Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan—Since 1979!

Great River Winter Tai Chi Classes: Free Open House Jan. 8

2011-12-19T14:18:00.002-06:00

Make Tai Chi part of your New Year! This ancient Chinese art can give you piece of mind while strengthening and stretching your body and improving your balance and posture.

WINTER OPEN HOUSE
Join us for a taste of tai chi! Demos, movies, refreshments. Find out how tai chi can improve both your health and your golf swing!
Sunday, January 8th, 7-8 pm
1940 Hennepin Av. S. Minneapolis, 2F
NEW BEGINNERS CLASS
If you're interested in getting a great start to the new year, there's nothing better than tai chi. This ten-week class will give you a solid start in tai chi. Tuition is only $150.
Sundays, January 15-March 18, 7-8 pm
BEGINNERS LEVEL TWO
Sundays, 6-7 pm, ongoing.
INTERMEDIATE-ADVANCED
Thursdays, 6-8, ongoing. Continue work on solo form, push hands, and sword.
Don't forget, you can follow us on our blog, or on Facebook! And keep up on tai chi news and reviews at http://www.taijiquanjournal.blogspot.com

Great River Tai Chi Gift Certificates

2011-12-01T20:55:00.000-06:00

Treat yourself or someone you care about to tai chi classes! Great River T'ai Chi offers classes year-round, with quarterly new beginners classes. Our beginners class is a perfect way to learn about what tai chi can do for you, and is an affordable $150 for ten weeks. We teach the Yang-style short form developed by Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing. Contact us for information about purchasing a gift certificate! 612-822-5760.
Winter class schedule will be posted shortly.

2011-11-10T11:38:00.001-06:00

Ed Young, children's book artist and tai chi teacher, will be having an exhibit of his works in Abiline, Texas, November 11, 2011-January 28, 2012 at the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature. Young, who is about to turn 80, immigrated to the United States as a youth, and studied architecture, before turning to illustration.
In 1964, he happened to meet Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing, who was visiting the United States. After Cheng decided to stay on, Young became one of his assistants and translators, and became a taiji teacher himself in the New York area. Great River Tai Chi has hosted many visits from Ed Young over the years, and head instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers studied taiji and Chinese calligraphy with him at Naropa Institute.

Young's book Lon Po Po, the Chinese Red Riding Hood story, won the Caldecott Medal, the highest US honor in children's book illustration. Two other books, The Emperor and the Kite, and Seven Blind Mice, by Young himself, have won Caldecott Honors. Recent books include Wabi Sabi (with Mark Reibstein), Moon Bear (with Brenda Guiberson), Hook, and Tsunami (with Kimiko Kajikawa). His newest book, The House Baba Built, a picture-book memoir about his boyhood in wartime Shanghai, is meeting with critical acclaim.
For an article about the exhibit, see the Abiline Recorder.
A video of Young discussing The House Baba Built can be seen at the BBC's site.

Nathan Menaged Tai Chi Workshop in Minneapolis, November 20th

2011-10-28T09:15:00.000-05:00

We are pleased to welcome for our fall workshop, Nathan Menaged, of Columbus, Ohio. Nathan is a long-time student of William C.C. Chen and the late Tao Ping-hsiang.
The workshop will be held Sunday, November 20, 2011, 9 am-3 pm, at the Great River Studio at 1940 Hennepin Ave. S. in Minneapolis.
Please contact us for further information at 612--822-5760 or editor (@ ) taijiquanjournal.com.

Tai Chi Free Open House and Fall Classes at Great River in Minneapolis

2011-08-12T16:01:00.002-05:00

Explore the interesting art of tai chi this fall at Great River Tai Chi. This Chinese exercise is used for health, relaxation, and as a martial art. Athletes, dancers, or golfers use it. People with stress, or with chronic illnesses use it. Teens even use it to polish their dance steps!
Learn more about tai chi at our Free Open House, Sunday, Sept. 11, at 6 pm. We'll have demos, movies and refreshments. Free and open to the public. 1940 Hennepin Ave. S. (at Franklin) 2F. For further information, call us at 612-822-5760.
Our beginners classes commence Sunday, September 18th at 6 pm, and cover all the basic information you'll need to get going with tai chi. The classes are one hour in length, for ten weeks. Tuition is $150 for the complete series.
Intermediate and advanced classes are held Sundays, at 7 pm (intermediate form work), and Thursdays, 6-8 pm (advanced form review, sword, push hands). Tuition is flat fee of $88 per month for unlimited classes.

Explore the Many Benefits of Tai Chi

2011-07-31T12:02:00.000-05:00

A recent article in the Marlborough, New Zealand newspaper gives a great look at why tai chi practice is good for you.
"Seventy-year-old Lynda Neame said she started modified tai chi classes in 2008 after suffering from concussion, which caused vertigo and dizziness. "I thought I would learn how to stand up straight, walk in a straight line and get control of myself." The benefits proved more extensive.
Mrs Neame also suffered from osteoarthritis and had resigned herself to gradual loss of mobility because of the pain in her shoulders, legs and hips.
"I spent an hour recovering after half an hour in the garden and thought `this will be my life'."
But with the tai chi, she can now also enjoy pilates, bike riding, swimming and her beloved gardening."

How can tai chi benefit you? Find out at classes this fall at Great River Tai Chi. Our beginners' classes will be held Sundays, starting September 18th, at 6 pm, 1940 Hennepin Av. S. 2F. Tuition is $150 for ten weeks of class.

Robert W. Smith, Student of Cheng Man-ch'ing

2011-07-04T09:38:00.000-05:00

We note the passing of our taiji "uncle" Mr. Robert W. Smith, July 1, 2011. Mr. Smith studied taiji with Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing in Taiwan, and went on to teach in the Bethesda, Maryland area.
Mr. Smith's copious writings about Professor Cheng and other great masters of the Asian martial arts helped set the stage for taiji and other arts to spread to the United States in the 1960s. Mr. Smith gave workshops in the Minneapolis St. Paul area in the 1970s. For more information, see the Taijiquan Journal blog.

Tai Chi for Body, Mind—and Fishing? Summer Tai Chi Classes in Minneapolis-St Paul

2011-05-16T17:22:00.005-05:00

Summer's the perfect time to try tai chi at Great River! Tai chi will help your golf swing, improve your running, and enhance your fishing, not to mention help you get in shape for gardening. Did we mention that tai chi is also known as "moving meditation," as a martial art, and as a calming, health-enhancing exercise?

• Join us for a FREE class Sunday, June 5th, 6-7 pm, at Great River Tai Chi in Minneapolis to explore this fun art.

• Beginners' Class starts Sunday, June 12th, 6-7 pm. This 10-week class will give you a solid foundation in tai chi moves and principles. Tuition: SUMMER SPECIAL TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! $150 for complete 10-weeks. Offer good through June 17th. Registration is the first night of class.

We are located at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin), 2F.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• On Sunday, June 12th, from 11-4:30 pm, you can also take part in our free tai chi presentation at the Minneapolis Institute of Art's Free Family Day: Your Choice: Animals! Roar. Growl. Stomp. Flutter. Artful animals are all around the MIA. Bring them to life by making your own animal sounds, movements, and shapes. Try tai chi with instructors from Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan, and see how tigers, cranes, and monkeys have inspired this martial art. Mimic a variety of animal sounds as you make your way through the galleries. Hear incredible animal tales in lively storytelling sessions. Plus, take a closer look at some of nature's most magnificent birds, including an eagle, with educators from the Raptor Center.

Tai Chi for Heart Health Study

2011-04-26T12:22:00.001-05:00

A recent study reported on in US News found that tai chi "could boost heart patients' quality of life. Researchers split 100 patientswith heart failure into two groups: Half participated in a 12-week tai chi program, while the others spent 12 weeks in an educational program learning about heart-related issues, like low-sodium diets and heart-rhythm problems. At the end of the study, the tai chi group reported improvements in mood, less , less fatigue, and more energy than the others—and those in the first group were more likely to continue with some type of physical activity, according to findings published Mondayin the Archives of Internal Medicine. "Maintaining an exercise regimen is important in heart failure," study author Gloria Yeh of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center told HealthDay. "Tai chi may be a suitable alternative or adjunct exercise for these patients."

While studies such as these help integrate tai chi into the health care system (such as it is), tai chi is much more than sheer exercise. Yes, those who do take up tai chi find it has many unexpected benefits: improved balance and gait, mental focus, straightened posture, lower stress, improved immune system, and more. But tai chi is also "philosophy in motion," a martial art (improved balance and posture do wonders for "standing up for oneself"), and it can be a window into understanding more about Chinese culture. It is a calming, yet is exercise, and can be modified to fit anyone's physical needs, regardless of age.

World Tai Chi Day in Twin Cities

2011-03-26T20:03:00.002-05:00

Celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in the Twin Cities with Great River Tai Chi and other groups at Normandale Community College, Saturday, April 30th, from 9 till noon. Enjoy demonstrations, free classes, drawings, and more. Free and open to the public.
Tai chi has many benefits, besides being fun and interesting. It can enhance the body in sports performance in golf, horse riding, running, and so on. It has been shown to benefit health in many ways, from improving balance and posture, lowering blood pressure, to managing depression, Parkinson's symptoms, and more---a true lifetime exercise for all. Tai Chi can help the mind and spirit by improving focus and calm.

"Spring" Tai Chi Classes at Great RIver Tai Chi in Minneapolis

2011-03-07T10:03:00.003-06:00

"Spring" tai chi classes in Minneapolis are set to begin
Sunday, March 20th, 7–8 pm at Great River Tai Chi. This 10-week sequence will give you a solid introduction to tai chi's many aspects. Known as a martial art, moving meditation, moving qigong, health exercise, Chinese yoga, and more, tai chi helps you gain balance, alignment, relaxation, and focus. Register at the first night of class. Register at class. New students accepted through April 3rd.
Great River has been offering classes since 1979. We welcome visitors.
Our studio is located at 1940 Hennepin Av. S. 2F. This is at the intersection of Hennepin and Franklin, in the Jawahir Dance Studios, above the former Burch Pharmacy.

Great River Tai Chi Winter Class Schedule 2011

2011-01-05T19:55:00.000-06:00

FREE INTRODUCTORY TAI CHI CLASS Sunday, January 9th, 7-8 pm.
Join Cheryl Powers as she explains the art of T'ai Chi and what it can do for your health and happiness. Free and open to the public, 1940 Hennepin Av. S. (at Franklin) 2F.

NEW Beginner's Classes start Sunday, January 16th, 7-8 pm.
Start your New Year off right! This introductory class will give you all the tools you need for basic practice of Tai Chi. Tuition $150 for 10 weeks, or $16 per evening. Register at class the first night. 1940 Hennepin Av. S. (at Franklin) 2F.

Sundays
6-7 Intermediate Tai Chi Form Class
7-8 Beginners New Tai Chi Class (see above)

Thursdays
6-7 Introduction to Tai Chi Exercises: Tai Chi Essence, Mr. Liu's Basics, and Qigong exercises
7-8 Full Form and Push Hands

TUITION
Beginners 10-week class $150 (weekly rate is $16 per class).
Intermediate and Advanced: regular monthly tuition $88 for unlimited classes ($23 per evening).

Call us for further information 612---822-5760

Tai Chi Snow Day

2010-12-12T11:10:00.001-06:00

Great River Classes Sunday, December 12, 2010 are cancelled due to deep snow and cold.
Don't forget to use good tai chi methods for shoveling: relax, align, breath, shovel!
Keep your legs bent and let your effort come from the ground, not from your lower back.
Keep warm and see you soon!

Fall Tai Chi Classes in Minneapolis

2010-09-08T23:19:00.002-05:00

Curious about what tai chi can do for you? This fall, Great River T'ai Chi gives you the opportunity to explore this ancient practice that can truly help you in mind and body.Under the guidance of experienced teachers, you'll learn about balance, body alignment, and realxation and breathing.
Featured recently in Jane Brody's Personal Health column in the New York Times, T'ai Chi is excellent for fall prevention, balance, stress reduction, and more. Recent studies have affirmed its use in treating fibromyalgia, arthritis, and other conditions.

Our beginners' classes start Sunday, September 26th from 6-7 pm, and run through December 5th (new students may enter until October 10). The tuition for the 10-week class is $150. Ten percent discount for students, seniors, and family/household members coming together. Registration is at class. Class will meet at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South 2F (at Franklin) in Minneapolis, just south of downtown Minneapolis.
For further information, call 612-822-5760.

Intermediate and advanced classes are also offered at Great River. Intermediates meet Sundays from 7-8 pm, and continue study of the tai chi "form." Advanced class is held Thursdays from 6-8 pm, and features Form Review this fall.

Form Review Workshop, Thursdays, 6-8 pm,

This fall, we offer our popular "Form Review Workshop." We'll go through a cycle of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing's Yang-style short form in detail over the span of eight weeks. This workshop is suitable for current students, inactive students, newcomers with background in other styles of tai chi or other martial arts, as well as motivated beginners. Tuition: $176 total, or $23 per evening.

Tai Chi Helps Fibromyalgia

2010-09-08T12:32:00.000-05:00

Tai Chi has been practiced for hundreds of years, and has been studied scientifically for several decades. Medical reserachers have clearly demonstrated tai chi's usefullness for treatment of numerous conditions: arthritis, diabetes, balance problems, fall prevention, bone density loss, high blood pressure, shingles, stress, anger management, schizophrenia, and for improvement of general well-being.

"The ancient Chinese practice of tai chi may be effective as a therapy for fibromyalgia, according to a study published on Thursday in The New England Journal of Medicine.

A clinical trial at Tufts Medical Center found that after 12 weeks of tai chi, patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, did significantly better in measurements of pain, fatigue, physical functioning, sleeplessness and depression than a comparable group given stretching exercises and wellness education. Tai chi patients were also more likely to sustain improvement three months later."

Read the complete New York Times article here.

Summer Tai Chi Classes in Minneapolis

2010-04-27T08:31:00.000-05:00

Great River's summer schedule includes a FREE CLASS Thursday, June 3rd, 6-7 pm. Come try out tai chi, find out what it's all about, and learn some valuable skills!
Beginners classes start Thursday, June 10th, 6-7 pm, and run for 10 weeks.
Tuition for 10 weeks is $150 per person.

May Day Parade and Tai Chi

2010-04-27T08:27:00.000-05:00

Great River Tai Chi will be participating for the first time in the annual May Day parade in south Minneapolis, Sunday, May 2! This incredible community event features huge handmade puppets from Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater, music, parade, food, events, and much more, including the annual appearance of the sun. Come see the Tai Chi Tigers march! See the HOTB website for all the information.

April Practice Tips

2010-03-25T08:47:00.000-05:00

As you break out the garden tools, think about the mechanics of how you work on your lawn and garden. Can you apply tai chi principles so as to avoid strain when lifting things or shoveling? Can you use good body mechanics? Try it out and see what your results are.

March Tai Chi Class Updates

2010-03-05T10:23:00.000-06:00

• New Tai Chi Essence Class, Thursdays, 6-7 pm starting March 4. This class introduces you to a simple set of exercises that serve as a foundation for further tai chi practice or simply for use in daily life. They are easy to remember, and give great benefits for balance and relaxation and focus. CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL TUITION: 2-for-1 for Essence class.....Two people take class for the price of one ($88). Essence classes can be taken on a drop-in basis, $23 per time. Sign up first night of class. 1940 Hennepin.

• FREE Tai Chi Class, Sunday, March 14, 6-7 pm. Join Cheryl Powers for a discussion of "Tai Chi for Spring Health." Make your spring a healthy one. At the studio.

• NEW Tai Chi Beginners Class, Sunday, March 21, 6-7 pm. The benefits of tai chi practice are physical, mental, and metaphysical! Learn the fundamentals of traditional tai chi movement and ideas in this 10-week beginners class. Register at class. Tuition: $150.

• World Tai Chi Day, Saturday, April 24. Great River will be joining with other groups at Normandale Community College in Bloomington for the festivities. Demonstrations, talks, displays, tai chi, qigong, and more! We'll send out info as it becomes available.

• Minnesota Nurses Association Annual Retreat, Tuesday, April 27. Great River instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers will be presenting the Tai Chi Essence exercises at this conference for nurses.

• National Qigong Association National Conference, "Qi=mc2" will be held this August in Chaska, Minnesota. Great River instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers will be presenting. Details to follow.

Great River T'ai Chi Winter-Spring 2010 Events

2010-02-02T13:48:00.004-06:00

Happy Year of the Tiger!

• New Tai Chi Essence Class, Thursdays, 6 pm starting Feb. 4. This class introduces you to a simple set of exercises that serve as a foundation for further tai chi practice or simply for use in daily life. They are easy to remember, and give great benefits for balance and relaxation and focus. CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECIAL TUITION: 2-for-1 for Essence class.....Two people take class for the price of one ($88). Sign up first night of class.

• Nathan Menaged Workshop--Sunday, February 7, 9 am-12 pm. Enjoy Nathan's fun take on tai chi at this "Three-dimensional Yielding" workshop. Open to all levels. $75, register at workshop, if you haven't already. Location: Great River studio.

• Free Class, Sunday, March 14, 6-7 pm. Join Cheryl Powers for a discussion of "Tai Chi for Spring Health." Make your spring a healthy one. At the studio.

• NEW Beginners Class, Sunday, March 21, 6-7 pm. The benefits of tai chi practice are physical, mental, and metaphysical! Learn the fundamentals of traditional tai chi movement and ideas in this 10-week beginners class. Register at class. Tuition: $150.

• World Tai Chi Day, Saturday, April 24. Great River will be joining with other groups at Normandale Community College in Bloomington for the festivities. Demonstrations, talks, displays, tai chi, qigong, and more! We'll send out info as it becomes available.

• Minnesota Nurses Association Annual Retreat, Tuesday, April 27. Great River instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers will be presenting the Tai Chi Essence exercises at this conference for nurses.

• National Qigong Association National Conference, "Qi=mc2" will be held this August in Chaska, Minnesota. Great River instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers will be presenting. Details to follow.

January Practice Tips

2010-01-11T09:35:00.001-06:00

Shoveling snow, chipping ice. These are the forms of winter exercise many of us face almost every week in Minnesota. How can you apply tai chi to them? By remembering to use good alignment and relaxation. Don't use force. Use the whole body, not just the arms, to do the work. Gradually, gradually, is also a good motto. Don't try to "plow" through it all in record time, but rather work at a comfortable pace.

Winter Tai Chi Class Schedule---Minneapolis St Paul

2009-12-05T13:39:00.001-06:00

Great River Tai Chi's winter offerings include many opportunities for you to learn about the wonderful benefits Tai Chi can have for your health and well-being:

• Tai Chi Essence Exercises: Improve Your Balance and Health, Thursdays, from 6-7 pm, from January 7 through January 28th. These simple exercises can dramatically help you with balance, walking, by improving how you stand and move. Tuition: $88.

• Chinese Traditions for the Winter: Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine for Your Health, a free talk Saturday, January 9th, 2-4 pm, with Barbara Davis, Great River director, and Ming Chu Benson, licensed acupuncturist, at Sun Gallery, 4760 Grand Avenue South, Minneapolis. Free and open to the public. 612-822-6388.

• Ten-week Beginners Class: Traditional Tai Chi, Sundays, starting January 10th, from 7-8 pm. Learn the Tai Chi "form" and gain a solid foundation in Tai Chi practice to benefit your health, balance, and mental focus. Tuition: $150. Sign up first night of class.

• Intermediate Tai Chi Class: Continuing Form Work, Sundays, from 6-7 pm, ongoing.

• Advanced Tai Chi Class: Refining and Deepening Practice, Thursdays, from 7-8 pm, ongoing.

Our Tai Chi classes are suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.
We are located at 1940 Hennepin (at Franklin) 2F. Ring buzzer for entry.
Call us at 612-822-5760 for further information.

November Practice Tips

2009-11-09T10:27:00.000-06:00

The changes in the weather can be challenging, but tai chi can help. Not only does tai chi help ground you physically by improving your balance and posture, it helps you to manage your ch'i. During these dark, cold-weather months, t'ai chi can help you keep your energy balanced. Doing simple breathing exercises and movements boosts your immune system, and keeps you in synch with nature by replenishing yourself.

Our next series of classes will start in January: a beginners class on Sunday evenings at 7 pm, and a "Tai Chi Essence" class on Thursdays at 6 pm. Both of these classes are appropriate for beginners or experienced players. Stay tuned for further details. Please visit our website for further information about our group, or call 612-822-5760.

Great River Tai Chi 30th Anniversary Open House October 18

2009-10-02T12:02:00.004-05:00

Join us at Great River Tai Chi Sunday, October 18th, from 3-5 pm to celebrate our 30th anniversary!

At this fun event, we'll have demonstrations of t'ai chi, films, drawings for door prizes (including free classes), and refreshments. Free, all ages welcome.

The event will be held at our studio at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin) 2F. Parking on street by building; busses #2, 4, 6, 12.

For further information, please call 612-822-5760.

October Practice Tips

2009-10-01T23:04:00.000-05:00

Brrr! It's cold out all of a sudden! But did you know that you can keep warm by doing tai chi? Relaxing helps the blood flow better, and focusing the mind—if you work at it—can enable you to direct the ch'i where it's needed, like the toes and fingertips.

Tai Chi: Your Gateway to Health

2009-09-16T09:07:00.007-05:00

Tai Chi for health? You betcha: balance, relaxation, lower blood pressure, coordination...the list goes on. Now here's what one article says: "Studies have long shown that tai chi improves balance. Now research demonstrates it may also protect the area of the brain responsible for the sense of touch. In a recent Harvard study, 50- to 60-year-olds who did tai chi had a more acute sense of feeling in their fingertips, equivalent to that of people nearly half their age."("The brain-power workout" India Today 9/16/09).

So here's your chance to try it out: Great River T'ai Chi will be offering a beginner's class starting this Sunday, September 20th, from 7-8 pm. Let this class be your gateway to health! Ten weeks for only $140. Register at door. New students will be admitted through mid-October; tuition will be pro-rated.

Great River has been offering tai chi classes for 30 years!
1940 Hennepin Av. S. 2F (at Franklin), Mpls.
For further information, call 612-822-5760.

Great River Director Article Published

2009-09-02T00:14:00.007-05:00

Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan's director Barbara Davis writes about the nature of t'ai chi in this month's issue of the Edge Magazine. She writes: "T’ai chi creates a space not just of one individual’s internal being, but rather, at the same moment, you are in a connection beyond your self, to the room you’re in, to the people around, to the world outside." You can read the complete article online, or pick up a copy at Present Moment, Tao Foods, The Wedge, or other locations throughout the Twin Cities and Minnesota. Davis was a participant in the International Taiji Symposium in Nashville this summer.

Great River Tai Chi Free Class in September

2009-08-13T11:56:00.000-05:00

Thirty years of classes, thousands of students—now's your chance to try it yourself at Great River T'ai Chi! Our fall classes kick off with a FREE CLASS, Sunday, September 13th at 7 pm. Come learn why tai chi has become one of the world's leading tools for improving your health and well-being.

New beginner's tai chi classes will start the following week on Sunday, September 20th at 7 pm. Ten weeks for $140. Wear comfortable clothing. No preregistration necessary.
Classes are held at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South 2F (at Franklin) just south of downtown, in the Jawahir Dance Studios above Burch's Pharmacy, and near the Wedge Coop. For car and bus directions, see the panel at the right.

Call us at 612-822-5760 for further information.

August Practice Tips

2009-08-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

The climate here in Minnesota doesn't allow for extended outdoor tai chi practice, so now's the time to get out there and do it! Feel what a difference it makes to have fresh air, a gentle breeze, to hear the birds chirping, squirrels chasing around, and butterflies fluttering. What do you learn from them?

Summer Tai Chi Classes

2009-05-15T11:11:00.002-05:00

Celebrate Great River's 30th anniversary Sunday, June 14, 6pm Free Talk "T'ai Chi for Sports." T'ai Chi can be a wonderful enhancement for other sports such as tennis, golf, running, and basketball. Learn some basic moves and concepts at this talk. 1940 Hennepin Av So (at Franklin), 2F.
Sunday, June 21, 6 pm, New Beginners 10-week class, tuition $99 anniversary special ($140 regular price)
Sundays, ongoing—7 pm, Intermediate 2 (ongoing, form study focus is second half of form)
Thursdays—6 pm Intermediate 1 (ongoing, form study focus is first half of form)
Thursdays—7 pm Advanced (form, push hands, sword)

More anniversary celebrations to come this fall!
Call 612-822-5760 for further information about classes, and see our website (link at right) for more details about Great River.

Edith Davis Memorial Acupuncture Access Bill Passes Minnesota Legislature

2009-05-08T11:17:00.004-05:00

The Equal Access To Acupuncture Act and as a Memorial to Edith R. Davis, Minnesota’s pioneer acupuncturist passes and has been signed by Governor Pawlenty! This act requires health insurers who cover acupuncture delivered by doctors and chiropractors to also reimburse for acupuncture by licensed acupuncturists. The importance of this bill was in allowing the consumer fair access to the practitioners who are most highly trained in the field, the professional licensed acupuncturists. This bill was supported by the acupuncture association, acupuncture schools and the Minnesota Chiropractic Association.

Edith Davis, mother of Great River T'ai Chi director Barbara Davis, was one of Minnesota's pioneer acupuncturists, a founder of the Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Association of Minnesota, founder and President of the Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, on numerous national acupuncture commissions, founder of the Healing Point Traditional Acupuncture Clinic, and most recently served on the legislative committee of the acupuncture association.

The association wrote, "This bill is dedicated to honor the memory of Edith R. Davis, a pioneering acupuncturist in Minnesota who for the safety of the public, the benefit of the profession and her love of people deemed it necessary that education, certification and licensing of acupuncturists be a fundamental requirement for practice. Edith labored tirelessly until her death at the age of 87, in May 2008. We are forever grateful for her inspiration, her support and her life."

Tai Chi for Balance

2009-04-30T06:03:00.001-05:00

A recent New York Times article (4/7/09) reported that just six weeks of Tai Chi helped improve balance in people who'd had strokes. "While the exercise group showed little improvement in balance, the tai chi group made significant gains when they were tested on weight-shifting, reaching and how well they could maintain their stability on a platform that moved like a bus." Read more....

Nathan Menaged Workshop May 3

2009-04-21T16:35:00.002-05:00

Nathan Menaged of Columbus Ohio will present the second installment of "Three-Dimensional Yielding" with Great River, Sunday, May 3 from 9–3. Contact us for information at 612-822-5760. Location to be announced (n.b. NOT at Great River studio).

Tai Chi for Golf!

2009-04-05T09:23:00.003-05:00

Did you know that tai chi practice can help your golf game? A Wall Street Journal article recently covered the topic of practice and mastery—and lo, and behold, some golfers are using what they call the "tai chi swing" to help straighten out their golf technique. The slow pace of tai chi helps golfers analyze swings that would otherwise be done at high speeds that don't allow time for observation of accuracy. (Wall Street Journal 3/19/09)
Join us at Great River Tai Chi to polish up your golf game before the snow stops flying!

Great River Tai Chi Spring Classes Announced

2009-02-27T14:00:00.001-06:00

Spring into health! New T'ai Chi classes will start Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 6:00 p.m..
T'ai Chi is a wonderful and intriguing, unique Chinese exercise that will help improve your balance, focus, blood pressure, and overall health. You'll learn the basics of T'ai Chi moves and easy qigong exercises to help get you on the right track.
Classes run for ten weeks and are one hour in length. Classes are open to all ages, however children should be approximately six or older, with decent attention spans. An adult must accompany the child to class.
This class is on the second floor of the building. Please contact us for accessible classes.
SAVE! Click here to get your Great River Tai Chi coupon for big savings!
For more information, see our website or call us at 612-822-5760.

Great River at Minneapolis Institute of Arts

2009-02-18T14:33:00.003-06:00

Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan teachers Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers led an overflow crowd of children and parents in a fun set of t'ai chi exercises at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Chinese Lantern Festival Family Day.
Over 5,000 people attended the day's events which included pipa music by Gao Heng, painting activities withe Bob Schmitt of Laughing Waters Studio (Bob designed and did layout of the print edition of Taijiquan Journal), paper lantern-making, and performances by the CAAM, the Chinese Dance Theater. This annual event is one of the Art Institute's monthly family activities that highlight different parts of the museum's diverse, large collection.

New Tai Chi Class at Concordia

2009-02-09T13:00:00.001-06:00

Great River T'ai Chi has been invited to teach at Concordia University in St. Paul, Minnesota. This credit class is offered through the Theater Department. Contact the school for registration information.

Professor Cheng Tai Chi Videos Available

2009-01-28T13:53:00.003-06:00

Curious about who Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing was and what his t'ai chi looked like? A new authorized site shows clips of Professor Cheng's tai chi and information about ordering materials.

Chinese New Year Events

2009-01-11T21:13:00.007-06:00

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Chinese Lantern Festival Family Day
Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 11–5

Welcome the Year of the Ox with a fabulous celebration! See lion dances and other festive performances of the New Year. Make a paper lantern and join a parade of lanterns. Create a traditional good-luck envelope to give to a friend. Plus, enjoy pipa music by renowned musician Gao Hong and explore the MIA’s fabulous collection of Chinese art. Free and open to the public.

Great River Tai Chi will be appearing as part of the Family Day celebrations! See you there! See the schedule at the museum's website.

Great River Celebrates 30 Years with Free Talk & New Class

2008-12-05T11:03:00.008-06:00

Great River Tai Chi in Minneapolis, Minnesota begins its thirtieth anniversary celebration with a free talk and new classes. Take a positive step towards better health this winter with a tai chi class. Tai chi not only helps with your balance, but has also been shown to boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and blood sugar, help guard against osteoporosis, and many other benefits!

JOIN US THIS WINTER FOR:

•Free lecture-demonstration "T'ai Chi for the Immune System," Sunday, January 11th, 7 pm,
•New beginner's classes starting Sunday, January 18th, at 7 pm and meet for one hour. Tuition for the 10-week class is $140. Register at door; wear comfortable clothing.
•Chinese New Year Celebration—tba
•Many more events to follow!
We're located at: 1940 Hennepin (at Franklin).
Call for further information, 612-822-5760 or see our main website.

Cheng Man-ch'ing: Free Lecture

2008-10-27T10:30:00.010-05:00

“Cheng Man-ch’ing:
Master of Five Excellences”
A talk by Barbara Davis
Director, Cheng Man-ch’ing Biography Project
Saturday, November 8th, 2008, 6:30 pm
Sun Gallery, 4760 Grand Avenue South
612-822-6388
Learn about this intriguing master of painting, calligraphy, poetry, medicine, and t’ai chi. Cheng is most well known for his role in the spread of t’ai chi into the US in the 1960s. Come explore his life, his dreams, and his prodigious talents. Slides and movies of his artwork and t’ai chi will also be shown .
For further information, read the project blog, call 612-822-5760,
or email editor"at" taijiquanjournal.com.

New Tai Chi Class-Minneapolis-St Paul, Twin Cities

2008-10-03T09:49:00.002-05:00

NEW BEGINNERS' 8-week Tai Chi Form Class. In this class, you'll learn the opening moves of the Cheng Man-ch'ing Yang-style short form. Lower your stress, improve your balance, and enjoy exploring this intriguing, ancient Chinese discipline! This class will include Tai Chi Essence exercises. This class will be held Thursdays, starting October 23rd, from 6-7 p.m. Sign up for all eight classes for only $119. Register at door.
Great River is conveniently located at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin), above Burch's Pharmacy, just south of downtown Minneapolis, and off the Hennepin exit of I-94. We are easy to get to by foot, bike, and bus! See directions in the sidebar. Great River has been offering classes and workshops at all levels in Minneapolis, St Paul, the greater Twin Cities metro area since 1979, and instructors Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers have presented at numerous national and international conferences.

For further information, call 612-822-5760 , or visit our website.

Special Guest Workshop--Nathan Menaged, October 19

2008-10-03T08:54:00.004-05:00

Join us Sunday, October 19th for a "Three-Dimensional Yielding" workshop with Nathan Menaged, of Columbus, Ohio. Nathan is a long-tim student of William Chen and Tao Ping-hsiang, and has a unique and fun approach to exploring these ideas, which are applicable both for solo t'ai chi and push hands. Contact Great River for further information at 822-5760.

Innovative New Fall Class Offered

2008-08-12T09:50:00.009-05:00

This fall is the perfect time to take a tai chi class. You've been inspired by the Beijing Olympics, you know tai chi would be a fun and interesting thing to try, but you've heard it takes years to learn well. Now, here's the solution!

This September, Great River T'ai Chi will present a special introductory six-week "Tai Chi Essence" class, in which you can learn the basics of tai chi in a series of simple exercises. These movements are easy to learn and impossible to forget!
You can sign up for all six classes, or take them on a drop-in basis. Classes start Thursday, September 11th, at 6 pm and run for one hour. Sign up for all six classes for only $89. Drop-in for single classes for only $16 per evening.

Also: NEW BEGINNERS' 8-week Tai Chi Form Class
Thursdays, starting October 23rd, from 6-7 p.m. Sign up for all eight classes for only $119. Learn the basic moves and principles of the traditional t'ai chi ch'uan "form" in this 8-week class. Lower your stress, improve your balance, and enjoy exploring this intriguing, ancient Chinese discipline! This class will include Tai Chi Essence exercises.
Other Classes: Beginners 2 and Intermediate are held Sundays from 6-8, and Advanced class is Thursdays, 7-8.
Great River is conveniently located at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin), above Burch's Pharmacy, just south of downtown Minneapolis, and off the Hennepin exit of I-94. We are easy to get to by foot, bike, and bus! See directions in the sidebar. Great River has been offering classes and workshops at all levels since 1979.

For further information, call 612-822-5760 , or visit our website.

August Practice Notes—Olympic Inspiration

2008-08-09T10:08:00.005-05:00

If the Olympics serve any purpose, it's to inspire and awe. The same kind of honing of skills of body and mind go into t'ai chi practice. If you haven't tried t'ai chi yet, now's your chance to learn some of the basic movements and enjoy the good feeling and health benefits that the very accessible and adaptable art of t'ai chi can offer. If you've practiced for a while, use the Olympics to study how high-level athletes incorporated some of the identical principles into their work.

For more Olympic coverage, see the Taijiquan Journal blog.

"When will China host the Olympics?"

2008-08-06T23:13:00.002-05:00

"Reaching for Gold: The YMCA and the Olympic Movement in China from 1895-1920"
Commemorating an achievement 100 years in the making, "Reaching for Gold" chronicles the answer to a question posed by a YMCA Secretary in China in 1908 while promoting physical culture in China.
Please join the Kautz Family YMCA Archives, the University of Minnesota China Center, and the Friends of the University of Minnesota Libraries for the exhibit's opening reception on Friday, August 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Elmer L. Andersen Library, on the U of M's West Bank campus.
The China Center also invites you to stay on campus to watch the 2008 Olympics opening ceremonies in the Coffman Union theater, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
For directions and accessibility information, please visit http://special.lib.umn.edu/ymca/visit.phtml or call 612-625-3445.
The exhibit will be on display in Andersen Library through September 27, 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday, and after Labor Day on Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

July Practice Notes: It's all About Balance

2008-07-15T09:59:00.003-05:00

Life seems so chaotic at times, doesn't it? The noise, pressure, demands of daily life can be overwhelming, with no relief in sight, and a promised vacation or hour to oneself remains ellusive. That's where something like tai chi can help. The few moments per day needed for practice can become not just a refuge, but also a model for how to go about daily life, with calm, perspective, focus, and balance. If you can perservere in creating those pockets of time for tai chi, you can then let those skills infuse your whole life.

June Practice Notes---Tai Chi as Martial Art?

2008-06-18T08:54:00.004-05:00

Tai chi, at its core, is a martial art and "self-cultivation" discipline, meant to strengthen the body through nourishing the qi, developing mental and physical focus, and understanding body mechanics. Throughout the centuries, tai chi masters have emphasized different aspects of theory and practice to suit their own needs and interests and those of surrounding society. (It may surprise some tai chi people to know that tai chi has even been promoted for patriotism!) Your tai chi practice will be enhanced by learning something about all of its different arenas: health, self-defense, ch'i (qi) cultivation, body mechanics, meditation, and so on. Each aspect will help you develop in new ways. For example, understanding the martial arts application of a move—regardless of whether or not you have an interest in that area—will dramatically help improve your alignment, body mechanics, reaction time, and rooting. Through exploring tai chi's multi-dimensionality, you can always keep your practice fresh.

NEW SPRING-SUMMER CLASSES

2008-04-28T09:32:00.001-05:00

Interested in learning about tai chi? Great River's spring beginners' class on Sunday evenings from 6–7 pm, will accept new students until May 4th. Learn the basics of this fascinating Chinese art! Improve your health--balance, breathing, relaxation. (No class Memorial Day weekend.)
Summer classes will start Sunday, June 1st, with a free introductory talk "Tai Chi" at 7 pm. A new 10-week Beginners' class will start the following week, Sunday, June 8th, 7–8 p.m. (No class July 4th weekend.)
Great River classes are held at the Jawaahir Dance Studios at 1940 Hennepin (at Franklin), above Burch's Pharmacy. For more information, call us at 612-822-5760, or see our main website.

World Tai Chi Day 2008---Twin Cities

2008-04-20T08:53:00.002-05:00

Celebrate World Tai Chi Day at Normandale Community College on Saturday, April 26th, 2008, from 9–1.
The day's events, which are free and open to the public, start with a welcoming speeches, Lion Dance, group practice and demonstrations, Spring Forest Qigong, and is followed by one-hour sessions on topics such as acupressure, fengshui, alternative medicine, I Ching, tai chi for arthritis, and many other interesting topics. The event closes with more tai chi practice opportunities and closing ceremonies. (Click on the Normandale link above for the schedule.)
Along with other groups,Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan will be demonstrating T'ai Chi, and director Barbara Davis will give a talk on the I Ching (Yijing), the Chinese Book of Changes. Also, come visit Taijiquan Journal's booth, where you'll be able to purchase back issues, books, and other items, including "I Love Tai Chi" bumperstickers.
Normandale College is located at 9700 France Avenue South, Bloomington, Minnesota. (952) 487-8200. Hope to see you there!

April Practice Tips

2008-04-01T08:36:00.004-05:00

Spring is a good time to reflect on the ways in which energy moves. As you practice, use the trees and other plants around you as a model of the whole-body energy dynamic of ch'i. The ch'i moves up and down from the root, moving the sap and fluids and nutrients from the air and soil, that then spread through the branches and into the buds. These processes slow down in the winter, but as the sun lingers longer and the temperature rises, the ch'i moves more—a time of growth!

"Tai Chi for Your Life" —Free Class April 6

2008-02-21T22:30:00.018-06:00

Great River spring session starts Sunday, April 6th at 6 pm with a free class "Tai Chi for Your Life,"Cheryl Powers. Learn how Tai Chi practice can enhance your daily life at this free, one-hour class.
Improve your health, balance, coordination, and much more!
The following week, our spring session beginners' class, starting Sunday, April 13th at 6 pm, will give you a solid introduction this fascinating art. Tuition is $150 for ten weeks.

Registration for beginners class is at door. Call 612-822-5760 for further details or you can find more information about Great River at our website. 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin) Minneapolis.

Great River Director's Book Reviewed

2008-01-26T10:56:00.000-06:00

Great River director Barbara Davis' book The Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translaton is reviewed by Chinese martial arts historian Stanley Henning in the Fall 2006 issue (published Fall 2007) of China Review International. He writes, "Davis' chapters on the language and literature and ideas in the taijiquan "classics" provide the "icing on the cake"—the insights into Chinese culture, from which to savor her translations....I wholeheartedly recommend this book not only to taijiquan practitioners but also to anyone interested in Chinese martial arts and their place in Chinese culture."

Signed copies of the book are available; write to editor "at" taijiquanjournal.com for ordering information. For those who already own a copy of the book, an errata page can be found at the The Taijiquan Classics website.

Keep Warm this Winter--New Tai Chi Classes

2008-01-15T11:43:00.000-06:00

Warm up with Tai Chi! Join Great River T'ai Chi for a NEW BEGINNERS Tai Chi class starting Thursday, January 17th. This 10-week session will give you a solid foundation in Tai Chi practice and ideas. Tai Chi is an excellent and fascinating lifetime exercise, packed with practical skills, interesting ideas, and numerous health benefits. Tuition is $150, and you can register at the door.

Great River is located at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin), 2F. For further information, call 612-822-5760, or see our website .

New Video and Book on Cheng Man-ch'ing

2008-01-15T11:11:00.000-06:00

Two wonderful new items about Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing have recently been released. The first, the long-hoped for "Shr Jung tapes." These were shot in New York City in the late 1960s and have only been shown at special events. Through great effort, these were edited into a coherent, thematically arranged set of four DVDs titled Cheng Man-ch'ing: The Master Tapes. Disks are Form, Push Hands, Sword, and Ch'i (encompassing informal Q & A with students, calligraphy, and flower-arranging. The DVDs, though expensive at $149, are an incredible boon for any serious student, as you are able to "be in the room" with Professor Cheng, watch him teach, and see him interact with students. Ed Young and Tam Gibbs provided translation in the original videos, and you can see many familiar faces among the participants: Maggie Newman, Ken Van Sickle, Lou Kleinsmith, Natasha Gorky Young, and others. New commentary by Ed, Maggie, and Ken make this a very meaningful presentation.

Douglas Wile has come out with another valuable book Zheng Manqing's Uncollected Writings on Taijiquan, Qigong, and Health, with New Biographical Notes (Sweet Ch'i, $11.95), this time combining Professor's own short works with those about him by Chinese students, articles from Taiwan newspapers, and Wile's own extensive essays that focus on historical and cultural context. This is a very intriguing book with much fresh material that will give food for thought.

"Tai Chi for Your Immune System" Free Class at Great River in Minneapolis

2007-12-28T10:50:00.000-06:00

Sick and tired of being sick and tired and buffeted by winter colds? Try Tai Chi to help strengthen your immune system. Join Great River T'ai Chi for a free class "Tai Chi for Your Immune System" Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 6–7 pm. Come learn some simple exercises that can help stave off colds and flu this winter.
Research studies have shown that Tai Chi favorably influences the immune system, enabling people to fight off the flu, colds, shingles, and many other maladies, as well as improving balance and coordination. This multi-faceted exercise had its origins as a Chinese martial art, and is often referred to as the "physical therapy" of traditional Chinese medicine.

Get in shape for World Tai Chi Day April 28 by learning some moves! NEW BEGINNERS Tai Chi classes start Thursday, January 17th. This 10-week session will give you a solid foundation in Tai Chi practice and ideas. Tai Chi is an excellent and fascinating lifetime exercise, packed with practical skills, interesting ideas, and numerous health benefits. Tuition is $150, and you can register at the door.

Great River is located at 1940 Hennepin Avenue South (at Franklin), 2F. For further information, call 612-822-5760, or see our website..
(This class space is not accessible). Contact us for opportunities to have this presentation at other locales. 612-822-5760.

Also, look for Tai Chi soon at the Minneapolis Uptown YWCA, taught by Great River advanced students! This class will be accessible.

Great River Tai Chi Featured at Associated Bank

2007-12-09T10:25:00.000-06:00

Great River Tai Chi will be featured in a display at the IDS Center branch of Associated Bank December 10–21. Stop by to enter your name in the drawing for a free 10-week beginner's class (value $150)! Associated Bank is located on the skyway level, 7th Street side of building, by the skyway to Barnes & Noble.

For information on upcoming classes, click here.

December Practice Tips—Walking on Ice

2007-12-04T10:05:00.000-06:00

It's that time of year again, when ice and snow become a constant presence. If you've grown up here in the northern climes, you've learned the hard way to navigate these wintery surroundings. Lo and behold, the methods that work are the same as the tai chi exercise called "Walking on Ice."
Here's how Walking on Ice works. The key is to step with a flat foot. In "normal" walking, we step heel first, and then push off from the back toe. On ice, those methods will quickly land you on your back. It helps to keep relaxed and upright, of course, and to keep the feet sensitive to the contours of the ground.
Practicing t'ai chi will help you hone your ability to walk on ice. Join us for a class!

Great River Tai Chi Featured on KARE-11

2007-11-11T17:56:00.000-06:00

Great River T'ai Chi was featured in a KARE-11 story about the use of t'ai chi to help fend off the flu.
"A small study out of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine says that for older adults, five months of moderate T'ai Chi practice helped improve the efficacy and duration of the flu vaccine.
That doesn't surprise Barbara Davis, director of Great River T'ai Chi in Minneapolis. 'Not at all. Because I felt that in myself, when I began T'ai Chi, before I did T'ai Chi, I was usually getting five colds a year. And as soon as I began studying, it went down to maybe one a year. So I felt the benefits in myself and I see it in my students as well.'
T'ai Chi has also been shown in other studies to reduce fall prevention in older adults." Read the story here or view the video. See story on research report below.

November Tai Chi Practice Notes–-Posture

2007-11-02T09:27:00.000-05:00

Good posture is essential for good health and balance in walking. With all of the occupational hazards out there--whether from working at a computer, a sewing machine, dentistry, or construction, or simply our own habits, what's the best way to improve one's posture? The first step must involve building postural awareness.
Here's a method for helping develop that awareness.
• Stand or sit in a familiar position, for example, at a computer. Notice the positioning of your head, shoulders, arms; then your chest and stomach. How's your breathing? After a few minutes, try straightening up more by making your head upright, as if suspended from the top of the head. Let your eyes focus straight ahead and your shoulders drop. Sit like this for a few minutes.
• Now, go back to your original, familiar position. Notice any differences?
• Switch back to the upright posture. Continue to switch back and forth until you're familiar with the differences.

How can tai chi help your posture? Since tai chi takes proper body alignment as one of its core principles, it reinforces building this postural self-awareness and better habits. By taking a tai chi class, you can get feedback on aspects of your posture and alignment that you might miss on your own. With the input of a teacher, and with the constant reinforcement of practice and principles, you're on the road to better health!

October Tai Chi Practice Notes

2007-10-21T10:17:00.000-05:00

Fighting off the flu and colds is made easy by practicing t'ai chi. Concentrate on loosening the shoulders and upper back to let the ch'i move through more easily. Let the breathing come from the belly (the dantian area specifically). Good alignment will enhance this. A few minutes each morning and evening is all it takes.

Great River Tai Chi Fall Workshop

2007-10-04T15:29:00.000-05:00

Great River Tai Chi Ch’uan
Fall Form Review Workshop 2007
Thursdays, October 11–November 15

Forget a t’ai chi move? Want to re-energize your practice? Want to discover the underlying connections of the complete form? You’ll get these and more in this six-week workshop!
This form review intensive will give you an opportunity to review the entire Professor Cheng Man-ch’ing Yang-style short form in a short span of time. This class is suitable for intermediate-advanced t’ai chi students.
Each week, we’ll review moves in the time slots as listed below. We’ll start each session with some simple warm-up exercises that will reinforce basic principles and alignment. Then, we’ll turn to the form and work out details of moves based on those principles. For those who’ve attended the “Search for Simplicity” workshop, we will be using the same approach, but with an emphasis on the form moves themselves. You’re welcome to sign up for the whole workshop or drop in for whatever time slots work for you.
Tuition: Complete workshop $125, Drop-in $22 per night or $12 for one hour class Regular students, included in monthly flat fee tuition of $80 per month
Registration: At class or mail to Great River, PO Box 80538, Mpls, MN 55408
Location: Great River Studio at 1940 Hennepin.
Questions: Call 612-822-5760

Times: 6 pm / 7 pm
Oct. 11 Beginning, Preparation / Grasping Sparrow’s Tail: Ward-off, Rollback, Press, Push
Oct. 18 Shoulder, White Crane, Brush Knee, Step Up, Play Guitar / Punch, Apparent Closure
Oct. 25 Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain, Fist Under Elbow / Repulse Monkey, Diagonal Flying, Cloud Hands
Nov. 1 Squatting Single Whip, Golden Pheasant / Separate RL
Nov. 8 Turn Strike with Heel, Low Punch / Four Corners
Nov. 15 Step Up to Seven Stars, Ride the Tiger, Turn and Kick / Bend Bow, Completion

Chinese Dance and Art and Theater

2007-10-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan will visit Northrup Auditorium again, Saturday, Oct. 13, 8 pm. They'll be performing "Wild Cursive," the final chapter to "Cursive: A Trilogy." Their sinewy, calligraphic and t'ai chi inspired choreography is not to be missed. See Northrup's site for ticket information.
Cloud Gate's rich repertoire has its roots in Asian myths, folklore, and aesthetics, but it brings to these age-old beliefs and stories a contemporary and universal perspective. The company is made up of two-dozen dancers whose training includes Tai Chi Tao Yin (an ancient form of Chi Kung), meditation, martial arts, Chinese Opera movement, modern dance, ballet, and calligraphy.

At the venerable Bryant-Lake Bowl, Sun-Tzu's Art of War is being presented by No Refund Theatre in October. Apparently a comedic adaptation! See this site..

Finally, Documenting China: Contemporary Photography and Social Change will be on display at the Weisman Museum at the University of Minnesota through Nov. 25. A number of lectures will be held in conjunction with the exhibit.

Tai Chi Fall Classes in Twin Cities

2007-09-16T08:47:00.000-05:00

Great River T'ai Chi Fall 2007 classes kick off with a free talk "T'ai Chi: China's Health Secret" Sunday, September 9th, 7-8 pm. Come meet the instructors and try out a few moves! Experience the relaxing movements of t'ai chi for yourself! New Beginner's classes will start Sunday, September 16th, 7 pm. The ten-week session costs $140. Call 612-822-5760 for further information or see our website. Easy access from downtown Minneapolis or from St. Paul. We're coveniently located in south Minneapolis near downtown at 1940 Hennepin, just off I-94 (Hennepin exit), and on or near buses 2, 4, 6, 12, 17, 113, 114, just south of the Walker Art Center and Loring Park. Also see below for information on our Community Education clases.

How Do Tai Chi and Yoga Differ?

2007-09-11T08:11:00.000-05:00

There are many different kinds of exercise and mind-body disciplines, tai chi and yoga are among the most popular. Both help limber up the body, focus the mind and body as one, improve body awareness, and lower stress. So how do they differ? Yoga's focus is on the internal life and health of a person, and in some traditions, on moral and spiritual teachings.
Tai chi does this too, but in contrast, excells at teaching you good alignment, breathing, relaxation, and movement, as well as application of movement. So, no matter if you're practicing tai chi as a meditative discipline or as a martial art, there's always a sense of how tai chi ideas (such as good alignment or balance) can be used in daily life both internally in one's own self, and externally, in interacting with other people and with tools and objects. Tai chi principles can be used equally in opening a window, for example, digging in the garden, or participating in a meeting at work, and so on.

Taiji Takes on Battling the Flu

2007-09-08T10:43:00.000-05:00

Here's yet one more way taiji can help your health: it can increase the efficacy of your flu shot. In an article in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, well-known taiji teacher and researcher Yang Yang found that five months of an easy taiji and qigong routine could "improve the magnitude and duration of the HI anti-influenza antibody titer response in a small cohort of older adults.” Yang will discuss his results at a conference in September at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Yang and Great River director Barbara Davis have both been presenters together at A Taste of China and the International Forum on Taijiquan. Click here for the entire news release.

September Tai Chi Practice Notes: The Foot

2007-09-07T08:37:00.000-05:00

What makes T'ai Chi such a good lifetime exercise? One of the prime reasons is that it helps you become aware of your body alignment and balance from the inside out. Much of the time we rely on external feedback for these things, but T'ai Chi builds that awareness from the ground up, so to speak. You can start by focusing on how your feet connect to the ground. Can you feel the ground equally under each part of each foot? Do your feet feel relaxed as they touch the ground?
When you feel more connected to the ground, then you can let all of your movements--stepping, walking, running, lifting, and so on--come from the ground, be connected to the ground. Doing so has a positive impact on keeping your balance, using your body wisely when working, and on your overall relaxation and focus--after all, if you have a foot on the ground, then you have a leg to stand on!

Tai Chi Classes at Washburn Community Ed

2007-09-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

NEW CLASS! Great River Tai Chi advanced students will be teaching beginners classes through Washburn Community Education programs this fall. Classes will meet in south Minneapolis, Tuesday nights at Washburn Public Library. Contact the Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education Department at 612-668-3450 for registration information.

[Tai Chi Search]

August Practice Notes—Practice

2007-08-04T23:14:00.000-05:00

How do you practice best?
It's important to figure out methods that work for you. Are you a morning person? Maybe more emphasis on morning practice would be better. Are you the kind of person to focus on one task to completion? Perhaps setting up practice themes for a span of time would suit you. Or is your mind typically scattered? Try starting your practice with focusing on your breathing. Do you need deadlines to motivate you? Set up goals by the day, month, or by the year. Gauge yourself by an external marking point such as an annual workshop.
You can also keep a practice log, if that helps. Marking off practice on a calendar, keeping a t'ai chi notebook, or, as one person suggests, a spreadsheet. All of these can help you focus in on the work to be done.
But remember, enjoy your practice. It's a fascinating exploration of mind and body and action.

July News and Events

2007-06-30T10:53:00.000-05:00

This month, we welcome for his 10th annual workshop, Weiming Yuan, a senior student of Mr. Liu Hsi-heng of Taiwan. Mr. Liu is one of Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing's senior students. The workshop will be held July 19-21 at Macalester College in St Paul, Minnesota. Weiming teaches a down-to-earth approach to t'ai chi that is thoroughly grounded in t'ai chi principles and solid body mechanics. This workshop is open to students of Great River and affiliated groups. Contact Great River for information.

The National Qigong Association annual national conference "Dancing In Stillness" will be held in Chaska, Minnesota this August 17-20. This is a chance to explore qigong and t'ai chi-related topics with some of the world's leading experts, including Chunyi Lin, .A sampling of some workshops: Zhongxian Wu - Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong, Cari Shurman - Bringing Tai Chi and Qigong to the Schools, David Haines - 20 Minute Body/Mind Routine: Tai Chi and Qigong for Busy People, Jianye Jiang - Qigong for Diabetes and High Blood Pressure, Lawrence Galante - Basic Principles of Push Hands. See their site for registration information.

June Practice Notes

2007-06-16T22:54:00.000-05:00

Summer is short in Minnesota, so why not combine your t'ai chi practice with enjoying the outdoors? Find your favorite park spot--the Rose Garden by Lake Harriet, your back yard, the basketball court at your neighborhood park, or join with Great River students for Sunday morning practice at Como Park. Call us for directions.

Orr Books Closing

2007-05-31T17:39:00.000-05:00

Long-time supporter and supplier of t'ai chi, Buddhism, yoga, fengshui, I Ching and other great books, Orr Books in Minneapolis is closing this June. Orr Books has held on for decades through these changing times for booksellers, always keeping us supplied with ideas and friendliness, and a sense of a community.
There will be an Open House, Sunday, June 17th, from 1–4 pm at the store, 3043 Hennepin Av. S. in Minneapolis. Bring your stories to share!

T'ai Chi, Tai Chi, T'ai-chi, or Taiji?

2007-05-24T22:55:00.000-05:00

How to spell out 太極拳 in English is always a puzzle. The common spelling is "t'ai chi ch'uan" (with allowances for spelling errors, it becomes tai chi chuan, or even taichichuan). "Taijiquan" is the spelling that is now used in the Mainland Chinese system (pinyin). All of these are pronounced the same: "tie-gee-chwan."
"T'ai chi" means "supreme ultimate" referring to the dynamic of yin and yang. "Ch'uan" (quan) means "boxing."

The name "Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan" is drawn from the phrase in the T'ai Chi Ch'uan Classics "Be still like a mountain, move like a great river." In the original context, the phrase most likely referred to the Yellow River in China. In our case, it refers to the great Mississippi River, which traverses the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, where we are located, as it wends its way southward on its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

Why Study T'ai Chi?

2007-05-09T17:10:00.000-05:00

Why study t'ai chi? The bottom line is that it makes you feel good. You learn to stand, move, and breathe in ways that make sense. The side benefits: improved health, balance, relaxation, efficiency of movement, and a calmer mind, all of which are also the foundation for any sport, including the self-defense techniques on which t'ai chi is built.

Join us at Great River this summer for an introduction to the wonders of t'ai chi. Classes start the first week of June. If you've done t'ai chi before but have been away from it for a while, this is the perfect way to get re-acquainted with it.

Contact us at 612-822--5760 for further information, or take a look at the Great River T'ai Chi website.

May Practice Challenge

2007-05-01T08:43:00.000-05:00

Join our May Practice Challenge--

Practice the solo form (or repeat whatever amount you know that is equivalent to 5-10 minutes of practice) at least once in the morning and once in the evening, and keep track on a calendar--mark T for doing the whole amount, t for part, and 0 for none.
At the end of the month, tally up your results. Those who have completed 90% with a T will receive a certificate of merit.

Welcome

2007-04-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

Great River T'ai Chi Ch'uan is one of the oldest t'ai chi ch'uan (taijiquan) groups in the Upper Midwest of the United States. Founded in 1979, Great River is led by Barbara Davis and Cheryl Powers, both of whom have trained in Taiwan and the United States with senior students of the late Professor Cheng Man-ch'ing. Barbara is editor of Taijiquan Journal and author of The Taijiquan Classics: An Annotated Translation and translator of Chen Weiming's Taiji Sword. Cheryl is on the editorial board of Taijiquan Journal and has taught widely. For information on classes in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, call 612--822-5760.