IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN

Watch for special events sharing the Dillard's Court, and early shopping hours bringing in shoppers during mall walk hours.
Doors will open a bit earlier.  9am classes will get a few days off, Dec 16-24.
Back to regular schedule Dec 29.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Master Tam is now teaching the Taiji When Yuan Fan on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30, Dillard's Court.  Like the sword, taiji fan forms are built on taiji basics.  The more you already know, the easier it will be to add fan techniques.  However, this practice can help to develop your basic footing and movements as well.  Fans are available to borrow if you'd like to give this a try.

MAIN ENTRANCE
(on Pacific Ave)
MONDAYS 9-10 am

leader:  kristen

Starts Monday, June 17, 2024
we'll see how it goes . . .

This group is for beginners, interested in learning some basic taiji (or Tai Chi) moves and forms.

This is an exercise group, not a performance group.  The goal is to begin to feel energy flowing through your body.  You should expect that every individual will do the moves a bit differently, as is appropriate for their own body's strength, balance and range of motion.

As you get comfortable with some moves, terminology and basic forms you may want to join either Master Tam's or Sifu Judy's group for "fine tuning," to learn longer forms, sword or fan, or if you are interested performing.

We'll start with:

Ba Fa - Wu Bu (8 arms, 5 directions)
8 Forms
13 Forms

and some QiGong exercises
to increase strength, balance and mobility.

All are welcome.
Come on in and give it a try.

Some points that may help to learn this form:

• Feet first (one of Master Tam's 3 key principles) - the grout lines on the mall floor are soooo helpful with this.
• Wrist control seems to be key with the sword.
• Master Tam uses fast music (3 minutes total), while this demonstration is much more relaxed (4 minutes) and therefore may be easier to follow.

Extra practice anyone?

If you're interested:  bring your sword M, W, and F, between 8:45 and 9:00 am we'll do a couple of run throughs of what Master Tam has taught us.  (Right now that's just 3 moves, which have lots of parts.)

A pdf with a list of forms appears to the right.  Names do vary sometimes from instructor to instructor, but the basic forms are nearly identical no matter what you call them.

Tue & Thur
8:30 to 9:00

Master Tam is teaching this form at Dillard's Court

The key to all Tai Chi is practice.

3 Principles:
-- all moves start from the dantien
-- feet first
-- finish each move

Videos can be incredibly helpful.  Just a few are listed here.

Holding the sword:

A breakdown of each of the 32 forms, with names:

Full form, smoothed out, by Amin Wu: