Raymond Sol, MS. Ed, is a Master's Level Educator with teaching experience at the university level, in several disciplines. He provides a wide variety of programs and courses to help
people of all ages learn to use tai chi throughout their daily
lives.
Currently, he teaches Tai Chi and Qigong at Paradise Valley Community College, Black Mountain Campus, in north Scottsdale. He also teaches Tai Chi and Qigong, Special Tai Chi Exercise Classes (Fan, Sword, Staff, Spear), and Art Relaxation Classes at the private PERA Club, in
Tempe. In addition, senior citizens can attend his Health and Joints Class at the Foothills Community Foundation Center, in Scottsdale. And he supports the Medical Staff at Healthy Outlook Family Medicine, a medical practice in Phoenix, with classes in Health and Joints, and Tai Chi and Qigong.
He also runs a Tai Chi consulting concern under the banner: Tai Chi / Body Balance. Therefore, he is also available, as a consultant, to meet with
you at your business. He can personalize his tai chi programs to meet
your business needs. For many people, tai chi is like moving
relaxation. Therefore, the health benefits can be significant for
relieving stress and tension, improving stability and flexibility,
increasing strength and muscle tone, and helping the body's immune
system.
The main emphasis in all his classes is exercise, with a concentration on body
balance, both
external and internal. Keeping your body upright and balanced brings
stability to your movements. Just as important, is bringing in fresh
oxygen into your body to help rejuvenate your muscles and cleanse the
inner body of toxins. The brain is also stimulated during the entire exercise process, which helps keep the mind sharp and relax the body. Overall, the bottom line is to help people exercise their bodies, using Tai Chi and Qigong techniques.
Listed below are brief descriptions of many tai chi and Qigong
programs, as taught by Raymond Sol, Master Teacher. If you or your business is interested in any of these programs, please
contact Raymond for a free consultation. The next time you are
planning an annual meeting, or a team meeting, use one of these programs
to help energize the group at either the start or end of the day. Or
after a group luncheon, when people may start to feel lethargic.
Tai Chi / Body Balance
. This an exercise class where
students will progressively learn the 64 movements of the Guang Ping
Yang style of Tai Chi, as taught by Raymond Sol, MS. Ed. Students will progress from the Beginners level,
through the Intermediate Level, and into the Advanced level. In the Advanced
level students will learn how to coordinate breathing exercises with
all of the 64 movements. For more information click on the link at the left.
Office Tai Chi. This is an exercise program designed to show
people how to use Tai Chi exercises at their desks, to relieve stress
and re-energize their bodies. Once these exercises are learned they can
be used throughout the day when people feel lethargic and don't want a
cigarette or cup of caffeine. This class is 1/2 hour. For more information click on the link at the left.
Tai Chi - Lotus Blossom Fan
. This is an exercise class where
students will learn the 32 movements of the Lotus Blossom Fan, as taught by Raymond Sol, MS. Ed. Students can supply their own Fans or they can be purchased from the instructor. Students will first
progress through the Short Form's 20 movements. The remaining 12
movements of the Long form completes the class for these elegant
exercises. Each class is 1 hour, once a week for six weeks for the Short Form. The Long Form will require an additional four weeks.
Tai Chi - Taiji Dragon Sword
. This is an exercise class
where students will learn the 32 movements of the Taiji Dragon Sword, as taught by Raymond Sol, MS. Ed. Students will use a practice sword supplied by the Instructor. Students will first
progress through the Short Form's 18 movements. The remaining 14
movements of the Long Form completes the class for these exercises.
Each class is 1 hour, once a week for eight weeks, for the short form. The Long Form will require an additional six weeks.
Tai Chi - Taiji Tiger Staff
. This is an exercise class where
students will learn the 20 movements of the Tai Chi - Taiji Tiger Staff, as taught by Raymond Sol, MS. Ed. Students will use a 5 foot long practice staff supplied by the instructor. This class is great for helping to loosen the shoulders and arms. In addition, there are many balancing movements to help people gain confidence and stability while moving through the various movements. Beginning students will progressively learn the first 20 movements. Intermediate students will continue to progressively learn the next 20 to 34 movements. Finally, Advanced students will progressively learn the remaining movements 34 to 44. The Beginners class is 1 hour, once a week, for eight weeks. Both the Intermediate and Advanced classes are each 6 weeks in length.
Tai Chi - Taiji Whispering Spear. This is an exercise class where students will learn Tai Chi exercises using a 7 foot long practice spear supplied by the instructor. This class is currently under development.
Tai Chi Chuan Simplified. This is an exercise class where students will progressively learn the 24 simplified tai chi forms of the Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, as taught by Raymond Sol, MS. Ed. This class is currently under development.
Tai Chi - Walking Relaxation
. This is a relaxation class
designed to relieve stress and tension. Students will learn relaxation
techniques while walking. In addition, Qigong deep breathing exercises
will help to open up the lungs and calm the inner body. A relaxation
exercise called "Awareness of the Universe Around You" completes the
class. This class is 1 1/2 hours, for a one-time session.
Happy Hour Tai Chi
. This exercise program is done at the end
of the day, before people go home from work. The goal is to increase
oxygen intake and blood circulation to fully awaken the inner body for
the drive home. Stress relief after a long day is also part of the
program. This course is currently under development. This class is one
time for half an hour.
Grasshopper Tai Chi
. This is an exercise class for first to
sixth grade students. Students and teachers are shown simple Tai Chi
movements based on insects. Students learn about insects, and teachers
learn exercise techniques to help calm students down during the day.
This is a 15 to 20 minute class.
LadyHawk and Hawk Tai Chi
. This is an exercise class for
teenagers to learn 11 Tai Chi exercises. The program is designed for
separate PE classes. The exercises flow together into one continuous
movement, and then are repeated several times for a total exercise of 8
to 10 minutes. No Qigong deep breathing exercises are presented. This is a one hour class.
Tai Chi - Senior Spider Balance
. This is an exercise class
with an emphasis on body balance for seniors 60+ years of age. Students
are shown Tai Chi balance techniques while moving, and simple body
balance exercises. The students will learn 5 basic Tai Chi movements
which can be repeated several times. Stretching exercises along with
simple breathing exercises will be learned. Students confined to a
wheel chair can participate. This class is one for one hour, and it is recommended that students continue practicing these exercises under the supervision of Raymond Sol, MS Ed. Arrangements can be set up to repeat this class on an ongoing basis.
Tai Chi Hikes
. This class is primarily for hikers and hiking groups, and only public access hiking trails are used.
Tai Chi exercises at the beginning of the hike are designed to loosen
leg muscles for hiking. At the midpoint of the hike, or where an open
area can be found, the hikers are shown Tai Chi Balancing exercises for
about 15 minutes. When the hikers return to the Trail Head, they are
shown Qigong deep breathing exercises and simple acupressure techniques to help themselves in the back
country. Classes are held with the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, and Paradise Valley Community College. Trails are usually moderate in difficulty, and average 3 to 5 miles. NOTE: Hikers are responsible for their own safety, and must supply their own hiking equipment, including water, snacks, and First Aid equipment. A Waiver Form must be signed by everyone hiking. In addition, hikers are responsible for being in shape to complete the hiking distance and keep up with the group. All reasonable efforts will be made to keep everyone safe and all hikers (everyone going on the hike) must check with their healthcare provider, before the hike and at their own expense, to determine that their personal health and fitness are at a level that will allow them to safely complete the hike, without difficulty or without danger to their health. Finally, all hikers must read, understand, and comply with the "Caution Statement" on the Home Page of this website (www.raymondsol.com), and agree to unconditionally and irrevocably release, quit, and forever discharge Raymond Sol and his successors, heirs, beneficiaries and assigns for, from and against any and all rights, claims, obligations, actions, causes of actions, suits, demands, costs, expenses, damages, injuries, or other occurrences, including, without limitation, attorney's fees (collectively "Claims"), arising out of or resulting from the hike and services provided by Raymond Sol, whether the Claims arise from the activities on all hikes or elsewhere, and agree to indemnify, defend and hold Raymond Sol harmless for, from and, against all Claims.
