Shoulders Down, Inc. and Rising Phoenix T'ai Chi
Cate Morrill, Director
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Cate Morrill, Director
Harvey Meisner, Assistant Director
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WebMD Article on Arthritis featuring our work
Seniors Tai Chi and Gentle Classes: "Movement Improvement Tai Chi"
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Contact Information
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We happily provide information on our background and  philosophy.
Please see below or to the left for links to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article about some of Cate's work, a USA Today article featuring our work and students, and for a link to a Web MD article on T'ai Chi and Arthritis on which Cate is the primary source.  Also below is a link to the recent CNN Healthminute video which was filmed in our studio. Thank you for your interest, and please feel free to contact us for further information regarding our credentials. 

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Cate Morrill, Director
 

As the director of Rising Phoenix T'ai Chi and the president of Shoulders Down, Inc., Cate spends her days teaching in her studio and all around Atlanta, and across the country, and has been nvolved with teaching the PT Doctoral candidates at Emory University how to use T'ai Chi and Qi Gong in their physical therapy practice for the last three years, and has been filmed this year for a CNN Healthminute on T'ai Chi. She has taught at Johns Hopkins University, and has  traveled around the country to teach students, to teach teachers, and to speak on T'ai Chi benefits. She has been the instructor on three NIH T'ai Chi grants, and has taught populations such as the office employees at Coca Cola World Headquarters, the clients at Meadowbrook Head Injury Institute, the clients of the Center for the Visually Impaired, the staff at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, senior citizens and, of course, strong, physically well and challenged "everyday" people--singers, songwriters, artists, teachers, moms, dads and their children.

She began her training in 1988, and has taught since 1995.  She is a Certified Wu Dang T'ai Chi/Qi Gong Instructor (Wu Dang is the mountain temple where T'ai Chi originated and whose training was made famous by the movie, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"), and she is a Certified Advanced Level External Qi Healer (energy balancing).  She has created audiotapes for the visually impaired and two videos on T'ai Chi, one for Seniors and those who need a gentle and simple exercise program, Movement Improvement T'ai Chi R, and one of them for Parkinson's patients, sponsored by an international company. She has appeared on WABC-TV in New York, and on more than 24 TV stations across the country live or by video, such as on a Public Television program discussing T'ai Chi’s benefits, as well as on “Healthwatch with Marc Pickard,” a program of Atlanta local television station WXIA.  Cate is the first named source on an article on Arthritis and T'ai Chi on WebMD, ( link below) and was a guest speaker at the American Physical Therapy Association pre-conference seminar in 2005. Her work was featured in an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution (link below) and she has trained physical therapists, doctors, nurses, yoga teachers and others around the country to teach her "Movement Improvement--T'ai Chi for Balance and Mobility" program.   By practicing the internal martial arts of T’ai Chi, Qi Gong, Ba Gua and T’ai Chi Sword and studying anatomy, physiology, nutrition and exercise science, Cate brings a broad spectrum of knowledge and information to her classes. She has published articles on T’ai Chi and Qi Gong , and is writing a book, tentatively titled, “Shoulders Down—the Basics of T'ai Chi to Help You Enhance Your Everyday Life, Every Day”. The enthusiasm Cate brings to her classes is sincere and contagious. She welcomes all ages, body types and levels of ability. She believes deeply in the individual's ability and responsibility to create health, inner peace and abounding joy! Through laughter, silence, demonstration and example, she shares her knowledge of body movement and energy work freely. To contact Cate directly, please click here, thank you!

TO VIEW A WEBMD ARTICLE ON ARTHRITIS AND TAI CHI IN WHICH CATE IS A LEAD SOURCE, please click here.

CLICK HERE TO READ A USA TODAY ARTICLE AND AN ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION ARTICLE ON T'AI CHI AND CATE'S WORK WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE PATIENTS AND SENIORS

Please click here to go to CNN's website for a recent CNN Healthminute on T'ai Chi!

Cate in Central Park, NYC
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April 2004

Partial Resume' (the full resume may be received by request)

 

 

 

Cate Morrill

 Shoulders Down, Inc.

Rising Phoenix T'ai Chi

 

Training/Certifications/Education

 

2004, Wudang T'ai Chi and Qi Gong Teacher Certification

2004, External Qi Healing Advaced Level Certification

2004, Advanced Teacher Certification for Standardized 24 T’ai Chi

2003, Teaching Certification Approval to teach work and authorization as Atlanta Representative of Master Yun Xiang Tseng, Wudang Taoist Priest, T’ai Chi and Qi Gong Master,  Chi for Longevity, Inc.

2003,  Certificate of Teacher’s Course Completion for Standardized 24 T’ai Chi , Authorization to teach the Chi for Longevity method of Master Yun Xiang Tseng

2003,  Appointed as Co-Coordinator of Atlanta Wudang T’ai Chi Association by Master Yun Xiang Tseng

1995, Teacher Accreditation Granted permission to teach Yang Style Qi Gong and T’ai Chi work presented by Master Wei Lun Huang

 

Masters’ Seminars and Training

 

2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Master Yun Xiang Tseng:  Qi Gong 15 Arm Movement, Qi Gong 18 Movement I and II, Wudang Shen Dian Qi Gong, Wudang Internal Meditation, Wudang Walking Crane Qi Gong, Wudang Primordial Qi Gong, Five Animal Play Qi Gong, T'ai Chi Original 13 Movement, T’ai Chi 24 Movement, Square Foot T'ai Chi, Wudang Yang Shen Qi Gong, Zong He Gong and many other forms of Wudang and Taoist Qi Gong.

 

1995 -- 2003 Master Wei Lun Huang: Chi Kung, Incense Chi Kung, Ten Step Chi Kung,  Yang 24 Move Short Form, Pushing Hands, Ba Gua Ch’uan, Ba Gua Chi Kung, T’ai Chi Structure, T’ai Chi Applications, Rainy Day T’ai Chi, T’ai Chi Sword Form, T’ai Chi 13 Postures

 

2001, 2002, Master Chungliang Al Huang’s Senior teacher, Cielle Tewksbury: (One Weekend Seminar each year)Five Elements T’ai Chi and Chi Kung, Living Tao T’ai Chi

 

1998, Master Marilyn Cooper: Chi Kung, Kuang Ping 64 Move Long Form, T’ai Chi Applications

 

1996, Madame Simone Kuo:  Kuang Ping 64 Move Long Form and Chi Kung

 

Videos Produced

 

Exercise for Parkinson’s Patients, Movements based on T'ai Chi principles and movements, adapted to be of service specifically for the needs of those with Parkinson’s Disease, as part of an information kit sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. 

 

The Shoulders Down Method: Movement Improvement: T'ai Chi Basics for Balance and Mobility: The basic principles and movements, T'ai Chi and Qi Gong, that have proven successful in developing desired results in those who practice. This set is specifically chosen to enhance strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, concentration and understanding in a gentle, easy way, with accommodations for seated work as well. Now available publicly, please click on the link to the left to order.

 

Teaching the Teacher of Movement Imporvement T'ai Chi

This video is designed as a teaching aid and information support for teachers in our program. It covers TC principles of body alignment, structural movement and more. This is not available to the public.

 

Media Presentations

 

CNN Health Minute, Atlanta, GA

September 2009  Video and details of T'ai chi for all ages

 

Media Tour, Miami, FL

June 2004, 22 City Television News Show “Media Tour” live and video interviews regarding the Novartis Stepkit and T'ai Chi and Parkinson’s Patients Exercise Video.

 

WABC TV, New York City Good Morning Show, NY

April 2004, Live interview and demonstration of Parkinson’s exercises in conjunction with the annual Parkinson’s Unity Walk.

 

GPTV Televison Special on Alternative Medical Treatments

October 31 and November 2, 2003 GPTV interview and video presentation on T’ai Chi and Parkinson’s Patients, with Emory University

 

WXIA TV, Channel 11 News, Atlanta GA

November 4, 2003 Marc Pickard Health Report on Alternative Treatments, Interview and video presentation regarding T'ai Chi and Parkinson’s patients.

 

USA Today

Please see link at left or above

 

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Please see link at left or above

 

Teaching Experience--Partial List

 

NIH Studies

 

VA Atlanta Hospital/Emory University Study on T'ai Chi and Dual Tasking

July 2004—March 2005, Two classes per week

 

Emory University Study on Chinese Exercise Modalities in Parkinson’s Disease

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

October 2003-February 2004, Two classes per week for study Participants

November 2002-March 2003, Two classes per week for study Participants

 

Emory/VA Study on T’ai Chi and the Visually Impaired

 May 2002 --December 2002, Two classes per week of T’ai Chi and Qi Gong for visually impaired clients Center for the Visually Impaired, Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA

 

Seminars

 

Movement Improvement Teaching the Teacher

2005, 2006,2007, 2008,2009  Omaha NE, National Safety Council

2004, 2006, 2007, Kearney NE

2003,2004,2005,2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Atlanta, GA,

and others...

 

Creating Health tm Qi Gong and Nutrition for Health and Longevity

2008 Atlanta, GA

2007  Baltimore, MD

2007 Portland, OR

2007 Kearney, NE

 

T'ai Chi and Physical Rehabilitation

2008 Emory University Hospital First Year Residents Grand Rounds

 

      PHT 697r Creative Alternative Interventions for Treatment - Directed Study       2007, 2008, 2009 Emory University doctoral Physical Therapy Students, Classes Spring Semester

 

The Swannanoa Gathering

      Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC

July 13-18, 2003 One week Seminar, Two classes each day of Qi Gong and T’ai Chi

July 14-19, 2002 One week Seminar, as above

 

American Physical Therapy Association National Conference, Boston, MA

June 2005--Pre-conference Seminar speaker on T'ai Chi and special populations

  

       International Conference on Mobility and the Visually  

       Impaired

       Toronto, Canada

 July 20, 2002, Video presentation on T’ai Chi and the Visually Impaired

 

Current Private Classes--Partial list

 

1994--Present,   Various Locations, Various Individual Students

T’ai Chi and Qi Gong, External Qi Healing, Chi Massage

 

Current Weekly Group Classes--partial list

All classes are Standard 24 Move Short Form and Qi Gong, or Movement Improvement T'ai Chi , unless otherwise noted

 

Glenn United Methodist Women's Group

April 2006--Present, One class per week of Movement Improvement T'ai Chi

  

Coca-Cola World Headquarters

January 2003--Present,  Six classes per week, 4 for employees, 2 for retirees

July 2000--December 2002, Three classes per week, two for employees, one for retirees

April 1995--July 2000,  Two classes per week for employees

January1995--April 1995, One class per week for employees

 

Regency House Retirement Commmunity

August 2005--Present One class each week of Movement Improvement T'ai Chi

 

Rising Phoenix T'ai Chi Studio Public Classes

January 2004—Present, Four classes per week

  

Clairmont Oaks Retirement Community

April 2004—Present , One class each week of Movement Improvement

 

Workshops

 

Shepherd Pathways Center Staff In-service Atlanta GA

March 2006--In-service for PT's and OT's and staff on the use of T'ai Chi principles in teaching the head-injured population

 

Emory University PT Graduate Candidates

Atlanta, GA

October 2005--Seminar on the use of T'ai Chi techniques in Physical Therapy situations

 

Alternate ROOTS Board Retreat, Atlanta, GA

June 2004, Exercise and Team Building T'ai Chi/Qi Gong class for 22 Board Members at annual retreat

 

Meyer-Balser Healthy Living Center, Senior Health Seminar, Atlanta GA

May 2004, Keynote Speaker on T'ai Chi and Seniors Health at Alternative Treatments for Seniors Seminar.

 

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Booth T'ai Chi/ Exercise Presentations, Central Park, NYC

April 2004,  Presenting the Stepkit Package and demonstrations of the exercises in the video to those attending the Parkinson’s Unity Walk.

 

Douglasville Low Vision Services

Douglasville Senior Center, Fairburn Rd.

March 2004, Seminar for Adults with Visual Impairments and family members

September 2003, Seminar for Adults with Visual Impairments and family members

May 2003 Seminar for Adults with Visual Impairments

 

Charis Circle Mind Body Spirit Conference

First Existentialist congregation, Atlanta

November 2, 2003  Presentation and demo for conference visitors

 

Lynbrook Square Retirement Community

Atlanta

May 20, 2003 Talk and participatory demonstration on t’ai chi for the elderly and visually impaired on balance and mobility improvement

 

Sevananda Natural Foods Co-op

Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, GA

May 11, 2003 Seminar-- Qi Gong and Everyday Life

 

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA

March 8, 2003, One day “Mind Body Spirit” retreat, three classes

January 22, 2003, One day demonstration and seminar

 

Coca-Cola Multi-Cultural Celebration

February 2003, Three one-hour demonstrations  and seminars at three locations

February 2002, One two-hour demonstration and seminar

 

Coca-Cola New Products Division

Atlanta, GA

May 2002,  Three workshops

November 2001, One workshop

 

Coca-Cola Marketing Group

Atlanta, GA

November 1999, Qi Gong, Stress Reduction, Seated Workstation Applications

 

Meadowbrook Head Injury Institute

Atlanta, GA

July 1995,  Qi Gong for the clients of Meadowbrook

 

Previous Weekly Group Classes (Partial list):

 

Austin Drive Community Senior Center

September 2004—2007 One class each week of Movement Improvement

 

Pine River Consulting Group

November 2004--Present, One class each week

 

First Existentialist Congregation (open to the public)

Candler Park Drive, Atlanta, GA

January 2003—March 2004  Two classes per week

  

Epworth United Methodist Church (open to the public)

McLendon Avenue, Atlanta, GA

October 2001—January 2004, Two classes per week

September 2000--December 2000, One class per week

   

      Center for the Visually Impaired 

      West Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA

      February 2005--July 2005 One class per week for Diabetes Group

      October 2004—December 2004, One class per week for youth camp

      June 2003—July 2003, Two classes per week for youth camp   

November 2002--March 2003,  One class per week for staff

 

Druid Hills Preschool

Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta, GA

February 2002--May 2003, One class per week for teachers

 

Veterans Administration  Medical Center

Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA

November 2001 --July 2002, One class per week for staff

 

Jaya Devi Yoga Studio (open to the public)

Highland Avenue, Atlanta, GA

November 1999--February 2002, One class per week

 

       Center for Health Resources

       Allen Road, Sandy Springs, GA

June1995--December 1995, One class per week

 

 

 

Other references available upon request