be presented in a series of seminars in August.

Bermudian oriental medicine expert Sifu Reginald Gingseng Cann, who is a graduate student at Pacific College of Oriental medicine in California, will return to the Island to hold the seminars in Ying-Gong and Tai-Chi-Chuan.

Sifu Cann, who has more 15 years of teaching experience, will also be offering acupuncture treatments while he is in the Island.

Trained in the three major internal systems of Tai-Chi-Chuan, Hsing-I Ch'uan, and Pa Qua Hang, Mr. Cann has travelled, lectured and studied with some of the world's foremost masters in the USA, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Local Tai-Chi-Chuan instructor Sihing Dorran Dowling, who will be assisting Mr. Cann during the seminars, began training with him seven years ago as a Hung-ga student. He later moved on to Tai-Chi-Chuan (grand ultimate boxing) which thought to have been started by Waist Monks as a profound fighting technique in China.

Tai-Chi-Chuan is now used to strengthen the immune system, relax the nervous system, increase flexibility, reduce stress and regulate the metabolic process of the body. Although relatively unknown in the west, Tai-Chi-Chuan had been a daily practice for millions in the Orient.

It is a gentle form of exercise, subtle in nature and anyone can learn, regardless of one's physical fitness level. The art combines relaxation in motion with precise breathing to stimulate the inner energies of the body.

"The exercises consist of several different positions which are performed in a continuous sequence at a slow pace. No pauses or hesitations are allowed to interrupt the graceful performance of the sequence.'' "Complete relaxation, accuracy of position, perfect balance, slowness and evenness of motion, and correct breathing are the elements which, in their combination, is said to help to develop that harmony of mind and body necessary for perfect health and immunity to disease or physical attack.'' Tai-Chi-Chuan can be performed alone without special equipment and takes five to ten minutes to complete.

Sihing Dowling said practising Tai-Chi-Chuan improved his quality of life.

"In the past seven year I have not been sick,'' he said. "When sickness does occur recovery is swift.'' Tai-Chi-Chaun heightened his awareness of his internal self to the point where he could see when his body was taking on stress. The exercise also helped him to find stillness within himself.

"I found it a wonderful tool to find stillness. In this society there are very few things that help you to find stillness in yourself,'' he said.

According to Sihing Dowling Tai-Chi-Chaun progressively changes one's lifestyle.

"It is like an osmosis. You strive toward doing things that will help you to be stronger and better.'' Mr. Dowling said he experienced an increase in energy, more tolerance to stress, and a feeling of self assurance through Tai-Chi-Chaun.

Ying-Gong, a breathing technique that increases the body's internal power, will be the focus of the other seminar.

An ancient method of energy cultivation for health, vitality, strength, internal power and longevity, Ying-Gong is said to enhance martial art skills, weight lifting and body building strength, athletic endurance, stamina, muscle tone and vitality.

"Training in this form of martial arts technique produces extreme tolerance to impacting forces.'' he added.

The seminars are open people of all ages and physical conditions who wish to improve their quality of life.

The Ying-Gong seminar will be held at Hamilton Princess Hotel in the Louise Room on Saturday August 17 from 10 am to 3 pm and on Sunday August 18 from 11 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $95 for single and $180 for both days.

The Tai-Chi-Chuan seminar will be held at BIU building on Wednesday August 14 and Friday August 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. Tickets are $50 for single and $75 for both days.

For further information on the purchase of tickets call 295-8643.

MARTIAL ART SEMINARS -- Sifu Reginald (Ginseng) Cann (left) will hold seminars in Tai-Chi-Chuan and Ying-Gong, in August assisted by Sihing Dorran Dowling (right).