What is Tai-Chi?

 

Tai-Chi is an ancient system of wellness through slow, gentle movements in sequence with each other. If you watch videos of it, you may leave wondering how it could provide the long list of benefits that it does. The key is that this practice cultivates "Chi" energy, which is thought to be a life-sustaining energy that flows throughout the body. Tai-Chi and Qi-gong is said to unblock and encourage the proper flow of Chi.

​

When your body flows with movement, your breathing is synchronized to the movement your body, and your mind is calm and open as if in meditation, some pretty cool things happen. Your body relaxes into a healing response, your mind becomes more resilient. Spiritual practices have been reported to deepen.

​

Tai-Chi is not a spiritual path, but experiencing your Chi energy may alter your view of reality. If being able to sense Chi was all there was to it, that would be pretty cool, but the fact that it is simultaneously so powerful for wellness is what made me want to become an instructor and teach others about this wonderful, gentle art.

​

Qigong is very similar to Tai-Chi. Think of Qigong as a method to cultivate and direct energy for specific results, such as opening the lungs, whereas Tai-Chi is an overall full body cleansing and opening. Some Qigong postures are repetitions of a motion, or a posture that is held for a period of time. The same mindfulness and breathing applies in both Qigong and Tai-Chi.

​

We will learn more about Tai-Chi and Qigong in class through both discussion and experience!

​

 

Fee & Payment

​

The course fee for the 6 weeks is $120.

If you would like to pay in full straight away, bring a check for $120 (or cash) to your first session of class. I will have an online payment option for a full payment to those who register that I will e-mail to the class.

​

If you would like to pay me on a week-by-week basis, I will happily accept $20 in cash or check for every class period. There will not be a weekly online payment option.

​

 

What to wear and bring

​

• Wear loose, comfortable clothing. You can do tai-chi in jeans as long as they are not restrictive. Sweatpants are okay! 

• Bring a water bottle. We will have a few water breaks throughout class to stay hydrated.

• Bring a second pair of shoes specifically for Tai-Chi. More on this below.

​

A note on footwear

​

The one article of clothing that will impact your tai-chi the most is the shoe you are wearing in class.

Many students bring two pairs of shoes - one for daily usage, and one for tai-chi.

A shoe that will provide the most benefits to you in tai-chi are commonly referred to as "kung-fu" shoes.

Here are examples from amazon.

A more local option would be Rising Sun Martial Arts Supply.

Any martial arts store should have these kinds of shoes in stock, so feel free to look around for what is near you.

​

I have used both the cloth bottom and rubber bottom sole shoe. Either will be great.

You want a shoe with a flat bottom and little or no tread, but not slippers. 

If you are confident that your feet are strong enough to support you, barefoot / socks are acceptable.

It is very wonderful to practice Tai-Chi outside with bare feet on the ground!

​

The reason these shoes help so much is with the reversal movements used in our Tai-Chi form.

They are also very light weight, so you can really feel and control the movements of your feet.

It won't feel very good to have your tread working against you in these movements.

It is still good to do Tai-Chi in whatever shoes you have available - just know that your shoes may be working against your experience of gentle flowing movement if they have a lot of tread or are otherwise large/bulky.

​

Disclaimer form

​

You can download the disclaimer form here. I will have a copy for everyone on the first day of class, so don't worry about it if you do not have a printer.

​

​

Directions / Location

 

Our class will take place at 5:00-6:00 pm at the Healing River Chiropractic.

 1903 Greeley St S, Stillwater, Minnesota 55082

Enter through the door and walk straight by the front desk to get to the yoga room!

​

I look forward to meeting you there.

​