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The Blue Heron Philosophy |
What to expect at Blue Heron |
Head Instructor, Barbara Feldman |
Internal and Healing Arts |
Karate and Martial Arts |
Self-Defense |
The purpose of Blue Heron Martial and Healing Arts is to provide instruction and practice to people of all ages and abilities in internal and external martial arts, energy and healing work, and practical self-defense. By so doing, we help each student connect mind with body, restore and develop conscious feeling in movements, and improve quality of life in today’s world.
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A professional educator with over 30 years’ experience teaching adults and children, Barbara Feldman has practiced the martial arts for over 25 years and the healing arts for over 20. She holds black belts in two styles of karate, including a 4th degree black belt in Ai Mute Shotokan under Sensei Jaye Spiro of Detroit. She is a member and former secretary of the National Women’s Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF). Barbara studies T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Chi Kung primarily with Master Wei Lun Huang of Miami. She has also studied T’ai Chi and various forms of Chi Kung with several other teachers. She has certifications in Five Element Medical QiGong, Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua, Sword, Fast Form, and Push Hands. Barbara is a member of the American Tai Chi Association. Barbara has taught martial arts to many groups. She was an instructor at NWMAF Special Training and a self-defense instructor at Shepherd College. She has taught T’ai Chi Ch’uan and Chi Kung to several health and educational groups including cancer patients at the Center for Integrative Health Care in Frederick, MD. |
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| Internal Arts promote well-being and longevity and develop power by circulating internal energy throughout the body. Individuals in good health or poor, young or elderly, can practice internal arts. The health benefits are many and include reduced mental and physical stress; improved balance, concentration, and coordination; increased range of motion and flexibility; development of muscle strength and tone; reduction of high blood pressure and blood sugar levels; and increased well-being. | Blue Heron children/family and adult/teen karate classes promote self-confidence and understanding of oneself and others. The core of Ai Mute Shotokan karate is the philosophy of the peaceful warrior, one who is developing body, mind, and spirit into a harmonious whole. |
Self defense is part of the Ai Mute Shotokan karate curriculum. It includes self-awareness, self-confidence, environmental awareness, conflict avoidance and resolution, dealing with bullies, handling anger and other negative emotions, and de-escalation techniques, as well as physical self-defense techniques. Periodic workshops and classes for women, children,
and seniors are available. They
teach prevention through awareness, assertiveness, de-escalation and physical
self-defense strategies and techniques.
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T’ai Chi Ch’uan: Tai Chi Chuan is an internal martial art based on philosophies of balance and change. The Yang Style long form promotes harmony between the mind and body and between oneself and others when practiced regularly. All three aspects–health, martial application, and philosophy–are taught and explored.
Ba Gua: The goal of martial arts training is to become as soft and natural in one’s movements as a baby and to unify mind and body into one. Ba Gua uses three powers—twisting, sinking, and expanding––and the philosophy of the eight trigrams to reach these goals. Ba Gua practice focuses on eight animal chi kung, circle walking, and palm changes.
Qigong: Qigong (or Chi Kung) is energy work. It uses breathwork, meditation, body movement, and mental focus to cultivate the body’s energy (bioelectricity). Qigong thereby improves health and develops greater power for martial arts. Common health benefits include better balance, flexibility, and memory; reduced high blood pressure; improved breathing; reduced stress; and overall sense of well-being.
Ai Mute Shotokan Karate: Ai Mute Shotokan training includes basic techniques, forms, sparring, and self-defense as well as flexibility and strength development. Advanced students also train with weapons. While developing the body, this training improves focus, control, physical and mental coordination, self-discipline, goal setting, and self-knowledge. The belt ranking system encourages goal setting and recognizes achievement.
Pre-karate, Smart Moves for Young Children: In Pre-karate, Smart Moves for Young Children, 4-6 year olds engage in activities that help develop physical coordination and stimulate brain-body connections. They learn some basic martial arts techniques. Many of the activities are in game format. The children have fun and make friends as well as develop a sense of competency and knowledge about themselves.
At Blue Heron, karate training emphasizes physical and mental well-being and self-development.
