Yang Style Tai Chi for Beginners
Regardless of your age or ability, if you are interested in learning Tai Chi, this class is for you! Whether you want to learn the energy secrets of the East, improve your balance, learn to "use the force", or gain better health, this class is for you.
The Ba'z Tai Chi school offers a series of 10 classes in the Yang style of tai chi as taught by our grandmaster, Liu Yun-Chiao. This slow and gentle series of movements has benefited practicioners all over the world. Our spring session will be starting soon, so sign up to join us!
New beginners are encouraged to come to the beginners class on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. Come as you are - just wear loose, comfortable clothing, and flexible shoes.
Tai Chi is an "internal" art. This internal training concentrates on breathing, stance, and energy-generation in order to create outward form and movement. Internal training emphasizes tendon/ligament usage and energy projection rather than on muscle development. Grounding, centering, and balance are taught. Practitioners carry the health benefits of tai chi through their life into their senior years.
Tai chi practices and forms are suitable for all ages and abilities. The beginners class includes:
Qigong: "energy work" which revolves around breathing exercises to circulate oxygen and blood from organs to extremities. Although Qigong can be practiced alone, it is actually an on-going component of the other tai chi exercises discussed below.
Stretching: opening joints, muscles, and tendons create pathways for directing energy (qi) and creating movement. This open flow of energy also nourishes the skeletal structure and body tissues. Stretching develops flexibility, endurance, and improves range of motion and posture.
The Yang Style Form In this class the first third of the form will be taught. The form trains your balance, improves leg strength, and teaches you how to direct your energy flow. The medical benifits of tai chi come from this training.