Ryan Black
Ryan Black has always had a deep passion for martial arts and their relationship to contemplative practice. As a young man in his twenties, he was stationed in Japan where he served as a Deep-Sea Salvage and Recue Diver in the U.S. Navy for many years. While there he immersed himself in Kendo (Traditional Japanese sword fencing) and Zen practice. Before moving back to the United States, he was the first foreigner in Southern Japan to reach Master-level in Kendo.
In his desire to advance on his contemplative/martial arts path, Ryan spent over a decade training in the original martial art of Tai Chi (t’ai chi ch’üan) under Grandmaster Yang, Jwing-Ming of YMAA in Boston. Ryan also received his formal training in mindfulness facilitation through Vanderbilt’s Osher Center for Integrative Medicine where he has served as a teacher for Osher’s Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program.
Founder and Master Instructor of Nashville Tai Chi and Wellness, Ryan has been teaching both group and private lessons in Tai Chi, Qigong, and Meditation in the Nashville area since 2017. He regularly does Tai Chi demonstrations and workshops for the Chinese Arts Alliance of Nashville (CAAN).
Upcoming Programs by Ryan Black
December Mindfulness on the Mountain - Program
Also With Gordon Peerman
From Earth to Heaven: Rooting the Body and Raising the Spirit Check in begins at 3pm central. Program concludes by 11am on the last day. Cultivate deep stability, inner clarity, and an uplifted spirit in this immersive tai chi and meditation retreat. From Earth to Heaven is a contemplative journey through the body’s energetic architecture—beginning […]
May Mindfulness on the Mountain - Program
Also With Kenneth Robinson and Gordon Peerman
A time of silent reflection, movement meditation, and sound immersion. Mindfulness on the Mountain weekend retreats are a long-standing tradition here at the Ayres Center led by Gordon Peerman and his team: Ryan Black, who will lead Qigong mindful movement, and Kenneth Robinson, who will lead devotional chanting of kirtan. Gordon Peerman is an Episcopal priest, […]
December Mindfulness on the Mountain - Program
Also With Kenneth Robinson and Gordon Peerman
Mindfulness on the Mountain A time of silent reflection, movement meditation, and sound immersion. Mindfulness on the Mountain weekend retreats are a long-standing tradition here at the Ayres Center led by Gordon Peerman and his team: Ryan Black, who will lead Qigong mindful movement, and Kenneth Robinson, who will lead devotional chanting of kirtan. Gordon Peerman […]
December Mindfulness on the Mountain - Program
Also With Gordon Peerman and Kenneth Robinson
Mindfulness on the Mountain As is our custom for these Mindfulness on the Mountain weekend retreats, Gordon Peerman and his team: Ryan Black, who will lead our Qigong mindful movement, and Kenneth Robinson, who will lead our devotional chanting of kirtan. Gordon Peerman is an Episcopal priest, psychotherapist, and mindfulness meditation teacher. He is the […]