Meet Maria Chowdhury
Taiji & Qigong Teacher
My name is Maria Chowdhury, over the past 20 years I’ve trained in many styles of martial arts. In 1996, I started with Shotokan Karate in Hot Springs Arkansas. Shortly after I started my first Taijiquan lessons. While traveling in Central America, I was introduced to Qigong. Upon returning home to Fayetteville in 2000, I started training in Judo with Donald Oluett for 3 years. Stopping only because I became pregnant with Sequoyah. While he was little, my training was put on hold, except for my daily Qigong breathing practices.
Finally, Sequoyah was ready to train in martial arts and he and I both started our Black Belt Journey with Master Michael Felix in Tang Soo Do. Now we are both Nidan's and Jokoyo's (2nd-degree black belts and assistant instructors) and continue training and teaching together.
In 2014, I began training with Dennis Nelms, learning the Chen Taiji, Old Frame 74 movement form. And now most recently, I’ve had the privilege of training and learning from Erik Hardin and Dr. Yang Jing Ming in YMAA Yang Style Taijiquan.
My teaching philosophy and experience stem from my teachers. Training with many teachers in different styles has taught me that a friendly, light-hearted approach to teaching brings out the best in each student. I like to develop a solid foundation by learning structure, form, and breath. Then string them together into a fluid, harmonized practice. Teaching both Tang Soo Do and Taijiquan has deepened my knowledge and love for martial arts. It is more than a physical for practice, for me, it’s a way of life. Walking the path of the peaceful warrior is truly a path with heart.
Weekly Classes
Qigong for Women Only
Friday's 12-1 PM
VA Woman's Clinic Lobby 2nd floor of Building 21.
Parking lot 21.
Price: FREE
Meet at the Women's Clinic at 11:50 am start promptly at 12:00 pm.
Call Laura at the VA for logistic questions
(479) 443-4301 ext. 65733 or Maria.
Wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
This class focuses on healing Qigong practices. We learn how to cultivate, circulate and direct qi to promote a feeling of relaxation and expansion. We do not learn complicated forms. We do simple yet powerful movements that can be done sitting or standing.
You do not need to be a Veteran to attend!
Taiji & Qigong for Everyone
Friday Morning 10:00 -11:00 am
Price $10 per class or $35 per month
1814 N Crossover Rd, Ste 2, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 (Karate Studio)
We meet in a nice bright martial arts studio with good mats and mirrors.
Wear comfortable exercise clothes we do not wear shoes on the mats.
Bring water.
This class offers you the opportunity to learn Taiji and Qigong forms. These are healing forms that require practice and patience to learn. They promote physical, emotional, and spiritual harmony and strength.
This class is for you if you are looking to dive deeper into ancient healing and martial arts.
Qigong for Everyone
Rotating Instructors: Tom Harmony, Erik Hardin, Jason Salgado, & Maria Chowdhury
Friday Afternoons from 1-2 pm at the VA Hospital
Price FREE
Park in Building 21
Meet downstairs in the lobby of the Physical Therapy Room @ 12:50
Wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes.
This is a co-ed class intended for recovery, restoration, strength, balance, and serenity. We learn simple yet powerful movements to help generate, circulate and direct qi throughout the body.
These movements can be done seated or standing.
There are no complicated forms to learn or remember.
This class is open for men and women of all ages and physical abilities.
You do not have to be a Veteran to join the class.
All levels of Taiji or Qigong knowledge/experience is welcome.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE NEVER DONE TAIJI OR QIGONG BEFORE THESE CLASSES ARE FOR YOU!
What is Qigong?
“Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles and the water is clear?”- Lao Tzu
Qigong is an ancient Chinese health care system that integrates physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intention.
Qigong is made up of two Chinese words. 1. Qi (pronounced chee) and is usually translated to mean the life force or vital-energy that flows through all things in the universe. 2. Gong (pronounced gung) means accomplishment, or a skill that is cultivated through steady practice. So together Qigong means cultivating energy.
Benefits of Building a Qigong Practice
“She who conquers others is strong; she who conquers herself is mighty" - Lao-tsu”
Qigong can calm the mind and help to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit. For me personally, Qigong offers a powerful way to either ground down and become centered in myself. Or, it can really open me up and expand my energy field. Some times I practice to wake me up and help me become clear and accurate. Other times to meditate and feel at one with the universe. Qigong is a simple yet powerful energy work system that is used for healing. The most advanced forms are actually internal Qigong.
Start Your Taiji & Qigong Journey Now!
Contact Info
Phone
(479) 718-0841
Address
1814 N Crossover Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
