Hello Great Bay Tai Chi Community!
We have a lot to offer you coming in March. We hope you will take advantage of these new classes and events! Here is what’s happening this month:
Martial Movement
Michael Miller will offer this class focused on practical martial arts training for all styles. Designed for people who wish to train well and safely, students will work with partners in an unscripted, but monitored environment where mistakes can be made and injuries avoided. Common drills will include pad work, situational defense, street clothes training, outdoor training, technique review, locks and escapes, etc. Great fun, strong training, and an excellent workout. Beginning 3/2, classes will meet Wednesdays 6:00-7:00pm, Thursdays 8:00am, and Fridays 8:00am at Internal Arts New England. As this is a new program, your first class is free of charge.
Martial Movement with Weapons
This 90 minute class will begin with 30 minutes similar to the description above and then spend 60 minutes focused on traditional weapons of the martial arts from medium range (Katana/Stick) to close range (knife). Students are introduced to the basics such as grip and stance for all weapons. The idea of movement is then introduced as one student works with another in an unscripted fashion. Once the students feel comfortable, more aggressive unscripted movement is encouraged while safety is monitored at all times. Tons of fun. Beginning on 3/6, this class will meet on Mondays 8:00-9:30am at Internal Arts New England. As this is a new program, your first class is free of charge.
Meditation
Our new meditation class with Meghan Leighton will meet on Thursdays at 4:00pm starting on 3/2. Both seated and walking meditation will be practiced. As this is a new program, your first class is free of charge.
Tuesday Evening Short Form
As the current Tuesday evening Tai Chi for Beginners class ends on 3/14, that time will become an all-levels Short Form class with Petra on 3/21. You can meet her at 5:30pm right before Austin’s Long Form class.
March Seminars and Workshops
Mindful Parenting
As part of our on-going partnership with North Shore Insight Meditation, Internal Arts New England will host a Mindful Parenting workshop with Sylwia Willcox on 3/18. This seminar will meet 10:30am-12:30pm and costs $40 to attend. There is a 5 person minimum enrollment.
Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan
Sifu Gary LaChapelle of Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy of New England will visit Internal Arts New England to offer a seminar on Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan. This form is a bit different than the Flowing Water Fan form that some of our students have done in the past. You can see a video performance of the Tai Chi Kung Fu Fan form below or on Youtube. This seminar will cost $60 to attend and will meet on Sunday, March 19 10:00am-12:00pm. When registering please be sure to select the option for Seminar Only, or to add the purchase of a red or black fan.
Newburyport Aikido
Beginning on 3/1, Doug and Sylwia Willcox of Newburyport Aikido will hold classes at Internal Arts New England. They offer classes for kids and adults, and will host an open house on 3/11. For more information please email:
Upcoming Retreats and Seminars in April
Embodying Mindfulness Half Day Retreat
Matthew Daniell of North Shore Insight Meditation will offer this half day retreat at Internal Arts New England. A line from Dubliners by James Joyce reads: “Mr. Duffy lived a short distance from his body”. Do we? And if so, does the quality of our life suffer? Come and explore for yourself simple ways of being aware of, and within, your body. When this classical mindfulness practice is developed it can bring us more space, intimacy, and ease. It can bring us into the fullness of our bodily, emotional, and relational lives while remaining firmly grounded in the here and now. All levels are welcome, from beginners to experienced students. The retreat will take place 10:30am-1:00pm on Saturday, April 1 and costs $45 to attend.
Spring 4 Seasons Qigong Seminar
Our Sunday Seminar Series will continue with our third look at 4 Seasons Qigong, now focused on the Spring Set. As Autumn focused on the Lungs, and Winter on the kidneys, the Spring set focuses on the liver and gallbladder. You do not need to have attended the Autumn and Winter seminars to attend this one, and no previous Tai Chi or Qigong experience is required. This seminar will meet 10:00am-12:00pm on April 2 and costs $40 to attend.
Matching Set and Chin Na Seminar in Lebanon, NH
Paul Mahoney and Austin Murray will lead this half day seminar on the Yang Style Matching Set and Shaolin and Taiji Chin Na (joint locking) techniques. The seminar will be held at Okinawan Karate Academy (351 Miracle Mile) in Lebanon, NH on Sunday, 4/23 1:00-4:00pm. For more information or to register please email:
Intro to Insight Meditation Series
Ted Jones of North Shore Insight Meditation Center will offer an Introduction to Insight Meditation series on Wednesday mornings 8:45-10:15am. The series will run for 4 weeks on 4/26, 5/3, 5/10, and 5/17. Meditation can be understood as the art of bringing full, conscious attention to the present moment, just as it is. In today’s culture, this is a tall order, as we are continually bombarded with demands on our attention: advertising, texts, phone calls, emails, and a myriad of other electronic temptations. This is not even to mention the interpersonal challenges of our complicated society. In this four session introduction to Insight Meditation we will learn how to calm the mind through attention to the sensations of breath and movement. Building on the foundation of this enhanced concentration, we will then expand our focus to include more complex aspects of our lives, which will demonstrate the potential to live more fully and to understand more deeply who we truly are. Meditation periods will be guided with instructions, and there will be ample time reserved for questions and discussion in each meeting. The cost for the series is $100, and there is a 5 person minimum enrollment.
It’s great to have so much to offer! We hope you are able to join us for any of the above classes and events that interest you. Seminar space is limited, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you very soon.
Happy Practicing!