3. Tai Chi Chien

   
Wednesdays August 3rd - October 26th    7:00 - 8:30

To many people, Tai Chi is a most unusual activity. To untrained and inexperienced eyes, this slow moving and graceful activity looks almost, well…boring. Yet – done properly – it can be one of the most fascinating and dynamic exercises you can possibly do. Tai Chi is a form of meditation and martial art which originated in China thousands of years ago. Tai Chi has been referred to as “yoga in motion,” a moving meditation. It is a powerful key to relaxation, increased focus and concentration. Busy people can benefit from as little as five minutes of Tai Chi a day with just a few basic, yet profound, movements and breathing.

There are many different styles of Tai Chi, both in technique and in spirit. Some teachers emphasize the martial arts side of Tai Chi while others emphasize the health and meditative side of Tai Chi. The latter will be our focus.  The style that will be taught is known as Tai Chi Chien, which is Tai Chi as interpreted by the Buddhist Monks of the Shaolin Temple.  

Benefits include: stress reduction, better focus, better concentration, increased flexibility, improved strength, enhanced immune system, improved circulation, increased coordination, better balance and much more. Even though it’s an illusion, when the body functions better, the easier it is to forgive. Tai Chi is a tool of the body that will allow you to more easily access the state of mind where the observer is readily contacted and choice made clear. 

In just one lesson you will learn techniques to bring life-long benefits. Wear something comfortable and soft shoes. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTION 

• The Stances and Gliding Exercise (Click To View)
• Breathing techniques
• Meditation techniques
• Grabbing Chi – a total body and cardiovascular exercise without moving your feet
• Flattening the tummy from the Tan Tien (the Chi center in the body) and…
• Making every step you take an exercise that tones the body
• Additional flexibility exercises

CLASS LENGTH
The course will consist of 12 classes, each 90 minutes in length. The first hour will be dedicated to the Tai Chi stances and form. The last 30 minutes will be used for the supplementary exercises, discussion of theory & philosophy, and meditation.

Classes at Unity Center Church, 2653 S. Taylor Rd (corner Fairmount), Cleveland Heights Wednesday, August 3rd from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, and will run for 12 classes over 13 weeks.* 
The cost is $100 pre-paid for all 12 lessons or $12 for classes taken individually. 
To register, please email us or call 440-546-1519 or the church at 216-321-7566. 
*no class on September 14 when A Chorus in Miracles 
sings the National Anthem at the Cleveland Indians game!

YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Your instructor will be Rev. Tony Senf. Tony became a Tai Chi instructor in 1976 when he was a student of a Buddhist Priest of the Shaolin order. The style he teaches is called Tai Chi Chien, which is the Shaolin interpretation of the classical Tai Chi Chuan. A bit more exacting but easier to learn and just as beneficial, if not more so in many respects. 

Rev. Tony has taught Tai Chi to people from 8 to 80 and was privileged to instruct Guru Rutansing, a Guru of Kundalini Yoga. Tony was also selected to teach Tai Chi at a quarterly, one week gathering for one year for select Mensa members studying the Evolution of Consciousness. One of his most uplifting experiences was teaching Tai Chi to the Unity Ministers at the Southeast Unity Ministers Conference in Asheville, NC.