SunDo-Taoist Through education in Taoist philosophy and practice, SunDo helps each person create an authentic life aligned with nature and connected to a sense of higher self. As a mountain practice, SunDo has been passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years. Only in the last 35 years has this practice been re-introduced into mainstream society by Taoist hermit Be-Kyung. In 1979, after training with Be-Kyung for many years, Hyunmoon Kim brought SunDo-Taoist practice to the West. Since his arrival, Master Kim has been teaching SunDo in the US, Canada, and Europe. SunDo Mountain Taoism does not require


another person to act as an intermediary to self-realization. It is a self-cultivating practice that depends upon an individual’s ability to sustain his or her own inner process of development. SunDo practice begins with a series of stretching exercises that loosen and relax the body. Next, a practitioner maintains various postures during a 40-minute period of lower abdominal breathing. Practice concludes with a series of cool-down stretching exercises that circulate energy, promot- ing healthy functioning of the internal organs.


George Hoffman Yang style Tai Chi, while not the first family of Tai Chi, is the most practiced style in the world. George Hoffman, director of Silver Dragon Tai Chi & Qi Gong, who has studied and practiced for more than 18 years and taught for 13, says that Tai Chi is an exercise system that, once learned, can keep you healthy for the rest of your life. Form move- ments consist of choreography of martial postures that position the torso and limbs to optimize the body’s ability to quickly move life force energy (Qi) and blood easily throughout the body, from the toes to the fingertips–wear- ing away energy blockages that might be caus- ing aches and pains. Health benefits include stress reduction, cardio and respiratory im- provements, reduction in pain associated with arthritis, increases in bone mineral density, and improvements in balance.


Copper Mountain Aikido Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art devel- oped by Morihei Ueshiba, O-Sensei, or Great Teacher (1883-1969). It is based on traditional Japanese martial arts and the spiritual practices of O-Sensei, a one-time soldier in the Japanese army. Through many years of practice and ser-


natural awakenings October 2010 41


vice, O-Sensei refined Aikido into what it is today: a martial art that uses the attacker’s body weight and momentum of the attack against the attacker. The main practice of Zen Buddhism is seated meditation, or Zazen, where an


individual trains the mind to gain total awareness and offers a way to increase one’s focus in martial arts training. This seemingly simple practice requires the guidance of an experienced teacher. Through this teacher to student relationship, one can start to perceive new ways of thinking that may lead to a total personal transformation. At Cop- per Mountain Aikido, they practice a form of Zazen from the Japanese Soto Zen sect of Buddhism. The practice of Shikantaza is formless and objectless. Practically speak- ing, Zazen provides an outlet to calm the mind and body. This relaxed awareness is extremely important to the serious martial artist as it teaches one to be totally aware of her surroundings.


For more information about Erik Harris, visit ChiForHealing.com. Contact Giroux BJJ at 860- 633-1466 or visit GirouxBJJ.com. For Karate Spirit, call 860-280-6890 or visit KarateSpirit.org.


Thomas Hine will be offering self-defense classes this fall at Healthtrax Wellness Center in Glastonbury. Visit HealthTrax.com/locations/glastonbury.html


West Hartford SunDo Center can be reached at 860-523-5260 or SunDo.org/WestHartford. For more information on classes and workshops at Silver Dragon visit SilverDragonTaiChi.com.


Contact Stan Baker for information regarding Copper Mountain Aikido at 860-836-1068 or visit CopperMountainAikido.org


minerals • books • tumbled stones • beads • jewelry • crystals • spheres • egyptian papyrus paintings Since 1976 Essence of the Earth


1783 Meriden Waterbury Rd, Milldale, CT 860-628-7906


Classes offered in wire-wrapping and beading.


candle holders • bookends • paperweights • desksets • slabs • obelisks • wood carvings • geodes Hours - Tues-Thurs 11-5pm • Fri-Sat 10-5pm


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