Housatonic — Tai Chi teacher Ruby Aver is taking what she learned in the Netherlands back to the Berkshires.
Back in 1988, Aver started her Tai Chi and Chi Kung studies with Master Djie Han Thung in the Netherlands. Aver also received training with Grandmaster William C.C. Chen, who is a student of Great-Grandmaster Cheng Man-Ching and Peter Ralston, who created an internal martial art form.
“I am a former professional, classical, and contemporary dancer,” Aver said. “When I retired, I ended up living in the Netherlands for 18 years. I was trekking through Southeast Asia for a year. I wanted to study something that had movement involved but was more gentle with the body. That’s when I got involved in Tai Chi.”
Aver said that she wants to teach what she has learned overseas to students in the Berkshires.
Previously, she taught Tai Chi Sword as a faculty member of Bard College at Simon’s Rock for five years, and also gave private lessons in Housatonic.
“To me, what someone can get out of Tai Chi is to learn to relax deeply into themselves,” she said. “From there, you learn about balance. To me, it’s very comforting to learn as a group or even in a private lesson because it is soothing. It combines tools to learn about relaxation and the sheer joy of movement.”
Aver said that her classes, which she calls “Moving with Change,” are all about promoting strength, balance, and freeing up energy. “I call it ‘Moving with Change’ because Tai Chi can help us when we feel like we are stagnating or when we are stuck in a bad mood,” she said. “We’re very uncomfortable with change. The more we can be in the present moment and learn how to relax in it, then we can start to enjoy it.”
Aver said that she has taught Tai Chi to students from teenagers to students in their 80s.
“I have held intergenerational classes and at different levels, so everyone can work at their level and get benefits immediately,” Aver said.
For more information call 413-854-7007 or email movingwithchange21@gmail.com.
