Practice Taiji for Health

The secret to sustaining good health can be found in many ancient Chinese writings, especially in traditional Daoist philosophy. Illness is regarded as an outcome of an imbalance between the yin and yang aspects of the internal energy or life force (qi), which exists within each of us. The potential for disease exists inside and outside each individual at all times. It is only when the yin and yang powers become unbalanced that this disease potential can overwhelm the system. An important applications of the internal power cultivated through taiji practice is healing the qi of the body. Taiji movements contain both yin and yang and thereby this practice harmonizes the qi. By helping to balance and promote the flow of qi, the taiji practice helps one's body heal itself and generally tones and strengthens the entire organism.
 

Taiji with Frances Gander in Athens. Ongoing instruction in Old Yang's/Wu style taijiquan. We study the philosophical foundation of the taiji movements along with the exercise itself. New students are welcome.

Six-week taiji sessions are $80. Prior to registering, please call 740-593-7915 to arrange an interview and decide whether taiji is for you.

Wear loose comfortable clothing. Outdoor shoes are not permitted in the studio. Please be prepared to change into indoor shoes, slippers, socks, or bare feet.

Please call 740-593-7915 for directions.
 

Taiji class location change: After August 1, taiji classes will meet at 400 E. State Street, Athens, in the basement studio. Day and time will remain Mondays at 6:00 p.m.

Frances returns periodically to offer taiji review sessions to all Maryland students. See photo of a recent visit.

Monday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalist, Club House Road (off Old Westminster Pike, North of Rt. 140), Finksburg, MD
Fee: $5 per week, drop-in

Taiji and Qigong students of Frances Lea Gander in MD have formed a Tai Chi Study Group. Practice and continuing instruction are led by Frances' senior students. Weekly sessions begin with warm-ups, the Eight Pieces of Brocade, and Master Yin's Continuous Ba Duan Jin, followed by Northern Yang Old Style 108 Movements as transmitted by Frances from the late Grandmaster Yin Chian Ho of Milwaukee WI. Both new and experienced students are welcome at any time. For more information, please contact Maureen at 410-795-3117 (evenings) or by e-mail, or contact Bruce at 410-526-0533 (evenings) or by e-mail.

Columbia, Supreme Fitness Club, Tuesday night taiji will be taught by Alton Fleming, who joined Frances' class at Supreme in 1999. He has studied several styles of taiji in depth previously.

Laurel, Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Tuesday evening taiji will be taught by Maureen Harvey, who is employed at Hopkins APL and a long-time student of Frances.

SEASONAL QIGONG

Frances offers seasonal qigong sessions near the five traditional seasonal changes according to Chinese medicine. These are times when we need to pay special attention to the pace of life, diet, and how to stay in tune with nature's changes (see Chronobiology). In winter, there is a need to go more within, to reflect and rest more.

Harmonize Joy in a Tranquil Setting

"The wise nourish life by flowing with the four seasons and adapting to cold or heat, by harmonizing joy and anger in a tranquil dwelling, by balancing yin and yang, what is hard and soft. So it is that dissolute evil cannot reach the man of wisdom, and he will be witness to a long life." -- Huangdi Neijing Suwen (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine)

Rest, Restore & Revitalize

The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment. The cold and darkness of winter urges us to slow down. This is the time of year to reflect on our health, replenish our energy and conserve our strength.

Winter is ruled by the Water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy or "Qi" within the body. They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully.

Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter - rest, reflection, conservation and storage. During the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our Kidney Qi. Remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your Qi through the season.

The WINTER INTO SPRING QIGONG RETREAT

A blizzard made travel to the yurt hazardous, and the event moved to Three Treasures studio in Athens. We experienced a reminder of winter, setting the mood for the storing function of winter and the kidney qigong routine. After a delicious and hearty lunch prepared by Missy and Sam Whaley, our imaginations and hopes carried us through the uprising spring energy of the afternoon and the qigong practices for our livers. Photos coming soon.

Check back or e-mail Frances about future qigong retreats to be held at the yurt location in Meigs county. We will gather for seasonal qigong practices in summer, autumn, and winter (2008 dates to be announced).