Silver Dragon was founded in September 2001 by George Hoffman as a vehicle to bring the great arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to others so that they could also realize the health benefits associated with their practice.  Our mission is to offer clients and other practitioners the tools necessary to maintain ongoing health and treat periodic energetic imbalances using Qi Gong and Tai Chi.  Our goal is to deliver value that exceeds expectations and to refer clients not able to fit into Silver Dragon schedules, classes and private lessons to other competent, qualified schools and instructors.

George Hoffman, Director 

George has 11 years of teaching experience and 16 years of study in the Chinese arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.  He has successfully developed and continues to deliver classes in both arts for a number of organizations including municipal recreation departments, corporate fitness centers, health-focused healing centers and as guest instructor for a  Connecticut Tai Chi Cooperative.  His goal is to give students the tools with which to reap the ongoing health and self-healing benefits associated with Tai Chi and Qi Gong by offering group classes and individual instruction at your location.  His strengths in teaching and coaching facilitate students’ ability to learn these health-enhancing exercises rapidly and with confidence.  His belief in the power of these ancient arts comes across in his teaching style, patience, compassion and his students’ success.

What's New?

NEW WORKSHOP OFFERED

Silver Dragon in cooperation with the Connecticut Institute for Herbal Studies is pleased to announce the offering of a new 2-day workshop: - Qi Gong for Practitioners.  Designed for health care practitioners as a way to keep ourselves healthy using Qi Gong exercises on a daily basis, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to understand more about the Chinese health and healing practice of Qi Gong and the role it can play in our daily lives as health and healing practitioners.  See the Workshop Schedule for details and pricing. 

WORLD TAI CHI & QI GONG DAY SUCCESS & PICTURES

Our 10th anniversary World Tai Chi Day event was a major success with more than 150 attendees, 23 teachers offering 32 workshops and more than 20 sponsoring and participating schools.  Cloudy skies and a cool ocean breeze couldn't darken the spirits of the participants and the warm afternoon sun made for a perfect day.  Additional details are available at:

See some great pictures courtesy of Kim Walker (of Walker Guitars  fame): http://www.walkerguitars.com/taichi2008/

TWO NEW LOCATIONS CONTINUE!

Silver Dragon is proud to announce continuing Tai Chi Classes and Qi Gong workshops being offered in collaboration with Spirit Matters - Center for Healing Body, Mind and Spirit, 19 Pinney St in Ellington, CT and with The Tennis and Fitness Center, 1000 Elm St in Rocky Hill, CT.

Spirit Matters - Ellington, CT

Daytime Tai Chi for Adults - Tuesday classes begin June 17th, 9:30 AM.  8-week session pricing for one and two days per week is available.  See Class Schedule for details.

Evening Tai Chi for Adults - New session begins Wednesday, June 25th, 5:00-6:15 PM.  8-week session, price: $65

We're also offering two Qi Gong workshops at Spirit Matters - see Workshop Schedule for more details:

The Tennis and Fitness Center - Rocky Hill, CT

Daytime Tai Chi for Adults (Wednesday) - New cycle of classes begins Wednesday June 11th, 9:30 AM.  10-week session pricing set by the Tennis Center.  See Class Schedule for details.

Daytime Tai Chi for Adults (Saturday) - New cycle of classes begins Saturday, June 14th, 9:30 AM.  10-week session pricing set by the Tennis Center.  See Class Schedule for details.

What  is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi, or Taiji Chuan, is an 800 year old Chinese martial art with roots that can be traced back even further.  For centuries, the secrets of this gentle art were passed down in oral tradition to prevent them from being revealed to “outsiders.”  In the past century, Tai Chi has evolved from a family and village-focused source of protection into a worldwide health & fitness movement and a moving meditation while still remaining a martial art. 

The gentle movements of this soft flowing meditative exercise system direct the life force, “Chi”, to achieve balance, increase flexibility, provide more efficient breathing and enhance circulation.   Tai Chi’s focus on developing internal power and wisdom separate it from the hard external arts of Karate, Tae Kwon Do and others.  Its slow motion movement, inner focus, and health benefits make it an ideal, low impact, health enhancing exercise system for people of all ages.

What is Qi Gong?

Qi Gong (Chi Kung), literally “Energy Work”,  is the widely practiced art of moving and balancing Chi (life force energy) throughout the body to maintain health and prevent illness.  The practice includes body postures and movements, breathing techniques and focused intention.  It has been practiced in China for more than 4000 years, and like Tai Chi, was held as a family or village art and not shared with outsiders until the mid twentieth century.   

Qi Gong - considered the fourth arm of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - is practiced to provide the body with energetic balance in the same ways that TCM uses the sister arts of Herbal remedies, Acupuncture and Chinese Massage (Tui Na).

What’s it all mean?

The ancient arts of Tai Chi and Qi Gong present a unique set of tools with which we can return our bodies to a healthy balance and maintain a superior quality of life as we age. 

The deep rhythmic breathing, slow deliberate movements and mental body-mind focus of these arts help us to improve balance and circulation, reduce falls, increase flexibility, loosen and lubricate joints, improve concentration and reduce stress. 

For centuries, the Chinese have known and understood the benefits these practices provide.  We now have the opportunity to incorporate them into our own lives.

Why Choose Silver Dragon? 

Silver Dragon takes the unique approach of designing and delivering classes at YOUR  location to meet your organization’s fitness and scheduling needs. 

We use a combination of Qi Gong and simple Tai Chi movements to accelerate the students’ development and energy awareness.  Tai Chi’s martial postures and movements are used to “inform” the body of the optimal relationship of torso, limbs, mind and breath that enhance the internal movement of energy and maximize the healing benefits of Qi.   

Our focus is to help students improve their physical and energetic balance and recognize and adjust to changes in their movement, flexibility and mental focus.