The Roots of Tai Chi: Strong As the Mountain, Supple As Water
With Tai Chi Grandmaster Ken Cohen
At Gray Bear Lodge
April 6-11, 2027
Tai chi (also spelled Taiji Quan) teaches you to have the suppleness of flowing water combined with the confident strength of a mountain. Come learn, in exquisite detail, a basic series of Yang Family Tai Chi movements, suitable for complete beginners as well as advanced students who wish to reach a new level of skill and understanding. Although the emphasis will be on Tai Chi for health and vitality, you will also discover how Tai Chi improves ability in any athletic activity, including running, swimming, fitness workouts, and the martial arts.
Ken Cohen’s emphasis is on quality—each posture contains a world of information about relaxation, alignment, grounding, and inner strength. The gentle movements cultivate a quality of mind that is clear, peaceful, and focused—a kind of meditation in motion. Harvard University declares that it is also “medication in motion”, with proven effects on balance and other aspects of health and well-being. According to Chinese medicine, Tai Chi increases the body’s reservoir of the resilient healing energy known as qi.
As an added bonus, Ken will offer a line-by-line commentary on the Tai Chi Classics, two brief but incredibly deep explorations of the philosophy and practice of the art. He will also discuss the science behind Tai Chi and how it promotes longevity and harmony with nature. The ultimate goal is to have a Tai Chi mind and body: a life of balance, peace, and energy.
Ken Cohen (www.kennethcohen.com) began his Tai Chi journey in 1968 and in 1974 earned a Teaching Certificate from the William C C Chen School. He continued training in both Yang and Chen Style Tai Chi with B.P. Chan, Madame Gao Fu, and others. His unique approach was also strongly influenced by early studies in Sensory Awareness, Feldenkrais work, and other somatic therapies. Ken was probably the first person to lecture about and teach Tai Chi in US medical schools. He has also been an athletic coach, using Tai Chi principles to help members of the US Olympic team and students of a wide variety of sports reach a higher level. Ken is the author of The Way of Qigong and more than 200 articles about health and culture. He lives at 9,000 ft elevation in the Colorado Rockies.
Registration/Retreat Cost
Workshop discounted at $1295 if paid in full by March 15th. Space is consciously limited. Price includes tuition, lodging, meals and full use of facilities. Pay via Paypal, Venmo, check or credit card accepted. Following registration, confirmation letter and additional information (including directions to Gray Bear) will be sent.
Arrival Departure Schedule
We'll begin with guests arriving after lunch (2-6pm arrival) on Tuesday. Dinner is at 6:00pm, Orientation & opening circle follow. Sunday finishes with closing circle, lunch, and checkout is at 11:00am. (*) Gray Bear is a two hour drive from the airport, so please plan arrival time/ departure time with this in mind.
About the Instructor
Kenneth S. Cohen (Gao Han) is a world-renowned health educator, China scholar, and Qigong Grandmaster with more than fifty years experience. A former collaborator with Alan Watts, he is the author of the internationally acclaimed book The Way of Qigong: The Art and Science of Chinese Energy Healing(Random House), best-selling audio and video courses (Sounds True), and more than 200 journal articles. He offers lectures, workshops, and classes, as well as healing and consultations in Colorado and throughout the world. Ken speaks and reads the Chinese language and is the author of various works published in the U.S. and China. He received his Teaching Certificate from the William C.C. Chen School of T’ai Chi Ch’uan in 1974 and was a student of Taoism (also spelled “Daoism”) and Taoist literature with Drs. Michel Strickmann, Wolfram Eberhard, Edward Schafer, and other renowned scholars. He has a great love of Chinese cultural arts, especially the Art of Tea (Cha Yi) and ancient Chinese poetry.In 2003, Ken won the leading international award in energy medicine, the Alyce and Elmer Green Award for Innovation and Lifetime Achievement.
Ken Cohen’s teachers have included some of the most highly respected Masters and Grandmasters in the world, including William C.C. Chen (Yang Style Taiji Quan), B.P. Chan (Chen Style Taiji Quan, Bagua Zhang, Xing Yi Quan, Qigong), Madame Gao Fu (Chen Style Taiji Quan and Hunyuan Primordial Qigong), Share K. Lew (Taoist External Qi Healing), Sunyata (Vedanta in the lineage of Ramana Maharshi), Swami Venkatesananda (Sivananda Yoga), and others. Ken was the principle apprentice to Dr. Huang Gengshi (Henry K.S. Wong, 1910-1999), acupuncturist and Taoist Abbot from China’s sacred mountains. To advance his study of Comparative Religion and facilitate healing work in hospitals, prisons, and other places of service, Ken attended the New Seminary during the late 1980s and was ordained as an interfaith minister with an advanced degree in pastoral counseling (Master of Spiritual Therapy M.S.Th.). He also holds an honorary M.A. in Psychology and other academic honors.
Ken Cohen is a leader in the dialogue between ancient wisdom and modern science. He was able to demonstrate extraordinary physiologic states (evidenced through EEG, body potential, and bio-electric fields) as one of 9 “exceptional healers” studied in the Menninger Clinic’s Copper Wall Project. Probably the first Qigong practitioner in the West to treat physician-referred patients, his sponsors have included the American Cancer Society, the Mayo Clinic, Health Canada, and numerous hospitals, medical schools, conferences, and cultural organizations. In 1994, Ken was chosen as keynote and sole representative of Chinese medicine at the World Congress on Energy Healing in Switzerland. His work has been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, Time, Bottom Line, and on National Public Radio. He has taught more than 40,000 students.
What to Pack
Gray Bear is home to 400 acres of rolling hills, thick forest, natural springs, and even a waterfall. You can experience the wonders of nature while sitting in a hand-built wood fire sauna; hear the silence of nature's symphony lying on a hammock while curled under a blanket; and revel in clear air and water while using shower outdoors.
With all of this nature we have some suggestions to consider when packing:
- Working flashlight ...it gets dark with only the light of the stars to guide you!
- A bathing suit ... good for the hot tub, sauna, and Watsu massage pool
- Water bottle ...Gray Bear does not use disposable cups. Purified water is available in the Main House and the Yoga Room
- A bath robe/sarong
- House slippers or socks to wear indoors ...no shoes inside please
- Comfortable walking shoes/sandals for an inspired nature hike
- Warm clothing ...mornings & evenings can be cool
- Comfortable clothes for exercising/yoga
Please do not bring any drugs, alcohol, or pets. Gray Bear is a non-smoking, pet-free and alcohol-free facility.