*Upcoming workshops: May and July
*The return of summer sessions in Dundurn Park
*Class hiatus dates, spring / summer / fall 2014
*What to do if you want to start learning Tai Chi or Qigong NOW!
Upcoming Workshops
Refining Eight Silk Brocades
Sunday, May 11, 2014, 1-5pm
Location: Regent Health Centre, 150 Locke Street South
Fee: $75, includes materials and refreshments
The movements of the Eight Silks Qigong set are relatively easy to learn, but once you begin to scratch the surface, there is a lot to them. In this workshop we'll use simple foundational exercises and advanced technique to unlock the full potential of this powerful little set.
Prerequisite:
Some experience studying Eight Silks and familiarity with qigong technique. If this workshop speaks to you and you haven't studied this set yet, or if you want to brush up on your Eight Silks, I'll be offering instruction in the Eight Silks on Saturdays (2-3pm, Regent Centre) and Mondays (1-2pm, Regent Centre) between now and the workshop.
Push Hands
Sunday, July 13, 2014, 1-5pm
Location: Regent Health Centre, 150 Locke Street South
Fee: $75, includes materials and refreshments
According to traditional teachings, fifty percent of what the internal martial arts has to offer can only be learned by practicing push hands. However, push hands is one of the most neglected areas of most students' practice.
Performed with a partner, push hands allows the student to explore all of the core areas of internal martial arts practice, including:
* Dealing with another's force or energy
* Relaxing in the face of adversity
* Trusting the structure of the movement and correct technique
* Channeling force down into the ground
* Pushing from the feet
* Developing the appropriate degree of responsiveness to external forces and conditions
Whatever stage you are at in your practice, push hands will help to highlight the areas of your technique that most need attention and refinement.
This workshop will focus on the tor yu movement, paqua stepping, two-handed static / standing push hands, and walking push hands.
The spirit of this workshop is kind consideration and cooperation. Where appropriate and with students who are ready, some live push hands / sparring may be practiced, but the focus will be on safety, correct technique, and helping each other refine technique.
Prerequisite:
Experience with Tai Chi and knowledge of tor yu. Any student who has studied Tai Chi for Beginners (I) with me or more is eligible for this workshop.
Because push hands must be done in a context of trust, only those students with whom I am familiar may attend. If you have studied Tai Chi elsewhere and would like to attend, I must meet you beforehand in a practice context – i.e., you must attend no less than three of my classes before the workshop. (See the schedule to determine which classes will work for you.)
Spring / Summer Sessions in Dundurn Park
Start date: Wednesday, May 21
End date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 6-7pm
Fee: Free
No experience required
It is almost time to start our summer sessions again! This is your chance to use your Tai Chi and Qigong to work with the exquisite natural energies of one of Hamilton's oldest parks. Many of the trees of Dundurn park are part of the original oak savannah ecosystem that dominated this region before the city was constructed. The energy of this park is remarkably rich.
We practice on the lawn to the east of the castle. If you're not familiar with Dundurn Park, on the east side of it there is a Victorian garden area bordered by a high wooden fence. We will meet either to the north side of the garden (between the garden and the bay, where we met last year) or on the south side (toward York Boulevard) under the oak trees. If you walk into the park from the castle you probably can't miss us.
Please come no matter what your level of experience.
NOTES: Summer sessions are weather permitting. I will typically be there even if it is sprinkling rain, and if it is anywhere shy of surface of the sun hot. If there is thunder or pouring rain immediately before a session, I will probably not be there. We work out under the trees, so don't worry about excessive sun exposure.
Should I cancel a session for non-weather related reasons, I will post a note at the top of this website, just under the laughing Buddha. This is to avoid spamming my entire mailing list each time I am not available for a workout. I very rarely cancel a session. I encourage everyone to go to the park regardless of whether I will be there, but if you are concerned about that, please check the website before you leave for the park.
Class Hiatus Dates
Chalmers Presbyterian Classes
After the last class on April 10, Thursday night classes will be on hiatus until the fall.
April
All Regent Centre classes will run as usual including Easter weekend.
May
No classes Friday, May 2, Saturday, May 3, and Monday, May 5
No classes Friday, May 16, Saturday, May 17, and Monday, May 19 (Victoria Day weekend)
June
All Regent Centre classes will run as usual including the Canada Day long weekend.
July
No classes Friday, July 25, Saturday, July 26, and Monday, July 28
August
No classes Friday, August 22, Saturday, August 23, and Monday, August 25
September / October
I will be on hiatus from Thursday, September 18 to Thursday, October 16, 2014.
Classes will resume the first Friday after Thanksgiving (Friday, October 17) and run straight through to Christmas holidays.
What to do if you want to start learning Tai Chi or Qigong NOW!
My ongoing classes are still running, and will continue to run throughout the summer with the exception of the hiatus dates noted above. Qigong classes are always open to new beginners.
If you want to start learning Tai Chi, the best way to get started is to attend Gillianne Shaver's classes on Wednesday afternoons, 1:15-2:15pm at the Regent Centre, or to join summer sessions in the park (Wednesdays 6-7pm), where I'll be teaching Tai Chi and Qigong foundation as well as aspects of the set.
View the current schedule and learn about our extraordinarily reasonable fees here.
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