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CREATE Project offers Tai Chi Classes by Dr. Peter Miller

This summer you can . . .

Paint a Rainbow . . . Separate the Clouds . . . Embrace a tiger . . . Row a Boat in the Middle of a Lake . . . and . . . Gaze at the Moon.

These expressive descriptions name just a few of the delightful movements that will be taught within Tai Chi classes offered by Dr. Peter Miller during July and August. The CREATE Project is pleased to offer this series of classes to adults and children age 7 and up at the Courtney Street Community Center, located at the end of Maple Avenue (off Courtney Street) in Dunkirk. Dates and times are listed below. No previous experience is necessary. Classes are free, though donations to the instructor or the CREATE Project will be gratefully accepted. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parents are encouraged to share this special experience with their children as a bonding and closeness-building opportunity. The Courtney Street Community is handicapped accessible. Persons of all abilities are welcome.

Tai Chi is a gentle, powerful and ancient form of exercise. Origins of Tai Chi are credited to a Taoist Monk living in China 700 to 1500 years ago. Tai Chi was originally created as a fighting art. However, people around the world today use the same Tai Chi principles and movements created in ancient times as an excellent physical and mental health routine. Its health benefits include relaxation, stress reduction, muscle building and toning, balance enhancement, back and neck pain relief, flexibility, coordination, stamina, alignment, and posture improvement.

Tai Chi follows the motions and ideas behind an ancient Chinese martial art called Tai Chi Quan. Tai Chi Quan routines required the practitioners to be tranquil and calm, emphasizing slow and soft movements. Modified to inherit nearly all the ideas behind Tai Chi Quan, Tai Chi uses the method to attain healing qualities rather than combative awareness. Often referred to as “meditation in motion,” Tai Chi emphasizes breathing and movement that are both flowing and graceful.

Unlike other forms of exercise such as yoga https://www.spine-health.com/wellness/yoga-pilates-tai-chi/yoga-back-problems, Tai Chi involves a greater degree of movement. And unlike many types of aerobic exercise (such as running https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sports-and-spine-injuries/running-and-lower-back-pain) Tai Chi does not involve any jarring motions that create impact on the spine. It is a slow and deliberate, flowing movement of the body.

The instructor, Peter Albert Thomas Miller, is retired after 55 years in the classroom teaching music, English, Social Studies and World Religions. He taught every grade from kindergarten to college. In 1994, Dr. Miller went on sabbatical to study World Religions. It was at Holy Names College where he learned Tai Chi (Shibashi – first movements of Tai Chi) under Sr. Merimel, a Franciscan nun. He has taught grade schoolers, collegiate, and adults ever since. Currently, Dr. Miller leads Tai Chi on Tuesdays and Thursday at Dunkirk Senior Center.

All Dr. Millers’ Tai Chi Classes will classes will be held at 5 p.m. on the following dates:

Monday, July 16; Tuesday, July 17; Monday, July 30; Tuesday, July 31; Tuesday, Aug. 7; Wednesday, Aug. 8; Tuesday, Aug. 14; Wednesday, Aug. 15; Tuesday, Aug. 28 and Wednesday, Aug. 29.

The CREATE Project is an arts-based community intervention designed to help our community become free of child abuse and neglect, and to become a place where children can grow to their highest potential. Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation is the fiscal umbrella for the CREATE Project and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County is the lead community partner. Though the CREATE Project works cooperatively with both organizations, it is an independent entity and operates as such.

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