AMHERST, Mass.- The Mead Art Museum at Amherst College will hold a series of late morning Tai Chi sessions, free and open to the public, in the Mead Art Museum's Neuhoff Sculpture Court at 11 a.m. on the Wednesday mornings of April 20, May 18, June 22, and July 20, 2011.  Designed to engage participants physically and intellectually, the sessions will be led by David Mazor, Amherst College Tai Chi and Quigong Meditation and Exercise instructor, who teaches Cheng Man-ch'ing style Tai Chi.

Tai Chi originated as a mode of self-defense in ancient China and has evolved into a gentle form of exercise. According to the series organizer, Maggie Dethloff, Tai Chi is often called "meditation in motion." The Mead's Tai Chi series continues the emphasis of Meditations at the Mead on mindfulness, while adding a component of bodily involvement - thus offering further opportunities for art lovers to take their engagement to a new level. Each session will combine instructor-led Tai Chi with a shared discussion of Tai Chi principles and practices in relation to a specific collection artwork or campus structure.    

Participants are welcome to attend any number of the sessions. Postures will be at the beginner's level to accommodate all levels of experience. Participants should wear comfortable clothing.

A complete schedule of the museum's events is posted on the Mead's Web site: www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/schedule.The Mead Art Museum houses the art collection of Amherst College, totaling more than 16,000 works. An accredited member of the American Association of Museums, the Mead participates in Museums10, a regional cultural collaboration. During the academic term, the museum is open Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, please visit the museum's Web site, www.amherst.edu/museums/mead, or call 413/542-2335. 

###