David Franklin started studying Yang style T'ai Chi in 1979 with Dr Robert Chuckrow Ph.D., a disciple of the great Chinese master Cheng Man-ch'ing. Master Cheng moved to New York City from Taiwan in 1964 was one of the first masters to teach T'ai Chi in the USA. Dr. Chuckrow is a physicist and integrates many scientific principles of physics into his teaching, while keeping an open mind about aspects of T'ai Chi that are not yet scientifically recognized. Dr. Chuckrow also encouraged David to study with another T'ai Chi, Kung fu and karate master in New York, H.I. Sober. In 2002, David traveled to China as an interpreter for Shintaido master H.F. to study with two famous Wu style T'ai Chi masters in Beijing, Zhang Maxun and Liu Changjiang.
David Franklin studied traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine at New England School of Acupuncture and at Boston Shiatsu School and Institute of East-West Medicine. He worked as a professional masseur for years and he co-founded a massage company that provided on-site massage to corporate clients in Boston. David is also a Shintaido and Tai Chi instructor. Instruction will be in Czech, and also in English in case non-Czech people attend the course.
More: https://youtu.be/TCVgQZlMIuo, https://youtu.be/XcmNa7D2jZo
Course: T'ai Chi (Taiji Quan): an ancient Chinese exercise for health and meditation
Location: Studio
SaM, Havlíčková 15, Plzeň
Time: Tuesdays 7:00 - 8:00
6 weeks: 3.4., 10.4., 17.4., 24.4., 15.5., 22.5. .
Price: 720,- Kč
Discount price: 600,- Kč for yoga teachers, dance teachers, professional actors, masseurs, and holders of a Shintaido ČR subscription. Two people who register together pay the discount price 1 200,- Kč.
Course description
Introduction to T'ai Chi (Taiji Quan) for beginners: an ancient Chinese exercise for health and meditation in movmement
The beautiful slow-motion dance of T'ai Chi or Taiji Quan takes years to master, but you can enjoy the health benefits of this ancient Chinese art and exercise after just a few lessons. Through T'ai Chi you can study principles of efficient movement, improve your balance, release tension, and at the same time strengthen your legs and benefit from gentle cardiovascular exercise. In China, T'ai Chi is practiced by people of all ages, including the elderly. This is possible because the movements of T'ai Chi can be adjusted so that younger more fit people will be challenged for example to go deeper into the stances, while older folks can practice a version that is beneficial and energizing for them.
In this course, you will learn:
• gentle warm-up exercises to release tension from the muscles and joints
• exercises to strengthen the hips and legs while remaining relaxed
• principles of good posture that you can use in daily life
• the first 5 movements of Cheng Man-ch'ing's Yang style short form
Course: New Body Karate: karate for fitness, dance, and meditation
Location: Studio
SaM, Havlíčková 15, Plzeň
Time: Tuesdays 8:30 - 9:30
6 weeks: 3.4., 10.4., 17.4., 24.4., 15.5., 22.5.
Price: 720,- Kč
Discount price: 600,- Kč for yoga teachers, dance teachers, professional actors, masseurs, and holders of a Shintaido ČR subscription. Two people who register together pay the discount price 1 200,- Kč.
Course descriptionYou don't have to wear a traditional white uniform to enjoy the benefits of the ancient art of karate. In New Body Karate, you will practice amazing methods of physical training invented by ancient masters that will give your body a feeling of natural elastic strength, increased flexibility, and improved health. The traditional forms (choreographed dance of shadow-boxing) provide excellent aerobic exercise for the cardiovascular system while keeping your mind engaged. Cooperative partner exercises will improve your sense of space and timing and develop a feeling of camaraderie without fear of getting injured. Through the powerful and beautiful movements of karate, you will learn universal principles of movement that you can apply to other sports and in daily life, such as improved balance, breathing, concentration, coordination, and efficiency of movement. Karate also includes methods of meditation and relaxation developed in the mountain temples of China and Japan and passed down through many generations. This course is not training for practical self-defense (except against bacteria, because healthy exercise improves your immune system).
Course: Introduction to Japanese massage Shiatsu
Location: Studio
SaM, Havlíčková 15, Plzeň
Time: Tuesdays 10:00 - 11:30
6 weeks: 3.4., 10.4., 17.4., 24.4., 15.5., 22.5.
Price: 1 500,- Kč
Discount price: 1 200,- Kč for yoga teachers, dance teachers, professional actors, masseurs, and holders of a Shintaido ČR subscription. Two people who register together pay the discount price 2 400,- Kč.
Course description:
Shiatsu (Jap.指圧, literally "finger pressure") is a Japanese style of therapeutic massage that is done fully clothed, using no oils or lotions. In Shiatsu we use precisely-applied pressure of the thumbs, fingers, palms and sometimes elbows to improve circulation and deep relaxation. Deep relaxation has many proven health benefits such as
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving digestion
- Reducing chronic pain
- Improving concentration and mood
- Improving sleep
- Boosting confidence to handle problems
Shiatsu is based on the ancient principles of traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, and you can learn effective health-maintenance techniques through Shiatsu without necessarily delving into the details of the Five Elements Theory, the meridians and their functions, or the hundreds of acupressure points on the human body. This way of learning is very intuitive and literally hands-on.
Learning to give a Shiatsu massage also has benefits.
When you learn to give massage properly, you also become aware of how to
improve your own alignment, posture, and breathing, and how to position
yourself to apply pressure effectively. Much like Judo, Shiatsu is about using
the minimum effort to achieve the greatest effect. One of the common misconceptions
about massage is that you need to have strong hands. In Shiatsu, the natural
strength of your whole body working harmoniously is what produces the
beneficial effect of the massage. Therefore learning massage also includes some
holistic physical conditioning exercises.
What you will learn in this 6-week course:
• basics of giving a massage: posture, breathing, body mechanics, how to manipulate and position the client comfortably
• 12-meridian stretching sequence (a kind of simplified Japanese yoga) to tone your body before practicing massage
• hip- and leg-strengthening exercises from Shintaido, a modern Japanese exercise and training system
• a few important acupressure points for general health and self-massage
• a simple full-body massage sequence (part 1) on the shoulders, back, legs, and feet (the backside of the body from the shoulders down), which you will be able to practice with friends, your partner, etc. - you will make them very happy!
Format of the class:
• Simple stretching exercises together to warm-up and prepare the body for massage
• Demonstration of massage techniques, body positioning, and mechanics
• Practice doing massage with a partner
• Exchange roles and practice receiving massage
• Short explanation of relevant theories from traditional Chinese/Japanese medicine
• Questions and feedback
What to bring:
• Comfortable clothes for exercise and massage
• Drink, snack
• Notebook and pen for writing notes
Course materials:
The course fee includes printed materials and online access to additional resources. We'll use a textbook by Paul Lundberg. There are many styles of Shiatsu. This is a textbook about the same style of Shiatsu (Masunaga style) that the David Franklin) studied. https://www.databazeknih.cz/knihy/nova-kniha-shiatsu-umenim-dotyku-ke-zdravi-a-vitalite-156368
Working with other people:
You may register for the course together with a friend or partner, but anyway you should expect to give and receive massage from everybody who participates in the course.