Laurie Gomon Ring—a certified Pai Lum instructor with 40 years of experience in tai chi and kung fu—is offering tai chi classes on Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, in Ormond Beach, and from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Piggotte Community Center, in South Daytona. She also offers a weekly Thursday class from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church.

 

“Our classes involve five-element meditation, temple exercises, technique training, self-defense application and form training,” says Ring, who was trained by grandmaster Daniel K. Pai. “All skill and ability levels are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow for easy movement.”

 

Tai chi chuan is a system of movement evolving from the yin/yang philosophy embraced by the Chinese culture for thousands of years, explains Ring. The origin of the actual movements came much later during the fifth century when Ta-Mo (Bodhidharma) brought his religious teachings from India to China. Physical training movements based on the “five animal games” emphasizing the yin/yang harmony were used to develop mental and physical abilities and natural meditation, but also included the martial art of self-defense. Over the centuries, these became the family styles found in China and now spread around the world.

 

Tai chi chuan, known as an internal art, has many fascinating benefits, including increased wellness, mobility, strength and vigor; better balance; improved mental focus; and stress reduction.

 

Cost: $10 per class. Locations: Unitarian Universalist Church, 56 N. Halifax Dr.; Piggotte Community Center, 504 Big Tree Rd.; Ormond Beach Presbyterian Church (Room 9), 105 Amsden Rd. For more information, call or text 386-679-3228.