Testimonials | Testimonials |
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TestimonialsforVictoria Chen Taiji AcademyChen Practical Taiji and Health I want to attest to my experiences with the Chen taiji practice of the Chen Faké lineage as taught by Master Chen Zhonghua and how it related to my health. In the years just before I started training with Gord Muir in the Practical method of Hong Junsheng, I had injured myself enough for it to interfere with my training. I am a karate instructor who was quite fit through training and running even though I was in my mid 50s but I developed a stress fracture just below the base of a toe in the ball of my foot. Ouch! I limped for nearly a year, little walking, no aerobics, no training. I wore a special insert in my shoe to take the weight off that part of my foot and it still took a year to heal. Gone were the days of wearing an injury for only days, let alone weeks. One of the first treats I gave myself when I decided I could enjoy walking again was to climb the small mountain behind my house. On this trip I blew out the achilles tendon or a heel cord in my other ankle. Ouch again, indeed. This also took a year to heal. I was walking without pain a year later, but woefully out of shape, when I met Gord and started to train taiji and met his teacher, Master Chen Zhonghua. It was pretty obvious quite quickly that I needed daily training if I was ever going to get anywhere with this endeavour. I set myself to 15 minutes of ji ben gong a day (the foundation exercises based on silk reeling) and it hurt like blazes. Three weeks later when I decided to up the time to 25 minutes, it was still hurting but I knew I had to increase my stamina so I went for it. I soon found out that 25 minutes hurt just as bad as the 15 minute sessions but 15 minutes didn¹t hurt at all, anymore. Therefore, when I felt like I was not going to injure anything, I bumped it up to 30 minutes. Same pain and tiredness but only at the end of the session, not at the 20 minute mark. Over the next 3 years I slowly increased my time training. Now, at 60 years old, I¹m glad to say that I can put in an hour and a half of training, with rests, and feel invigorated for the rest of the day. The point of this long winded story? The Chen taiji has helped me to greatly increase my stamina and general physical fitness. Tight joints are getting loose and my endurance levels have gone up dramatically. I love it. But that is not all. In the early 1990s, I developed a steady searing side ache which got slowly worse until any exercise or even just standing around would active it. I spent 15 years pushing on my side with the heel of my hand to ease the cramp. Then in 1996, I slipped on some clear ice on my front step and went airborne. I landed across my shoulders on one step edge and another edge across my butt, just below my back. I limped for weeks but it settled into a small pain in my low-lower back that I could live with. But for the next 10 years I lived with a nasty back pain when I woke in the mornings. Buying a new mattress did not help unless it was freshly turned. During my 3d year of training Chen Practical Style, I felt a loosening of my qua and I found my back. We started to do specialized back exercises the Master Chen taught us which seemed to help so much that I started to work them as much as possible and the magic happened. After only a three or four months concentrating on four simple back exercises, the nagging little ache in my butt disappeared, the morning back ache disappeared, and the side ache, all disappeared. It is wonderful! My back is a walking billboard about the healing power of Chen taiji practice! Ted Truscott I began the study of Tai Chi 25 years ago and knew even then that it was more a way of life than an exercise or movement. I have learned from several teachers but none have understood the full dimension and mystery of this art as well as Gord. He is not only expert in the form but is also passionate and knowledgeable about the history, philosophy and application. Gord’s unique gift is in being able to demonstrate and “live” the true spirit of Tai Chi and to help others acheive a deeper understanding along with enjoying the fun and numerous health benefits that come from regular practice. Gord is an extraordinary teacher and is himself a lifelong student. Dr. John Snively Gordon Muir started his Taiji training in Winnipeg, Canada. He studied from T.T. Liang, Zhang Xuexin, Chen Qingzhou and many other famous masters. He is one of the most senior Taiji instructors in Canada. Currently he is involved with the Hunyuantaiji Academy of Chen Zhonghua and is practicing Hong Junsheng’s Chen Style Practical Method with Chen Zhonghua. Chen Zhonghua International Standard Bearer for Chen Style Practical Method I began practicing Ch'ang style Tai Chi over 10 years ago in the northeast US. After I moved away from my original teacher, I spent the next 5 years searching for the 'right' person to study with and was getting pretty discouraged after going through about 4 instructors during that time. Then a year ago I began studying Chen style Tai Chi with Gord Muir and I'm glad I found him. Gord is not an instructor - he is a 'teacher' - and believe me there is a big difference! He honors the tradition and lineage of the Yang and Chen styles, while teaching in a enthusiastic and friendly manner. I have learned a lot and look forward to learning much more; I've also dropped a few pounds & have more flexibilty and stamina than before. Spend an hour or so with Gord (whether it's a Yang or Chen style class or one of his other classes) and I promise if you are serious about learning Tai Chi, you will return. His classes are relaxed yet challenging, both fun and educational. I've seen him work with people of all age groups from teenagers to seniors - his attitude and the level of attention given to each person is always the same. So if you are interested in Tai Chi, regardless of you age and whether you are just starting out or have practiced Tai Chi before, I can strongly recommend this is the place to start! Joe Furey Last Wednesday night I believed that I was having my third heart attack. All the symptoms were present and nothing ,including the nitrospray, Aspirin etc. relieved it. I eventualy I went to the emergency at midnight and was admitted. I had many tests including the E.C.G. and was allowed home mid morning. I received a phone call to say I needed a treadmill test within 12 hours of the E.C.G. so exhausted I left home to have it. I had also just received a phone call frrom England from my very much loved sister to say that she was terminally ill. This was very unexpected. I had the treadmill test but had warned the technician that I would not do well but would obviously do my best. I didn't think I had done well ! The next day a call came from my doctor to go into the office. Knowing that he had had to have received the result of the E.C.G. and treadmill from the cardiologist I wrote down the reasons [ read excuses!] why I hadn't done well. I was feeling very down for many practical reason the main being more visits to the cardiologist, more tests at the hospital and the down feeling that my heart was not in good shape. My doctor, who is very good and knows me only too well, opened the file and smiled. Feeling pretty sour I pulled out my list of reasons, [read excuses], and waited. Imagine how absolutely thrilled I was when he said "You did very well on the treadmill and your heart is stronger than it has been in a long while! We think you had a spasm of the oesophagus and I can give you medication to stop that happening again." I was stunned and said "Really? That's due to Tai Chi. " I told him that I had increased my Tai Chi activity and continued to tell him that I had not only found the right activity to strengthen my heart but that it was something I thoroughly enjoyed. It was no penance for me to be to do Tai Chi but one I actually looked forward to doing. I had to admit all other efforts had been all right as I have always been active but nothing to be excited about. I walked out of his office as if I had been given a new lease on life and feel so fortunate to have found a interest that has proven to be health giving in both mind and body. Thanks Gordon for all your encouragement and for teaching this to me and many others. The love of Tai Chi shows in your face and in your approach to we oldies every Thursday and to all those ' youngsters ' who turn up every week to your classes. Name withheld by request Gord Muir became my Taijiquan/Internal Kung Fu teacher in the spring of 1997, and I have benefitted greatly from his teachings and insight into the martial arts over the intervening years. He is one of the most dedicated martial artists that I have met in 35 or so years of practice. G. Michael Zimmer Voriticity Martial Arts "As a new student to tai chi, I found Gord’s classes to be very welcoming and to have a very positive atmosphere. Gord manages to maintain a high energy level as well as an enthusiastic approach throughout the classes and his enthusiasm for Hong style is infectious. Matt Own There are many Tai Chi instructors around both good and bad, Gordon however stands out as a teacher, not just an instructor. With lively,instructive and enjoyable classes, his knowledge of and commitment to the art,as well as his respect for the "basics" should make him a beacon to both novice and skilled practioners. John Hayes |
