At least, that’s the part I remember best, the taiji (or tai chi) discussion, which got so lively that three people agreed to meet here at 5:15 p.m., and drive with me next Tuesday for the regular session with teacher Brian Flaherty — who offers twice a week classes in the gift economy, and has been practicing a “Wu” form of taiji for decades.
Brian, in an email to new students:
The style of taiji we practice is called the Wu style after its founder, Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880), though it is also sometimes referred to as the Hao style (after a later practitioner of the form) to distinguish it from another “Wu” style (which is distinguishable in Chinese but not in English). It is the least vigorous and arguably the most internal of the various taiji styles, so there is a learning curve and it will likely take some time before you might start to “feel something.”
I’ve been practicing a more vigorous yang form of taiji for about 15 years. This wu style is much more yin, subtle and mysterious — qualities that I, as a first-born German inside a “female” body, can never get enough of!
Here’s a few pics from last night’s feast and fun. First, Brie, who was the “lead.”
Next Thursday night, as I recall, it’s going to be my turn to “lead.” Hmm. What will the theme be? Brie couldn’t decide what the theme was for this week, but this carnivore will tell you one thing, the meal, though stupendous, was entirely vegetarian.
