All posts by CTCC

Hiromi’s Spring 2018 Workshop

Posted On

Come join us for Hiromi Sensei’s Spring 2018 Workshop!

Hiromi Sensei will be teaching the 6-Step Beginner T’ai Chi form. This form has something to offer everyone — if you are brand new to T’ai Chi, it is a great introduction to the basic principles of moving more mindfully.

For intermediate students it provides a very helpful review and also offers opportunities to work on the balance needed for kicks beyond the 14-step.

Additionally, it can be a wonderfully convenient option for all students for their home practice when time is limited.

Date: Saturday, March 31, 2018
Place: Charlottesville Tai Chi Center Dojo
206 East Water Street — Google Map
2-hour parking validation available for the Water Street Parking Garage next door
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $50

Online Payment for Workshop

You can register using your PayPal account or a major credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover).

Please click the Pay Now button. You will be given the option to log in to PayPal or pay with a credit card.


Workshop Options




New Ch’i Kung Class

Posted On

Ch’i Kung (Qi Gong) is an ancient Chinese system of self-cultivation developed specifically for protecting health and promoting vitality, while heightening spiritual awareness and insight. It consists of a series of fluid movements coordinated with the breath to increase flow of energy throughout the body and the mind while standing, sitting or reclining.

We are excited to announce a new Ch’i Kung class at the CTCC Dojo on Tuesday evenings at 6:00pm taught by Hiromi Sensei!

Date: Tuesdays, beginning March 6
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Place: CTCC Dojo
Cost: Normal class fee structure (view more information)
More information: 877-880-2479 or registrar@charlottesvilletaichi.org

Grandmaster Wang’s January 2018 Workshop

Posted On

The Charlottesville T’ai Chi Center is very proud to once again host Grandmaster Wang Fu-Lai for a weekend of T’ai Chi and Hsing-I seminars!

The workshop will be held from Friday, January 12 through Sunday, January 14. All events will be held at the CTCC dojo, except for the two Saturday sessions at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

To register online, please see instructions below.

Download the brochure and registration form here.

Download the lunch order form here.

Friday, January 12 (evening)
6:00 – 9:00pm Ba Gua (note – there are prerequisites for this workshop) (at CTCC dojo) $90
Saturday, January 13
10:00am – 12:30pm Hsing I – Empty Hands (at Westminster Presbyterian Church) $80
Lunch Break at Westminster Church – download order form above
2:30 – 4:30pm Hsing I – Weapons (at Westminster Presbyterian Church) $85
Both Saturday Sessions $160
6:15 – 8:00pm Demonstrations and Pot Luck Dinner (at CTCC dojo) Free
Sunday, January 14
10:00 – 11:30am 1 – 14 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $65
11:45am – 12:30pm 15 – 33 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
 Lunch Break at Dojo — download order form above
2:30 – 3:30pm 34 – 65 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
3:45 – 4:45pm 66 – 100 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
5:00 – 6:00pm Entire Form (at CTCC dojo) Free
All Sunday Sessions $180
Full Workshop $430
Full Workshop Early Bird Fee – pay by December 29 $400

Online Payment for Workshop

You can register for Grandmaster Wang’s upcoming workshop using your PayPal account or a major credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover).

Please fill in the total amount for the sessions you wish to take and click the Pay Now button. You can either log into PayPal or click the “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” option.

Please bring a completed registration form to the first session you attend.



An Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Take on T’ai Chi for Seniors

Posted On

Frequent Problems with Aging

  • Decreased activity
  • Gradual weight-gain
  • Muscle loss and weakness
  • Osteoporosis/bone loss
  • Loss of balance and unsteadiness
  • Frequent falls
  • Fractures of wrist, spine, and most seriously, the hip (80% over 65 and 70% in women)

Effective Exercise Program for Seniors

  • Aerobic conditioning
  • Strength training
  • Flexibility and agility exercises

T’ai Chi

  • Flexibility/agility program of exercises, breathing, and movements based on Chinese practices
  • Integration of mind and body in slow, circular movements and changes in the center of gravity
  • Though not all are unequivocally proven, there is a growing body of scientific literature reporting a multitude of psychological and physiological long-term health benefits
    • Increased self-confidence and sense of well-being
    • Statistically significant improvement in self-assessed health
    • Significant improvement in self-efficacy for arthritis symptoms
    • Significant improvement in level of tension
    • Significant improvement in satisfaction with general health status
    • Reduced somatic symptoms of depression
    • Improved physical functioning
    • Reduced fatigue
    • Significant improvement in glucose control, diabetic self-care activities, and quality of life of patients with type 2 diabetes
    • Improved diet quality and coronary heart disease risk factors, such as LDL particle size (when T’ai Chi added to diet education)
    • Positive impact on cardiovascular fitness
    • Reduced blood pressure
    • Positive impact on muscle strength
    • Increased muscle endurance
    • Increased bone density
    • Improved postural stability
    • Improved body balance
    • Decreased fear of falling
    • Decreased falls and reduced risk of hip fractures (according to OrthoInfo from The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

CONCLUSION

Now that I’m a senior myself, I recently decided to practice what I’ve preached for years.  In addition to aerobic and strengthening exercises, I’ve been doing T’ai Chi at Farmington Country Club with Hiromi Johnson, a very well-known and respected, internationally certified instructor from Charlottesville  T’ai Chi Center.  I recommend that others, especially seniors, do everything possible – INCLUDING IMPROVEMENT OF BALANCE – to prevent a hip fracture and its often dreadful consequences.  To complete a fully effective exercise program, if possible and available, START T’AI CHI!

Michael Kovac, M.D.
Fellow, The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Improv Singing Workshop – November 2017

Posted On

“Stay close to any sounds that make you glad you are alive”
~ Hafiz

Join us as we experience the joy of engaging the body and voice as ever-expanding vehicles for music making in this improvisational group singing experience.

Join Sofia Ribeiro and Rizumik for some sonic joy doing improv singing!

Place: CTCC Dojo (206 E. Water Street)

Date and Time: Sunday, November 5 from 2:00 – 4:00pm

Cost: $20 cash at the door

CTCC’s Open House 2017

Posted On

Place: CTCC Dojo (206 East Water St., next to the Water Street Parking Garage)
Date: Saturday, October 7
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: FREE

If you or someone you know is curious about T’ai Chi and its calming influences and positive effects on health, please join us on Saturday, October 7th between 10:30am – 12:30pm!

We will demonstrate some of the forms that we teach and discuss how T’ai Chi works to strengthen and integrate the mind and body. You will have the opportunity to try out some of the things we do and feel T’ai Chi’s effects for yourself.

Parking: We can validate parking tickets for the Water Street Parking Garage for two hours.

UVA Faculty and Student Discount

Posted On

CTCC is happy to offer a special ongoing discounted price of $130 for 12 classes to University of Virginia faculty and students.

All classes are taught at our dojo at 206 East Water Street in Charlottesville near the downtown mall.

Please bring your ID to your first class so we can apply the discount when you register.

Students and faculty who have never taken classes at our dojo are also eligible for our one-time introductory 3 Classes for $30 offer.

Grandmaster Wang’s July 2017 Workshop

Posted On

The Charlottesville T’ai Chi Center is very proud to once again host Grandmaster Wang Fu-Lai for a weekend of T’ai Chi and Hsing-I seminars!

The workshop will be held from Thursday, July 20 through Sunday, July 23. All events will be held at the CTCC dojo, except for the Saturday sessions held at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

To register online, please see instructions below.

Thursday, July 20 (evening)
6:00 – 8:00pm Ch’i Kung (at CTCC dojo) $75
Friday, July 21 (evening)
6:00 – 9:00pm Ba Gua (note – there are prerequisites for this workshop) (at CTCC dojo) $90
Saturday, July 22
10:00am – 12:30pm Hsing I – Five Elements (at Westminster Presbyterian Church) $80
Lunch Break at Westminster Church. The lunch order form is due at the dojo by Wed., July 19.
2:30 – 5:30pm Hsing I – Animals (at Westminster Presbyterian Church) $80
Both Saturday Sessions $150
6:15 – 8:00pm Pot Luck Dinner (at CTCC dojo) Free
Sunday, July 23
10:00 – 11:30am 1 – 14 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $65
11:45am – 12:30pm 15 – 33 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
 Lunch Break at the Dojo. The lunch order form is due at the dojo by Wed., July 19.
2:30 – 3:30pm 34 – 65 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
3:45 – 4:45pm 66 – 100 Steps (at CTCC dojo) $40
5:00 – 6:00pm Entire Form (at CTCC dojo) Free
All Sunday Sessions $180
Full Workshop $495
Full Workshop Early Bird Discount – pay by July 14 $450

Online Payment for Workshop

You can register for Grandmaster Wang’s upcoming workshop using your PayPal account or a major credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover).

Please fill in the total amount for the sessions you wish to take and click the Pay Now button. You can either log into PayPal or click the “Pay with Debit or Credit Card” option.

Please bring a completed registration form to the first session you attend.

The lunch order form is due at the dojo by Wed., July 19.



2017 Online Auction

Posted On

CTCC is holding an online auction in July! More details to come, but for now, if you would like to donate an item or know a commercial vendor who might, please read on…

We are looking for the work of local artists and artisans. As much as possible, we would like to draw on the talents of our own CTCC members. If you are an artist, please consider donating your work. If you have special skills such as massage, yoga, gardening, etc., please consider offering your work. We also ask that you reach out to those in our community who might be willing to offer gift certificates at restaurants or other local businesses.

>>> Download the auction donation form here

(The form includes a one-page description of CTCC and our electronic auction to assist in approaching a restaurant owner or a service provider.)

Please note that if you are donating something, you do not need to bring it to the dojo. You can keep it and when the auction closes and a bidder has won your item, we will put the bidder in contact with you.

CTCC is a 501(c)3 and you can deduct your donation for tax purposes. We will accept donation forms until June 30th.

Poem From Leonard Tuchyner

Posted On

The following is a poem written by Leonard Tuchyner. Many thanks to Leonard for sharing such a personal message.

T’ai Chi, an Abiding Teacher
       by
Leonard Tuchyner

Friends now for seven years,
introduced at a Chang Ming school,
you an ancient, sage teacher,
I a new naïve student,
antique by human standards.

Your slow steady ways were strange,
showing strength through balance and grace,
balance through timeless patience,
patience through flowing motion,
power through quiet presence.

You were a demanding teacher,
requiring my dedication,
rewarding me with inspiration,
a sense of internal focus,
a bounty of satisfaction.

Affliction pushed us apart.
My aortic valve was closing,
too much for my struggling heart
to breach across the narrowed gap.
Surgeons split my breast asunder,
restrained my heart from beating,
removed the ailing valve
and replaced it with bovine tissue.

I longed for you in my exile.
You were never far from mind.
I tried to recall your touch,
the wisdom in your lessons,
fearing you might be lost to me.

When I dared to stir my arms again,
free of fear for a ripping sternum,
I returned to your abiding school
and found that you were still there for me.
The skills and lessons you taught remained,
residing in my deepest reaches.

Too many times life draws me away
from your sacred place of learning,
but T’ai chi now resides in me
and holds out a hand of welcome.
There is much work to be done.
My path is a road without end.
Every step is a refinement,
every juncture an extension.
Even when I’m beyond repair,
Our partnership will still be there.
This union is deeper than
my corporeal existence,
which is simply a tool for learning.