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Education :: Classes also Sports & Rec :: Martial Arts
Tai Chi Ch'uan with Michael Norvelle
6:30 PM (America/Denver)
Red Willow Learning Center
Description:
Tai Chi Ch'uan with instructor Michael Norvelle at the Red Willow Learning Center in Missoula.

What we call nowadays, Tai Chi Ch'uan, or traditional Chinese Tai Chi, is probably as old as the mists of time. The elements that it consists of date back at least to Lao Tzu's time, the founder to Taoism. It probably started to be formalized during the Sung Dynasty by a famous figure named Chang San Feng who is credited with developing the principles and the 13 postures upon which Tai Chi is based. Whether he is was an actual or mythical person continues to be debated, giving more spice to the legend. These postures were connected in a form which was performed without breaks and the art he developed used softness and internal power to overcome brute force. Originally known was Chang Chuan, or long boxing, after the endless flow of the Changjiang (Yangtse River) the forms began to take their current form about 150 - 200 years ago when several families developed what have become known as the traditional family styles. Somewhere in that period the art became known as Tai Chi Chuan or Supreme Ultimate Fist or Boxing in which the basic concept that a force of 4 ounces deflects a 1,000 pounds was formulated.

Originally developed as a martial art and longevity exercise, in the early 20th century the health benefits were more prominently recognized and it took on a new character as a preventative medicine or wellness exercise. It has been called the ultimate low-impact exercise, an exercise that can be done by anyone who can walk. It has been shown to improve cardiovascular endurance as well as to improve balance, strength and posture. An Australian study found that it can have the same effect as brisk walking on heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. With the head held as if suspended from above, it tends to greatly improve the practitioner's balance and posture. It can enhance coordination in unique and subtle ways, also. Due to its development and stimulation of internal energy, better known as chi, it tends to keep the practitioner's energy system and profile balanced and operating at its optimal best. It is mindful practice and has been called moving meditation centering the practitioner emotionally and absolving one of many of the stressful reactions to daily living.

Michael Norvelle, Ph.D, Sensei, Osho (Zen priest) has been a practitioner of the martial arts, energy arts and healing arts for over 40 years. Once Sensei Norvelle made the discovery that all of these arts are interrelated and are simply different forms of developing, moving, transmitting and utilizing Chi he began the conscious quest to provide this knowledge to others for their benefit. He began his training in Japan over 40 years ago under the founder of Kawaguchi Kai Wado Karate Do, Sensei Yoshio Kawaguchi. He gained his black belt from the founder of the Wado Karate system, Sensei Hininori Otsuka. He currently holds a fifth degree black belt in that system. Later, he came to understand that a complete self defense system required other techniques and studied Jujitsu and Okinawan Goju Karate, as well.


Once he was introduced to traditional Zen training at the Chozen-ji Zendo in Hawaii and became a Zen priest, he was able to see how the marital arts, meditation arts and healing arts were all very closely related. It was at that time that he found a style of Tai Chi Ch'uan that complemented his other training and he was able to integrate "moving meditation" into his practice. At this time, also in Hawaii, he was introduced to his initial Chi Kung and acupressure teacher, Sensei Hirano, and his Jin Shin Do body-mind acupressure teacher, Mary Rose. For the past 15 years, Sensei Norvelle has been practicing and teaching this integrated system of training. He hopes you will benefit as much as he and others have from this training system.

Course Schedule: Wednesdays, October 31st - December 26th, 2012
Time: 6:30-7:30pm

Course Cost:$35.00 for each 6-week series or $8.00 drop-in fee
Sliding scale is available for information contact Kathy Mangan 406-721-0033.

Age Group: 18+
Tags: # REDWILLOW
Venue: Red Willow Learning Center
Address: 825 W. Kent Ave. (formerly Home Resource)
Phone: 406-721-0033

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