On the private support forum for our students and instructors, we’ve recently been discussing one of the “big concepts” to get when learning Tai Chi and Qigong.

This concept is especially true when learning kinesthetically, as opposed to just learning choreography like you do in many Tai Chi programs.

And the big idea is this:

Each person’s experience with these exercises is unique. The exercises will “do what is right” for each person, rather than give each person an identical experience.

This is a really difficult mind-set to get, because an overwhelming majority of Tai Chi programs, health programs, diet programs, etc. are cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all programs. Everyone who takes the “same” program expects the “same” results.

It may also be counter-intuitive. If you and I are doing the same movements, you’d expect them to do the same things to each of us.

But they don’t.

The big variable here is our bodies. For example, while superficially similar, our internal organs function quite differently. Your liver does not work identically to anyone else’s on the planet. Your heart doesn’t either. And your internal body chemistry will be different. Your body processes food, processes oxygen, and releases chemical hormones different from anyone else’s.

Because of this “big variable”, it’s not unusual for Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development programs like ours to have OPPOSITE effects in different people.

For example, a while back one of my students asked me about dopamine production in Qigong for Parkinson’s patients. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter chemical produced by the brain. It’s required for the health of the nervous systems, and influences our thoughts and feelings. Parkinson’s patients are sometimes found to have a deficiency in dopamine.

Interestingly enough, I’ve found teachers that say Qigong increases dopamine, and teachers that say Qigong decreases dopamine. And it’s very possible that it does BOTH – depending on what the individual needs.

A lot of this has to do with PNI – psychoneuroimmunology. This is the study of how our brain and nervous system affect the release of hormones and chemicals, specifically for our immune response.

Dr. Robert Anton Wilson pointed out that the PNI systems in the body are much more “quantum-like” in their reactions to mind-body therapies.

In other words, during mind-body practices like Qigong, the PNI systems will do what’s needed (e.g., increase dopamine if needed, or decrease it if needed, and may even switch from time to time) rather than behave in a consistent fashion.

And that’s part of the problem with using medical studies to “validate” mind-body therapies.

Medical studies look for consistency in reaction across a variety of patients, not individualized reactions.

If a medicine or therapy produces the same reaction in a significant number of people, it’s often looked at as a “good” medicine/therapy. But if it doesn’t produce the same reaction, it’s often looked at as “not good”.

In medical studies, “repeatable” is what is valued, and “uniqueness” is not. But in our Tai Chi and Qigong, “uniqueness” is what is valued.

I think that’s one of the big things to get about Tai Chi, Qigong, and health – that they produce individualized reactions. And that, as students and instructors, we need to CAPITALIZE on this fact.

I would say that this is where cookie-cutter, “one-size-fits-all” Tai Chi and Qigong really misses the boat. It doesn’t capitalize on the power of individual reactions.

That’s why I’ve dedicated myself to providing students and instructors with the opportunity to learn a “customized” approach to Tai Chi and Qigong. A customized approach use the power of Tai Chi and Qigong to create individualized reactions to its full advantage.

The mind-set to get from all this is that you need to do these practices, check YOUR experience, see the results YOU get, and not compare them to the experience of others.

Even the student standing next to you, doing exactly the same practices, will have a totally different experience from you! If you get-together and “compare notes” with other students and instructors, expect more differences than similarities.

No one else’s experience should be used as the criteria. The only criteria – does the experience bring YOU the results YOU want!

ChiFusion student Glennis Rogerson has been chosen to carry the Olympic Torch.

The Olympic flame is carried by torch relay from Greece to the Olympic site prior to the start of the Games. Glennis will be carrying the torch on June 27th, 2012 as it makes its way through Skegness, Lincolnshire on the East Coast of England

Glennis has been an instructor in Tai Chi since 1998 and now leads the Palms Tai Chi Club in Skegness. She is also a Naturopathic Doctor, Homeopathic Doctor, and a Ph.D. in Immunology. She has also received Diplomas in Reflexology, Counseling, Healing, Aromatherapy and Herbal Medicine.

Glennis has been a ChiFusion Tai Chi and Qigong student since July of 2010.

Glennis interest in healing and complementary medicine began as a way to help with her own severe health problems that plagued her for nearly 50 years. Now 70 years old, Glennis has had to learn to live with celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and severe allergies to many foods and chemicals, including pain-killers.

Glennis has relied on complementary medicine to help manage pain and improve her health. She says:

[Because of my dietary restrictions,] I cannot take any pain killers, so I have to use Complementary Medicine to keep pains away. I do have still severe balance problems and use a walker to walk with and a wheelchair for longer distances.

Without Aromatherapy and Tai Chi, I know I would be unable to function and bearing the pain is a real challenge. The people I meet in Tai Chi and Aromatherapy, Healing Group, and other activities are an inspiration. My story if one of using positive vibes to overcome negative ones. I do not know how much longer I can manage but I look to the future and have faith to overcome.

As I have said I cannot move without any pain and will be carrying [the torch] in a wheelchair. But I love my Tai Chi and it keeps me mobile even with pain. It is all I have without any painkillers.

Congratulations, Glennis. And thank you for being such an inspiration to us. Your extreme accomplishments, despite your physical challenges, speak to the value of Complimentary Medicine and Tai Chi for everyone.

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

P.S. Looking for more inspirational stories? Then check out:

A while back on the private support form for our students and instructors, Rex posted a message about “mindfulness” during chi practice.

It was the start of a discussion among us on the forum about the role mindfulness plays in learning Tai Chi and Qigong, and even in practicing meditation.

Many students and instructors approach mindfulness as if the goal were to be “100% mindful 100% of the time”.

But I think it’s a mistake to set that as your goal. Instead, I think there’s a more important goal – one that every practitioner of Tai Chi, Qigong, and meditation should focus on instead.

To help you understand what that goal is, here is the discussion from our forum:

From Rex:
Hi Al, All,

When learning a new form, it takes all of my attention, and then some. However, I eventually learn the form to the extent that it becomes more-or-less automatic. As more and more of my practice requires less effort and attention, my mind wanders more and more easily. Some days, it is impossible to stay focused for more than a few seconds before chatter, chatter, chatter, chatter . . .

I would welcome any discussion about how you guys deal with mind wandering, if it is much a a problem, and what you do about it. I am sure there are as many strategies as there are members, and would be interested to hear your views.

Thanks.

Rex

From Tim:
Hi Rex,

Although I’m new to ChiFusion I have over 4 years of experience with Shotokan Karate, Qigong and Tai Chi and thought I’d give you some ideas on what keeps me focused while doing forms.

I always try to envision myself in a place within the form. That is to say, while doing a Shotokan form I’ll envision enemies around me that I need to defend myself against which helps me to focus. While doing Qigong or Tai Chi, I’ll envision myself in a quiet, peaceful place such as the beach (as mentioned in our Chi Fusion Course). I always try to focus on proper breathing and the movements themselves, as I try to absorb energy and become one with Nature. Try to wipe the slate clean and forget about all external distractions. This is your moment to slow down and focus on deliberate, proper movement. There is no stress, no phone, no conversations. Just you becoming one with the form through intense meditation and focus.

I hope this helps! Hopefully Al and other experienced members will voice their opinions as well.

Kind Regards,

Tim

From Jackie:
Hi Rex,

This is my approach.
May or may not be helpful to you.

I. Even if I know I have the outward form of a pattern, I still scan my body continually to assure that I am correctly aligned – frequently, I am not. I need to pay special attention to my lower back.
2. I sometimes do a pattern more slowly or more quickly, slightly more powerfully, or very, very loose and relaxed – almost floppy. The comparison in what I feel in my body is very interesting and instructive.
3. I shall be teaching some very compromised folks – so I have been practicing the Eight Brocades seated – a whole different kettle of fish.
Also seated gives me an opportunity to sense some subtle energy changes in the upper body more easily.
4. I focus my attention deeper in my body – trying to sense subtle energetic shifts.

To me it feels as if I could spend the rest of my life plumbing the depths of the Eight Brocades only, let alone the more complex patterns of Spiralling, Cloud Hands, and Four Elements.

At this time I am deepening my ChiFusion practice.
At another time, I may choose to broaden my practice, as you have, by learning other disciplines.
Seems to me, that both work. Just depends where you are personally, your learning preferences, your goals.

Jackie

From Eguana:
Hi Rex, Tim and Jackie (and all who read these posts).

Great question and answers. My suggestion would be a combination of both answers with the addition of a meditation instruction, when you find your mind wandering, acknowledge it and gently bring your focus back to what you are working on.

I very strongly agree with Jackie on the deeper and deeper levels of our energy work. The deeper you go the deeper you see that you can continue to go. I very much believe that there is no end to the depths of the practice. Whatever means you find to address your focus issues are right for you. One of the great beauties of the ChiFusion system that Al and his students developed is the individuality of the practice.

Peace & love & light.

From Al:
Good question, Rex – and great answers as usual from Tim, Jackie, and Eguana. I really can’t add much to those answers, so let me come at this with a slightly different mindset …

To start with, instead of looking at the goal as “100% mindfulness while I practice”, look at the goal as “whenever I’m not mindful, I come back.”

Or put another way, the skill you work on isn’t “maintaining mindfulness”, it’s the skill of “knowing how to become mindful” whenever you find you need it.

In this way, you can use the mind chatter as a training tool. Whenever you notice the chatter, at the moment you notice, do “something” to become more mindful.

For the “something”, you can use the suggestions above from Tim, Jackie, and Eguana, or from other meditative traditions, or develop your own. The “something” really doesn’t matter that much, as long as it works for you or is meaningful to you.

It can be a thought, a word, a feeling, a visualization, a ritual … whatever you want. Or it can be a kinesthetic action, such as “whenever I find myself not mindful, I immediately move slower” or “stand taller” or something like that.

But focus on the skill of “mindfulness on command” or “mindfulness when I need it” rather than just “maintaining mindfulness”. Focus on finding that “something” (word, feeling, visualization, etc.) that you get in the habit of using as a call to mindfulness.

And actually, you can have several somethings. I actually have three of them – a kinesthetic one, a verbal one I say out loud, and one that I think. That helps me cover just about any situation I find myself in. For example, saying something out loud isn’t always appropriate, so having one I can just think is helpful.

But from a practical standpoint, “mindfulness when you want it” is a very valuable skill to have. As I mentioned in the Four Treasures report:

With mindfulness, we are able to make decisions, based not on the “shoulds” and “oughts” that normally chatter away in our “monkey minds”, but based on what is best for the moment. And when we decide to act, we know the action is right because we are aware. We are not acting from mind, but from no-mind, from a complete identification with what is going on. As such, mindfulness might sound a bit far out, a bit New-Agey-feel-good, or even a bit like a drug-induced trance. It is not. Mindfulness is a practical, down-to-earth state.

Anytime during your normal day, when you are faced with a difficulty, a challenge, a stressful situation, or a chaotic environment, it’s helpful to be able to focus when and where you need it. Having a call to mindfulness practice can help you focus at times you need it.

I hope that helps.

Best wishes,
Al

From Tim:
Hi Jackie, Eguana and Al,

This is great advice. As a new student, I’m impressed by our forum and all the knowledge that is freely shared. I’ve already begun to discover how much quality material is available in the course, and the fact that it’s supported by this forum is truly a great benefit to everyone!

Thank you!

Tim

From Rex:
Thanks, Al, All! Many good observations and suggestions from all. Of course, we realize that we are “asleep” most of the time, and need a gentle “intervention” to come back to the present moment, but “Mindfulness when you want it” is a lovely wrinkle on that. As I practice “Open Focus” exercise which involves learning attentional flexibility, and awareness of space and spaces; returning my attention to the space that I occupy, the space around and through me would be a good, gentle intervention to return to mindfulness.

Thanks, lah!

Rex

From ChiRoo:

“To start with, instead of looking at the goal as “100% mindfulness while I practice”, look at the goal as “whenever I’m not mindful, I come back.”

— When I read this it really changed how I looked at mindfulness. I had always heard when your mind wanders, just bring it back…. or let the thoughts pass like clouds. But, the goal always seemed to be “being mindful without glitches”. But now, to look at the goal as learning to come back…I love it! Thank you

Let me introduce you to Jackie Davies.

Jackie is a Certified ChiFusion™ Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor, as well as a certified YWCA fitness leader. She is located in Port Burwell, Ontario, Canada.

In this video, Jackie discusses how each movement in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development needs to be customized to your unique body/mind/energy system. She explores the importance of customization in your Tai Chi and Qigong practice. You’ll also learn about chi dissipation, and how customization can help.

This video was submitted as part of Jackie’s ChiFusion™ certification course. She graciously allowed me to share this video with you.

Note: You can make this video full screen by clicking on the corner icon in the lower right.

Let me introduce you to İrem Bray.

İrem is a Certified ChiFusion™ Instructor. She is also a Consulting Psychologist and Family Therapist who practices in Turunç, Turkey.

In this video, İrem explores the energetic and psycho-spiritual effects of the Water element in Tai Chi and Qigong movements. You’ll also understand the circular movements and sensory imagery to give you the correct feeling in these movements. Plus you’ll also see two special uses of Water energy in Tai Chi’s “Rollback” movement.

This video was submitted as part of İrem’s ChiFusion™ certification course. She graciously allowed me to share this video with you.

Note: You can make this video full screen by clicking on the corner icon in the lower right.

Amazon.Com has just released the paperback version of our “50 True Chi Stories” book!

50 True Chi Stories (click here) is the book of stories written by YOU – the readers of this blog, our website visitors, plus our friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

It includes inspirational stories from fifty people whose lives have been made better by Tai Chi and Qigong. These are real, everyday stories from people just like you!

But this is important. While the paperback is available on Amazon today…

… DO NOT BUY IT FROM AMAZON!

If you do, you’ll have to pay full retail price for it!

Instead, I’ve arranged for you to get a special discount on the book if you purchase it from Amazon’s printing division rather than from their retail website.

Rather than buy it from Amazon’s retail site, you can get the book directly from CreateSpace, the printing and distribution subsidiary of Amazon. And I’ve arranged for you to save $1.00 off the retail price if you do that.

You’ll get the same great service as Amazon, but you’ll be getting the book for just above the wholesale cost Amazon set for the book.

To get your special discount on the book:

• Write down this discount code, since you’ll need it in a moment: XXY2CXNU
• Go to Amazon’s Createspace (click here) website to order the book directly from the printer
• Click the Add to Cart button
• On the shopping cart page, enter the discount code. That code again is: XXY2CXNU

I’d like to publicly thank everyone who contributed to this book. (To see a list of contributors to the book, just click here and scroll down the page.)

Adding your story to this book has helped raise awareness of the fantastic benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong. It is helping to inspire and motivate others to join us in practicing Chi development.

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

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,

The New Year is a great time to reflect on your Tai Chi, Qigong, and Chi Development, and to start thinking about your training for the upcoming New Year.

And one of the most important questions you can ask yourself during this reflection is, “Am I a Chi River person, or am I a Chi Goal person?”

This question cuts right to the heart of what it means to be a self-motivated, independent-minded Chi student.

And having this “self-knowledge” can help you proceed with confidence on the path to better health, stress relief, and Chi Development .

Self-Motivated, Independent-Minded

Before we explore what it means to be a a self-motivated, independent-mind Chi student, let me start by saying the obvious: the VAST MAJORITY of Chi students are neither self-motivated nor independent-minded.

Many students require external motivation to keep them interested in Tai Chi and Qigong, and to keep them practicing. For example, many can learn only in a class format, because they require the external discipline. Having to keep up with a weekly class keeps their home practice on track. Without the weekly class, their home practice eventually falls by the wayside.

Others may require a “guru” or “master” on whom they are dependent to set their training goals or their practice schedule. Left on their own, without this guru to follow, their self-practice would quickly fall apart. Or without some sort of persistent direction, they would flit from program to program, or from teacher to teacher, but never really work towards a strong, independent Chi practice.

As we noted, a majority of students fall into this category. But our focus here is on the remaining two categories of students – “Chi River” students and “Chi Goal” students.

Rivers and Goals

The two terms “river person” and “goal person” come from Earl Nightingale.

Earl Nightingale was a well-known motivational speaker many years ago. He was the first person to ever earn a gold record for sales of a spoken word recording, back in 1956. I highly recommend that 1956 recording, “The Strangest Secret”, plus a follow-up he did before he passed away in 1989 called The Strangest Secret for Succeeding in the World Today (click here).

By the way, I receive no compensation for promoting these recordings, but I’m glad to do it. This is one of the most important motivational works ever created. If you are serious about being successful, no matter what field of interest you are pursuing, you should run, not walk, to get those recordings.

Anyway, Earl Nightingale talked about “goal people” and “river people” as two models of success.

Chi Goal People

As a model for success, goal people are those who work best by having a definite goal and a plan on how to reach it. Goal people need to lay out a clear set of measurable goals for what they want to do. Since they can become easily distracted, they need a lot of external structure and discipline to succeed.

Note that this is different from the first category of people we mentioned above – those who require external “motivation”. Goal people are self-motivated, and they don’t need motivation from outside themselves. But they do need external “structures” to help support their self-motivation and accomplish what they set out to do.

For Chi Goal people, these external structures include writing down their objectives for their Chi development, setting up timetables and deadlines for what they want to learn, and working through them methodically. They need to get in the habit of having a regular time or regular schedule to train and practice.

Even if it’s just ten or fifteen minutes – they have to do it every day. What’s important is the regularity. This helps keep them focused and on track to accomplishing their goals.

When they do lose focus though, it’s easy for Chi Goal people to turn things around. They just need to put the external structures back in place. They merely need to pull out those goals and timetables, and re-commit to using them.

Their success comes through organizing their practice approach, and through a regular schedule. Being consistent is the key.

Chi River People

On the other hand, Chi River people do it differently. They don’t need much in the way of external structure, and they aren’t necessarily methodical. They just mostly “wade” in to the river of Chi and “immerse” themselves in their learning and practice.

Unlike the Chi Goal person, a Chi River person may not have a clearly laid out training schedule or measurable goals. But they are successful because they are so involved in their Chi practice, they can’t imagine NOT pursuing it every day. Their structure is “internal” to how they think and work in Chi Development.

Sometimes people confuse “Chi River people” with the “flitters” we mentioned in the first group above. After all, both types of people have little in the way of external structure. But the flitter moves quickly from one Chi program or teacher to another, and never seems to accomplish much or commit to anything.

So don’t confuse the River person’s lack of structure for a lack of commitment. For Chi River people, their practice and commitment to Chi Development comes naturally. And unlike the flitter who never last more than a few weeks or months without external motivation, the dedication of Chi River people often last years or decades.

Now, you might think that being a “Chi River person” would be easier than being a “Chi Goal person”. And when it comes to actually practicing, it is. But for Chi River people, while they are easily drawn to practice, actual success and accomplishment in Chi Development usually comes a little more haphazardly for them. Chi River people seem to have more ups-and-downs in their accomplishments, rather than the “smoother” journey that persistent Chi Goal people have.

So Which Are You?

Before you can decide whether you are a Chi River or Chi Goal Person, the first question to ask yourself is, “Am I an independent-minded, self-motivated Chi student?”

For example, can you practice on your own without the discipline of having to keep up with a class? Or can you determine your own path to Chi Development without the constant attention of a master to keep you on track?

Don’t be surprised, especially if you are a beginner, if the answers to these questions are “No”. But just be honest with yourself. If you need external motivators right now, that’s OK. Most people do. And many of us actually STARTED OUT that way before making the transition to being independent and self-motivated.

However, once you make that transition, you’ll need to ask yourself the second question: “Am I a Chi River person, or a Chi Goal person?”

Now of course, no one is PURELY a Chi River person or PURELY a Chi Goal person. But we all have our tendencies. So a big step forward in your training is for you to decide if you are more of a Chi Goal person or more of a Chi River person.

In our online program, we accommodate both Chi River and Chi Goal people.

For the Chi Goal person, our Getting Started Guide has tips for setting up training schedules, and for working methodically through the course. I can’t count the number of “Chi Goal” people who have thanked me for the Getting Started Guide. They said it made all the difference in succeeding with our course.

The Chi River people, on the other hand, appreciate the open approach we take to training. They can wade into the program, and spend more time on the areas that interest them, without having to keep to a weekly schedule like they would in a regular class.

That’s one of the reasons we chose an online format for our courses – the flexibility it allows for us to work with both types of independent-minded, self-motivated students. We enjoy working with both Chi River people and Chi Goal people.

So as we start the New Year, begin to explore your own path to independent Chi Development. Look and think about how you like to approach training. Are you a Chi River person, who needs no external structures? Or do you work best when you have a plan, like most Chi Goal people?

Once you know which you are, you can then work towards your Chi Development with confidence, knowing you are on the path that is right for YOU!

Happy New Year.

Best wishes,
Al

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.