Steve Haidinger is Tai Chi Concho's Master Instructor. What does Master Instructor mean? A master instructor is someone who is dedicated to intense study of an art or method. Steve has practiced Tai Chi for 12 years for health and wellness. He began his journey in 1998 in South Korea as a novice under Tai Chi Master Choe, a grandson of Tai Chi Grandmaster from China who fled China to Korea during WWII.
Steve wanted to learn Tai Chi and Qigong to help relieve his lower back pain. Master Choe introduced him to Korean Ki therapy and Yang style Tai Chi. Once Steve realized the profound healing power of Tai Chi and Ki therapy he embraced the Eastern philosophy of self-healing. Steve will be the first to tell you that he is a very small fish in a big pond when it comes to Tai Chi and Qigong but he is growing more each day. Steve holds an Associate of Applied Science degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University School of Applied Science and Arts. Steve is skilled in Tai Chi, Qigong the indigenous healing system of China, and Chan meditation. He is a professional member of the American Tai Chi and Qigong Association and a student of Grand Master Jianye Jiang.
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Tai Chi Concho Steering Committee
Tai Chi Concho benefits from many talents and influences.
Terri Hamer - Senior Coordinator
Dr. Joseph Feldhaus M.D. - Medical and Complementary Health Advisor
Jane Derby Nurse Practitioner - Wellness Coordinator
Donna Jackson - Community Involvement
Dr. Randy Hall (PhD) - Multi-discipline coordinator
Nora Barrera (M.S.) - Intercultural Coordinator
Mercy Jaramillo - Intercultural Coordinator
Jessie Stout - Arthritis Foundation Coordinator and Business Plan Advisor
Stacie Jones - Ayurvedic and Yoga Advisor
Steve Haidinger - Tai Chi and Qigong Curriculum Development, and Community Outreach
Q: What is Tai Chi?
A: Tai Chi is a Chinese art of slow and flowing movements filled with vigor and force. Mind and body work together to channel bioelectric energy through the body to improve health and reduce stress. Tai Chi is both a philosophy and a sport.
Q: Is Tai Chi a martial art?
A: Tai Chi evolved from and ancient healing and wellness art called the soft way. Later people adapted the healing art to self defense. Today Tai Chi is practiced primarily for its health and wellness benefits.
Q: Is Tai Chi a spiritual practice?
A: Does standing in a garage make you a car? If a person applies their own personal spiritual practice to Tai Chi it can lead to a deeper experiences no matter Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or what-ever.
Q: Is Tai Chi like Yoga?
A: Tai Chi is dynamic, yoga is static. What does this mean? Yoga practitioners adopt and hold poses for a prescribed period. Tai Chi has the practitioner flow from one pose to another without stopping or altering the speed.
Q: What is Qi?
A: Qi (Chee) is bio-electrical energy. Bio-electrical energy is the energy that animates the living organism through the use of life sustaining nutrients metabolize in the cells of the body. Body heat is Qi, a thought is Qi, nervous energy is Qi.
Q: Is Tai Chi a religion
A: No, Tai Chi is a philosophy. Most people in the United States subscribe to the 16th century philosophy of Utility and Harm. Utility states the good of the many must outweigh the good of the few. The Harm principle states that unless what I do causes harm to others or myself I should be free to do what I want. The philosophy of Tai Chi is based on moderation, simplicity, humility, and compassion.
Q: Is Tai Chi good for Arthritis?
A: Numerous studies conducted by Harvard School of Medicine and the National Institute of Health show that the regular practice of Yang Style Tai Chi is beneficial in reducing pain and increasing range of motion.
Q: What is the origin of Tai Chi?
A: Tai Chi began as a healing wellness art over 2,000 years ago in China. Archeological evidence suggests that the origins of Tai Chi may be over 5,000 years old. Tai Chi comes from a family group called energy manipulation which includes acupuncture and acupressure.
Q: What is Yin and Yang?
A: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Qi is energy. There are two types of Qi one type is receptive (yin) and the other is forceful (yang). Think of Qi as the North and South pole of Earth. Yang Qi issues from the North pole and flows to the South pole. This is not an illusion or conjecture but a scientifically validated process. The Yin Yang symbol of Tai Chi shows that Yang transforms into Yin just at positive changes to negative in Earth's magnetic field. If yin Qi was to suddenly stop so would yang. In TCM great attention is given to maintaining a proper balance and flow of yin and yang in the body to preserve health.
Q: Can I do Tai Chi if I can't walk or stand?
A: Yes, you can do Tai Chi standing, sitting, lying in a bed, or hanging from the ceiling by your heels. Tai Chi is a mind and body activity. As long as you can think you can do tai chi.
Q: I am in a wheel chair can I do Tai Chi?
A: Yes, Tai Chi is very adaptable. The key is finding a Tai Chi Master who can instruct you in alternative methods of Tai Chi practice.
Q: Is Tai Chi good for people with Fibromyalgia?
A: Tai Chi is a perfect complimentary therapy for people recovering from Fibromyalgia.
Q: Is Qigong a religion?
A: Although Qigong is not a religion and requires no change in a belief system, the balance and peace one feels after doing these exercises will extend to all aspects of one's life.
Tai Chi Concho 2009 Financial Report
Gross Income: $14, 796.00
Obligations: $9.964.00 (lease, utilities, and insurance)
Gross Profit: $4,832.00
Capital Reinvestment
Capital Re-Investment: $2,100.00 (training material, office supplies, studio supplies, secure P.O. box, web site, phone)
Tai Chi for Arthritis Seminar: $625.00 Send one instructor to class.
Certification: $160.00 (Yang Family Tai Chi Assoc. American Tai Chi Assoc)
Professional Magazines: $45.00 (Qi and Tai Chi Magazines)
State Sales Tax: $43.00
County Tax: $65.00
Expenditures $3038.00
Community Out Reach and Reinvestment
Concho Valley Home for Girls and Children's Emergency Shelter: $400.00
Central High School Sports: $149.00
Special Olympics: $25.00
Expenditures $674.00
Membership Appreciation
Chinese New Years Party: $380.00 (Food, beverage, and give away)
Annual Open House: $72.00 (Food and utensils)
Gifts and Novelties $320.00 (Calendars and Pens)
Expenditures: $772.00
Tai Chi Concho formed on September 15, 2003. The original five members, Jane Derby, Andy Escamilla, Steve Haidinger, Donea Ogle, and Edward Seward, wanted to learn and practice Tai Chi for Health and Wellness. They leased small vacant building on Oakes Street and the rest is history. From five people Tai Chi Concho grew to hundreds. Over the past seven years some people came to learn Tai Chi and Qigong for health and wellness and then move on, while others remain to become certified teachers. Tai Chi Concho serves as center of gravity for Chinese healing arts in West Texas.
We believe there are enough martial arts and MMX Dojos in the Concho valley to serve the self-defense community. Tai Chi Concho focuses on applying Tai Chi and Qigong for wellness and health. If you are looking for a self-defense class we can recommend some good schools. If you are looking for health and wellness we hope you will join our club.
Our membership fees are applied
directly to our rent, utilities, insurance, and program. At the end
of the year additional funds are distributed to Concho Valley organizations
that help children in need and back to the membership.