Nature by Numbers

Summer Events - 2010

Follow this link for an update on free classes, special classes, special events, video's and more... then pass it along!

Summer Events - 2010

Tai Chi at Wells Park

Click on image to see in greater detail!

Tai Chi Sword - 4 Parts

Below are the dates of the Tai Chi Sword 4 Part seminar.

May 2, 2010
June 6, 2010
July 18, 2010
August 22, 2010

Above are the names of the postures. Click on the image to make larger and to print.

It Takes A Village

Hello everyone,

Here are ten photos from the "prairie burn" which we conducted yesterday at the farm.  The ten of us burned three plots of prairie grasses and forbes that were planted at the farm ten years ago.  A great way to spend a gorgeous spring day!


The burn was at Angelic Organics, the organic and biodynamic CSA farm in Rockford.  It was led by Stuart Goldman, a naturalist from the Cook County Forest Preserve, Laurel Ross, a botanist from the Field Museum, and John Diversey, a long-standing supporter of the farm, who planted and maintains the prairie grass plots as another excuse to be outdoors! The Tai Chi Center-Sustainable Return (the environmental arm of Elizabeth Wenscott's tai chi school), acted a partner and supplied us, the volunteer bodies: Estrella Hirsch, Sas Stark, my 21 year-old daughter, her friend Charles Phillips, and myself. Lori Diversey and the family dogs, Abbey and Bernie provided moral support and some great cookies!  Elizabeth documented the event on using video and taking many photographs.  These will appear on her website at a later date at: http://www.taichicenter-chicago.com/sustainable_return.html

Prairie Restoration - Controlled Burn
The plants and animals of the prairie ecosystem are adapted to fire and thrive within it as part of their life cycle,  The above-ground parts of grasses die every fall, creating thatch that keeps the ground cool and moist.
But in spring, plants need light and heat,  Fire recycles nutrients from the thatch to the soil, so other plants can use them.  In the spring, fire-blackened soil warms quickly, which helps plants get an early start.

Lisa Hish

World Tai Chi & Qigong Day - April 24, 2010

Have you wondered what Tai Chi or Qigong could do for you?
Do you want to know why so many health and aging experts recommend these practices to promote long, healthy life?

Find out for FREE!

Join us on World Tai Chi & Qigong Day for a celebration of the health and longevity that Tai Chi and Qigong practitioners have enjoyed for thousands of years. On this special day, our teaching staff and students will travel the Northcenter community leading FREE guided practice sessions in both Tai Chi and Qigong.

All levels of experience are welcome in this once a year event.

LIST OF EVENTS
9:30 - 10:30 am Qigong @ the Tai Chi Center of Chicago
11:00 - 12:00 pm Tai Chi @ the Tai Chi Center of Chicago
(4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. Suite 228)
12:30 - 1:00 Tai Chi & Qigong @ Northcenter Town Square
(corner of Damen Ave. and Bell Plaine Ave.)
1:30 - 2:00 Tai Chi & Qigong @ Wells Park
(between Montrose Ave. and Sunnyside Ave. on Lincoln Ave.)
2:30 - 3:00 Tai Chi & Qigong @ Giddings Plaza
(between Leland Ave. and Lawrence Ave. on Lincoln Ave.)

If the weather is not ecceptable for the outdoor activities, all scheduled events will resume at the Tai Chi Center of Chicago.

Amur Tiger Video

Interesting video about the Amur Tiger in China.

To make a donation go to: http://www.taichicenter-chicago.com/savethetiger.html

Year of the Tiger Celebration and Fundraiser

For the details of this Special Event please visit the Year of the Tiger Celebration and Fundraiser

Save the Amur Tiger

For those that are looking for a worth cause to donate to by the end of 2009 please consider, The Year of the Tiger - Save the Amur Tiger.

http://www.taichicenter-chicago.com/savethetiger.html

Elizabeth Wenscott - Annual Newsletter 2009

INCLUDED IN THIS POST

• A Year In Retrospect
  
• What The Teachers Have To Say (not included in the post, see 9 additional post below)
  Sas Stark, Christopher Zalek, Dan Menzel, Tracy Von Kaenel, Don Tomei,
  Sharon Fierro, Christine Wallers, Kipling Swehla, and Lisa Hish
  
• What Is Next? What Needs To Be Done? How Can You Help.
  
• Thank You's 2009
  
• Final Notes

ELIZABETH WENSCOTT
A Year in Retrospect

I can undoubtedly say that 2009 has been a doozy of a year! We can congratulate ourselves for electing this country’s first Black President! In addition we inherited a long-brewing and now boiling over economic crisis, a global climate crisis, and a health care crisis. Finally, we have the mass fear of the swine flu pandemic, and if you sail the oceans... pirates!

And, no, we cannot blame any of these on the Year of the Ox! The Ox is about commitment, hard work and perseverance no matter the ease or difficulty; something that all of us can relate to.

So how has the above affected TC3? Well for one we managed to keep our doors open, something that many small businesses like TC3 were unable to do in this economic atmosphere. The global climate crisis inspired us to create an environmental arm at the school. And the health care crisis will ensure that people will need to reprioritize how they care for their health by taking control of it themselves, choosing preventive forms of care such as Tai Chi, Qigong and Yoga. So, all in all, this difficult year, I hope, will result in a much needed change for the future. And, with all of you, TC3 plans to be a part of those changes.

Below is a list of what we accomplished over the 2009 year, and in spite of all the fear and uncertainty, I would say, WE KICKED ASS!!!

The school participated in 3 global events:
 World Tai Chi & Qigong Day (everyone) watch video
 Carbon Day (Tomei & Wenscott)
 350.org (Wenscott, Benjamin, Manesky, Tomei, Swehla, Yee, Zalek) watch video
We sponsored and/or participated in specialty lectures, seminars and special events:
 Ravenswood ArtWalk for the 3rd consecutive year (everyone)
 Qigong Open House - For The Alternative Healthcare Provider (Tomei)
 St. Ben’s Garden Club - Sustainable Gardening (Hish & Wenscott)
 Lane Tech High School, Chinese Language Class - Tai Chi & Taoism (Wenscott)
 Chinese New Year Celebration - The Ox Year (everyone)
 Women's Self Defense (45 women within the 47th Ward) (Wenscott, Stark, Zalek, Menzel)
 Think Peace Take Action - Movement Heals (Stark)
 Dr. Aihan Kuhn, Master, Chinese Medicine for Health, Boston, MA (Tomei, Fierro, Wenscott)
Two new teachers were recognized:
 Dan Menzel - Tai Chi
 Sharon Fierro - Qigong
The school received upgrades:
 A fresh coat of paint
 A new rain barrel (the previous one blew up!)
 5.1 Surround Sound speaker system!!!
A new program was developed:
 Environmental Arm - Sustainable Return

Peace in the Tao,

E

What is Next? What Needs to be Done? How Can You Help.

CLASS DEVELOPMENT
1) If you were a student and for whatever reasons had to take a leave... well we miss you! Come on back!

2) The Tai Chi Program, the Qigong Program, the Meditation Program, and the Yoga Program could use your support. You can help these programs by telling everyone what you know about them. You can also place our beautiful postcards anywhere you can think of (we have 5,000 of each!).

3) You can also make www.taichicenter-chicago.com or www.qigongchicago.com or www.yogachicago.us your browsers HOME PAGE so that each time you open your internet browser you accumulate a visit for our websites, which will move them closer to the top of the page in future searches.

4) Stay in contact with the school by “friending” us on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Myspace and this blog!!!

GIFT CERTIFICATES/FREE CLASS PASS
If you want to share your love of Tai Chi, Qigong or Yoga consider buying a gift certificate. Some programs may offer you a discount based on your purchase. Also, if you want to gift a single class of Tai Chi or Qigong ask one of the intructors for a “free” try one class pass.

INCREASE YOUR CLASS PARTICIPATION
Example: If you are in the Tai Chi Program, also join the Qigong Program. If you are in the Qigong Program, also join the Meditation Program etc. For just $30.00 a month more you can increase your training by participating in two programs. For just $50.00 a month more you can get it ALL and reach enlightenment that much quicker! Think of how many more classes will become available to you! (Initiation fee for the Meditation Program not included).

PURCHASE PRACTICE TIME
The beauty of purchasing practice time is that it allows students to practice privately in a suitable space that they would otherwise not be able to afford.

As you know practicing sword in your living room ain’t that great, and practicing out in our parks is not that private; it can often end with numerous interruptions: "where did you learn that," conversation, or some punk yelling "Hiiiiii-ya!, I can kick your ass."

If you are interested in repurchasing practice time, or purchasing it for the first time, please contact me. And yes, you can share your scheduled time!

SCHOOL SUBLET
The Tai Chi Center of Chicago has been activity looking for two more programs to join us (or sublets). If you know of anyone that is looking for space on a regular bases, send them my way.

DONATIONS of TIME or MONEY
If you are able to make a financial donation, the school would gladly accept. If you are able to make a time donation, the school would gladly accept. Together and keep alive our beautiful oasis for ourselves and for our community.

Thank You's 2009

I would like to thank the following students and friends for their generous help and timeliness:

All the teachers and assistant teacher, without you there would just be me.

Steven Leavitt, Kipling Swehla, Christine Wallers, Stephen Walker for fulfilling another great year of art and music for the Ravenswood ArtWalk.

Paul McEntee, CPA extraodinare.

Sas Stark, for making everything in print look pretty.

Don Tomei, for making everything sound pretty.

Robin Manesky, for donating the 5.1 Theater Surround sound system.

Ben Liberman, for installing the 5.1 Theater Surround sound system.

Don Tomei and Dan Menzel, the men of the school! Whatever I can’t do these two sure can.

Lisa Hish, for keeping me on my toes.

Finally, a thanks to all the Founding Members, for without you I wouldn't have a reason to thank any of the people above! So thank you!

Final Note

I would like to welcome the following future
Tai Chi’ist to the world!
Matthew Elijah Azuma Anyah (Eli for short)

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Sas Stark - Newsletter 2009

SAS STARK
Time Out

Over the last year I have learned to love the words, “Time Out”. To me these words define the time I allow my mind and body to step back from the maddening fast forward progress of life and pause to observe and reflect. My time outs happen daily, weekly, monthly, really any time I get the chance to become more present and to align with my world.

I have seen the Tai Chi Center of Chicago grow and stretch this last year, deepening its roots in the vibrant Ravenswood neighborhood, as well as stretching out with a sense of community to students both new and old. Offering this bond of Tai Chi family to all, the school’s serine and peaceful atmosphere has given many the opportunity to experience their own “Time Out”. The benefits those moments of clarity and understanding provide us are what I cherish most about our school.

Last years growth in our internal and external community has lead me to believe more will be in store for the coming twelve months. I look forward to something like to a community feedback loop taking shape, a space that builds by giving and receiving. And yes, I also look forward to more of the intermediate and advanced students gaining the knowledge and passion for Tai Chi weapons - Yeah, rock on!

And beyond that - I would welcome everyone embracing my new Tai Chi Center Chicago motto, developed by CZ and I while training with Sifu Elizabeth Wenscott, “TCCC - all practice all the time!”

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Christopher Zalek - Newsletter 2009

CHRIS ZALEK
Tai Chi Program

It certainly has been a great year for the Tai Chi Center of Chicago. Some of the milestone highlights included our continued involvement in the Ravenswood ArtWalk, featuring demonstrations and a fantastic display of student artwork. This was also the first year taking part in celebrating World Tai Chi & Qigong Day here in Chicago.

I’m really impressed with the growth and progress of the students themselves. As both student at the school and a teacher of one of the introductory classes, I have the opportunity to observe them learning each week. The questions we are hearing from the ongoing (and beginning!) students is a clear indication of their internal growth; the support they give by continuing their investigation in the introductory classes reinforces the foundation of the school as well.

Next year should prove to be very exciting as well. Not only do I expect to see more new faces every month, but I also look forward to the ongoing students exploring their practice by learning new forms. 2010 shall be a very good year, indeed.

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