New Gao style Bagua class in Toronto

Request a teacher near you. Any school opening notices are also posted here.

New Gao style Bagua class in Toronto

Postby Alexandra on Mon May 12, 2014 6:36 am

Now in Toronto, ON:

Alex Cafarelli teaches weekly classes in Bagua, an internal Chinese martial art with health, meditation and fighting applications. http://www.eightbranches.ca/bagua

FIRST CLASS FREE!!
Eight Branches Healing Arts Centre
358 Dupont St. (close to Dupont subway station)
Toronto, ON
Mondays 6:30pm
Drop-in: $15 per class
Monthly tuition: $45-60**

→ Builds strength and flexibility
→ Self-defence skills with an emphasis on defending against multiple attackers
→ Provides mindfulness-based self healing techniques
→ Well-suited for people with disabilities, chronic pain, injuries, and other health concerns

Ba Gua (Baguazhang or “Eight Trigram Palm”) is a Chinese internal martial art with health, meditation and fighting applications, which was developed in the 1800’s by Dong Haichuan. “Internal martial art” means that the movements are empowered by gravity and a sense of effortless power. The practitioners are relaxed, mindful and aligned in such a way that they are able to generate immense power, while causing great potential harm to the opponent.
Ba Gua is notable for its circular movement, continuous posture changes, and its capacity to respond to multiple forms of conflict, including defence against multiple attackers.
While Ba Gua builds strength and self-defence skills, its emphasis on solo practice and mindfulness makes it a well-suited martial art for people with disabilities, chronic pain, injuries, and other health concerns.

This class is open to all levels. Both solo and partner training are readily adaptable according to physical ability and experience. For more information about Alex's background and services please contact her by email at [email protected]

Alex honours the lineage of Bagua practitioners who made it possible for her to study this martial art as a person who is not of Chinese descent. Her intent in teaching is to share the art responsibly, with conscious respect of its history. She welcomes conversation on privilege and accountability.

Alex Cafarelli has been training in martial arts since 1992. Since 2006, she has studied Gao style Bagua with Maija Soderholm, who studies with Luo Dexiu. Previous to her Bagua studies, she trained in Wu Chien Pai, Tai Chi, Hsing Yi and Eskrima. Alex’s teaching also incorporates Vietnamese Zen and Vipassana traditions by way of Manzanita Village, a retreat centre in Southern California which integrates social and environmental justice with creativity and spiritual practice.
In addition to martial arts and meditation, Alex is a writer, singer and performer. She works seasonally as a gardener, specializing in native plants, pollinators, and edible landscapes.
Alexandra
Santi
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jan 02, 2013 6:09 pm

Return to Request a Teacher

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests