Another Tai Chi Video

vinnie_mall

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 :-).

Seated Tai Chi

vinnie_mall

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.

HOLIDAY GATHERING

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Breakfast/Brunch Potluck
Wednesday, Dec 17, 9am
Dillard's Court

ALL ARE WELCOME

The TaiChi groups are hosting this gathering and hope that everyone will stop by for fellowship and a bite to eat.

Tables will be set out in front of FiveBelow at 8am.  We'll gather at 9, a great time for pictures with friends.  We'll clean up and be out of the way for shopping starting at 10.

Please plan to attend, and bring a long a bit of finger food (we don't want to make a mess) to share.

Wednesday Practice Adds 42 Forms

vinnie_mall

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.

YouTube player

Here's Amin Wu - one of my favorite teachers -- demonstrating the 42.  We use different music.  You can find lots of demos on YouTube, many with form names in English.

NEW George Chan style Tai Chi Practice

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Wed 9am
no instruction

Calls included for all forms, some English, some Chinese.

Save questions about the forms for end of session - 10 am.

To learn the forms try:

  • Basics (kristen) 9 am Mondays near center court
  • 24-40-42-48 (Judy) 9 am Monday-Friday Dillard's court
  • fan/sword (Master Tam) 8 am Mon, Wed, Fri Penneys and Tues, Thurs Dillard's

And check Mallwalk website and/or Google for videos.

 

8 forms
(warm up)

24 forms

32 forms

40 forms

42 forms

48 forms

88 forms

 

(61 minutes)

Special Xmas Shopping Hours

vinnie_mall

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!

 

THANKSGIVING WEEK

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SCHEDULE CHANGES FOR THANKSGIVING WEEK

No Vivian/Deborah line dancing Thanksgiving week.

No walking on Thursday - Thanksgiving.

Shopping starts early on Friday, so no mall walk.

WATCH FOR MORE SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS AS XMAS APPROACHES

Learning Opportunity

vinnie_mall
YouTube player

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.