| History
Of Tai Chi
What is Tai Chi? Tai
Chi Chuan, as it is formally called, translates
as 'supreme ultimate boxing, or fist'. Tai
Chi (pronounced Taiji) is the common name
used - the 'supreme ultimate'. The form
developed in the 13th century combining
the martial arts with Qi Gong meditation
and the concept of the human mind/body relationship
with nature and the universe. It involves
the ying and the yang, or the duality of
all things and that all opposites are inherently
connected to each other. Similar to the
Tao of Tai Chi, the path for living a simple,
peaceful life in harmony with nature. The
legend is that a martial artist, Chang San
Feng was inspired by watching the battle
between a graceful crane and a supple coiling
snake. He devised an evolved system of self-defense
based not on brute strength and physical
force but on the power of flow and flexibility,
yielding, rooting and returning energy.
Besides the martial arts benefits, Tai Chi
creates a healthy flow of our vital energy
or Qi and teaches students to practice the
form using a calm alert mental state and
effortless grace while performing the martial
arts forms. meditation.
What is Tai Chi
The slow gracefulness
of the form is deceptive because it is a
powerful weight bearing exercise that teaches
proper postural alignment, healthy breathing
patterns, strengthens without stress to
joints, and enhances balance, flexibility
and coordination. Since its creation Tai
Chi has developed into a popular form of
exercise in the East and wasn't introduced
to Europe and the U.S. until the 1960's.
Of the three basic styles, Yang, Chen and
Wu, the Yang style remains the most widely
taught although there are many branches
and styles developed from all the forms.
Some martial artists use Tai Chi as a combat
exercise, using the kicks and punches to
channel potentially destructive energy away
by breaking up the energy or sending it
away from them so it cannot do harm. Tai
Chi Fundamentals is a wonderful beginning
for the student, with 25 movement patterns
to learn along with the 22 moves in the
actual form which takes about 5 minutes
to perform. The "Form" is putting the moves
together in a graceful, flowing, dance-like
sequence which is pleasing to do and easy
to learn. The higher levels of the Yang
style form contain over 40 movements and
the long form has over 100 and takes many
months to learn.
The Class
The Tai Chi Fundamentals
class is a systematic, easy to learn approach
for mastering Tai Chi basics. The class
introduces important mind/body components
of Tai Chi Practice. You will learn the
movement patterns and be able to perform
a five minute, slow moving dance-like form
based on traditional Yang style lineage
of Tai Chi. It combines relaxed, fluid movement
with a calm alert mental state.
When practiced on a daily basis this program
of exercise has been proven to provide many
health and fitness benefits. It is suited
for all ages and applies to everyone from
athletes to those with physical limitations.
Class Schedule
Class scheule coming
soon.
Contact: betty@taichifoxcites.com
Prices
Coming soon
The
Instructor
Sign: Aquarius
Born: Kaukauna, WI
Certified T'ai Chi
Instructor
Betty began her training in 2001 as a teacher
assistant. After attending Training Seminars
and retreats and studying with instructors
in Madison, she received her certification
in Level 3, the highest level of the Yang
style Tai Chi Fundamentals course from the
Tai Chi center in Madison, WI and is working
on the next level of the traditional form.
She also is a Certified Yoga Instructor
through YogaFit.
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