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8433 Educators providing Courses

The Museum of English Rural Life (The MERL)

the museum of english rural life (the merl)

4.6(146)

Reading

The Museum of English Rural Life is owned and managed by the University of Reading. We use our diverse and surprising collection to explore how the skills and experiences of farmers and craftspeople, past and present, can help shape our lives now and into the future. We work alongside rural people, local communities and specialist researchers to create displays and activities that engage with important debates about the future of food and the ongoing relevance of the countryside to all our lives. We were established by academics in the Department of Agriculture in 1951 to capture and record the rapidly changing countryside following World War II. The Museum is based on Redlands Road in a building originally designed by Sir Alfred Waterhouse in 1880 for local businessman Alfred Palmer, of the Huntley & Palmer biscuit company. The house then became St Andrews Hall of Residence in 1911, and in 2005 a modern extension was built onto the house for the Museum. The Museum was awarded £1.8million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in 2014 for the redevelopment of the galleries, reopening in October 2016. The redevelopment strengthens and renews our links with agriculture as well as enhancing our position in supporting engagement opportunities for students and academics across a wide variety of disciplines, nationally and internationally. The MERL and Reading Museum are currently in a strategic partnership as part of the Arts Council England National Portfolio 2018-2022. As Museums Partnership Reading we work together to provide cultural opportunities for Reading’s young people and diverse communities, through schools, volunteering, digital engagement and exhibitions. PLANS AND POLICIES

T'ai Chi Ch'uan Center

t'ai chi ch'uan center

In Memoriam - Grandmaster Chen Yun Ching 1939 - 2022 The Rochester Tai Chi Chuan Center and the Rochester Ling Yun Pai wish to express their heartfelt condolences to the Family of GM Chen Yun Ching, and to the Chen Pan Ling World Family. His instruction and experience in the Chen Pan Ling Legacy that he passed on to us will always be treasured, and continued. Chen Pan-ling T'ai Chi Ch'uan Long Form The Chen Pan-ling style of T'ai Chi Ch'uan is a composite of the Yang, Wu, and Chen styles. It was developed by a World War II era committee of top martial artists commissioned by the Chinese Nationalist Government. Chiefly promoted by Chen Pan-ling, this style has been recognized with his name. This style of T'ai Chi has borrowed several elements from other styles making it a more energetic form by utilizing a greater range of motion of the body. It promotes health and relaxation, as well as the connections that make T'ai Chi an internal martial art. The Chen Pan-ling style 99 posture long form is suitable for all student levels. Chen Pan-ling Legacy Arts Shaolin empty hand forms, Core Bagua, and Hsing-I drills are covered. Warm up exercises include Chinese traditional health exercises and stretches, and Qigong. This class is for those of Intermediate to Advanced level and ability. Grandmaster William C.C. Chen Yang Style 60 Posture Form Grandmaster William C.C. Chen has been described as a teacher's teacher. Quiet, gentle, and supportive, he is none-the-less knowledgeable and perceptive in his teachings and evaluation on what people need. Grandmaster Chen's 60 movement form is based on the Yang style. It provides people with the necessary motions and movements to allow them to experience the relaxed aspects of T'ai Chi Ch'uan as well as the connections that make T'ai Chi a powerful art. Classes are arranged to accommodate the beginner, (the first 20 movements), and the more advanced practitioner, (the complete 60 movement form). Grandmaster William C.C. Chen FUNdamental Principles & Postures This class will focus on the fundamental principles of T'ai Chi by repetitive practice of individual postures. T’ai Chi Ch'uan forms consist of a sequence of various postures regardless of the style. The postures were developed to teach different martial applications based upon fundamental principles of T'ai Chi. The principles taught will follow the William C.C. Chen method and cover the postures included in the William C.C. Chen short form. Emphasis will be placed on performing postures from both the left and right (mirror image). The class is open to beginning and advanced students. Grandmaster William C.C. Chen’s exploring T”ai Chi Ch’uan from the inside out. Grandmaster William C.C. Chen is constantly refining and thinking about better ways to convey his ideas about T'ai Chi Ch'uan. We will be exploring beyond basic body mechanics, to a better understanding of the internal feelings of making a shape. Looking inward, internal energy, staying rooted, the role of fingers and toes, and so much more! Grandmaster William C.C. Chen Yang Style Long Form - 132 postures The Yang Style Long Form is a direct descendant of the soft style Tai Chi form developed by Yang Chengfu (1883 - 1936), who trained Professor Cheng Man-Ching (1902 - 1975), who in turn trained Grandmaster William C. C. Chen (1933 - ). The Yang-style traces its roots to Yang Luchan (1799 - 1872). If you have completed Master Chen’s 1-60 Form and are looking to expand it, this is the next step. Cheng Hsin Mini set - Postures and Principles This is an introduction to Peter Ralston’s 7 posture points and 5 principles using his 12 posture mini set. The mini set is actually 24 postures as it is practiced in both the original and mirror image orientations. Cheng Hsin Pushing Hands This is a class in the application of T'ai Chi Ch'uan in a non-threatening manner. Two people work together to explore the movements which help the body, mind, and spirit, as well as gain insight into the martial aspect of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Students of either T'ai Chi styles are welcome to this class. It is insightful when the two styles meet. Sun T'ai Chi Ch'uan The Traditional Sun style long form as passed down to us by Tim Cartmell, taught to him by Sun Lu Tang’s daughter, Sun Jian Yun. Taiji for Meditation - Da Liu's Modified Yang Form We will use Master Da Liu’s modified Yang style Taijiquan Form with its gentle flowing movements, deep breathing and relaxed awareness, to quiet the body and mind, to reduce distraction, and to balance inner and outer awareness. Principles will also be covered to refine the Form and develop the internal aspects. The Form will be a vehicle for “mindfulness in motion” in order to achieve a calm meditative spirit, good health, and longevity. Warm up exercises include stretches, Qigong. This class suitable for all student levels. Balance and Leg Strength Training In this class we will work to improve our balance and leg strength, by using static and dynamic postures, and short sequences, drawn from some of the Qigong, Taijiquan, and Kuo Shu sets that have long been a part of our curriculum at the Rochester Tai Chi Chuan Center. Whether you want to improve your Internal Arts practice, or just want to age gracefully and prevent falls, this class is for Intermediate level and ability, but is open to all. Qigong An ongoing relaxation course, this is a Qigong workout for healing (sitting, standing and movement meditation for health and well-being). The goal is to sample methods to build into your daily health practices. Liangong RTCCC has used the 18 exercises of Series 1 of the Liangong health system for many years as a warm-up during tai chi classes. This class combines refinement of the Series 1 exercises with exploration of the additional exercises in Liangong Series 2 and 3. Proper form, the specific Liangong breathing technique, the coordination of movement and breathing, and the development of ‘internal stretch’ will be emphasized. T’ai Chi Principles We use the Simplified Taiji 24 posture Form and our Four/Eight Direction Form, to work on classic principles as defined by T'ai Chi classic writings. This course is for those of Intermediate level and a good pre-cursor to push hands and a prerequisite for long forms. Workshops The Center also offers regular workshops with many renowned instructors in the pursuit of excellence in the art of T'ai Chi and other internal arts.

Jorgen Craft

jorgen craft

My name is Jacek Robotka and I am an artist and blacksmith originally from Tarnobrzeg, Poland. I am proficient in many different aspects of manufacturing crafts, from metalworking through to saddlery and woodcarving to antler craft, a skill that is ever rarer in our present times. Before I moved to Great Britain, I received a comprehensive education: I first trained at a trade school as a locksmith-mechanic, then at an automotive technical college, before earning a degree in Archaeology at the University of Lodz. In trade school I attended blacksmithing lessons, where my lifelong passion for metal crafting was born. I am always deepening my knowledge by looking for more information about historical metallurgy, survival, hunting, martial arts, fencing weapons and firearms, and their tactical use. My first artistic creations were made in a simple garage workshop over a decade and a half ago. Since then, my experience has been steadily growing and I have created many items which brought joy to enthusiasts of unique hand crafting. Some of these, including a number of knives and leather goods, are for modern use, but I have also crafted an impressive number of items recreated from historical finds like swords, seaxes and jewellery. My wide range of abilities makes me a hugely valuable specialist in the area of crafting unique and high-quality items; I am experienced in blacksmithing, metallurgy, welding, leather-, wood-, antler- and bone crafting, and also possess knowledge of blacksmithing, locksmithing and casting techniques as well as medieval item crafting techniques.