ChinaLegacy

Chinese Exercise

WITHIN offers several different types of Chinese exercise. These include:

• T'ai Chi
• Qigong

All of these forms are based on movements that encourage the flow of energy to all the organs and muscle of the body, breaking up the blockages that can cause illness or pain. These exercises are meditative, involving the mind in the flow of energy, releasing all worries and concerns so the mind can focus on the positive aspects of the exercise. The movements are a practical way to break up stagnation of physical energy and to improve general health. They are practical because they can be done anywhere, are not difficult to learn, can become a part of your daily life to be used regularly for well-being. Once you learn the movements you have a wonderful tool to use daily which costs you nothing.

The exercises are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. They are gentle and can be adapted to the individual needs and limitations.

T'ai Chi-The Eight Treasures

Cari Shurman is a ceramic artist and a teacher. She writes about her feelings of T'ai Chi. "I love birds and animals and depict them often in my art. I have lived in many countries around the world and always loved learning about the different forms of nature I find. Perhaps it was these interests and experiences that made me love the Eight Treasures from the first time I did it. When I do the Eight Treasures I feel in touch with the nature around me. I visualize the magnificent lion resting in the sun and opening his eye to look up at the heavens. It reminds me of a pride of lions sunning themselves on the rocks. I can always see the lotus flower in the pond - but for me it is the Vitoria Regia floating in the waters of the Pantanal in the interior of Brazil - so simple, so beautiful. The great elephant extends his trunk and I can picture him lumbering along, his trunk swinging, in his own magnificent way. The unicorn is light, spritely and graceful as she turns her single horn, reaching out to the energy of the universe. Nothing is more refreshing than feeling the water streaming down the mountainside, cleansing me, carrying off any tension, calming the fire of my body. The energy I feel is concentrated as I move the mountain. When I am on the mountaintop, contemplating the plum flowers I see myself on a beautiful hill in China, surrounded by blossoming trees. And, of course, the crane in his various positions and movements is pure beauty and grace. I am lucky that where I do the Eight Treasures there are herons and egrets around me. Sometimes I am not sure if I am imitating them or they are imitating me. When I balance on one foot, I carefully face into the breeze as the birds do so I won't be blown over. I don't have to worry about blocking out the noise of the traffic because the loudest noise I hear is the parrots frying overhead or the heron calling out. I feel I am a part of nature as I am surrounded by its beauty. I reach up to gather the energy from the universe and down from the earth and there it is - no walls to separate me. The roots grow deep into the earth from the bubbling well and I am aware of it under my bare feet. I have a small group of friends who join me for the Eight Treasures a few mornings a week. Do they feel the flow of energy within them as I do? Do they become the animals as I do in my imagination? Do they feel rooted in the earth? Do they feel surrounded by the wonderful energy of the universe as I do? I think so. I am aware of the flow

Qigong

Qigong has been used in China for thousands of years for healing. There are many different forms of Qigong. All involve using the energy through visualization and movement to strengthen the immune system. Qigong can be very active or extremely still - showing almost no movement at all.

At WITHIN, the Qigong we offer is very gentle, fairly slow, very loosening, extremely invigorating and calming. We invite people who have restricted movement, difficulty standing or walking or any other physical limitations to try this gentle class and begin to feel the healing power of focused chi.

Cari Shurman teaches the Qigong classes. She offers exercises specific to each organ system as well as overall wellness for the body. The movements give the practitioner a sense of peace and tranquility at the same time that you feel more energetic.

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