What is Golden Breath American Tai Chi?
Golden Breath American Tai Chi pays respect to older Chinese systems, but it's a modern system that has developed its own personality in this country.
A Modern Mind-Body-Spirit Discipline Based on Pure Healing Movements
The
essence of this self-healing
practice is the connection
between the breath and soft
flowing motions done in easy
natural stances (or sitting).
The principle behind Golden Breath is that the distribution and flow of "chi" (or universal life force energy) throughout the body will be improved by coordinating certain physical movements with the breath flow. When these slow, fluid movements synchronize the breath and the body, the chi levels and the chi flow are adjusted in a way that is optimum for each practitioner to restore health, release emotional burdens, and refresh his or her outlook on life. Thus, even people with significant restrictions, as well as individuals looking to reduce stress in their lives, can benefit from this form. In addition to improving balance, postural alignment, and coordination, Golden Breath's synchronization of breath, movement, and mental focus relaxes the mind, restores the body, and rejuvenates the spirit.
Golden Breath American Tai Chi is a series of over 300 choreographed Tai Chi movements developed by SiBok Robert Kassof over the last several years of his Tai Chi and martial arts career. Golden Breath American Tai Chi is the name of the Tai Chi System; Golden Breath Tai Chi is the name of the Tai Chi Form. The movements of Golden Breath Tai are slow, rhythnic, fluid, and beautiful to the eye to watch. The movements teach a person how to move with the breath and how to grasp one's Life Force Energy. In Essence, Golden Breath Tai Chi is a dance of the Life Force Energy expressed through the Tai Chi form.
Golden Breath Tai Chi has been taught widely to people with disabilities, medical conditions, and in some medical settings. The movements can easily be adapted to be taught in a chair and thus more easily accessible to those individuals who have decreased endurance or difficulty standing. Golden Breath Tai Chi was designed to be practiced by all individuals regarless of physical limitations. Please feel free to view the testimonials of some of our practitioners.
SiBok Robert Kassof, founder of Golden Breath Tai Chi System, originally earned a Black Sash in White Crane Gung Fu in 1971. In 1974, he joined the American Karate and Kung Fu Association as a teacher of White Crane. In the early 1970's, he had a life threatening illness that led him to study with Master Pau. Master Pau was an internal teacher of his lineage and taught Dragon Ba Gua, Hsing-i, Su Tai Chi, and internal healing practices. From Master Pau, he earned the title SiBok. Through Master Pau, SiBok learned internal healing movements of Master Pau's system and a "Way" that allowed him to become in touch with his own inner Presence and insight. With this insight and gratitude to God, SiBok was able to regain his health and to develop the movements of the Golden Breath American Tai Chi System as they are today.
People of diverse backgrounds, religions, and cultures now practice the movement of Golden Breath American Tai Chi. It is being taught in a variety of settings, including college activity centers, health centers, HIV/AIDS and arthritis support groups, community centers, and in local workshops. Classes and workshops are conducted regularly throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. A list of locations where Golden Breath is available can be found on the Classes page.