Feldenkrais & Taiji share several principles: combining these practices in our workshop will provide a bird’s eye view of how they enhance each other.
The Symbol of Taiji
The yin yang symbol of two teardrops creates the sense of movement. The left side of the circle is filled with the white teardrop with its bulb at the top as though it is ascending. The black teardrop descends with the bulb shape located at the bottom of the circle. This creates the illusion of a clockwise movement.
With the year 2016 I celebrated ten years teaching as a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais® Method of Somatic Education. It has also been a great pleasure to serve as a Level 3 Senior Instructor with the Canadian Taijiquan Federation since 2011. My experience with martial arts began in San Francisco 1965-70 when I studied Aikido with Robert Nadeau.
In 1970 I moved to Vancouver, BC to teach Ballet for Norbert Vesak at his West Vancouver School while he traveled to choreograph for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. In addition to teaching Ballet I completed certification in the Feldenkrais® Method of Somatic Education and studied Yang style Taiji in Vancouver with Raymond Chung, Sam Masich, and Shou Yu Liang.
Since 1991 I have been teaching Taiji at various locations in Vancouver, Victoria, British Columbia including Waterloo Park, Dunbar Community Center Park, Crofton Manor, Ten Thousand Villages, and Southlands Farm Markets.
My Feldenkrais® practice continues to enhance the Taiji curriculum.
During the International Feldenkrais Conferences 2012, 2013, 2014, I offered informal Taiji lessons in the early mornings. The response was heartening and led to my proposal for Feldenkrais & Taiji workshop the 2017 Conference!