HEALTH & WELL BEING - May 2008

Phoenix Rising Center
Unique Classes and Inspired Teachers

Phoenix Rising Center (PRC) was established in 1998 as a community-based educational organization offering classes and seminars with a focus on bringing awareness to the internal energy to facilitate harmony and balance in all areas of life. It was founded by Dr. Don Leathers, Naturopathic Physician and Catherine Shank, Ortho-Bionomist and also included their individual client practices.

Like the mythological phoenix bird who rises out of its own ashes, The Phoenix Rising Center keeps evolving and changing. We have grown significantly in nine years from the tremendous support of all our students and growing resource of teachers. We offer wonderful community classes seven days a week. Here is information about our class offerings from the teachers.

Don Leathers and Lisa Dereese, are certified instructors of Sheng Zhen Wuji Yuan Gong, which means heavenly gift or unconditional love. Catherine Shank and Lisa Katz also teach classes in this Qigong system that has many moving and non-moving forms along with a meditation that helps the practitioner open their heart and the pineal gland. When the heart is open both the mind and emotions are clear and the blood is purified. In this day and age of fast pace, conflict, and greed, we don’t often have the time to exercise our spirit and soul. Bodies can become stagnant and the mind can become filled with negativity. This Qigong was created to help us return to our original state, a natural state of peace, happiness, and good health.

Diane Green and Drew Roots teach students at all levels of health and martial background within the TIAIKI Tibetan System. They have over 40 years of combined experience with both internal and martial arts. Poor balance, high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, depression and other challenges are greatly improved by regular Tai Qi and other internal martial arts practices. The internal arts can be practiced throughout life. With enough time, they even become healing arts. We currently offer Tibetan and Yang Style Tai Qi, Nei Gong, mediations, forms, qi sow, push hands, weapons, several martial styles, and individual instruction.

Catherine Shank offers an ongoing community meditation and prayer circle the first Monday of each month. The intent is to support the ongoing dialogue around change to allow higher vision for our community. There is a silent time for reflection and meditation, followed by an opportunity to listen and share what came forth during this mindful experience. Together we will hold our challenges as well as our dreams and sit in silence for the future of our community.

ChiRunning and ChiWalking are low impact, energy efficient, and injury preventive techniques for running and walking taught by certified instructor Bruce Keeler. In multi-week classes you will learn the techniques fundamental for either ChiRunning or ChiWalking, including postural alignment, core strength and internal focus. Turn your walks and runs into moving meditations, feel energized, relaxed and focused when you finish. These principles are easy to incorporate into your other daily activities, helping to reduce physical discomfort due to long periods of sitting or standing.

Movement Project is a process of playful exploration calling out this body wisdom into authentic expression. Through the moving body we have an opportunity to listen to a deep source of wisdom – ourselves. Participants discover how their own body and spirit want to move and open channels of communication with the self. Utilizing movement games and free-form dance in an environment of play, support and openness we learn to witness our self and others with the heart. In addition to facilitating Movement Project, Lisa Katz also teaches qigong classes at the Castle Valley Community Center. Drawing from different traditions the classes are open to all abilities and support improved health and a calm spirit in a relaxed environment.

Our classes are available to beginning and advanced students and are offered in Moab, Castle Valley, Blanding, and Bluff. For more information on class times, days, and locations please contact us at The Phoenix Rising Center located above the Red Rock Bakery at 76 South Main Street Suite #10. You can visit us, call us at 259-8123, or go to our website at phoenixrisingmoab.com.