| Back to Home/Main Menu | Back to Class Description Menu | Tai Chi | Systema Study Group | Capoeira | Too Old? Never! |
Tai Chi Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese martial art, usually performed at a very slow speed, and is aclaimed for its health benefits that help lower blood pressure, increase balance and strength and lower body fat. Tai Chi is perhaps the second most practiced martiak art in the world. The idea behind such practice is twofold. The practitioner can perfect moves at a slow speed that can later be used at full speed without worry of sloppiness of technique. And the slow speed is easier on joints and bones, which will allow you to learn without fear of being injured. tai chi is far from being slow and ineffectual, and its skills cross over into other martial arts training, self defense and self confidence. Within a month, you will begin to experience the legendary health benefits of Tai Chi for yourself: lowered blood pressure, better balance, increased strength, and overall better health. You have the option of learning both open handed and weapons forms in our Tai Chi classes. This class is geared to adults of all ages, and is recommended for seniors by doctors worldwide.
Beginning Tai Chi teaches the first set of the Yang long form, plus chi gung and related relaxation, energy and stretching techniques.
Intermediate Tai Chi teaches the entire long form, working on the techniques and movements learned in the beginner's class.
Advanced Tai Chi focuses on the continued twice weekly practice of the long form. Weapons are introduced for those who are interested, and practical Tai Chi self defense moves are also practiced for those who desire it.
1. What is Tai Chi, and who can do it?
The word Tai Chi Chuan means grand ultimate fist and is a series of exercises designed to improve the health of the student/practitioner. Just about anyone who can stand and walk can learn tai chi and will see the benefits
2. What is the difference between Tai Chi and Chi Gung?
Chi Gung is done standing in place, whereas Tai Chi incorporates movement. 3. Which will I be learning in this class? We will be starting with Chi Gung and as the student becomes more proficient we will move on to the full Tai Chi form. Early on we will be working on exercises to introduce the basic Tai Chi movements.
4. What is Chi?
In Chinese terms it can be translated as breath: air or gas, but what is implied is the natural energy field that exists around all living things. It is this energy field that regulates and maintains the functions and stabilities of life, ie a person with good chi is healthy and a person with bad chi is unhealthy.
5. Is chi real?
Cultures all around the world have known about an existing energy field around all living things, but not until recently was science able to prove its existence using Kirlian photography.
6. Will doing Tai Chi or Chi Gung conflict with my religious beliefs?
Tai Chi and Chi Gung are not religions or religious rituals. They are series of exercise practiced by 30 million people worldwide to improve the quality of life.
7. Is Tai Chi a martial art?
Yes. Martial arts are divided into two ways: hard and soft. Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do and Karate are examples of hard martial arts, while Tai chi and Ch i Gung are examples of soft style martial arts. The gentler movements of the soft styles can be equally as devastating as any hard style strike.
8. What can I hope to gain from this class?
Immediately you will notice that you are calmer have less stress and more energy. In addition to gaining proficiency in a real world martial art, you will find in the long run, that you will have lower blood pressure, greater flexibility, and enhanced focus.
Recommended reading list for independent study
Barbara Brennon -- Hands of Light
L V Carnie -- Chi Gung
Wolfgang Metzger & Pei Fang Zhou with Manfred Grosser Phd -- Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong
Tai Chi & Chi Gung
Return to Home
Last Updated March 13, 2011 by Karen Saxton