2008 Woodie Awards
Tai Ji class replaces expensive exercise options
By Mary Alice Holley
Issue date: 3/20/08 Section: Culture
Tai Ji, a low-impact form of martial arts, is the latest addition to Chattanooga's health and wellness community.
Zibin Guo of the UTC Anthropology department has brought his martial arts knowledge to Chattanooga.
Guo said Chattanooga is quickly becoming a progressive and healthy place to live.
"Bringing Tai Ji to Chattanooga will be great for that progressive image and will promote cultivating a healthy lifestyle," Guo said.
Guo has been an instructor of Chinese martial arts for 25 years and has been featured in Tai Ji International Magazine.
"The great thing about Tai Ji is that it reminds people that exercise is anywhere and everywhere," Guo said. "It is a simple way to exercise mind and body to create a healthy lifestyle."
Guo will be leading classes as well as training more instructors through the Chattanooga Tai Ji Community organization that will be in Miller Park.
"Classes are free while instructors are paid by the city," Guo said. "We will be leading Tai Ji exercise at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which can be a great way for people to begin their days before work or school."
When describing the art of Tai Ji, Guo said: "Internal martial arts is about control, simple movement to focus your mind and body without any equipment. It can be done anywhere."
General practice sessions are held at Coolidge Park on Saturdays.
Beyond the standard Tai Ji practices, Guo and others are researching the effects of wheelchair Tai Ji in regards to mental and physical illness. Guo said he believes wheelchair Tai Ji has many possibilities.
"It improves the body physically, but also improves mental self-confidence to those that might give up," Guo said. "Physical activity for persons in a wheelchair may seem complicated, but Sitting Tai Ji is a way to promote physical activity to those without movement."
Alison Burke, a junior from Chattanooga, said she is excited about the latest classes being offered.
"I would definitely take a Tai Ji class now that we have them in Chattanooga," she said.
Jess Avery, a Chattanooga native, said: "I am glad to see that Chattanooga is promoting this innovative form of exercise. It is good to have something outside of the gym to turn to for variety in an exercise routine."
Guo, after 25 years of Tai Ji practice, sees it as a healthy lifestyle by way of fluid form and energy.
"You will learn to move like water, stand like a tree, and sit like a rock," Guo said.
Zibin Guo of the UTC Anthropology department has brought his martial arts knowledge to Chattanooga.
Guo said Chattanooga is quickly becoming a progressive and healthy place to live.
"Bringing Tai Ji to Chattanooga will be great for that progressive image and will promote cultivating a healthy lifestyle," Guo said.
Guo has been an instructor of Chinese martial arts for 25 years and has been featured in Tai Ji International Magazine.
"The great thing about Tai Ji is that it reminds people that exercise is anywhere and everywhere," Guo said. "It is a simple way to exercise mind and body to create a healthy lifestyle."
Guo will be leading classes as well as training more instructors through the Chattanooga Tai Ji Community organization that will be in Miller Park.
"Classes are free while instructors are paid by the city," Guo said. "We will be leading Tai Ji exercise at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which can be a great way for people to begin their days before work or school."
When describing the art of Tai Ji, Guo said: "Internal martial arts is about control, simple movement to focus your mind and body without any equipment. It can be done anywhere."
General practice sessions are held at Coolidge Park on Saturdays.
Beyond the standard Tai Ji practices, Guo and others are researching the effects of wheelchair Tai Ji in regards to mental and physical illness. Guo said he believes wheelchair Tai Ji has many possibilities.
"It improves the body physically, but also improves mental self-confidence to those that might give up," Guo said. "Physical activity for persons in a wheelchair may seem complicated, but Sitting Tai Ji is a way to promote physical activity to those without movement."
Alison Burke, a junior from Chattanooga, said she is excited about the latest classes being offered.
"I would definitely take a Tai Ji class now that we have them in Chattanooga," she said.
Jess Avery, a Chattanooga native, said: "I am glad to see that Chattanooga is promoting this innovative form of exercise. It is good to have something outside of the gym to turn to for variety in an exercise routine."
Guo, after 25 years of Tai Ji practice, sees it as a healthy lifestyle by way of fluid form and energy.
"You will learn to move like water, stand like a tree, and sit like a rock," Guo said.
