Self Care Arts - authentic kung fu, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, Qigong, Tomiki Aikido, jiu jitsu, Hapkido

We offer seminars throughout the year. Please check back often for updates.

Tenth Anniversary Open House

Saturday, Apr. 5^th, 2008

Location: Self Care Arts in Colorado Springs

FREE for main open house, 2–4 pm.

$25 for massage workshop, 4–6 pm

Celebrate ten years with us!

For ten years, Laoshi Martin Kelly has shared his vast knowledge of ancient healing and martial techniques with Colorado Springs. His studio, Self Care Arts, has become the home of quality programs in qigong (Chinese yoga), Tai Chi—plus its cousins Hsing-Yi and Baguazhang—and Wing Chun (think Jackie Chan). He has also founded his own modern system, called Mountain Dragon Martial Arts, a reality-based “mixed martial arts” (MMA) program that draws on all of his specialties and includes competitive fight training.

How can one man offer so many different techniques? For one thing, he’s been training since the age of seven, with many expert instructors in the U.S. and China. He has even competed, and won championships, in extreme mixed-martial-art fighting tournaments. But, just as important, Master Kelly has chosen to study systems that have a common core: sound kinesiology and principles of effective motion. This common core unifies his knowledge so that each system becomes another unique method of applying these same principles, whether for health, massage, or combat. His life-long interest in “the real deal” has led him to authentic lineage mastery that is a world apart from the “black belt assembly line” mentality of some larger commercial schools.

There are no “empty forms” at Self Care Arts. Whether you are learning a Tai Chi form, a massage technique, or an Aikido throw, Master Kelly makes clear how each component of the movement works, what principle it is based on, and why it is done the way it’s done. You will find it easier to remember what you are taught, and you will be armed with sufficient knowledge to adapt your techniques in new situations beyond what you were taught. And, these systems evolve with new discoveries in modern research and the everyday break-throughs that occur in class with students.

This kind of learning is far superior to the blind “tradition for tradition’s sake” that can occur all too often in other schools. It is the signature of Master Kelly and Self Care Arts.

Come see for yourself!

2–3 pm:   FREE Baguazhang demo
3–4 pm:   get a FREE Thai yoga massage!
4–6 pm:   $25 for you and a partner to learn introductory Thai yoga massage.

ANY TIME: bring your questions!

Deer Play Yoga & Qigong Yoga

Sunday, Mar. 30^th, 2008

Location: SpiritSong Wellness in Elbert, CO. Address below.

$75 for 4 hours! Or $45 for just one of the two-hour sessions.

Celebrate the arrival of Spring!

The Deer frolic is a yoga set from ancient China’s five animal frolic health system, “Wu Qin Xi.” Its graceful exercises are modeled after the movement of the deer. This complete yoga/Qigong system develops strength, flexibility, balance, and an abundance of healing energy, or “Qi.”

This deer system is medical Qigong because it improves chi circulation and thus improves one’s health. It is also martial Qigong because it trains elements of animal kungfu. It is spiritual Qigong, because it teaches one to be in harmony with the animals of nature.

Benefits include relaxing the body and mind, balancing and regulating the endocrine system, and strengthening and stretching the spine, hips, and legs.

Come learn one of the most ancient Qigong/yoga systems still practiced today!

Instructor:
Lao-shi Martin Kelly, a certified Qigong Master, expert mind-body fitness educator, and owner of Self Care Arts.

10 am – noon: Medical Qigong active seminar
1 pm – 3 pm: Martial Qigong practice
$45 for one session; $75 both sessions

Register in advance! Call (303) 646-4321, SpiritSong Wellness, 6403 West Kiowa Creek Rd, Elbert, CO 80106

Thai Yoga Massage

Saturday, Feb. 23^rd, 2008; 2–5 pm

Location: Spectrum Wellness, Colorado Springs

$75 for 3 hours with two experienced instructors!

This is an introductory workshop for anyone interested in learning the extraordinary healing techniques of ancient Thai yoga massage and how to apply these techniques in a systematic way.

No experience needed to participate!

For experienced massage/health professionals, this is a great opportunity to learn the basics of a new technique and integrate it into your practice. A formal certification program will be available soon.

Instructors:
Martin Kelly, Owner Self Care Arts, Master teacher and Thai massage therapist.
John Reardon, certified Thai massage therapist (Wat Po School, Bangkok, Thailand).

Bear style Qigong and Kung Fu

Sunday, Jan. 27^th, 2008

Location: SpiritSong Wellness

6403 West Kiowa Creek Road, Elbert, CO 80106

The Bear is a symbol of strength and power. The bear also reminds us of the need to go inward and slow down during the wintertime and to return in the spring and summer months with a renewed energy. The essence of the bear practice is to feel sunken (grounded), stable, heavy, and ponderous (reflective) while maintaining ease and fluidity of movement. Bear Qigong stimulates the kidneys, brings warmth to the body, and helps store vital ch’i energy. This class is a MUST for people interested in the art of self-care and maintaining optimal levels of health and performance.

10 am – noon: Medical Qigong session
1 pm – 3 pm: Kung Fu session
$45 for one session; $75 both sessions

Register in advance! Call (303) 646-4321, SpiritSong Wellness.

Crane Qigong

Saturday, July 7^th, 2007

Time, Cost TBA; call studio for details (719) 573-8801

Crane is one of many ancient forms of Qigong based on natural movements observed in the animal kingdom. Like all Qigong forms, it stretches and exercises your body's joints, muscles, internal organs, and connective tissue for wellness and long life.

Earth Day Expo

Saturday, April 21^st, 2007, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Palmer High School, at Nevada & Platte

FREE admission!

Taking care of the Earth starts with taking care of yourself! Come to the Self Care Arts exhibit for short classes on Tai Chi and Qigong, offered hourly, where staff and students will demonstrate techniques for health and self awareness.

These ancient disciplines were crafted by observing nature in action, and they include such elements as Water, Fire, and—you guessed it—Earth! If you’re lucky, you may even get to see a rare demonstration of the subtle yet powerful “Earth Palm” technique from an art called Baguazhang!

For more event info, see the Pike’s Peak Earth Day web site.

Inayan Eskrima — Stick Fighting

Saturday, April 14^th, 2007, 5–8 p.m.

Self Care Arts Studio at Barnes & Oro Blanco

$50 for all 3 hours!

Learn basic techniques and partner drills of the Inayan System III form of Eskrima, Kadena de Mano style, including hand to hand, knife to knife, knife to hand, disarms, takedowns, and lock flow.

The seminar will be conducted by Suro Emanuel Hart and local instructors of this Eskrima system, as the honored guests of Self Care Arts. If you are a martial artist of any style or just interested, you should check this out for a great introduction to a core aspect of Inayan Eskrima. For more info on the Inayan System III, visit www.inayansystem3.com.

Participants of all levels and all martial arts styles are welcome. Please bring your own training gear.

For more details, call Brian Brown at (719) 930-3167, or Self Care Arts at (719) 573-8801.

Thai Yoga Massage—Valentine's Day Edition

Saturday, February 10^th, 2007, 2–4 p.m.

$70 per couple, $45 per individual.

... so bring your valentine!

Thai yoga massage is an ancient self care/healing art with origins in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, western acupressure and massage.

Contains gentle rocking yoga stretches to increase joint range of motion; massage to oxygenate blood, release toxins, reduce stress, increase flexibility and balance your body’s energies.

Thai Yoga Massage promotes freer movement of joints, increased circulation, decreased stagnant energy and stiffness and creates a relaxed energized state/being. It is practiced FULLY clothed on a mat.

Limited Enrollment. Call 573-8801 to register.