Wild Lotus Arts Touring
with Gerard Menzel
BA Dip Ed. Cert. ESL Cert Ed. Asia Studies Masters Education
Mobile 0407734479
Email type gmenzel then my server is @ hotmail.com
Dear School Co-ordinator,
Gerard Menzel Aikido Sensei, Tai Chi Sifu and Sumie artist directs Wild Lotus meditation martial arts and is an eastern arts specialist and a qualified teacher having worked in Japan,Korea,Taiwan, India, and Europe.
We offer workshops in Asian multicultural studies. Gerard is a specialist in the field of Indian and Asian arts with a Graduate Certificate in Asian studies and completed a Masters Education Asia Studies at Flinders Uni. He has studied/lived overseas in China, India, Japan, Korea and Thailand. He has worked in Australia since 1987 teaching all ages in schools, colleges & university. ie; Flinders Uni. Adelaide uni. Preston TAFE Vic
Over the years Gerard has taught thousands of students Sumie painting and demonstrated Tai Chi and Aikido in schools and given Indian drumming performances. Gerard has worked in the Adelaide festival Education program, Asia in Schools week as well as performing at the Canberra National folk festivals, and ABC radio, Channel 9 and 10. He has received 2 artist in residencies, and a touring grant from Carclew - S.A Ed.dept. Arts. His workshops are recognized by the Asian Education Foundation. The Lotus workshops have been - quality assessed - in both the Independent Schools and S.A.arts Education unit. They are quality assured by SA Youth arts center.
Triple AAA Rated by Arts Bodies
You are guaranteed Quality and Professionalism
He has been an accepted member of the Associations; of India, Japan, Indonesia, Multicultural Arts Center, Community Arts Network. Tai Chi Assoc. Aus. He has had 10 Exhibitions of Oriental style art, Gerard can make your day special, and something to remember - just ring 1 number and the day is arranged with a number of interesting workshops to choose…. from a recognized and professional artist.
Booking gmenzel and my server is @hotmail.com
Performances and Workshops
How to Book
Ring or email Gerard 0407734479
A minimum 50 students and a $50 per day booking deposit is required
1 - 200 students costs $3 per student
201 to 300 students costs $2.50 per student
For example; Prices start from $2.50 per child for a large school over two days with 300 students. . A small class of 30 students could cost $3 each for 50 min. 30 students per class by 4 times with 50 min. classes $3 each student = $360 day
Usually 4 by 50 minute workshops fit into one day.
A one off, single 30 minute performance of Tai Chi swords and fan with 200 kids would cost $1 per child or $200 total.
Booking form; is on the list of topics on the right side of the blog homepage.
- Your Guarantee of Quality
Gerard is a trusted professional artist who has toured and worked in hundreds of schools since 1985, received govt. touring grants and arts residencies. He has been selected by the most discerning schools & foundations including peak arts bodies; the Asia Education Foundation, CARCLEW, Playful Touring Programme, Artists in Schools, S.A's, Australia Japan society, Australia India Society, National Folk Festivals Canberra, The Multicultural Arts Centre S.A. Flinders University Asian Studies Course.
''Gerard is a contemporary aesthete espousing ageless (artistic) values."
Arthur Kavouris Multicultural Traditions and Visions July 1991
The children benefited greatly from seeing an artist at work and from working alongside him. It appeared to awaken something in each one of them. The program was also a great benefit in a cultural sense for it has helped children examine their own prejudices and learn something about another culture. ........ The program was indeed a "a many splendoured thing" It helped to break down barriers of prejudice....
Pat Shepherd Principal Campbelltown PS S.A. '92
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
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| This old rooster is looking for his hens |
Oriental Brush painting - Sumi-E (ink / painting)
The origins of Japanese Zen and brush painting lay in Chinese calligraphy and Zen arts. It is fun and simple to learn the basic steps. It can be a Zen ritual to center the mind, rid one of distraction and develop spiritual calm. Black ink is robustly painted on rice paper spontaneously as feelings guide the brush. Sumie is very free and informal ..and fun ! It improves visualization, gives an appreciation of nature. We paint nature, birds, landscapes, dragons, flowers, mountains, and bears. Gerard can also incorporate Haiku poetry into the classes and explain the historic / arts background of this poetry.
Focus curriculum; Visual arts, religion, history, Asia, Japan. Its fantastic fun and helps kids focus, find their creativity and release emotions - China Japan
Aikido demonstration by Gerard.
Aikido - ' The way of spiritual harmony '
non-violence in movement. - Japan
Aikido teaches the way of non-violence and harmony between 2 bodies. It is like a dance of harmony and balance. It is round and relaxing as movements are based on the Japanese principles of Budo. It includes graceful stretches and warm ups - breathing - smooth movements in pairs, learning to be gentle, soft and still being centered, confident and peaceful. Japanese sword and stick demo is included. Gerard has studied with famous Aikido teachers from Japan and runs his own school.
Aikido For Kids
Aikido is a way of non-violence and is a special way for kids to find themselves via movement. It trains the body to be supple and flexible and the mind to flow with things around it in life. Children learn to defend themselves and have confidence in their personal strength without being aggressive.
It is a perfect way to keep fit, achieve mental calm and train the body to be alert in times of stress. It does this by working together in pairs where the opponents force is redirected into neutral ground and the partner rolls gracefully away or is taken peacefully to the floor and held in a pin. It is totally non aggressive and the aim is to find inner strength and peace through a real solid martial training of the body and the mind.
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| Artist in Schools residence St Bernards Essendon 2005 |
Children learn to find their own self confidence and release tension. They learn not to fear tense situations and to react in a calm manner. It is suitable for both girls and boys because it is soft. Most of all it is fun, non competitive and fosters a community spirit of caring for others, including oneself.Curriculum focus; Excellent for interaction skills, teaching non-violence, mental &physical balance, dance, discipline,
Japanese ritual. Health, fitness social skills, culture and environment.
Aikido swords are based on the Katana Samurai sword.
This is the Yang style form from Taipai from my teacher master Wong.
This is the broadsword or Dao
Tai Chi Chuan -
'Supreme peaceful movement for health'
Tai Chi is a health system and a way of moving and relaxing from China. It has its origins in the world of nature as people tried to move like the animals and flow like the water and be still as a mountain. It is like a dance but even more ...It is a martial art and has a rich philosophy of Peace behind the physical form relating to nature, dragons, birds, and the environment.. Gerard has studied in Asia with masters of the art and includes sword and fan displays. The Chinese swords and fan is displayed and its history explained.
Curriculum Focus; Chinese language / culture, dance, drama arts, history, .........beautiful swords and fan display
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| little yogis @ Pt Lincoln SA in reclining warrior pose |
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| Port Lincoln PS student in Bridge pose |
Yoga
Yoga ; three sections; Yoga nidra (relaxation) Hatha yoga (postures) Dyana (meditation / mind) Yoga means union and Hatha means Sun and moon in sanksrit. It is a way of life with its origins in the ancient medicine and philosophy of India. Relaxation ; one relaxes each part of the body / mind while lying comfortably.
Gerard explains the history of Yoga and the ancient books called Vedas and where Yoga came from. We practice the poses and understand the heritage of peace and personal liberation found through the philosophy of Vedanta (World Knowledge)
Postures; The body is placed in various positions to release tension, emotions and increase energy flow and flexibility. Students learn different animal postures, breathing and calming positions. Some postures include the crocodile, sun salute, cobra, mountain, cat, tiger etc.. plus ways of calming the mind with breathing. We work in pairs and learn to direct emotions.
The Yoga philosophy of non violence, vegetarianism, meditation and the stages of personal development toward complete wholeness called enlightenment is explained in a fun way.
Gerard is an advanced Yoga teacher who has studied in India since 1978. (See Yoga page on this site.)
Curriculum Focus; Yoga is a way of finding poise, health and peace, health culture, ancient history, religion, multi-culture, art
Tabla Indian Drums
Indian drums are the most sophisticated of any drumming systems in the world. They have a verbal language of their own, a mathematical basis and a tradition of teaching. The variety of Indian drums is vast and it is a delight to the ears to hear the subtle nuances, infinite rhythms, speed and trance inducing beat of the skins as it is first recited and then played. The number of rhythms includes over 300. The formal teaching by the Guru is a tradition in itself as Gerard has undertaken in India. He explains the history and tuition system. He is one of the few Australians who has studied at a classical Indian music college.
Gerard showcases many Indian drums including the pakawaj, nal, cymbals, harmonium organ and the flute. We sing ancient temple songs used for ritual and meditation Bhakti Yoga.
Focus Curriculum; music, art, performance, multiculturalism instruments, classical music, world music
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| Gerard playing with Naznin Bangldesh singer, in Dehraduntabla shop 1994, In concert Adelaide Arts centre with Terragonma Dreaming trio |
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