As part of their Summer Wellness program, Campus Recreation will again be offering an Ai Chi session. This 55-minute class will be held on Tuesday evenings from 5:30pm to 6:25pm at the swimming pool in the Mark Twain building (shallow end only). This class is taught by Linda Gatson (Office of Finance). Linda began her study and practice of Ai Chi in 2005. She first introduced Ai Chi to the UMSL community by teaching the class as part of the 2010 Summer Wellness program. In addition to her experience with land-based Tai Chi, Linda has also adapted the Modified Yang Style 24-Form (Fu Style) to a pool environment. A one-time fee for the Summer Wellness Program allows participants to attend ANY of the wellness classes offered (excluding Spinning) at any time for the entire session. The fee structure for the 2012 Summer Wellness Program (June 4th - August 3rd) is as follows: $25 for UMSL Students
The first week of the session is FREE in order to allow people to try out the various classes offered. For a complete list of classes included in the program as well as the registration form, go to http://www.umsl.edu/services/recsport/assets/pdfs/AerobicsSS12.pdf.
Ai Chi is an aquatic technique that combines Tai Chi concepts with Shiatsu and Qigong in a water (pool) environment. Developed in Japan by Jun Konno and popularized in the United States by Ruth Sova, Ai Chi is a water exercise and relaxation program that uses a combination of deep breathing with slow, broad, fluid movements of the arms, legs, and torso. The Ai Chi progression moves from breath work to the incorporation of upper extremity movements, then to movement of the trunk, followed by lower extremity movements, and finally to the involvement of the entire body. The movements work on the Meridian Stretch (extending the long axis of the body) which is more effective in water under the weightless conditions created by buoyancy. The primary purpose of Ai Chi is relaxation and stress reduction. Flexibility, balance, coordination, and improved range-of-motion are just a few of the other benefits that one may experience. Jun Konno describes Ai Chi as "...that sigh we give when we are at peace".
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