Learning Journey
Tai chi chuan is an ancient exercise which embodies China’s most profound concepts and principles of health and movement. It offers true harmony between body and mind.
Based on softness and awareness instead of force and resistance, tai chi chuan (also referred to as tai chi, taiji, or taijiquan) has been recognized for centuries as a method of self-cultivation and an unexcelled form of self defense. In Chinese, tai chi means “Supreme Ultimate.”
Tai chi movements are widely acknowledged to help calm the emotions, focus the mind, and strengthen the immune system. Practiced at a slow and even speed, tai chi promotes relaxation, straight posture, and balance. In a very real sense, tai chi helps us to stay younger as we grow older, thus making an outstanding contribution to our overall health and well-being.
Beginning Level Tai Chi Courses
We teach the 37-posture tai chi form in 36 classes, divided into three sections: B1, B2, and B3 (beginning level 1st third, 2nd third, and 3rd third). There is flexibility in the schedule for instructors to adapt to the needs of the students, so the length of the course may be extended or shortened as needed. In all cases, the moves of the form are thoroughly explained and practiced in classes that normally meet once a week for an hour. Students are encouraged to develop a daily practice – a little bit each day, morning and evening, yields the best results over time.
The Eight Ways Of Tai Chi Chuan
Instruction in The Eight Ways of Tai Chi Chuan introduces the fundamental principles of Tai Chi movement essential to balance and relaxation. The Eight Ways are easy to learn and to perform and they require less time and space to practice than the Tai Chi form.
For the Tai Chi student, The Eight Ways deepens our embodiment of the form and accelerates our progress in the art. The Eight Ways are also ideal for people who are recovering from injury or illness, or who have not exercised in a long time. They allow each person to practice at his or her own level.
Special attention is given to applying these principles of movement to our daily activities so that the benefits of Tai Chi are taken into everything we do.
Advanced Tai Chi Classes
We offer a complete curriculum for continuing study. Each course focuses on a different aspect of the art. Emphasis is on the principles of relaxed movement which are essential to progress.