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August 26-28, 2016
The World Ki Gong Club held the 2016 annual clinic the weekend of August 28th-30th at the Triangle T Historic Ranch just outside of Tucson Arizona. The Triangle T Ranch is a place with an interesting history, and as well a place surrounded by beautiful rock formations and desert flora. The ranch is located in the Texas Canyon area – a place sacred to the Apache. The geology and history of the location helped to make the clinic a special one.
The goal of the group during every clinic is to spend as much time doing Ki Gong outdoors as possible, and the weather was cooperative. We practiced our basic forms outside, as well as learned some new ones. John Robertson taught us his form of 8 Pieces of Brocade, as well as part of the Tai Chi 24 form. Ramona Wickstrom lead us through Awakening Tae Kuk, Master Michael Inoshita, Director for the East Coast US for the WKGC, taught some of the 5 Animals, and Elizabeth Francis taught us a forgiveness exercise. We spent some classroom time learning some acupressure massage Master Clare Marsh – a hands on experience that was fun to share with a partner. We had opportunities to learn basic or advanced 5 phase theory, to experience foot washing, and to learn more about enhancing meditation. Both advanced and basic WKGC forms were practiced and expanded on by numerous talented Ki Gong instructors. We had our annual silent walk meditation around the ranch, climbing rock formations and exploring paths in the desert. We walked the labyrinth with silent intent, which is always one of my favorite parts.
Grand Master Bill Strong worked us through his breathing exercise, and Master Tim Schroeder, Chief Administrative Officer of the WKGC, ended Saturday with So Joo Chun for a few brave people – a challenging but very therapeutic Ki Gong form. Lupe Thomas, Director for the West Coast US for the WKGC, planned the event beautifully, giving us plenty of opportunity to enjoy the surrounding area as well as providing access to education about the area. She also brought in a speaker from the Amerind Museum to speak about the indigenous history of the area, and invited in a drum circle leader to take us through a drumming ceremony, and taught some Ki Gong too.
The clinic is an excellent opportunity to practice Ki Gong with people throughout the WTSDA and beyond. This year we had people attending from all over the US, as well as Master Klaus Trogemann from Germany – Director for Europe for the WKGC, who came to teach as well as participate. Practicing and learning as a group is a very powerful, celebratory experience. I hope, as we grow, we will have people from all over the world join us.
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