Most western exercise focuses on the external body. At the gym you exercise the muscles, but what about the internal organs or the mind or spirit. Tai Chi focuses on strengthening the internal organs and aligning the skeletal structure. It works on strengthening the tendons and ligaments while relaxing the muscles. This allows the blood and chi (intrinsic energy) to flow unimpeded throughout the body promoting better circulation, improving digestion, alleviating pain, relieving stress, strengthening your immune system, improving balance and bringing deep inner relaxation . In effect when you practice Tai Chi you are giving yourself a chiropractic adjustment as well as an acupuncture treatment. People are attracted to Tai Chi for a variety of reasons. Some want improved balance and optimum health, while others want to heighten their reflexes and learn a martial art. It can help restore health to people who have experienced an injury or who are recovering from surgery. Tai Chi has much to offer and its principles can be applied to all aspects of your life. It combines philosophical, spiritual and mental exercise with physical fitness. It is both an energetic exercise as well as a powerful martial art.
Tai Chi Form Class
The yang style short form of Tai Chi Chuan will be taught from beginning to completion in approximately nine to eleven months. Learning the form is the basic foundation of Tai Chi practice. This class encompasses all aspects of Tai Chi Chuan: physical, mental, spiritual and philosophical. Classes are taught with an emphasis on health and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture.
Private Lessons
If you prefer one on one instruction or the class conflicts with your schedule, private lessons are a great alternative. They are a great way to introduce you to the principles of Tai Chi Chuan. A routine of simple movements can be designed to meet your ability. Private lessons offer you a unique opportunity to focus on developing kinesthetic awareness of your body at an accelerate rate. Privates are tailored to meet your skill and interest. A series of private lessons allows you to learn a larger portion or even the entire form at your own pace. They are also beneficial to you if you are interested in joining the form class that is in progress. Private lessons can bring you up to speed with the rest of the class.
Semi-Private Lessons
For a small group consisting of two or more people, semi private lessons are ideal. An energetic workout consisting of a few simple movements can be designed for the group. It allows you to share this powerful experience with friends, family or co-workers. A series of semi-private lessons enables your group to learn a larger section of the form, even the entire form.
About the Instructor
Kelly Creps is a certified instructor of Tai Chi Chuan. He has been studying Tai Chi forms and Push Hands for 18 years with Martin Inn at The Inner Research Institute (IRI), School of Tai Chi Chuan, in San Francisco. He continues to study and teach beginning classes, advanced form correction, Sword form, and San Shou at IRI. Kelly enjoys teaching in a light hearted manner. His classes are intended to be interesting, challenging and fun.
Stand like a mountain
Tai Chi teaches us to cultivate root, to stand in a balanced fashion and to have a strong connection to the earth. When we have a good foundation, we always move from a position of power and true strength.
Move like a great river
In Tai Chi we learn to move like water. When one part of the body moves, the whole mind, body and spirit moves, rolling forward unceasingly, unstoppable and all encompassing.
Yield advantageously
Tai Chi is based on the ideas of softness and yielding. We learn to give up control to seek a more powerful position. When you yield to an oncoming force, rather than resist or try to stop or block it, then you give yourself the opportunity to turn a disadvantageous position/situation into an advantageous one. This is true whether you are dealing with a martial situation, a business meeting, or a volatile argument.
Seek stillness in motion
To practice Tai chi is to practice staying calm and relaxed in the face of adversity. Calm your mind, your body and your spirit. Move from this place of stillness.
Walk like a cat
Many people fall from one step to the next. When you walk in this manner, you are essentially falling through life. A cat takes empty steps, always testing the ground before advancing. Likewise in Tai Chi, we always differentiate our weight to allow us the freedom to move quickly and effortlessly.
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