T’AI CHI / QI’GONG Classes

T’ai Chi is a low-velocity, low-impact exercise program that has a high appeal to all ages and can be done almost anywhere. Pronounced tie jee choo-on and often simply called T’ai Chi , this traditional Chinese conditioning exercise combines deep breathing, relaxation, and slow gentle structured movements. T’ai Chi offers health benefits that are particularly attractive to older adults, but is wonderful and enjoyable for everyone.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that intergrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused attention. The word Qigong (Chi Kung) is made up of two Chinese words. Qi ,is pronounced chee, and is usually translated to mean the life force of vital energy that flows through all things in the universe. The second word, Gong, pronounced gung, means accomplishment or skill that is cultivated through steady practice. Together, Qigong (Chi Kung), means cultivating energy. It is a system practiced for health maintenance, healing, and increasing vitality. Qigong is an intergration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions. Like any other system of health care, Qigong is not a panacea, but it is certainly a highly effective health care practice. Many health care professionals recommend Qigong as an important form of alternate complimentary medicine. People do Qigong to maintain health, heal their bodies, calm their minds, and reconnect with their spirit. Qigong’s great appeal is that everyone can benefit regardless of ability, age, belief system, or life circumstance.

Janice is a retired mother of four wonderful children, a native of Colorado, and currently resides in Canon City. She first learned of T’ai Chi while watching a Bill Moyers PBS special about Chinese Martial Arts in the early 1990's. She fell in love with the beautiful, graceful art form of T’ai Chi and later learned of it’s healthful benefits. She had the opportunity to begin studying T’ai Chi when "Sifu" David Simeone opened the Kung Fu Academy in Canon City in 1996. Janice’s first experience in teaching T’ai Chi and Chi Kung was when she assisted "Sifu" David at the Golden Age Center where they taught this beneficial practice to senior citizens. After that she began teaching at the Academy. When the Academy closed she continued giving instructions at the Fremont Center for the Arts, East Canon Hall, and The Golden Age Center. In 2004 Janice moved to Molokai, Hawaii where "Sifu" David was living and continued her studies with him for another six months, then further extended these studies back in Canon City until the spring of 2005.