“Soul Chi” Combines Tai Chi With Rhythm and Blues
Melvin Atkins, a martial artist and fitness intructor based in Marin County, California, has blended tai chi with rhythm and blues to create “Soul Chi.” “I took all of my tai chi, karate and aerobics, put them to music and made a program that everybody can do, exercises that strengthen the body and heal the spirit,” Atkins—also known as Maalak among his class participants—told www.recordnet.com. The workout requires no special equipment and is suitable for people who are not typical fitness club participants. Examples of music used for background include James Brown and The Temptations.
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
