by CHRIS BARRY

Name: Craig Cormack

Age: 39

Occupation: Tai chi/chi kung instructor

Bio: This husky lovemuffin and bona fide swell guy from NDG was mega-bummed, whacked out on anti-depressants and trying to deal with some serious anxiety issues before finally stumbling across tai chi in 1992. "I was a 26-year-old with serious ulcers, but I have since cured myself through tai chi and chi kung." Now as chill as an October morn, Craig is dedicated to helping others through the knowledge he's acquired via the ancient healing arts: Chinese massage, acupressure, Reiki and something new he's excited about called chromatherapy, where, more or less, you look at a bunch of pretty colours and they inspire the healing energy within to get off its ass and start doing some healin' for ya. He teaches tai chi and chi kung at both Energie Cardio and at IKRA Centre de Santé Optimale, a reasonable and excellent exercise facility deep in the heart of Verdun. Reach him at www.risingtao.ca.

What the hey a chi kung is: An ancient exercise/breathing/meditation activity that can be used to heal, and which many martial arts enthusiasts use to focus their energy so they can ultimately engage in the highly pragmatic and endlessly satisfying practice of breaking cement blocks with their foreheads.

How tai chi and chi kung are alleged to work: "Through learning the movements you open up what we call the ‘meridians,' the body's energy highways, and there is one for each of the major organs. Basically, when we have stress, these meridians shut down and we get blockages in the body. Tai chi opens all these pathways so you can bring your body back into balance."

Is there any quantifiable proof chi kung can cure the incurable, or anything for that matter? "Um, not much, but there is a ton of anecdotal evidence. People have been doing this for thousands of years."

Something he's currently involved in: Trying to extend and improve the lives of individual cancer patients through various Eastern methods.

How much it's gonna run you to have Craig give you a Chinese massage: $50 an hour.

Is it safe to assume "release" is included in the price? No.

Is he one of those kooks forever showing off his tai chi moves in the park? Kind of.

What is it about tai chi that makes its devotees want to freak people out by always doing it in public? Do they perceive it as some kind of pussy bait? "Huh? I don't think anyone's objective is to freak people out."

Where you might find him boozin': Hurley's Irish Pub.

Does he ever get high? Not much.

Does he believe drugs compromise one's ability to be in touch with the "universal energy" or whatever the hell you wanna call it? No. "Everyone has their own way of doing things. That's cool."

Childhood ambition: To become an airline pilot.

Last book read: The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown.

Musical preferences: The Beatles.

Words of wisdom: "Live your life in the moment."

Comments? dimwit@openface.ca