TAI CHI CHAUN & QI KUNG

TAI CHI CHAUN & QI KUNG

Laughing Dragon School of Tai Chi Chaun & Qi Kung

Jerry Levine is now approaching his 21st year of formal study of Traditional Yang Style Form Tai Chi. He was introduced to the Tao Teh Ching in 1970, as part of a grass roots effort to help returning Viet Nam Veterans. Jerry has had a career in mental health and teaching spanning nearly 30 years. He has had contracts with a variety of state agencies and municipal organizations providing stress management workshops and has a been a national presenter. His work has been written about in national periodicals and he has made numerous TV and radio presentations in the past. He studied with some world re-known Tai Chi masters who include W.C. Chen, Chung L. Huang, and Alex Dong. He taught Tai Chi Chuan at the White Crane Center for the Healing Arts in Plantation, Florida under the guidance of Dr. F. Ibarra in 2001 and 2002. During his five month stay there he was formally introduced to the study of Chinese Movement Healing Arts and was invited to teach members of the FBI. During the last few years he has made three trips to Asia for study, teaching and exploring. He recently designed a unique adaptation of Tai Chi for people in twelve step recovery programs to include publishing his book, "The Tao of Recovery". Jerry is currently teaching at the Five Elements Healing Arts Center in Houlton, Maine. He is available for workshops, individual, group and family training. He can be reached at (207) 694-3455. Email is jerryl@mfx.net and his mailing address is: 18 Smokey Hollow Road, Smyrna Mills, ME 04780.

Tai Chi Class Fees	The fee is $40/2 months.

INTRO TO TAI CHI CHAUN	Eight sessions designed to introduce and prepare members for Tai Chi Chaun. Ninety minutes per week. Group Class.

INTRO TO QI KONG	Four week session in qi kong sampling leading to more advanced classes. Two hours per week. Group Class.

QI KONG	Qi Kong for balance and muscle tone. Eight week modules suitable for those wishing to start gettng into good physical condition using an age old, tried and true low impact system. One hour per week. Group Class.

QI KONG	Training for current atheletes who are already reasonable fit. Designed to increase endurance, focus and concentration. One hour per week. Group Class.

QI KONG MEDITATION	Eight week module. Practitioners learn both moving and stillnes techniques. Improves stress management, concentration, balance, respiration, and muscle tone. Group OR sessions.

Tai Chi Intro	The following information is for readers who are considering pursuing the practice of Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Family style, short form. This form was brought to the United States about sixty years ago by Cheng Mang Ying.

	The consistent practice and application of the principles of Tai Chi Chuan promotes broad based balance and harmony in one's life to inculde physical, intellectual and emotional well being. It stresses simplicity and the ability to stay in the present.

	Tai Chi Chuan began in China over a thousand years ago and had many variations from one region of China to the next. There is no clear evidence about just where, when and by whom Tai Chi, as it is known today, got its start. What is clear is that it took on many forms, many changes, was influenced by politics and is in a constant state of evolution. A trip to any well stocked book store will result in finding dozen upon dozens of texts. It will also show the mystery we experience aobut Tai Chi as we find texts in the philosophy section, the fintness section, and the martial arts section. The traditional forms of Tai Chi Chuan are all three.

	Western science has documented that the regular practice of Tai Chi Chuan can reduce blood pressure, reduce stress, has an aerobic benefit, increases range of motion, aids in the reduction of fat and increases strength. It can increase the ability of the practioner to concentrate and improves balance. It is NOT the end all and be all exercise. It makes no claim to cure anything. It is, at the same time, both invigorating and calming. Like any other form of exercise, when practiced consistently it will yield positive results. We also know that group practice will enhance the benefits.

	Tai Chi is presented in many different ways. This program is presented in a manner that is as close as possible to the traditional method as practiced in China. That means that it includes the philosophy, the movement (the part we consider to be exercise), self reflection and a working knowledge of how to appy it in your daily life. It is non-competitive, there are no ranks or belts, and it does not require a uniform. There is no Tai Chi report card. Students are never compared to one another, and it does require regular practice. It takes about six months of one weekly, ninety minute session to learn the form in its entirety. Once this is accomplished the, "serious" Tai Chi begins. There is a never ending process of fine tuning and personal growth via the form. Each weekly session adds a new move until the entire movement is learned. It is done in slow motion and it is often likened to ballet. It is about as far from "macho" as you can get. It is filled with paradoxes. For example, in order to increase your speed one practices as slowly as possible for an indefinite period of time. Suddenly, the speed materializes. Before you begin this type of study it is important to know that Tai Chi is really a metaphor of life. As we do the weekly readings in class, and should you choose to read some outside of class on your own- which is not required, but seems to happen - you cannot help but experience deep reflection and change. Tai Chi has the capacity to take the practitioner on an increadible inner journey. In its traditional form it is a life time pursuit. Each student decides how much to study and practice.