China Meets Hawaii in a Unique Symposium

HONOLULU - Feb. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- A world-renowned master of the Chinese art of T’ai Chi, Chungliang Al Huang, comes to Honolulu for a series of lecture demonstrations, joining with masters of native Hawaiian arts. The Tao of Aloha Symposium takes place at Still & Moving Center, 1024 Queen St., Honolulu from February 12 through 14. Details at http://j.mp/taoaloha

Renée Tillotson, the director of Still & Moving Center in Kakaako, says, “Chungliang ‘Al’ Huang is one of the most respected masters of T’ai Chi -- a Chinese martial art with dance-like flow and grace, a technique of moving meditation. We are proud to bring him to our islands for this unprecedented celebration of diversity, exploring the possible connections between Hawaiian and Chinese cultures.”

Huang lives in Oregon, and has been teaching throughout the world for more than 50 years; he has performed in hundreds of theaters, given thousands of classes and lectures, written pivotal books, appeared on television and in feature films. He has worked with figures as diverse as philosopher Joseph Campbell, therapist Fritz Perls, performer Sammy Davis Jr., writer Alan Watts, poet Alan Ginsberg, and kung fu film star Bruce Lee. He recently performed in Beijing at the invitation of the National People’s Congress, in an original recital of the Dance of the Five Principles of Peace.

Al Huang will engage in talk, story and demonstration with three respected local masters: Kumu Hula Mālia Helelā on the Hawaiian dance of hula, Wednesday February 12; Kumu Lua Ramsay Taum, on the Hawaiian martial art of lua, Thursday February 13; and Dr. Ramdas Lamb, on the Indian meditative art of yoga, Friday February 14.

Ramsay Taum is a master of the Hawaiian martial art of lua and the Po'o, head instructor of the Kaihewalu Lua system in Hawaii and recipient of the 2013 Hawaii Peace Award. He said, “I am looking forward to sharing the deep connections between Chinese philosophy and the original Hawaiian way, in this dynamic, intimate setting. Linking t’ai chi and lua will be a fascinating experience, which I believe has not been attempted before.”

On the evening of February 14, there will be a special dance celebration of the 98th birthday of Jean Erdman Campbell, a famous dancer and choreographer herself, and the wife of the great philosopher of mythology, Joseph Campbell, who lived in Honolulu for many years and is buried there.

A complete explanation of the Symposium, with registration and details of all presenters and events, is available at http://j.mp/taoaloha, or by calling 808-397-7678. The three lecture-demonstrations plus the party with Jean Campbell cost just $75 together, with individual events varying $20 to $25.  Students receive half off at the door with ID’s.

Still & Moving Center is set of studios, massage rooms and performance space in a beautifully-restored 6,000 sq ft warehouse at 1024 Queen St. in the Kakaako neighborhood of Honolulu. Multi-cultural in approach, Still & Moving offers regular classes in t’ai chi, hula and yoga, plus aerial yoga and aerial dance, Pilates, Feldenkrais, Nia, aikido, fitness and many dance styles: Tahitian, Modern, African, classical Indian, Bollywood and belly dance.  As an international training center, Still & Moving Center functions as a hub, bringing in from around the globe trainers and trainees of various movement arts – such as Thai yoga, massage therapy, Qigong, aerial yoga, Nia – and sending new teachers out into the world.  Founded and led by Nia Black Belt Renée Tillotson.

Full directions at http://www.stillandmovingcenter.com/information/location/