TAI CHI for HEALTH and SELF-DEFENSE Join us for a Tai Chi Program designed by Master Zhen Shen-Lang. This comprehensive program will teach you much more than stress relief, balancing the mind and body, and improving your health--you'll also learn how to protect yourself using the slow motion ancient Chinese moves of Tai Chi. Ages 12 - 60. When practicing Tai Chi, a very healthy energized feeling permeates the body. No matter what age a student is, learning skills are enhanced and improved by Tai Chi. The demands of coordinating a foot, a hand, the torso, keeping the back straight, then balancing on one leg as both hands complete a movement in ways inspired by a variety of animals...challenges the mind and body like no other sport. Master Zhen is the first generation of Americans ever to teach this amazing art outside of China. Since 1984 Master Zhen has been training movie stars, maximum security prisoners, elementary school students and college programs. Through the skillful tutelage of Master Zhen's supportive words and vast experience, all students of at least minimal persistence, attain physical skills that appeared impossible when they enrolled. Tai Chi is the newest medicine of the 21st century. Heralded in every fitness and health magazine sold in America, this ancient Chinese Kung Fu system of healthful living is undisputedly a wealth of benefits, limited only by the sincerity and effort of the practitioner. Tai Chi incorporates the basic concepts of chi energy flow also used in acupuncture. Through relaxed breathing and controlled movements, the body's life forces are harnessed for the improvement and maintenance of good health. Tai Chi involves memorized movements and conscious efforts that challenge the mind and exercise the student's willpower. This mental accomplishment is fundamental to any person's well-being and self-esteem. Tai Chi balances the body, balances the mind, then balances the mind within the body (known scientifically as body memory). A person who feels good about their self is capable of great achievements. A person who carries resentment, hatred and self-destructive attitudes is harmful to society and their own family members. Tai Chi rebalances the emotions by eliminating stress and releasing all frustrations on a daily basis. BREATHING IS THE BASIS OF LIFE You breathe or you die. However, like any activity, there are proper and improper ways to breathe. When panicked or fearful, the chest tightens and shallow breathing is quickened within the upper lungs. The converse of this is the natural breathing of a baby, the efficient breathing of an opera singer, or the powerful breaths of a trumpet player: slow, relaxed breaths low in the stomach area. Expanding the lungs downward like bellows allows the largest volume of air and best oxygen absorption. TAI CHI for HEALTH and SELF-DEFENSE Join us for a Tai Chi Program designed by Master Zhen Shen-Lang. This comprehensive program will teach you much more than stress relief, balancing the mind and body, and improving your health--you'll also learn how to protect yourself using the slow motion moves of Tai Chi. Ages 12 - 60.