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One's
first
experience
of
a
Tai
Chi
Class
is
very
important.
One
should
immediately
feel
the
benefits
of
the
deep
relaxation
and
sense
of
stillness.
All
too
often,
though,
this
experience
can
be
mixed.
The
simplicity
of
the
warm-up
and
the
Qi
Gong
exercises
moves one into a sense of peace and stillness.
However,
once
one
begins
the
Tai
Chi
practice
ie
the
linking
of
a
set
series
of
movements,
the
level
of
simplicity
soon
evaporates.
Traditionally
this
is
because
the
old
forms
are
too
long
and
complicated.
They
require
everyday
practice
from
the
first
day
in
order
to
progress.
Here
in
the
West
we
do
not
have
our
nations
parks
filled
with
daily
practice
of
Tai
Chi
Classes.
Usually
the
classes
are
done
once
a
week,
maybe
twice
a
week.
Therefore
it
is
crucial
that
the
Tai
Chi
Form
being
taught
is
simple,
easy
to
follow,
easy
to
learn
and
easy
to
practice.
It
should
be
short
and
feel
that
it's
possible to achieve even for a complete novice.
For
this
reason
I
have
adapted
the
Sun
Style
73
Movements
to
create
a
Simplified
Sun
Style
Form.
It's
simple,
has
plenty
of
repetitions
and
can
be
easily
learnt
even
with
a
class
of
only
once
a
week.
Most
importantly,
the
Beginner
Form
performed
in
the
style
I've
described
will
deliver
on
what
Tai
Chi
is
all
about.
The
key
to
it
is
the
simplicity
and
the
repetitions.
The
whole
sequence
takes
8
to
10
minutes.
Performance
of
the
form
should
be
fluid,
relaxed,
effortless, timeless and highly enjoyable.
The Flexible benefits of Front-facing Tai Chi Forms
Due to the design of my beginner forms it is possible to follow the whole class without knowing anything about Tai Chi. This is unique to experiencing Tai Chi for the reason that all the original Tai Chi Patterns(or forms as they are known) start changing direction after movement 2 or 3. However, with the unique design of my forms one can face forward throughout the Tai Chi Form. As a result of being able to do the form facing forward, one can follow the Teacher throughout the entire class. This allows one to come to Tai Chi sessions every week and not have to learn or practice at home in order to keep up with the class. This offers both Teacher and Student great flexibility. The Teacher can continue expanding the sequence of the forms without worrying that the absolute beginners will get lost. Anyone coming along to my classes can drop right in and do the whole session. From this flexibility I can offer the experience of Tai Chi without the pressure of learning the sequence. Sometimes one is just too busy to put in the time to learn every week new movements. Yet one wants the benefits of Tai Chi because it is enjoyable within this environment. This flexibility allows those who wish to learn with those who wish to follow without either holding the other back. Much later on a small group of keen Tai Chi practitioners will want to begin to learn the more traditional forms that require weekly practice. At this point a separate class will be needed as the traditional forms have to be learnt and are not designed for following.Beginner Tai Chi
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Starting with a Simple, Powerful and Achievable Tai Chi Routine
updated:
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Starting with a Simple,
Powerful and Achievable Tai
Chi Routine
Tai Chi falls under the category of Art, Movement and Meditation. In order to learn something new one needs to be re-acquainted with the Art of Practice. The amazing thing about Tai Chi movement is that even one move has the ability to express the essence of Tai Chi. The path of Tai Chi is not one that could be described as easy. Most of the movements are easy in terms of being physically possible for most able- bodied people. But to practice by oneself without following is not that easy. So to begin we need to take on very small chunks of movement information. We then need to return to the idea of Practice. A brilliant book all about the essence of Practice has been written by Seth Godin called “The Practice”. In essence practice is all about making mistakes. If we start by allowing ourselves to emmerse in the Art of Practice then every minute can be enjoyed. Connection to breathing can also bring our focused attention to what we are doing in the immediate moment. This connection of attention and movement can quickly shift our consciousness into a higher state. This higher state exists in a plane of deep peace and relaxation. The biggest difference Tai Chi has to offer versus Yoga, dancing, fast impact martial arts, and active sports is the movements are done slowly with focus and there is no limit to how much you step around, turn and move. There are no stationary, holding movements in a Tai Chi routine, The movement is continuous, focused flow.NEXT….
The Flexible benefits of Front-facing Tai Chi
Forms
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