Tai Chi Center of Chicago :::: Wellness Qigong and Tai Chi

On the mountain, a tree:
The image of DEVELOPMENT.
Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue,
In order to improve the mores.

The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant; its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This come about through careful and constant work on one's own moral development.

I Ching, 53. Development (Gradual Progress)

LEFT - Don Tomei, Sharron Fiero, and Elizabeth Wenscott. RIGHT - Dr. Aihan Kuhn and Don Tomei (top row right)

About The Instructor
Don Tomei was born and raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, a small steel town outside of Pittsburgh. He began his practice of Tai Chi with Elizabeth Wenscott in 1994. At the time he was 43 years old, and while still physically active and athletic, had struggled with back problems for almost 20 years. Don's old injuries, combined with more than a decade of hard physical work as a film lighting technician (aka, "grip"), finally took their toll, and in 1996, after carrying a heavy load down a flight of stairs, he ruptured his L4-L5 disc. Through a combination of Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, acupuncture, shiatsu and chiropractic care, Don has been able to strengthen the foundation of his body, relax and release tensions that were locked within the musculature, and develop strength and balance that have countered the effects of his injuries.

With the opening of the Tai Chi Center of Chicago (TC3) in November of 2006, Director Elizabeth Wenscott decided to expand the school's offerings by establishing a Wellness Qigong curriculum for those who, for one reason or another, require or prefer a simpler, more basic energy workout than is offered by Tai Chi. Don is proud to head up this division of the school.

Don conducts his classes in a supportive atmosphere of gentle guidance and positive reinforcement. Students are encouraged to develop at their own pace and follow their own path. At the same time, emphasis is placed on proper form and focused discipline so that all students, at all levels, will be confident that they are following the most effective, focused practice possible.

Dr. Aihan Kuhn (bottom row center) and Sharon Fierro (second row center)

Sharon Fierro Certified to teach Qigong by Dr. Aihan Kuhn, a world renowned qigong and tai chi master and traditional Chinese medicine doctor based in Massachusetts, Sharon Fierro has also studied and practiced with Don Tomei, Chicago-based director of the Qigong Program at The Tai Chi Center. In addition to her teaching practice, Sharon serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of The Tai Chi and Qigong Healing Institute (TQHI), a nonprofit organization promoting natural healing and good health.

Although she has lived most of her life in Chicago, Sharon felt destined from an early age to actively study and travel the world. Her lifelong interest in learning, love of nature, and open heart have taken her in many geographical and intellectual directions. While an MBA and the corporate world marked her early career, she soon felt compelled to study the great books of both western and eastern civilization and to pursue a more deeply connected, creative and balanced life path.

As an avid hiker, biker and skier, she has experienced the natural beauty and peace of the northern and southern hemispheres. To better understand eastern cultures and ways of life, she has traveled through Asia and studied some of the great literary, philosophical and religious texts of eastern civilization. Her world studies and travels led to a shift in consciousness and a deepening focus on the inner journey and her life's purpose. She began to practice eastern modalities of exercise, energy work, meditation and yoga.

That inner journey and the alignment of one's work with life's purpose were clearly connected to achieving balance, peace and wellbeing. To be consistently present while also deeply connected to both one's being and the world, though, required a path and a set of practices. Sharon sought practices to calm the mind, holistically restore health and energy and help maintain a peaceful, balanced spirit.

This is when the practice of Qigong unfolded as a possibility. Qigong is a profound, life-long practice, beautifully rooted in nature, health science and spirituality. As part of her daily practice Sharon conveys to her students the art of conserving, preserving and building energy, health and wellbeing. She offers a supportive, peaceful, community environment where the art of each student's practice will unfold, grow, deepen and be fully and creatively expressed.

Class Description
All Qigong and Tai Chi practice promotes wellness. In fact, health and longevity are traditionally considered the primary goals of these arts. Wellness Qigong is especially good for those who are looking to enhance their health and well-being but who don't want to commit to the long learning process that tai chi requires. Qigong has been proven to help people advance along the road of wellness from wherever their starting point happens to be. It can be a challenging practice for those who are healthy and fit. And it can also be adapted to accommodate students whose primary concern is wellness and who may have been advised by health providers to find a non-stressful, low-impact form of exercise, including those recovering from illness or injury who need special accommodations. (Be sure to ask your doctor to confirm your choice of Tai Chi or Qigong.)

Intoductory Wellness Qigong

Cost:

Introductory:

Continuing Wellness Qigong and Tai Chi

Cost:

Continuing:

Location:
Tai Chi Center of Chicago
4043 N. Ravenswood, Suite #228
Chicago, IL 60613
Call 773-608-5474 to register.

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Tai Chi Center of Chicago