Tai Chi perfect exercise | for the body and soul |. CONSIDER THE human body. There’s this main trunk, usually longer than wider, though subject to countless permutations, and on each of its four corners there is an arm or a leg, depending. On top is the knob of head which is in charge. Everyone gets one of these at birth — it’s to keep. No guarantee of workability, mind, replacement parts not included. No refunds, no owner’s manual, no ‘‘best before’’ date. We're pretty pleased to have it, anyway, and start off with great plans. We'll teach it to dance and sing. It will know how to swim and how to find square roots. It will use delicate tools skilfully, and make laws for a better world. It will carry us all over the world and be strong and free and last forever. Fifty years later we've lost sight of that elastic bundle of bone and meat in its fragile skin envelope. Who did the switch on us? The body in the mirror is no longer elastic and is definitely past learn- ing calculus or wiping out world hunger. But heck, it’s our own and it’s got to last. We may be ripe but we ‘won't let go of the vine yet. Steps are indicated. Steps to cut- ting out, cutting down, to exciting the circulation, to renewing muscular tone. You can hurl yourself at hur- dles, of course, and jog and pant and jump around a gym. Fitness salons will show you how to push and pull the machinery. But when it comes right down to it, and you are now down to it, it’s you that needs it, not the machine. Try something simple. Try Tai Chi. Oh, not because it’s designed for the elderly. Far from it. Tai Chi has its roots in martial arts, and you’ve seen how those chaps kick each other in the chops. But the Tai Chi version has shifted its base from aggressive to passive. Thus vintage years Eleanor Godley oo — " the Tai Chi Form consists of a series of classic moves made to elude the snares, to disarm the an- tagonist, to keep one in charge. It is history, and art, and defence, all three. We have all shapes and sizes in our morning sessions, young peo- ple, men and women in their mid- dle years, a layer of seniors. Classes are preceded by warm-up exercises called Chi Gung which stress balance and flowing rhythmic motions of the body. Nothing is hurried, nothing is pressed. Peace concert held THE FOURTH annual Peace of Art concert gets under way at Cen- tennial Theatre this Sunday, May 13. A celebration of the unity in diversity of all peoples, the concert brings together performers from around the world to celebrate « shared vision for a world at peace. This years show features singer Ladjamaya with a performance entitled The Black Experience — A Cry for World Peace, Maxwell Workshop, the Lorita Leung Dancers and more. Tickets are $5 each. Phone 987-PLAY to reserve. ayside Inn KespsBavsie Oh Beantijed Fark oville Bay SUPER SUNDAY GETAWAY 2 NIGHTS, 2 BREAKFASTS, 71 GOURMET DINNER $99.00 PER PERSON/DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Stretch your weekend, beat the traffic! Arrive on Sunday and en- joy three days of spectacular natural beauty on Parksville Bay. In- door swimming, hol tub, saunas, tennis, racquetball, squash and long walks on the beach. Eub- ject to availability of rooms set aside for this promotion. individual reservations only Valid till June 12, 1990 PO. Box 3000, 240 Dogwood St., Parksville, B.C. (604) 248-8333 Reservations 3-800-663-4232 * Cove, a splendid teacher with infi- 27 - Sunday, May 13, 1990 - North Shore News 1,C.B.C. INJURY CLAIMS KEN. EBERHARDT - LAWYER . WESTVIEW SHOPPING CENTRE TOWER ° NORTH MANCOUVER in Practice Since. 4975 Phone: 983-2818 Close attention is paid to the |.” No Charge) for, Initial Consultation relaxation of the shoulders, to the unclenching of the teeth and fists, the awareness of the yin and yang that together make the healthy whole. Deep breathing clears the Pipes en route. We learn the basic anchoring of the body. The traditional movements of the Form unravel one by one, compelling real concentration. This is its chief charm, for me, this intense feeling on the placement of the feet, the precise arrangement of fingers and hands, the shifts of weight that facilitate the lunges and flourishes. It takes many repe- titions before one can move smoothly from Grasp the Spar- row’s Tail to False Conclusion, but it does finally come together, and one moves as in a dream. When class is over, Tai Chi goes home with us, because it needs no special gear, no special terrain. It can be practised alone or together with equal pleasure, standing up, sitting down or lying in the dark if sleep is errant. It’s a pre-occupa- tion, a new lifestyle. We go to the North Shore Neighbourhood House two morn- ings a week, for a class with Lynn Pacifica TREATMENT CENTRE Established 1977 New Westminster, B.C. A non-profit society offering in-patient treatment for ALCOHOL, COCAINE, MARIJUANA, or PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE. For further information call... 525-7461 PERSONAL CHALLENGES OF A NEW ERA A unique opportunity fcr the public to attend a series of presen- tations/discussions by experts in each field of study. ENVIRONMENT — A RUSH AGAINST TIME May 16 - 7:30 p.m. ADDICTION — A PERSONAL FIGHT FOR FREEDOM May 18 — 7:30 p.m. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY — A NEW TREND May 20 — 1:00 p.m. FREE FOR ALL — Entertainment and refreshment to be provided PLACE: Lonsdale Quay Hotel, North Vancouver For more information contact: Baha’i Information Centre Tel: 731-8199 Sponsored by the Baha’is of North Vancouver District. nite patience and_ inspirational rendering of the Form. In that hour, the outside world falls into space. It’s an hour of contempla- tion and of studied movement that restores the perspective, refreshes the soul and turns one inside out to show the good side. To add to the ledger is improved balance, a more even disposition, better bladder control, increased confidence, serenity and physical beauty, and a sharper memory. Even in that experienced old body. CONO TRANSMISSION BRAKE & MUFFLER TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU FROM! 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