Tai Chi Chuan Classes in Red Bluff, California

I am eagerly anticipating meeting with returning and new students who wish to learn T'ai Chi Ch'uan (Taijiquan) and Qigong (Chi Kung, Dao Yin, Yangsheng Gong, Chinese Yoga).  

I look forward to teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong at the Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, California, starting at 9:30 am on Saturday, October 8, 2011.  I have taught Tai Chi and Qigong at the Tehama Family Fitness Center since 2003.  I was unable to teach from June 20th until October 8th, 2011, due to three surgeries on my left thigh.     

Classes on Saturdays from 9:30 -11 am on 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, 10/29.

Classes on Mondays from 5:30 - 7 pm on 10/10, 10/17, 10/24 and 10/31.  

Mike's Tai Chi, Qigong, and Yoga Classes are Free for TFFC members, and $10.00 per class for non-TFFC members.  

Tehama Family Fitness Center, 2498 South Main Street Red Bluff, CA 96080, 530-528-8656
http://www.tehamafamilyfitness.com/

Instructor:  Michael P. Garofalo, M.S.
http://www.gardendigest.com/biompg.htm

More information on Mike's Tai Chi and Qigong Classes:
http://www.egreenway.com/tcc.htm

Five Elements Qigong
http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/fiveelements.htm

Magic Pearl Qigong

http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/magicpearlqigong.htm

Eight Section Brocade Qigong
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/esb.htm

Valley Spirit Qigong
http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/index.htm

Standard Simplified Tai Chi Chuan 24 Movements

http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm

"While making a stride, it is as quietly as a cat walks, and while putting forth strength the exertion is so mild that it looks like reeling off raw silk from a cocoon.  The movements, like clouds floating in the sky, are spry and light, but well-balanced and steady.  Motion is even and fluid, the muscles neither stiff nor rigid.  Breathing should be deep and even ...  the mind is tranquil but alert, with consciousness commanding the body.  In practicing T'ai Chi Ch'uan it is essential that movements be guided by consciousness and that there be stillness in movement - a unity of stillness and motion."
-  Official Chinese instruction manual for the 24 movement short form, quoted by Howard Reid in his book "The Way of Harmony," p. 90.

"In order to popularize Taijiquan, the Chinese National Sports Committee authorized the country's four most renowned Taijiquan teachers to compose the 24 Forms Taijiquan.  It is based mainly on the Yang style, eliminating many repetitions and retaining most of the essential principles of Taijiquan.  The 24 Forms is easier to learn and shorter to practice.  The whole set takes around 5 minutes.  A busy person in this modern age can do three rounds in 20 minutes (including warm up exercises).  This will be quite adequate to improve and maintain good health.  Most clinical studies of the benefits of Taijiquan are based on people practicing this set of forms.  The 24 Forms very quickly became the most popular form in the world."
-  Paul Lam, M.D., An Evaluation of the Combined 42 Forms, "Tai Chi Magazine," Vol 18, No. 5, October, 1994, pp.26-28.  

Traditional Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Long Form 108 Movements
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/longyang.htm

 

Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, 18 Movement Short Form of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/chenshort18.htm

Standard 32 Movement Sword Form
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword32.htm

Eight Immortals Cane Form, Part I, Yang Style
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/jostaff.htm

The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
http://www.egreenway.com/taoism/ttclzintro.htm

Master Chang San-Feng, circa 1300 CE, is the legendary founder of Tai Chi Chuan.  He is considered an Immortal.
 

"After reaching for the needle at the bottom of the sea,
I looked up, one summer's eve,
to see old Chang San-Feng open the garden gate,
and join me for Tai Chi.

We said not a word -
hands moving like clouds,
fingers grasping sparrow's tails,
faces smiling, feeling the sun drop,
glimpsing a half moon climbing the clear sky.

Time flowed without a ripple of memories,
Space embraced a crane cooling its wings,
Being began to sing
softly in tune with the moon.

My dusty black dog barked,
sensing something on the warm wind;
speaking her mind,
ears up.

Master Chang was gone.
Leaving one shoe on a beanpole, and
a page of poems -
mementos for mortals.  

Two black butterflies
danced wing to wing
in love."
-  Mike Garofalo, Encounters with Master Zhang Sanfeng

Mike doing 'White Stork Cools Its Wings'

Lifestyle Advice for Wise Persons
http://www.egreenway.com/qigong/advice1.htm

Reverse Your Biological Age By:
"1.  Changing your perceptions.
2.  Deep rest, restful awareness, and restful sleep. 
3.  Lovingly nurturing you body through healthy food.
4.  Using nutritional complements wisely.
5.  Enhancing mind/body integration: breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, qigong, aikido, etc..
6.  Exercise: strength and aerobic conditioning.
7.  Eliminating toxins from you life.
8.  Cultivating flexibility and creativity in consciousness.
9.  Love and loving relationships.
10.  Maintaining a youthful mind."
-   Deepak Chopra, M.D., and David Simon, M.D. 
    Grow Younger, Live Longer: Ten Steps to Reverse Aging.  (2001)  

Red Bluff, Tehama County, North Sacramento Valley, Northern California, U.S.A.
Cities and small towns in the area: Oroville, Paradise, Durham, Chico, Hamilton City, Corning, Rancho Tehama, Los Molinos, Vina, Tehama, Proberta, Gerber,
Manton, Cottonwood, Olinda, Cloverdale, Dairyville, Bend, Centerville, Summit City, Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, Igo, Ono, Redding, Shasta, Colusa, Willows, Richfield, Fall River, Montgomery Creek, Alturas, McCloud, Dunsmuir, Yreka, Happy Camp, Shingletown, Burney, Mt. Shasta City, Weaverville, Williams, Chester, Orland, Susanville, Weed, Gridley, Marysville, Yuba City, NorCalifia, CA, California.