Tai Chi classes at The Ananta Yoga Studio –
Due to popular demand, The Ananta Yoga Studio, Wicklow is delighted to be adding Tai Chi classes to the schedule!
Commencing on Monday 27th May, 2013 at The Ananta Yoga Studio, The Tap, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow 8.00 – 9.00pm.
Six weeks just €60 or Drop in rate €14 per class.
Call/Text Alan Ellis on 089 4567533 to book a space.
We are delighted to welcome Alan Ellis to The Ananta Yoga Studio. Alan is a highly qualified Martial Arts Instructor with a well established and great reputation in the Wicklow area and beyond.
What is Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is an ancient form of excercise for both the mind and the body which encourages energy to flow freely around the body clearing physical, mental and energetic blockages. The practice of Tai Chi is suitable for everyone regardless of age, ability or fitness levels and its associated health benefits are profound on both a physical, mental and spiritual level when practiced regularly. As with other mindful practices, the heightened sense of awareness on every level which is cultivated through breath connected movement makes Tai Chi a meditation in movement.
The Benefits of Tai Chi –
Tai Chi is beneficial in the prevention and treatment of the following conditions and many more…..
- Hypotension
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Joint Pain
- Muscle Tension
- Anxiety and Depression
- Insomnia
About Alan Ellis –
Alan Ellis began his journey in the world of martial arts and Tai Chi over forty years ago as a boy in his hometown of Bray Co Wicklow. Initially Alan studied the art of Chinese Kenpo or Chuan Fa, a Chinese based martial system. While as a younger man Alan’s interest in the Chinese martial ways were more focused on the self protection capabilities, he soon realised the enormous health giving properties that were interwoven into the older forms. Inherent in the Kenpo system is a healing art based on the lineage of Kenpo from both its Chinese (Chuan’fa) background and its Japanese (Kosho Ryu Kenpo Jujutsu –Old Pine Tree Style) background. This exploration would eventually lead Alan to Tai Chi and to his only Tai Chi teacher to date, the late Erle Montaigue. Erle was the first westerner to be awarded the title of master by four eminent Chinese masters at the 1985 All China National Wushu Tournament in Yinchuan, China.
Alan has taught Chinese Kenpo and Tai Chi on a full time basis since 1998 and has run several dedicated Kenpo and Tai Chi studios. Along with his work teaching regular classes Alan has conducted many seminars and weekend workshops as well as teaching Tai Chi, natural self defence and Qi Gong as part of a curriculum in several local schools and colleges in the Wicklow and Dublin area.
His Kenpo – Chuan’fa lineage can be traced from his instructor Thomas Jordan (Ireland and Europe’s first Kenpo exponent) through to John McSweeny- who brought the art to Ireland while studying economic geography at Trinity College in 1963 – to Edumud Parker and James Wing Woo – to William Chow – to James Mitose – to the Yoshida, formerly the Urabe clan of Japan, protectors of the Shinto religion and subsequently responsible for the construction of the castle and shrine to Zen Buddhism on Mt Kinkai.
Alan’s Tai Chi lineage runs from his teacher Erle Montaigue ( Masters Degree China) to Chang Yiu Chun -to Yang Shou-Hou – to Yang Lu Chan. Alan has also studied elements of Wu Dang Kung Fu under Erle Montaigue and this lineage through Erle goes back to Wu Dang mountain in China where Erle was the first westerner to receive tuition in the original Dim’ Mak Qi forms from Liang Shiah –Kan
Apart from studying with these two eminent teachers Alan has attended numerous seminars, workshops and courses at various national and international events. He holds the rank of Senior Instructor in American Kenpo under the eminent American instructor Larry G Tatum and had studied a variety of martial disciplines including Aikido, Wado Ryu and Lau Gar Kung Fu. As a competitor in the area of sports martial arts he has competed in several national and international events and as a coach has brought several students to national, European and world titles.
Currently, Alan is a member of the Irish Kenpo Association with whom he holds the rank of Senior Instructor. He holds internationally recognised qualification and are the Irish representative for the World Taiji (Tai Chi) & Chinese Boxing Association being honoured with this position by his teacher and friend Erle Montaigue.
Alan’s approach to teaching is very relaxed and informal. The Old Yang method combines a balance of Yin and Yang developed by the flowing passages interspersed with more expressive “Fa –Jing” movements. The Old Yang form is taught as a moving Qi Gong (energy work) method and this is combined with several independent Qi Gong postures most notably Three Circles Standing Qi Gong.
In keeping with the informal nature of his tuition Alan does not advocate the wearing of the classical “silk pyjamas” nor does he advocate the use in class of titles such as teacher, master, instructor etc. A teacher is merely a guide, someone who might point the way. Eventually the “student” must leave and become his/her own “master”.
For further information re Tai Chi classes at The Ananta Yoga Studio, The Tap, Kilbride, Co. Wicklow or to book a space in a class please call/text Alan Ellis on 089 4567533.
Refer to Class Schedule here for dates and times >>
Contact Alan Ellis on (089) 4567533