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TaiJi
(Tai
Ji cHUAN)
There are now two TaiJi classes and a Qigong class to choose from, both
taught by Brian McKenzie. The TaiJi morning class meets three times a week
and the evening class meets once a week. The Qigong class meets Thursday
morning.
In a pleasant and friendly atmosphere at Senior Center,
Inc., TaiJi classes start with 15 to 20 minutes of stretching TaiJi
exercises. They are a simple set of stretching movements everybody should
know how to perform, but seldom do. (Flexibility and balance are enhanced
through the practice of TaiJi!) It's certainly more fun to do it together
and it is a great way to begin or end your day.
The morning classes
start at 8:30 a.m. and end at 9:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. Fee is $36 per month for members and $49 per month for guests
(for up to 12 sessions when attend 3 times per week).
There is also
an evening
class each Wednesday from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. This is a great way to
relax after a hard day, as this class teaches calmness in addition to
balance and flexibility. Fee is $25 per month for members and $35 per
month for guests.
Qigong  Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.
Back by popular demand, Bryan McKenzie has started his Qigong class
again. Qigong (or ch'i kung) refers to a wide
variety of traditional cultivation practices that involve methods of
accumulating, circulating, and working with breathing or energy within the
body.
M $25 G $30
Qigong (Tai Chi Meditation)  Thursdays,
8:30-9:00 a.m.
Pronounced chee-gong, this practice combines the slow movement of tai
chi, the breathing of yoga, and the relaxation of transcendental
meditation. Designed for all levels of fitness, adaptable to fit mobility
abilities, and simple enough to practice at home. The 20-minute routine
consists of a series of slow movements, self-massage, special breathing
techniques, and seated meditation. For more information, contact
instructor Bryan McKenzie at 978-7271. Sign up at the Front Desk. For
Qigong only: $25 per month for members; $35 per month for guests. (NOTE:
Included in fee for our Tai Chi
classes.)
At Senior Center, Inc., taijiquan or Tai Ji (alternate spellings of tai
chi chuan and Tai Chi), has been offered for 14 years. The teaching method
allows participants to learn health aspects of the discipline, its
connection to Chinese medical theory, meditation techniques for relaxation
and to bolster the immune system, and even self-defense techniques. The
system is based on the Three Emperors style of martial arts taught by Wang
Zhenhua, a former coach at Beijing University. The Senior Center program
was initiated by Mr. Wang’s student, John Alton, Charlottesville resident
and someone recognized by the Chinese government as an expert in Chinese
health practices. Lei Xilai, an instructor who came to the states from the
Beijing area, taught advanced classes at the Senior Center and introduced
new forms to the class. The current instructor, Brian McKenzie has taught
for the past 12 years. Brian is a student of Mr. Lei and Mr. Alton. Brian
leads the TaiJi group with a clear mind, with firm hands and a warm heart,
and above all with gentle words. He has a great sense of humor and no
pretense at all.
The exercise is simple – in a series of movements
based on a Taoist martial art, participants slowly relearn how to balance,
purposefully shifting weight from side to side and then increasing the
difficulty of the movements. The slow movements not only redefine balance,
but also provide a workout similar to the old Charles Atlas "dynamic
tension" exercises for muscle development. Participants currently range in
age from 50 to 94 and allowances are made for personal stamina, strength,
medical history and ability. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy-going;
participants running late for class are welcome to join in whenever they
arrive. For more info, call instructor Bryan McKenzie at
978-7271.
Come and join us, you'll be glad you did.
Call the Senior Center at (434) 974-7756 for more
information. |