The Tai Chi of Gardening: Building Strength ~ Avoiding Injury

Offered: June 28, 2008

Time: Begins at 9:30 am and ends at 4 pm on the 28th

Instructor: Michelle Vesser

Cost: $110/$95 if registered two weeks in advance (lunch included)
For registration information, click here.

Spend a day in the OAEC gardens learning how to integrate the ancient principles of Tai Chi while working in the garden. The most important tool you have in gardening is your own body. This is a great course to show you ways to build your strength and improve tool use techniques, while avoiding injury. These techniques will allow you to work more effectively, strengthen your lower body and create less upper body stress, and ultimately find a deeper connection with yourself and the Earth. You will learn the basics of being rooted, developing leg strength, proper posture, moving with your waist, and using tools as an extension of your body. This will be covered with simple exercises and practical applications in the garden.

Michelle Vesser brings 22 years of experience in Tai Chi and gardening to this workshop.

Reflections from Past Participants:

“I really appreciate the individual attention to posture and movement and the introduction of new (and improved!) ways to work with tools. This class really helped me notice my body and its patterns of movement. The awareness I gained is still with me these many days later, as I notice and correct my posture and movements.” Kate T - 07

“I just wanted to thank you again for teaching such a wonderful workshop..(Tai Chi of garden tools). I enjoyed the entire workshop, but even more important, I found that I felt better the following day as well, and that continues. You gave me so many ideas about how to move more mindfully as I play in my own gardens, and still take care of my aging body. I am so much more confident that I will be able to garden the rest of my life.”
P. Dressendorfer - 07