Wednesday, April 10, 2019
By Brian Foley, Web Content Specialist
The sun peeks through the glass-paneled roof at the Beulah Brinton Community Center in Bay View, which perfectly sets the stage for Motoko Muneno Rashka’s spring T’ai Chi class. Muneno Rashka instructs three different T’ai Chi sessions at Brinton every week for adults ranging from beginner to intermediate skill levels.
T’ai Chi is a Chinese form of relaxation that is centered on stress-relieving techniques designed to release tension, improve flexibility, and ease the pressure on the body and the mind.
“The great thing about T’ai Chi is that it improves the inner system, such as Qi (life energy), blood circulation, and metabolism, which results in increased immunity and resistance to illness,” Muneno Rashka said. “Some people say that T’ai Chi is a moving meditation, so it calms your mind and reduces stress.”
Muneno Rashka has been a T’ai Chi instructor since 2012 and has worked with Milwaukee Recreation since 2013, but her experience as an educator dates back to well before that. She was a high school teacher in Japan for 18 years, which undoubtedly led to the inner patience that is needed to master T’ai Chi and has proven so valuable for her T’ai Chi participants. Muneno Rashka is leading 43 total students across her three classes this season, including 34 participants who are new to T’ai Chi.
“Motoko is a genuinely kind person and her students think the world of her,” Recreation supervisor Joel Symons said.
Quiet, calming music fills the room during her class, with only Muneno Rashka’s relaxed voice breaking the hush as she gently guides her students through the hour-long session. Muneno Rashka is efficient as she gracefully passes through each T’ai Chi move, but never works so quickly as to put unnecessary pressure on the participants. She wants new students to move at their own pace, stay comfortable, and avoid any stress that comes with attempting the unique T’ai Chi actions.
“I would like people to become aware of how their body is talking to them, gain control of their movement, concentrate in the moment, and enjoy the time,” Muneno Rashka said.
According to Muneno Rashka, she practices several kinds of T’ai Chi form, Qigong form, sword form, staff form, and fan form, but she still relishes the opportunity to teach the basics in her classes.
“I enjoy how people’s energy fills the room. I love the positive, lively atmosphere made by a group in my class. The group energy helps each individual commit to T’ai Chi practice, [while making] them feel good. I cannot get this kind of group energy when I practice T’ai Chi by myself, so I really appreciate [the] people that take my class.”
T’ai Chi is an off-the-beaten-path activity for many Milwaukeeans, yet its immense benefits can open doors for people of all ages, skill sets, and walks of life. “Do not hesitate to try something that catches your interest,” Muneno Rashka said. “You will never know if the thing is for you or not until you try it.
“T’ai Chi is one of those things.”