EasternPeace Tai Chi Teaching Methodology & Personal Practice Information
I teach Tai Chi using a combination of Tai Chi Foundation Classes and Tai Chi Form Classes.
The Foundation Classes teach the basic energy work behind Tai Chi and also serve as Qi Gong / Health Exercise Classes for those who don't wish or are unable to learn the Tai Chi forms.
The Tai Chi Form Classes build on the Foundation and teach the actual sequence of movements which make up a complete Tai Chi Form in this case Simplified Yang 24.
Tai Chi Foundation Classes
My goal in the foundation classes is to give students an introduction to the spirit of Tai Chi, some simple Qi Gong meditations and exercise to build Qi awareness, some basic joint release exercises, some muscle stretching exercises, the basics of Tai Chi stances and the principles of Tai Chi movement.
This will develop towards exploring 'fang sung' movement within a short sequence of three Tai Chi 'walks' using three of the most important stances from Simplified Yang 24.
This foundation encapsulates the heart of Tai Chi and can provide a dedicated practitioner with all the tools they need to develop in Tai Chi and receive most of the health benefits that it can offer.
The greater part of my Tai Chi practice time over the years has been spent on this area because this is where most of the growth can be had.
This class can be used as 'health activity class' as well as a personal training, though my goal is to teach people skills that they can take anyway and practice by themselves on a daily basis to improve their health now and for the future.
Tai Chi Form Classes
My goal in the Tai Chi Form classes will be teach the Tai Chi sequence called Simplified Yang 24 which is a relatively short sequence practiced all over China today.
Simplified Yang 24 was created in 1956 to solve a problem. The original Yang style Tai Chi though designed with health in mind was long and complicated and contained movements which were difficult for most people to learn and carry out in modern life.
The Simplified sequence serves as an entry point into Tai Chi for those who may not have good health or body use or even much time, yet it offers an enormous wealth of health benefits for those of all ages.
One of the delights of travelling in China is getting up early and visiting the local park where you will see groups of people practicing this sequence. Even those of advancing years often move with amazing flexibility.
So in these classes I will endeavour to teach the whole sequence.
In 2009, I learnt the Traditional Yang Long Form 85(108) with a high stance, and like my teacher I've brought this into my 24 practice, as it is more gentle on the body and knees. Steps are shorter, the feet turn less and more focus is given to separating the yin and yang and the circular nature of the movements. I feel it has much to offer people from a health point of view.
Self practice is essential for success with this class and like anything in life you will take out what you put in. The rewards for the initial effort put into learning Tai Chi are very great, but its not easy in the beginning.
Simplified Yang Style Tai Chi 24
- Step 1 - Commencing Position
- Step 2 - Part the Wild Horse's Mane to Both Sides
- Step 3 - White Crane Spreads Its Wings
- Step 4 - Brush Knee and Twist Hip on Both Sides
- Step 5 - Hand Strums the Lute
- Step 6 - Repulse the Monkey on Both Sides
- Step 7 - Grasp the Bird's Tail on the Left
- Step 8 - Grasp the Bird's Tail on the Right
- Step 9 - Single Whip
- Step 10 - Wave Hands Like Clouds
- Step 11 - Single Whip
- Step 12 - High Pat on Horse
- Step 13 - Kick with the Right Heel
- Step 14 - Twin Dragon Searches for the Pearl
- Step 15 - Turn and Kick with the Left Heel
- Step 16 - Snake Creeps Down - Left Side
- Step 17 - Snake Creeps Down - Right Side
- Step 18 - A Fair Maiden Works at the Shuttles on Both Sides
- Step 19 - Pluck the Needle from the Sea Bottom
- Step 20 - Flash the Arm
- Step 21 - Turn, Deflect, Parry and Punch
- Step 22 - Push Palms Forward
- Step 23 - Cross Hands
- Step 24 - Closing Form
My teachers and I have developed a system of Yang Style Basic Exercises to teach Yang 24.
Steps 1 & 24 - Commencing Position and Closing Form are taught for many of the exercises.
- Yang Basic Exercise 1 : Teaches Step 2 - Part the Wild Horse's Mane to Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 2 : Teaches Step 5, 6 - Repulse the Monkey on Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 3 : Teaches Step 4 - Brush Knee and Twist Hip on Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 4 : Teaches Step 18 - A Fair Maiden Works at the Shuttles on Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 5 : Teaches Step 7 & 8 - Grasp the Bird's Tail on Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 6 : Teaches Step 10 - Wave Hands Like Clouds
- Yang Basic Exercise 7 : Teaches Step 3 - White Crane Spreads Its Wings
- Yang Basic Exercise 8 : Teaches Step 11,12,13,14,15 - Twin Dragon Searches for the Pearl
- Yang Basic Exercise 9 : Teaches Step 16,17 - Snake Creeps Down to Both Sides
- Yang Basic Exercise 10 : Teaches Step 19,20,21,22 - Pluck the Needle from the Sea Bottom
It may look a bit complicated and in a funny order, but you will see when you practice that there is a good logic behind the teaching system.
Having learnt the Yang Basic Exercises, it is then a fairly straight forward matter to introduce the actual sequence of movements which is Simplified Yang 24.
And from then on it's up to the individual to practice as often as possible, until it becomes second nature and something that your body can do without you having to think.
At this stage, you really start to practise Tai Chi Chuan...
So why not learn Tai Chi....