The Korean character “kobang” implies ‘ancient’, ‘wise’. Master Jonah Chin comes from a thousands of year old Taoist healing tradition from Korea intent on bringing health to the whole human system, physical, mental and emotional. He and his fellow teachers – including Lina Kim Jung Hyun, Ken Hyunwoo Kang and Jesse Cohen – hone their skills in meditation, qigong and swordsmanship in order to sustain a healthy lifestyle, and also to refine their skills as acupuncturists.

The three-fold aspects of the Kobang Taoist Healing Arts practice for students consists of Qigong, Swordsmanship and Meditation. Regular practice of any one of the three enhances health and proficiency significantly. Combining the practices has a multiplier effect in increasing skill level, well-being, and insight. As students attend classes, they begin to organically pick up elements of Taoist philosophy.

Qigong: An ancient, fairly intense form of qigong serves as Kobang’s basic healing practice. Circulating qi (energy/breath of life) through the body in stationary, standing positions, the intent is to increase concentration, stamina, bone density and bone marrow production of blood cells. Even in seemingly still positions, this form of qigong produces a perspiring workout. The circulation of qi energizes all the body meridians referred to in classical Oriental medicine.

Swordsmanship: The teachers utilize several sword practices to train their speed, reflexes, and cardiovascular conditioning: Kendo (bamboo sword) and Iaido (sheathed sword). Their sword practice also enhances their focus and precision – skills to effectively perform acupuncture. Students are gradually introduced to swords as they progress through their practice. For a more fun-filled approach that still involves discipline, foam Axion swords provide a safe, fast-paced practice that even kids can engage in.

Meditation: Sitting meditation, some in silence and some with the sounding of “Om mane padme hum,” enables practitioners to gradually clear the chattering mind, calming the nervous system.

Acupuncture: In addition to offering classes in the 3 disciplines described above, the Kobang Taoist Healing Arts teachers who are board certified Acupuncturists offer acupuncture to address both occasional and chronic health problems.

Schedule of Classes for January 2018

Tuesdays:

4:15-5:15 pm Axion Swords: Children 7-12 years of age. (Parents often enjoy joining the class as well and are quite welcome to sign up.)

5:45-6:45 pm Kobang Qigong

6:45-7:30 pm Kendo Basics for Health (Prior experience in Qigong or Kendo required)

7:30-8:15 pm Kobang Meditation – free

Fridays

5:45-6:45 pm Kobang Qigong

6:45-7:30 pm Kendo Basics for Health (Prior experience in Qigong or Kendo required)

7:30-8:15 pm Kobang Meditation – free

Prices:  Kobang Qigong and Kendo Basics for Health classes are available at Still & Moving Center’s regular prices: Drop-ins $20; Pre-registered on line $17 + tax; 10 class pack $140 + tax; free with any Golden Circle membership.

Kobang Qigong

Challenge yourself to self-heal. This ancient, fairly intense form of qigong serves as KoBang’s basic healing practice. Circulating qi (energy/breath of life) through the body in stationary, standing positions, our intent is to increase concentration, stamina, bone density and bone marrow production of blood cells. Even in seemingly still positions, we attain a perspiring workout doing this form of qigong. When we circulates qi, we energize all the body meridians referred to in classical Oriental medicine.

Kendo Basics for Health

Kendo translates as “way of the sword” in Japanese. For this class, the intention is to enhance healthy reflexes, coordination and balance. The basic disciplines and moves of Kendo’s bamboo sword, supplemented by the foam sword, can provide an effective cross-training to qigong. The swifter movement and lightness of foot of Kendo counterbalance qigong’s long-held poses. While full development of Kendo results in a martial art or sports-like sparring, health is the goal of this class.

Kobang Meditation

Sitting meditation – some of the time in silence and some of the time lifting our voices together – enables us to gradually clear the chattering mind and calm the nervous system. By circulating the sounds of “Om mani padme hum” through our system, we massage our internal organs with the vibration of our voices. FREE

Master Jonah Chin

Master Chin’s martial arts training goes back over 40 years, having started when he was 5 years old. He has since disciplined himself in one of Korea’s oldest Daoist medicinal lineages for over 25 years. HIs practices include traditional qigong, iaido, kendo and acupuncture. Even his seemingly martial practices ultimately bear the stamp of his dedication to healing and actually self-evolving into a higher level of awareness and wholeness.

“Master” is the closest English translation of a traditional Korean title that means both “teacher” and “exemplar”: one who exemplifies in his life what it is that he teaches.