T'AI CHI

T'ai Chi is a soft martial art. It was founded thousands of years ago in China on the principles of Taoism which advocate a harmonious life by balancing Yin (female/soft/empty) and Yang (male/hard/full). "Chi," or life energy, should flow freely through the body of the T'ai Chi practitioner who has achieved the ideal balance of Yin and Yang internally and externally. One of the goals of T'ai Chi is to help our bodies become more as they were as young children: supple, yet with a solid understructure. It helps correct posture, improve circulation, improve the depth and quality of breathing, strengthen the nervous system, and greatly improves flexibility. It can be practiced by people of all ages and fitness levels.

Ilse Gordon has been teaching T'ai Chi Chuan for almost three decades. She also teaches Yoga and Meditation. She is a certified instructor of Master Mantak Chia's techniques of Microcosmic Orbit, Inner Smile, Iron Shirt, Healing Sounds, and T'ai Chi Chi Kung. Her primary teachers include Master Moy Lin Shin (founder of the Taoist T'ai Chi Society of Canada), Master Mui Ming-To (High Priest of the Fung Loy Kok Temple in Hong Kong), Dr. Shyam Singha (founder of Natural Therapeutics Research Institute in the UK), and Master Mantak Chia (founder of the International Universal Tao Centre). She has co-written a book, Introduction to Yoga, with Janie Fedosoff, and currently teaches the following courses at several locations including Sheridan College in Oakville and the Universal Tao Centre in Toronto:

Beginner's T'ai Chi: Suitable for beginners of all ages, this course includes a relaxation and warm up section and introduces students to the easy to learn T'ai Chi Chi Kung: a short, thirteen move set consisting of largely repetitive movements that encompass the essence of Tai Chi. This form was developed by Master Mantak Chia.

Intermediate/Advanced T'ai Chi: The 108 movement Yang Style T'ai Chi form and its refinements is taught to students who have mastered T'ai Chi Chi Kung.

Sword Set: A T'ai Chi form utilising sword taught to advanced students. The form develops grace, strength, control, and health. It emphasizes light-footed avoidance rather than crushing force.

Lok Hup: A highly advanced internal form of T'ai Chi; it is taught to students who have mastered the advanced level of T'ai Chi.

Meditation: Various techniques of Eastern and Western meditation are introduced, including Mantak Chia's Microcosmic Orbit and The Inner Smile. The main focus is on the Taoist principles of harmony, stillness and transcendence.

Iron Shirt Chi Kung: A series of dynamic standing postures with various breathing methods. It is to ground, centre, energize, rejuvenate, and heal ourselves.

Yoga: The principles of Yoga are explained and basic Hatha Yoga postures are introduced.

For information on class locations and times in Oakville and Toronto, please telephone Ilse Gordon (905) 845 8685, or email her at, ilse@istar.ca .