Lea, Eric, Deborah, Cruzita, Phyllis, Mary, Hubert, James, Susan, Charles, Ron, Philip, Enzo, Norman, Bonnie, Nader, Marsha, Marjorie, James, Melvin, Paul, Dirk, Carol, Mitzie, Michelle, Santos, Jill, Betty, Pamela, Maria, Mark, Helen, Henry, Alastair, Thomas, Pauline, Barbara, Ernestina, Douglas, Larry, Wim, Astrid, Natalie, Paul, Jiri, Jye Jong, Gwendoline, Wilhelmina, Anne, Charalampos, Grete, Paco, Judy, Alan, Ewa, Katrina, Nancy, Barbara, G David, Olga, Paul, Lester, Kathryn, Genevieve, Jeffery, Doris, David, Jeremy, Troy, Kaye, Dawn, Ann, Dale, Maria Elena, Nestor, Malcolm, Michael, Felix, Cynthia, Marijan, John, Paul, Dawn, Helen, John, Kit, Craig, Michael, Alec, Jacqueline, Cathy, Hans, Darill, Richard, Patricia, Trudy, John, P, Cor, Michelle, Brucilla, Michel, Gilbert, Rich, Medical, Marilyn, Judy, Winston, Billy, Yvonne, Sameen, John, Michael, Darlene, Dailey, Michael, Linda, Lori, Sheila, John, Adriana, Richard, Ivan, Robert, Brad, Robert, Diane, Shelly, Richard, Nicole, Steven, Mary, Margret, Daniela, Ronald, Clair, Linda, Sol-Britt, Aysegul, Torsten, Sandra, Lynley, Melissa, Khaled, Frederico, Jocelyn, Nouf, Bondolin, Thomas, Paul, John, Glen, Sandra, Mark, Jostein, Sharon, Marcia, Connie, Chun, William, Andrew, Randall, Donald, Danny, Nathalie, Elena, Norine, Roslyn, Anne, Elizabeth, Greg, Sandra, Sandra, Timothy, Carolyn, Lisa, Timothy, Loriann, Tim, Deana, E S, Douglas, Paul, Sandra, Robert, Sisko, Pier-Olivier, Leatrice, Fred, Bob, Anne, David, Stephen, Errol, Earl, Ross, Robert, Suzanne, Håkon, Carolyn, Judith, Teresa, Lynn, Craig, James, Arthur, Barry, Carla, Ann, Roger, Janet, Jane, Romy, Gwendolyn, William, Patsy, Timothy, Edit, Sherry, Anne, Christine, Andrej, Jacob, Aylin, Ina, Keiko, Derek, Valentina, David, Veronika, Vivienne, Alicia, Jair, Dane, J, Cecil, David, Kenneth, Nelson, Beth, Margaret, Paul, Donna, Robyn, Chris, Johnny, Helena, Deborah, Olga, Nancy, Edwina, Joyce, Janet, Joy, Bob, Joan, Max, Jenny, Donald, Janet, Elaine, Alison, Clay, Subhas, Charles, Gena, Sharron, Francoise, Beverly, Sharon, Richard, Eduardo, Kenneth, Peter, Opal, Liz, Carol, Elyn, Robert, Carl, Kai, Kathy, Robert, Thomas, Francois, Malcolm, Kathy, Al, Rex, Kjetil, Colleen, Walter, Larry, Nyleve, Tariq, Bryan, Fanny, Deirdre, W A, Kam, Norman, Valentine, Alan, Steven, David, Diane, Burton, Mike, Stanley, Tara, Ruth, Robert, Desiree, Marc, Kimberly, Michael, James, Roy, Cheryl, David, Thomas, Stephen, Lawrence, Paul, Kathleen, Julie, Emma, Linda, Sylvia, Carolyn, Richard, Donna, Mark, Dieter, Christopher, Shirley, Albert, Ron, Aileen, Virachai, Clair, Windu, Shari, Christina, Deborah, Isobel, Anthony, Michael, Francois, Marc-André, Douglas, Nuno, Mark, Kathleen, Maria, Michael, Leandro, Neil, Stanley, Marie, John, Leora, Howard, William, Jane, Antímio, Li San, Eduardo, Alistair, Janet, Suzanne, Viv, Philip, Kenneth, Alphonsus, David, Arlynna, Julie, Kevin, Katherine, Vicente, Willaim, Mr, Arlette, Ehsan, Quek, Philip, Charles, Elizabeth, Hiromi, Brenda, Shawn, Robert, Ivor, Ian, Gordon, Eric, Barry, Walter, Bronia, John, Margaret, Lex, Lisa, Ed, Phil, Mary Ann, Myra, Basheer, Mark, Richard, J. Archie, V, Thomas, Thomas, Patricia, Janis, Geetanjali, Gerald, George, Markus, Suryya, Susan, Julie, Katherine, Wilfrido, Angie, Rami, Richard, Gregory, Clovis, Dick, Sandy, Brigitte, Jay, Josephine, Daniel, Kath, Iris, A, Martin, Dorothy, Julie, Michael, Pamela, Paulette, Nada, Cartley, Kevin, Trevor, Norma, David, Rea, Carole, Vasilios, Fauver, Barbara, Ronald, Chen, Keith, Michael, Satvinder, Fernando, Tyler, Antonio, Dean, Roger, Harish, Laura, Karen, Khaled, Caecilia, Pauline, Craig, Gulamabbas, Robin, Calvin, Cynthia, Jacquelyn, John, Darren, Lisa, Dawn, Stanley, Stephen, Karin, Ivette, Mujgan, Olin, Frederic, Luis, George, Glenn, John, Valorie, Barbara, Wan, Charles, Diana, Dave, Carol, Craig, Jane, Ruth, Anne, Esther, Cecile, Greg, Jose, Adrianne, Derly, George, Juha, Bernard, Angie, Gregg, Barnard, Malinda, Bd, David, Richard, Marian, Jose, Ben, Ann, Laura, Walter, Donald, Richard, Ana, Cao, Kristina, Barbara, Ryan, Judy, Jana, Stephen, Iain, Renaud, Vivian, K K, Kenneth, Isabella, Patrick, Barbara, Ana Elisa, Robert, Belinda, Joakim, Kimberly, Jerry, Carina, Stephen, Heather, Scott, Robert, Char, Jaspal, Albert, Naitmass, Wayne, Ana, Dianne, Emil, Laila, Danilo, Julie, Diane, Jimmy, Jeremy, Steffen, Edward, Lily, Joann, Charles, Fred, Claudio, Barbara, Wm, William, Zeno, Sandy, Frank, Peter, Milton, Silvia, Bozena, Malcolm, Bruce, Arnold, Dennis, Sarah, Per, Barbara, Robert, Jarle, Heather, Marcelo, Gail, Marilena, H J, Richard, Charles, Nancy, Jennifer, Bas, Elsemarieke, John, John, Larry, George, Lisa, Tony, Pauline, Joseph, Temmy, A Mark, Gilberte, Edward, James, David, Terri, Allen, Jonathan, Julia, Jamila, Sultan, Alexander, Mary Kay, Gordon, Jolie, Joy, Francis, Janice, Rachelle, Christopher, Kuan, Lewis, S, Patti, Janet, Edward, Joane, Micaela, Ben, W. Terry, Helen, Gwen, Diane, Joellen, Montserrat, Frederick, Valerie, Brian, Eileen, Alex, Claire, Ivan, Judy, Kathleen, Steve, Jane, Vikas, Ali, Franklin, Marvin, Debra, Dee, Paul, Maria, Mario, Judith, Richard, Elaine, Richard, Peter, Roger, Dolores, Roy, Margaret, Lawrence, M Elizabeth, Mary, Marilyn, Jaime, Orlando, Santiago, Rodica, Vladimir, Jean Claude, Merryla, Gary, Amy, Debbie, Inkeri, Francisco, Emily, Jane, Wayne, Marcia, Debra, Nancy, Sharon, Helen, Therese, Keith, Ray, Oscar, Eric, Neil, Rita, Fabio, Kathleen, Bruce, Zoltán, Ronnie, Angharad, Robert, Wayne, Brian, Joe, Maria, Scott, Anne, Howard, Kerry, Michael, Stephen, Kim, Martin, John, Barbara, Raja, Barbara, Jacqueline, Christian, Emil, Henry, Coralie, Barbara, Maria, Lee, Yaelah, Michael, Donna, Marilyn, Jeff, Ray, Vanessa, Stephen, Richard, Mary, Ana, Anthony, and Norm.

ChiFusion student Frank Walker passed away on September 16th.

Frank, who was also in our Instructor Certification program, was one of our most dedicated, enthusiastic students. I will miss him a lot.

Frank first joined our student program in 2009. He had just had some severe health problems in 2008, and had come to us for help with health and healing. In addition, Frank had become interested in the way of Taoism in the last few years, with Tao Te Ching: Lao Tzu and The Art of War – Spirituality for Conflict: Sun Tzu always near at hand.

Frank never let his health limitations get in the way. Here’s part of an email he wrote last May:

From: Frank Walker on Saturday, May 14, 2011 9:24 AM

Hello Al,

My purpose in writing is first a “fan letter”, of sorts …

On April 5th I had a stroke. 911, E.R., the whole nine yards The most serious lasting effect was my brain forgot I had a left leg. My nervous system self rewired and now my brain knows I have one. From the hospital to inpatient rehab. Then day rehab. Now outpatient rehab.

Think about this. In one month I walked out of inpatient rehab with no more assistance than a cane.

Many were amazed at the speed of recovery. I have only one explanation. My ChiFusion work.

While in the hospital, I used many parts of some exercises:

a. While confined in bed
b. Wheel chair
c. Normal chair
d. Limited standing

While doing physical therapy, I incorporated many movements into the exercises I was asked to do. Many therapists were curious. Other patients were very curious.

In the limited time I have left I want to teach those with physical disabilities, whether temporary or permanent, exercises tailored to their ability. I also want to teach willing physical therapists. I know that I may have to compromise some of the exercises, but I believe I can still be an effective instructor with the aid of the materials in the full course.

- Frank

P.S. I know I am not unique in this, but I incorporate Chi Fusion into daily activities. Nothing formal, just the way I move in the world. Some simple examples. When I am standing I am automatically in the Wuji stance. The other day, I had to stand in a moving bus. Instant goat stance. When I have to bend over, I use some spine exercises.

Here’s how I answered Frank last May:

From Al Simon on 5/16/2011 7:19 AM

Hi Frank -

Thank you for your email. I’m glad you sent this to me.

Let me first say, I’m sorry to hear about these physical challenges you are facing. But I wish you all the best for health and healing from them.

I’m glad the stroke recovery has gone well, and it’s a tribute to your persistence and chi skills that it has gone so well.

I appreciate the “fan letter”, but this is really your accomplishment. You’ve taken the ChiFusion work and made it your own, and a part of your life. Not many students do that. But you have – you are someone special for doing that. And I’m certain that’s why your recovery is going well.

I’m certain you can still be an effective instructor. Health-compromised students often become the best teachers, and have a lot of personal experience to draw on – much more than someone who has never faced health challenges.

You just need to be able to get close to the way the movements are done to be a good model for your students. But you can always talk them through what changes you’ve made and why, and talk them through what they need to do for themselves.

No, you aren’t unique – but you are very rare indeed. I’d say maybe five people out of a hundred do what you’ve done – that is, take what we teach and really make it a part of themselves and their lives. I’m glad you’ve done that, because I’m certain it is what is helping you, and will continue to help you, through your recovery.

I hope through the certification program will be able to help you even more as you improve your chi skills and continue to build your health.

All my best,
Al

Unfortunately, Frank wasn’t able to complete his goal of becoming a certified instructor. But as he once wrote me, “Formal certification: It would be great if I get there, but the certification is not my goal. Skill development is my goal.”

And Frank worked on his skills, right up to the end.

A few days ago, Caroline Walker, Frank’s wife, sent me this message:

From Caroline Walker on Saturday, September 24, 2011 6:11:27 PM

Dear Al -

Your training brought Frank a good measure of tranquility for which we were so grateful. Had he sought to develop his Chi 10 or 20 years ago, he may be alive today.

Frank showed me Carole’s photo on line – remarkable stance and we were both stunned at her age. Frank wanted that inner directedness for us both …

Thank you for thoughtful remembrances of Frank and encouragement for me. Your response is very much appreciated.

Kind regards,
Caroline

In addition to his interest in Chi development and Taoism, Frank was also a Certified Fraud Examiner and CEO of his own company, Walker Fraud Examiners, Inc.

Frank was also a volunteer Co-CEO for Fraud Aid, Inc., a small non-profit helping victims of fraud.

Please join me in paying tribute to Frank, and in wishing his wife Caroline much health and healing from her loss.