Jacob Newell
Taijiquan Teacher
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Jacob Newell Quick Facts
- Main Areas
- Taijiquan, Zuowang, Daodejing
- Career Focus
- Taijiquan and Daoist cultivation
- Affiliation
- Old Oak Taiji School, Redwood Coast Internal Arts, Ruyu Taiji School
Old Oak Taiji School (å¤æ 太極å¸é¢) is a school of Taijiquan (Tai Chi) run by Daoshi Jacob Newell in Sonoma County, Califo ia. I offer group classes and personal instruction in Taijiquan theory and practice. My practice philosophy is rooted in the Daojia (é家) - internal cultivation traditions dating to pre-Han China based largely on the teachings of Laozi, Zhuangzi, and the Neiye.
I consider Ruyu-Style Taijiquan to be a superb embodiment of Laozi's philosophy of wuwei, and as such my instruction emphasizes both familiarity with Laozi's text, the Dao De Jing, and Taijiquan fundamentals, form, and parter-practice.
I have been practicing Taijiquan and related arts since 1994. I am certified in Ruyu-Style Taijiquan, as well as Qigong and Acupressure, and am an ordained Daoist priest.
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Daoist Meditation (Zuowang)
© Jacob Newell (Gu Shen Yu Daoshi)
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The Natural Process of Internal Alchemy
© Jacob Newell (Gu Shen Yu Daoshi) Introduction Daoist cultivation is a process of internal transformation or alchemy which works with the subtle energies of the body in a gradual process of refinement. This process is natural, however, and should not be approached with too much direct intention, as Laozi taught that too much intention interferes with natural process. This article lays a basic framework for understanding the Daoist approach to internal alchemy. The Three Treasures
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Echoes of Emptiness - Original Paradise
© Jacob Newell (Gu Shen Yu Daoshi) For me Daoist practice means looking inside and going back to the original beginning. One of Laozi’s primary principles is “return” (fu, å¤). For Westerners who tend to view our existential situation as “paradise lost,” return is akin to “paradise regained.” When I started practicing meditatio I initially approached it as though it was gradually washing away the stain of original sin, and I assumed this purifying process could only be accomplished after arduous cultivation and transformation.
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Echoes of Emptiness - Gradual and Sudden
© Jacob Newell (Gu Shen Yu Daoshi) When it comes to cultivating qi, there is no question that Laozi suggests we take a gradual approach. “A tree too large to embrace starts as a tiny shoot; a 9-story terrace starts as a mound of earth; the journey of 1,000 li happens under the feet” (Ch. 64). Not only does Laozi advise us not to dismiss the collective results of small, seemingly insignificant actions, but he repeatedly cautions against straining to achieve those results. “Take long strides and you will not progress; assert yourself and you will not advance” (Ch. 24).
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Introduction to Taiji Theory
(c) Jacob Newell (Gu Shen Yu Daoshi) Taiji is a Chinese fitness system based on relaxed body alignment and smooth flow of energy. It is also a moving meditation based on the philosophy of Laozi, a legendary ancient sage who taught about the virtues of remaining calm, yielding, and returning to simplicity. Traditionally it is said that Taiji is three things: Qigong, Quan, and Dao-De.
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Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Jacob Newell
Taijiquan (太極æ³, commonly known as Tai Chi) is a Chinese fitness system based on relaxed body alignment and smooth flow of energy. It is also a moving meditation based on the philosophy of Laozi, a legendary ancient sage of pre-Han China who taught about the virtues of remaining calm, yielding, and returning to simplicity. Traditionally it is said that Taiji is three things: Qigong, Quan, and Dao-De.
Qigong (æ°£å) means energy practice. It is a system of circulating energy through the body to promote health and well-being. Taiji is a sophisticated form of Qigong. The basic theory is that if we relax everything into a stable base and move and breathe naturally, our energy will flow well and gradually improve its quality.
Quan (æ³) means fist, which represents martial art. Taiji is not only for promoting health but also for preventing harm, a system of self-defense. The theory of Taiji martial art is that soft overcomes hard – by remaining calm and relaxed, yielding to oncoming force, we can respond spontaneously and remain unharmed.
Dao (é) means path – the way. The way of nature, the way of life, etc. De (å¾·) means to encounter and embody the way. Taiji is not only for health and self-defense, but as a meditation it also invites us to a direct experience of our original nature, which we come to see is no different than nature itself.
Taiji training involves steeping ourselves in Laozi's philosophy and learning Taiji fundamentals, form, and partner practice. After a period of basic training, as we continue our practice we find that our experience gets deeper and wider the more we practice.
Old Oak Taiji School offers group classes and individual instruction, with my own translation of the Dao De Jing available to my students. I am happy to teach anyone with sincere interest in improving their health, learning self-defense skills, or exploring Daoist philosophy and practice.
Contacting Jacob Newell
How to get started
For more info see my website: www.oldoakdao.org.
Other highlights
In addition to group classes I am offering apprenticeship for those interested in becoming an independent practitioner/instructor of Taijiquan. Please inquire if you have serious interest.