How We TeachDeceptively simple, our tai chi is a “full body workout” for the young…for people recovering from injury or illness…and for seniors seeking a gentle way to stay in shape.
All of our teachers have been trained by the Tai Chi Foundation, an international school with over 100 teachers in six countries. The Tai Chi Foundation has developed a precise team-teaching method with at least two teachers per class that makes it easy for students to learn the tai chi form and principles. Team teaching means students have at least two teachers to watch/listen to during class. Having our teachers work together helps keep the focus on the class experience and on the clarity of the teaching, rather than on the teacher’s ego. Our curriculum focuses on the internal principles of tai chi from the very beginning. The sequence of courses, and the sequence of material within a course, are designed to make it possible for anyone studying with us to proceed at their own pace to whatever level of practice fits their needs and desires. The first level, Beginning Level, teaches us the form: we learn how to go through the entire sequence of movements, where the hands go, where the feet go, and the principles (softness, straightness, relaxation) that motivate these movements. Many people take this course many times, but they decide to move on. |
Senior teachers Margaret Matsumoto and Greg Woodson teaching one-handed sensing hands. Note their shoulder-width stance and straightness.
Advanced teachers John Shackford, Anne Smyers, and Peter Schwartz Bend the Bow to Shoot the Tiger.
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The next level, Fundamentals, refines our awareness of these movements and starts to bring our awareness inside: we feel our feet on the ground supporting us in the best way; we feel the way our joints open and close; we become conscious of how we can improve our relaxation through the body.
Then, according to a student’s readiness and desire, we begin to learn Push Hands, a partner-exercise that expands our awareness beyond our sense of ourselves to include others . We become conscious of how our partners are standing and moving and their state of relaxation or tension. We also become more conscious of how can we be relaxed and rooted while we deal with force coming towards us.
The advanced levels help us to internalize more and more our awareness of tai chi as exercise, meditation, and non-aggressive self defense.
If you're interested in learning more, please join us for a class, or contact us with any questions.
Then, according to a student’s readiness and desire, we begin to learn Push Hands, a partner-exercise that expands our awareness beyond our sense of ourselves to include others . We become conscious of how our partners are standing and moving and their state of relaxation or tension. We also become more conscious of how can we be relaxed and rooted while we deal with force coming towards us.
The advanced levels help us to internalize more and more our awareness of tai chi as exercise, meditation, and non-aggressive self defense.
If you're interested in learning more, please join us for a class, or contact us with any questions.