A 6-week introduction to movement, breath, rooted practice, and the living principles of traditional martial arts.
Entering the Gate is a beginner-friendly course for anyone curious about traditional martial arts, mindful movement, or embodied practice. Over six weeks, students will explore simple exercises that support balance, coordination, posture, breath, and body awareness.
Rather than beginning with complex forms or fighting techniques, this course begins with the foundations: how we stand, how we move, how we breathe, how we meet pressure, and how we cultivate steady attention through practice.
Each class includes guided movement, standing practice, breath awareness, simple partner exercises, and short reflections on the principles that have shaped traditional martial arts for generations. Students will be introduced to ideas such as balance and change, rooted movement, the relationship between softness and strength, and the way consistent practice develops skill over time.
Start Date: 08 June, 2026 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Location: Trinity Body Arts
1412 13th Street, Suite 200
Hood River, OR. 97031
Cost: $120
Instructors: Stephenie Going and Dave Martin
This course is for:
Students curious about traditional martial arts but unsure where to begin
People interested in mindful movement, breath, and body awareness
Students who want a gentle entry point before joining an ongoing Gong Fu class
Practitioners of yoga, qigong, bodywork, or healing arts who want to understand martial movement principles
Anyone who wants to explore practice as a way of developing steadiness, presence, and resilience
No experience is needed.
This course is offered in connection with the broader training values of the North American Tang Shou Tao Association, an organization dedicated to the research, preservation, and practice of traditional East Asian martial arts and related health practices. While this introductory course is designed for beginners, it also provides a gentle doorway into the deeper streams of practice carried within the NATSTA community.