Past Virtual Workshops
SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2023
“Exploring Taijiquan Form Applications, Exercise Benefits, and Methods for Improving Balance and Preventing Injuries”
by Harvey Kurland, MSc, CSCS
This workshop will explore Guang Ping taiji form applications. In addition, the benefits of taiji as an exercise and methods for improving balance will be discussed along with tips on preventing injuries which may occur from improper taiji practice.
Harvey Kurland is a retired Clinical Exercise Physiologist and Health Educator. Author of the book Asian Mind-Body Techniques Revealed, he published over 200 articles in magazines and professional journals, and wrote for “Inside Kungfu” and “Black Belt Magazine” for several years. . He began studying Guang Ping taijiquan with Kuo Lien Ying and his wife Simmone Kuo in 1970. Harvey later studied with T.R. Chung who was a student of Kuo Lien Ying in Taiwan.
Lucy Bartimole – Watch Party from our 2022 Conference - "Finally, Fascinating Fascia".
March 19th, 2023
In this workshop, participants will learn the various kinds of connective tissue, as well as how and why they are important to keep strong and supple for longevity. Participants will explore how to use the postures of Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan to help maintain this tissue, and learn supplemental movements and techniques to keep this tissue youthful as we age. Each of the connective tissues we will focus on relates to one of the 5 Elements which provides extra insight into how lifestyle affects these tissues.
What’s needed:
- Well-fitted, supportive footwear
- Tennis ball or similar ball in size and softness
- Comfortable clothing
In collaboration with Master Fu-Tung Cheng and Wen Wu School
the Guang Ping Yang T’ai Chi Association announces
a special seminar of six weekly 1.5 hour sessions on Zoom.
July 2, 2022 through August 6, 2022
This special seminar explores 12 movements in the Guang Ping Tai Chi set. Open to all levels of experience, from novice to seasoned practitioner this seminar will quickly refresh your Taiji. How? By integrating new insights and new practice tools into your daily practice. The goal? To reboot and infuse effortless enjoyment in your form. Ultimately to create moment-to-moment, transcendental Body/Mind experience at any and every level.
Each week’s session will focus on just two movements: for example, Grasp Sparrows Tail and Cloud Hands. We’ll go over how these movements are conventionally practiced and understood. Then we will work to compare-and-contrast to find out where your movements have room to improve and evolve. Next, we’ll introduce fluid dynamics into the picture and you will see how this influences your sensations of the movement and, in turn, the expression of the form. Different speeds, different mind-sets and different metaphors will gradually be added to guide us. This will make your daily routine not just a healthy habit, but a habit with continuous new insights. It’s so exciting to discover something new every time you practice, like an astronomer chasing the truth, staring back in space and time with better and better instruments.
April 2, 2022
Dr. Erlene Chiang presents:
Yang Sheng- Nurturing Life through Diet, Meditation, Acupressure and Exercises
Dr. Erlene Chiang shares the “secrets” to enhancing longevity and good health through Yang Sheng, “nurturing life”, methods. Drawing on her extensive background in Chinese Medicine, qigong, taiji, and martial arts, Dr. Chiang will talk about diet, meditation, acupressure, and exercises that can help you nurture and enrich your life. Dr. Chiang will also address specific health issues from 2 participants as examples on treating with Yang Sheng methods. Don’t miss this free, Members-only presentation.
Erlene Chiang is a Board-Certified acupuncture doctor and herbalist at the Chung Hua Clinic of Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine in El Cerrito CA. She has been in practice for more than 37 years and specializes in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. She was awarded the Best Asian Herbalist in 2004 by East Bay Express. Dr. Chiang is a professor at the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine at CIIS in San Francisco CA, and past President of American Cancer Society California Chinese Unit in 2009-2010. She is an advanced qigong instructor and the Senior Administrative Director at Wen Wu School of Martial Arts.
Sunday June 6, 2021
Stand Like a Tree, Walk Like a Turtle
with Shoshanna Katzman
Shoshanna will guide participants in exercises derived from the internal system of Yiquan. These exercises build internal energetic structure and harmonize yi (mind intent), qi (vital energy) and shen (spirit). Learn how to integrate your energetic and physical bodies, while experiencing ‘movement within stillness’ and ‘stillness within movement.’ Mindful walking is at the root of Taiji - strengthening ability to transfer energy between yin and yang, rooting more deeply into the earth and honing your ‘mind fist.’ You will come away with greater potential to enhance your internal and external development.New Paragraph
February 28, 2021
Boost your Immune System with Acupressure & Meditation
With
JoAnna Schoon, Certified Taijiquan and Qigong instructor
This workshop will get you started on fortifying your immune system and removing “sickness qi’” from your body using Traditional Chinese Medicine. Beginning with a primer on self-acupressure massage, you will learn different acupressure techniques, how to find the “right spot” to press, how long to press, and how often. Then you will learn to locate specific acupressure points on yourself that strengthen your immune system to maintain wellness. As a final tool for creating a healthier you, JoAnna will teach a seated meditation from Dayan Qigong that helps release toxins and gets rid of sickness qi.
JoAnna Gee Schoon began Taijiquan in 1974 under a Senior student of the late Grandmaster Y.C. Chiang. She became a direct student of Master Y.C. Chiang in the 1990’s and received his permission to teach. Her training includes several styles of taiji and qigong, weapons, 2-person taiji set, Fan Boxing and Push Hands. JoAnna began studying Dayan “Wild Goose” Qigong in 2001, becoming a direct student of Grandmaster Hui Liu in 2004. She is a Certified Teacher from Wen Wu School, and a Lifetime Certified Teacher from the GPYTCA. She is a Charter Member of the Association, a National Advisor and Member of the Board of Directors. A former USWSKF National Champion and gold medalist, she also served as an ICMAC tournament judge for 3 years. JoAnna has a Master’s degree in Bioengineering and was the 2014-15 Emeritus Teacher of the Year at Irvine Valley College.
November 7, 2020
Reclaiming Lost Territory
with
Rick Barrett
Applying his knowledge and experience as an energy healer and National push hands champion, Rick developed a “20-minute Rejuvenation Workout” that is as healing as it is powerful. In this seminar, Rick breaks each exercise down to show the how and the why behind each one. This easily learned workout will restore youthful vitality, heal back, neck, and joints, and provide a strong foundation for taijiquan. These exercises will continue to create new ability and vitality for decades to come. Join Rick and learn to:
- Develop coherent whole-body energetic connection
- Access the “Big Qi” of Heaven and Earth through correct alignment
- “Unkink the Hose” to unblock stuck energy
- Open the “Jade Pillow Gate” for jingshen (the “Spirit of Vitality”)
- Undo decades of deterioration in the back and joints to restore ease and range of motion
September 26, 2020
Elemental Healing: Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan and the Five Elements
With
Lucy Bartimole
How can these elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water possibly have anything to do with Taiji practice? Like taiji, this ancient theory of the 5 Elements is rooted in natural life, and so are we! Just as we feel yin and yang in our practice, the 5 Elements are there as well. They are intelligent guides, interdependent upon each other, and important advisors to listen to. Paying attention to them gives us insight into our own patterns and behaviors that may no longer serve us and may need to shift. These subtle shifts create balance among the elements and balance and ease in our own practice and lives
