Biography of Colin Snow

Colin Snow, born 1955 in London, re-located to Minneapolis with his family in July 2003. Since graduating from Bath Academy of Art, 1977, and Cardiff University in 1987, Colin has worked as an educator in both Elementary and Special Education, Instructor of Tai Chi & Qigong and as a Shiatsu practitioner. More recently he studied in Minneapolis with Master Chunyi Lin and instructs Tai Chi & Qigong classes at many locations in and around The Twin Cities.

Tai Chi Background

In 1986 he began to attend Tai Chi and Qigong classes at the U.K's premier Rising Dragon Tai Chi School, Cardiff, Wales. Founded in 1979, RDTC was one of the first schools of its kind to be founded in the U.K. A member of the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain, its Principal instructor and founder member is Richard Farmer.   

 

Colin became his assistant instructor and subsequently a core group teacher for the school. As a qualified instructor he established and taught new R.D.T.C. classes in Wales, making Tai Chi and Qigong accessible to everyone regardless of age or ability.

Shiatsu

To deepen his understanding of the health benefits of Tai Chi and Qigong he completed a 3-year Shiatsu Massage Practitioner course with the European School of Shiatsu in 1997. This program included the study of Physiology, Physiotherapy, Anatomy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meditation, and Healing Qigong exercises.

Natural Step Tai Chi

Since arriving in Minneapolis Colin has established the Natural Step School of Tai Chi & Qigong and is offering Shiatsu treatments designed to provide optimal health and healing.

 

“ My association with Tai Chi and Qigong began in 1986. It coincided with my first teaching appointment at an elementary school in S.Wales. As an Elementary School Teacher I felt that I needed something to balance the stressful, busy schedule that at times felt overwhelming. I wasn’t at all sure what this ‘thing’ was going to be. There were so many valuable practices around like yoga and meditation from which to choose.

 

My search took me one autumnal evening to a school hall in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. It was here I listened to an explanation about Tai Chi and watched a demonstration given by the Principal Instructor of Rising Dragon Tai Chi, Richard Farmer.

 

It was watching the extraordinarily graceful, slow, fluid, but strong movements as Richard played the Short Form that completely captured my imagination.

 

I began class the next week and it wasn’t long before I was attending 3, sometimes 4 classes a week. Practicing regularly, even during my lunch breaks much to the amusement of the pupils and my teaching colleagues.

 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. My first step had been taken and my Tai Chi journey begun. Re-connecting mind into body, discovering tranquility in movement, feeling energized, and better equipped to cope with the stress of teaching was quite simply an unstoppable, motivating force.”

The Lineage of Natural Step School of Tai Chi - NSSTC

Master Cheng Man-ch'ing

Grand Master Dr Chi Chiang Tao

Master Richard Farmer, Rising Dragon Tai Chi School, UK

Colin Snow, Natural Step Tai Chi, Twin Cities, USA

To perpetuate this Tai Chi Lineage, NSTC offers a teacher training program for committed practitioners who wish to become NSTC instructors in the future. Mary and Teri are both full-time assistants working towards instructor status.

Biography of Teri McNamara

I heard about Tai Chi from friends for several years, but when my grandmother said it gave her more stamina and flexibility, I decided I really needed to start myself.  I started with the Yang family short form in 2005 and I also play Shibashi, Eight Strands of the Brocade and Dao Yin.  I find the meditative aspects to be as rewarding as the increased strength and flexibility. 

 

In addition to my Tai Chi practice, I have worked with Authenticity Consulting, LLC as a partner since 2001, after a 20-year career in engineering and marketing.  We offer consulting, training and publications in capacity building and in peer coaching groups, an adult-learning model based on inquiry, reflection and action.  There is more information at www.authenticityconsulting.com. 

Biography of Mary Wilcox

I retired from a career in Psychotherapy earlier than anticipated due to a diagnosis of severe osteoporosis after much pain from three vertebral fractures.  I also experienced pelvic fractures after a serious fall on ice.  More than one medical doctor suggested that Tai Chi might be beneficial for both balance and bone density.  I had taken some Tai Chi classes in previous years but never kept up the practice.  I was drawn to ‘soft limit’ and Natural Step Tai Chi after contacting Colin Snow.  My Tai Chi practice is now an important part of my life.  I experience better balance, relaxation, energy, movement, core strength, mind body connection, less pain and hopefully increased bone density.  I now feel that I can actively participate and have fun while adding to my health and sense of well-being.  My body tells me that this is so.