TAI CHI SALON 2026 JANUARY-MARCH Carla's Brain

Recent topics

1. Carla let us borrow her brain two weeks ago.  With the help of her brain hand-out there ensued a fascinating discussion. Read on for some of the details. Thank you Carla. 

  

We each have two brains inside our protective skulls.

The Human Brain is split into two hemispheres. They are connected by a broad band of nerves called the corpus callousum (shown in blue below).  

Click HERE For more details-->: https://brainblogbytoby.blogspot.com/

View from the top.                  Middle view                                 Ear to ear view.

Without the corpus callousum, we would have two separate brains unable to communicate with each other. 

In the video below, watch Alan Alda learn from such a man with two brains. 

Click video below to meet Joe, the man with two brains.

Friday, March 6, 2026

Friday, March 6, 2026 

Michael was here too, but was taking a call when the above photo was taken.

1. How did we get on the topic of Elle's custom skin oil hobby soon to become a business?

2. Was it Carla that asked? "What is Chi?

Virginia brought a perfect book by Michael Page for the discussion. So we asked Virginia and Paul for their definition of Chi also spelled 

TAI CHI FAVORITES (send in your nominations, we will post them here.)

 HERE IS THE FIRST  TAI CHI CLIP NOMINATED AS A FAVORITE.

THREE EPIPHANIES SALON: PART 3

More interesting each week, today's salon discussion touched upon topics that point to where we will be as we begin the new year. 

But first a beautiful dance that reflects how we feel during tai chi.

TAI CHI AND Wingchun

咏春  Wingchun  | Spring Festival Gala of Chinese New Year Eve 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZnlgOkkNsM&list=RDaZnlgOkkNsM&start_radio=1

Yesterday I watched Paul lead our tai chi practice. Today I find myself wondering how he became who he is today. What was he like when he was 8 or 9?

I feel "raised up" when I'm with our Tai Chi group. Click below, then slide the scrubber to 1:34

THREE EPIPHANIES SALON: PART 2

November 7, 2025 In attendance:

Michael, Victoria, Harriet, Paul, Ron, Mary, Tom, Virginia, and Toby

Call anyone in attendance for details about today's discussion topics.

Quote for the day from Victoria:     "Never in a hurry, Always on time."

MINUTES: Another discussion rich Salon with topics and people worth mentioning and worthy of more research. If anyone has more notes or thoughts to add, send them when you have time.

Paul shared his Hawaii experiences including finding an island tai chi group.

For example:

Michael mentioned Victoria's time with Sharon Savoy.  <--click here 

Victoria  talked their journey healing each other, and about the sympathetic nervous system. I'll send her a text inviting her to our next salon to tell us more about the autonomic nervous system and health span.   [Scroll down to Figures 1 and 5 for more on the brain and the sympathetic nervous system].  

Ron talked about Harriet Goslin and Moshe Feldenkrais and his words.

https://feldenkrais.com/

Ron also recommended Lee's book: How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh, a discussion for a future date.

[We'll talk more about these next time where we will begin to explore the connections between tai chi and brain science.]

Figure 1 The Sympathetic Nervous System 

Based on Ron and Victoria's topics, the following brain illustrations will be useful for upcoming Salons.

Figure 2

Figure 3

A cortical homunculus  [see below] is a proportional projection of the body onto a map of the human brain based on the portion of the brain dedicated to processing muscle [motor] or sensory functions for various parts of the body. Notice the large size of the  thumb which indicates a larger portion of the brain is dedicated to its movements.

Figure 4 Cortical homunculus

Figure 5 SHIFTS IN THE SYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

THE THREE EPIPNANIES SALON

In attendance Friday October 31, 2025: Michael, Harriet, Tom, 5 v's Virginia, Ron, Rochelle, Carla and Mel, Victoria, Sara, and Toby.

Today's Salon was a captivating and fast moving discussion dressed in three epiphanies and alighting on the efflorescence of kindness. 

But first, upcoming field trips.

1. Wednesday Nov. 12, 2025 Community Reiki Circle 7:30-9:00 pm   $15 donation

Monthly healing circle with Eric & Sara. Join together in love, light, and healing energy. Perfect for both newcomers to Reiki and regular practitioners to grow their light by channeling healing for the community. 

Location: YNG Studios 102 Ola Vista, San Clemente 

2. Saturday Nov. 29.  SONG CIRCLE/OPEN MIC - NORTH BEACH     $22      6-9 pm

All levels welcome! Share music, poetry, prayer, or stories in a supportive environment. Bring instruments or simply enjoy the frequencies and melodies. Practice opening your voice in a loving group container.

Location: North Beach Studio      1401 North El Camino Real, San Clemente 

Thank you all for guiding my return from my long running affliction. Today,  I felt the fire within that has not stirred for almost a year.  

For more details about our Three Epiphanies Salon call one of those who attended:   Michael, Harriet, Tom, Virginia, Ron, Rochelle, Carla and Mel, Victoria, Sara, and Toby.

3 epiphanies 

Mentoring Kindness

The Gravity of light

Kindness is indigenous 

MARTIAL ARTS: THE ANCESTORS OF TAI CHI

Click HERE for 

The Martial Arts Ancestor of Tai Chi

Moving meditation with three of our tai chi instructors.

1. Starting with Shibashi with Ron.

2. Tai Chi with Paul

3. Yang Style Long Form 108 with Virginia

4. Tai Chi Sword Form consists of movements from 

Yang, Wu, and Chen-Style 

5. Martial Arts: The Ancestors of Tai Chi can be seen in this video.

Tai Chi With the Terra Cotta Warriors

REEL 1

REEL 2