Fitness From The Field: Going With The Flow In Tai Chi

The Rural Intelligence region offers a plethora of fitness and healing modalities, but it can be hard to know which is the one that fits your needs, your body type and your schedule. Enter Paula Boyajian, a yoga instructor certified in Interdisciplinary Yoga and Yoga for the Special Child, who has taken on the role of RI’s fitness contributor to sleuth out the details of the many health and wellness options in our area.

Sifus Kathy and David Crowe.

On the first day of my month-long yoga teacher training, my instructors said, “This is a 'come as you are' class  — no need to impress. Let’s all be C+ students." After decades of hearing that an “A" is good, but an “A+" would be even better, I couldn’t believe my ears. I rejoiced in the freedom that this one sentence gave me. It told me I was being accepted, with all my issues and mistakes, as one complete and perfect individual. Now, as a yoga teacher, I share this idea with my own students. But lucky me, I’ve found two more teachers who practice this same philosophy and made me — the student — feel complete and welcomed: Sifus Kathy and David Crowe, founders and instructors of Berkshire Tai Chi in Stockbridge, MA. When Sifu ("accomplished teacher") Kathy gently suggested that I remove my jewelry, saying, "We try to come unadorned," it was as if she were saying that there was no need to change, I was fine the way I was. Just me is enough? Now, that’s power. What Is It?Tai chi is a series of traditional Chinese exercises based on moving the chi (energy) through the body along energy pathways (meridians). Much like the theory behind acupuncture, if this flow is blocked or unbalanced, illness and discomfort can result. By keeping the meridians open and in balance, physical and mental health can improve. Many of us can easily imagine tai chi’s slow movements, but may be surprised to learn that some tai chi styles have secondary forms with a faster pace and martial art applications, but none of that would fit the Hollywood stereotype of spectacular shows of strength or violent tricks against a predator. Instead, when tai chi is used as a martial art, it’s after one develops a new way of responding to outside forces and learns to deflect a negative force by doing almost nothing and actually returning the negativity back to the aggressor. In fact, I learned that the term "t'ai chi ch'uan" translates as "supreme ultimate boxing." While some people use tai chi for defense training, most will use it as a way to combine meditation and movement and improve posture, balance, coordination, endurance and flexibility. In other words, to create overall good health and a positive quality of life. Also incorporated into Kathy and David’s class is qi gong, which involves different movements that may be done in different orders. Some common qi gong movements involve gently rubbing the ears, feet and hands. And that’s exactly what happened; David lead us through a self-massage from head to toe, using simple and gentle tapping that left me feeling energized and focused.

Activity Level Beginner: Although I classify this as a beginner class, keep in mind that there is a lot going on here. The pace is slow and the movements gentle, but as you continue to practice the form, its length grows and the intensity of each movement increases. Most often, both Sufis Kathy and David lead the class, seamlessly rotating in and out as leader or student — a watchful student, though — as they keep an eye on other participants and step out to assist and encourage. With such individualized attention, anyone can join the class at any time; beginners can practice without worrying about keeping up or slowing down the class. BenefitsThere are so many; some easy to see, some less tangible. At first, you will most likely notice that you open up stiff joints, develop balance and improve coordination.   And if you’re like me, you will also notice spot toning. Because both sifus remind students to complete each movement before starting on the next, tai chi teaches us to enjoy each moment, explore it fully and then move on, which has incredible applications in everyday life. Another student, Dr. Susan Lord, MD, believes that “Tai chi gives you permission to slow down." Before she began the practice, she’d rush around but still be late most of the time. Now, she moves more slowly with a new awareness and an increased perception, and ends up being on time. In fact, Dr. Lord prescribes tai chi to many of her patients regardless of age. Some “unconditioned" patients are uncomfortable in gyms or even yoga classes, she says, but with tai chi you learn to enjoy your body. She says that through continued practice your brain can physically change, specifically the cerebellum (the part of the brain associated with balance and posture), since it responds to movement.

Instructor Information Sifus David and Kathy Crowe studied for more than 13 years under Master Eric Sbarge of The Peaceful Dragon in Charlotte, NC, where they also taught for over five years. Both Sifus have also studied under Masters such as Master Guolin, the next abbot of Shaolin Temple in China, and Master Park Bok-Nam, renowned authority on Pa Kua (Ba Gua). Because of the profound change tai chi made in their own lives, Kathy and David are passionate about making sure that their students don’t just repeat the movements like a robot, but also understand the principles and philosophy connected to the routine. They are well-aware that it's a challenge to incorporate their way moving and thinking into our daily routine, not only because they're intelligent and kind people, but because they too live in this hectic world. While not teaching tai chi, Sifus David works as a composer and teaching artist, while Sifu Kathy is a web and graphic designer. Facility/AmbienceClasses are held at Berkshire Functional Fitness (Suite 3). It’s a traditional gym with mirrored walls and exercise equipment in the corners. Workout clothing suggestion: I would encourage students to wear simple, solid colored clothing. I just happen to wear all black and so did most others and it was a nice reminder that we are all one. You should also wear sneakers or gym shoes. I am so used to practicing in bare feet that I arrived in sandals prepared to kick them off and get started. However, I quickly learned that sneakers would be helpful with several of the movements. Berkshire Functional Fitness is equipped with is a lovely bathroom that includes a shower. Cost Classes are $10 each or you can buy a pass of 8 classes for $70. A summer special until Labor Day offers the first class free. Berkshire Tai Chi taught at Berkshire Functional Fitness, #3325 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington, MA (413) 394-4196 GreatChi@BerkshireTaiChi.com Sifus Kathy and David also offer private meditation classes by appointment at their home in Lee, MA.