Bullying 101

I was browsing through the PTN chat box and discovered that one of our (teen) visitors is being bullied. Here's an important set of information from www.stopbullying.gov about bullying and what (bullied) teens can do about it.

What is Bullying?

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.

Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:

  • Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied may have a hard time defending themselves
  • Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
  • Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group

Types of Bullying

Bullying can take many forms. Examples include:

  • Verbal: name-calling, teasing
  • Social:spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
  • Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
  • Cyberbullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others

An act of bullying may fit into more than one of these groups.


How to Deal with Being Bullied

If you have been bullied, it may affect you in many ways. You may not want to go to school or may find it hard to do your homework. You may be losing sleep, eating more or less than usual, having headaches or stomachaches, or getting sick more often. Know that you do not have to feel this way.

Your Feelings are Important

  • Do not blame yourself. It is easy to question whether you are the problem. But no matter what someone says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.
  • Be proud of who you are. No matter what they say, there are wonderful things about you. Keep those in mind instead of the disrespectful messages you get from the people who are bullying you.
  • Do not be afraid to get help. Sometimes it helps to just talk to someone who is not personally involved. Teachers, counselors, and others are there to help. Seeing a counselor or other professional does not mean there is something wrong with you.

What to Do When You Are Being Bullied

The first priority is always your safety. Here are some strategies for you to consider:

  • Tell them to stop.
  • Walk away. Do not let them get to you. If you walk away or ignore them, they will not get that satisfaction.
  • Protect yourself. Sometimes you cannot walk away. If you are being physically hurt, protect yourself so that you can get away.
  • Tell an adult you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. In some cases, adults need to get involved for the bullying to stop.
  • Find a safe place. Go somewhere that you feel safe and secure like the library, a favorite teacher’s classroom, or the office.
  • Stick together. Stay with a group or individuals that you trust.
  • Find opportunities to make new friends. Explore your interests and join school or community activities such as sports, drama, or art. Volunteer or participate in community service.

XinYi LiuHeBaFa Quan, Push Hands, and Zhanzhuang Gong

LiuHeBaFa Quan is the Essence of the Internal Arts. It is the oldest known recorded internal martial art, approximately 2,000 years or older, depending on some researchers and archaeologists. Many internal arts today like Tai Chi, Ba Qua, and Xingyi, all come from LiuHeBaFaQuan. LiuHeBaFa Quan is the last of the closed door arts.

Starting this October (2011), a weekly health group will be conducted by Jose Rodriguez every Sunday at 6 am to 12 pm. He will be teaching XinYi LiuHeBaFa Quan, Push Hands, and Zhanzhuang Gong. The weekly Sunday group aims to promote health through martial arts. The program will help increase your strength and enhance your over-all well-being.

Jose "JR" Rodriguez is a student of David Chan (Chan Joe Kee) who comes from the LiuHeBaFa Quan lineage of Chan Yik Yan and Wu Yi Hui. His Zhanzhuang Gong lineage is directly from Wang Xiangzhai.

The average fee is P500.00 per session. You will be trained based on how receptive you are. For others, learning may take a few minutes and some may need a couple of hours.

For those interested in Tai Chi Applications, you may also contact Jose Rodriguez for details.

Contact: JR Rodriguez IV
8 Temple Drive, Green Meadows III, Q.C.

Some On-Line References:
http://sites.google.com/site/usahuayueliuhebafa/history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_He_Ba_Fa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wang_Xiangzhai
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wu_Yi_Hui
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chan_Yik_Yan
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhan_zhuang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushing_hands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yin_and_yang
http://worldtaichiday.org/WTCQDHlthBenft.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087

Smile, Breathe and Go Slowly*: Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society Organizes the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the Philippines

On April 30, 2011, the country’s biggest gathering of tai chi and qigong enthusiasts happens at the Valdes Hall of Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) on North Avenue, Quezon City. The World Tai Chi and Qigong Day (WTCQD) celebration is an annual event that is celebrated across 70 countries all over the world. Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society (Peace Blossoms), a recreational club founded in 2008, has been hosting and organizing this global activity for four years now. Its predecessors, Spring of Harmony Internal Arts Club and Blue Dragon Society, in partnership with the Chevalier Monks of Christ, have been organizing the WTCQD celebrations since 2003.

Antonio Delgado, President of Peace Blossoms, says “We are celebrating World Tai Chi and Qigong Day to express unity and radiate positive energy towards our environment; at Peace Blossoms, our focus is to radiate peace, love and harmony through the practice of tai chi.” Delgado adds that the celebration will also put the Philippines on the map of countries that practice tai chi. “Starting at 10am on April 30, different countries from all over the world will be doing tai chi together, so because of the different time zones, the effect will be such that the whole world will be doing tai chi together for 24 straight hours,” Delgado explains.

Like Delgado, Irene Chia, Director of Peace Blossoms, also stresses that the group aims to promote peace, harmony and unity among diverse groups through the practice of tai chi and qigong. Peace here pertains to peace on all levels, be it physical, mental, emotional, psychological, economic, or spiritual.

Chia adds, “Peace Blossoms sees its role as an agent of change that moves people from diverse backgrounds towards the transformation of their consciousness.” The organization believes that there can only be real change in society if there is change in consciousness. She also adds that the more people who have transformed their consciousness, the quicker this process of change will be. “We want to help people become better, more caring, more loving persons, and to become more ‘evolved’ beings for the greater good of humanity,” Chia says. By hosting this event, the group also hopes to educate the general public about the health and healing benefits of tai chi and qigong.

This year’s celebration will revolve around the history and development of tai chi, including the evolution of different tai chi styles and lineage. Chia will give a lecture on tai chi and qigong’s rich history. Her talk will be highlighted by live demonstrations from different tai chi groups and individuals, mostly coming from members and affiliates of Peace Blossoms. Program will showcase different Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun routines, including demos of Wudang Tai Chi, Kung Fu Fan routine, and Tai Chi for Health demo (diabetes). Finally, the Senior Citizens Group from Brookside Hills Subdivision, Cainta, Rizal will lead the group shibashi, accompanied by live electronic music courtesy of Blend:er.

To give the opening remarks and read the opening statement of this year’s WTCQD celebration will be Karen Tanada, one of the organization’s officers. Tanada is the Executive Director of Gaston Ortigas Peace Institute, an NGO that works on peace issues. Dr. Edgardo Uyehara of VMMC will talk about tai chi’s role in rehabilitation therapy. Delgado will expound on the science and application of the group’s Tai Chi for Health Programs: Tai Chi for Diabetes, Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Back Pain. Jundio Salvador, owner of Pan De Amerikana Bakery and Garden Restaurant and supporter of Peace Blossoms’ efforts in promoting tai chi and qigong for health, will give the closing remarks.

Tai chi is an ancient Chinese form of movement which integrates mind-body coordination, proper breathing and cultivation of internal energy (chi). It is considered to be the melting pot of the internal arts, and one of the earliest sources of the different martial art styles that we know today. Tai chi relaxes the mind and body and helps fight stress, improve balance, flexibility and posture. Regular practice generally leads to better mind and body health. Qigong, on the other hand, is defined by the National Qigong Association in the US as “an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.” Tai chi, specifically, is a form of qigong. Millions of people from all over the world practice qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds and reconnect with their spirit.

This year’s celebration is made possible with the help of our sponsors (in alphabetical order) and donors: AquaHealth, Big Banners, Blend:er, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Veterans Memorial Medical Center), Rosanna L. Duavit, Dulcofiber and Boehringer Ingelheim (Phil.) Inc., Hilot Pinoy, Rey Jose, Jugno’s Monster Pizza, Kebab Fil-Sian Grill, Julie Lim, Pan de Amerikana, Richard Paredes, Premium Gift Center, Inc., Premium Graphics Asia Center, Inc., and Sassa Activewear.

The program will run from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, April 30, 2011. It is free and open to the public. Hilot practitioners from Hilot Pinoy will be present during the event to offer massage therapy for a minimal fee. For inquiries about the 2011 World Tai Chi and Qigong Day, please contact Irene Chia through 0917-845-6856 (mobile), 436-1860 (landline), or email her through peace.blossoms.society@gmail.com. For more information on tai chi and Peace Blossoms Internal Arts Society, visit the website on peaceblossoms.weebly.com

*”Smile, breathe and go slowly” is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh.


Note: Thank you Peace Blossoms for this article.

 

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