I find that watching many masters helps me a lot since my abilities are tied to my own body, which lacks those beautiful long slender legs.  Ah well.  I often share this sort of video on Facebook, but knowing not everyone uses Facebook, I like to bring at least some of them to the Mall Walk blog.  Hope that's helpful.

We do this form in Monday's beginner Tai Chi class.  Our version is exactly the same as this "10 forms," but called "8 forms" on the LINKS page.  (Opening and closing forms are included but not counted.)

I love this form.  No matter how long I practice, there's always something to learn and improve so returning to basics, and to a "beginner's mind" attitude isare both key to my own practice.  Highly recommended :-).

Tai Chi is wonderful for improving balance, partly because it requires a lot of balancing.  That's a barrier for some.  Needing leg strength can be another barrier.  So this video appeals to me, a lot, as a way to get involved in the practice gently.

I also highly recommend QiGong, which also requires some leg strength and balance but is an excellent practice whether as a gateway to tai chi or on its own.  Judy's group does the Yi Jing Jung (muscle & tendon stretching) 5 days a week -- 9 am at Dillards.  I do 8 Silk Brocades (Mondays at 8), 5 Animals (Wednesdays at 8), and Da Woo (the Big Dance, Fridays at 8) all at Dillards.  These are all easy to follow and excellent for gaining flexibility and balance, not to mention relaxation.

Newest for me are the 18 Breathing Forms which focus totally on breathing, utilizing some basic tai chi moves as well.

Center Court - 9-10 Wed am
ALL ARE WELCOME

Our goal is to get in a lot of practice, recreating George Chan's class, so little or no instruction.  Right now we start with the 24, usually 3 times, then do the 32, also 3 times, and the 40, 3 times.  Today we added the 42, just once.  In future we'll do more 42's, and fewer of the others.  Ultimately . . . who knows?  Maybe 48, or even 73 or 88.

Don't worry, we're taking it slow.