Master Rod Ferguson from Australia will be teaching a Tai Chi/Qigong seminar in Vinton on
Sept. 21 at the Charles R. Hill Community Center. Tai Chi and Qigong are ancient Chinese
practices which involve deep breathing, stretching, and slow, gentle movements, often described
as “meditation in motion.” Qigong extends even beyond Tai Chi to focus specifically on
improving health and internal healing. Ferguson is the National Chief Instructor for the
Australian Academy of Tai Chi and Qigong and has taught classes and held seminars around the
world since 1976.
21. (photo courtesy of Master Rod Ferguson)
Tai Chi has become quite popular in Vinton with large classes at the community center on
Monday afternoons (taught by Steve Garay) and Thursday mornings (taught by Mike Ferguson,
Judy Gruber, Chris Saeyer, and, soon,Nicole Sheppard).
Ferguson and Garay met years ago at a seminar in Kentucky and have become fast friends.
Ferguson will be in the United States to appear at the National Qigong Association Conference
in Georgia this month and volunteered to travel farther north and conduct the seminar in Vinton.
According to Garay, in Ferguson’s seminar, “He will guide you through a workshop where you
can immediately apply the skills you learn. Using selected exercises and techniques from the
Academy’s popular Qigong sets and the traditional Tai Chi form, you will be led through
centuries-old stress release and relaxation techniques, known for their heart-calming and
rejuvenating effects. The workshop will emphasize the essential principles to help you discover
your perfect practice, making each aspect easy to follow and allowing you to immediately
incorporate these skills into your own practice, providing you with immediate stress relief and
relaxation.”
Ferguson notes that Tai Chi originated in China as a martial art, but that “the form we do is a
mild exercise, not meant to be martial arts, but meant to be exercise with a slow circular
movement system for the whole body– repetitive and nuanced.” In China, 10 million people
practice some type of Tai Chi daily, making it one of the most popular forms of exercise in the
world.
This will be a two-part seminar–the morning session (from 10 a.m. to noon) will focus on a
simple “Opening the Golden Lotus Qigong,” a foundation for practicing other Qigong and Tai
Chi forms. It is easily followed, making it accessible to participants of all levels. You can rest assured that you will be able to follow along and benefit from this session, regardless of your
experience level.
The afternoon session (from 1 to 3 p.m.) will focus on the “Warrior Monk Lohan Qigong.” It
will build on the morning session, emphasizing the three important principles of focus
(mindfulness), connection, and activation. This dynamic energy meditation releases deep stress
and trauma from the tendons while strengthening the muscles and bones.
Garay says in Qigong the student learns how to help the body move to promote healing. The
movements open the body so energy flows as it’s supposed to which helps prevent illness. He
also emphasizes that the seminar is just “a lot of fun.”
The cost is $20 for one seminar and $40 for both. Payment is due on the day of the seminar.
Wear comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes (not flip-flops)
You can preview these sets and Master Rod’s teaching style on the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/TaiChiMasterRod/videos.
Contact Steve Garay for more information or to register at 540- 797-1256 or email:
steve_garay@yahoo.com.
The Charles R. Hill Community Center is located at the Vinton War Memorial complex on
Washington Avenue.
