The Rising Sun School

The Rising Sun School was established in Toronto, Canada in 1984 and over the last 12 years it has developed a personal coaching style of teaching which encompasses the retraining of one's body use in movement. Optimal body use prevents stagnation of Energy (Qi) and Blood flow and allows for flexibility and muscle tone to develop in an integral and balanced fashion. This, combined with breath work and meditation produces deep relaxation, mental renewal and the prevention of disease. Movement habits which cause collapse within the architecture of the body rather than supportive engagement, are addressed through the T'ai Chi form. T'ai Chi enables the student to recover a natural way of movement that embodies a strength, suppleness, and grace usually associated with that of a dancer, an athlete or an animal in its natural habitat. Because of the gradual and gentle approach of T'ai Chi, these benefits can be accomplished by young and old alike.

Master Lee Shui Pak taught that there were Four Aspects of T'ai Chi Ch'uan and encouraged students to explore T'ai Chi principles in all these ways. In brief, the Four Aspects as he taught them encompassed:

• Exercise: Long Form, Sword Form, and Staff

• Medicine: Acupressure Massage (Tuina), Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Traumatology

• Boxing: 5 Directions, 4 Stances, 5 Hands / 2 Feet, Leverage and striking, 86 Applications, Push Hands: Single handed to Free Style

• Philosophy: Master Lee spoke often about "Philosophy" and said many things about the principles of life and living. As a person he encouraged one to always "keep your thinking open and you can become larger". He also encouraged one to see one's interdependent contribution to the larger whole that is one's life. As a student it he spoke about having the "heart to learn" and that through this perseverance one could accomplish many things.

Our Curriculum:

Classes: Long Form, 86 Applications, Sparring, Massage, Weapons Forms

Workshops: Acupressure, Herbal Medicine, Self Defense, Self Reflection

Professional Training: T'ai Chi Instructors (3-5 years) and Tui Na Therapists (1-2 years)

Clinical Practice: Acupuncture, Tui Na, Traumatology, Chinese and Western Herbal Medicine, Psychotherapy

Biographies

Paul E. McCaughey, founder, co-director:

The Founder and Director of The Rising Sun School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan, est. 1984, he is a traditional Master Teacher of T'ai Chi Ch'uan with 20 years of practice, training students from beginner through to apprentice instructor levels of T'ai Chi. He directs and instructs the Acupressure Training Program at the Rising Sun School. He graduated Master Herbalist from Humber College in 1984. He holds a Diploma in Acupuncture from The Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and founded the Rising Sun Clinic in 1990, where he practices Acupuncture, Acupressure Massage, Herbal Medicine, Dietary Therapy and Lifestyle Coaching, at the present.

Jan E. Ohm, co-director:

Co-director of the Rising Sun School since 1988, studying T'ai Chi since 1986, graduated as a Senior Instructor with Rising Sun School licensure in 1990. Jan instructs in all 4 Aspects and is our main Instructor Trainer. Jan also has a full time practice in psychotherapy, where she uses dream and trance therapy to help facilitate emotional healing.

The Rising Sun School offers a free introductory class and students may begin at any time. Call ahead for a booking at (416) 533-3352.

• The Rising Sun School of T'ai Chi Ch'uan
• 908 Bathurst Street
• Toronto, Ontario
• Canada
• M5R 3G3
• EMail: pjmcohm@interlog.com