Our Approach at All Good T’ai Chi
All Good T’ai Chi emphasizes the elements of T’ai Chi, which are immediately applicable to everyday lives. We seek a simple and direct path to follow– a set of principles, exercises, and postures for both beginners and advanced students to discover the myriad benefits of T’ai Chi.
Rather than concentrating at first on Cheng Man-ch’ing’s series of 37 connected postures and movements, known as “the form”, All Good T’ai Chi focuses on the basic elements and principles underlying the form. Without these foundations and simple deep breathing Qi Gong exercises, T’ai Chi can lose its inimitable “internal” quality.
We emphasize techniques and exercises that help us learn to immediately let go, relax, and explore new pathways towards awareness and harmony in our daily lives. We conform to the students’ needs and abilities; providing modified approaches for those whose physical limitations prevent full participation.
Our approach revolves around healing injuries, promoting health and well being
The late Robert W. Smith, widely considered the Dean of Internal Martial Arts in the West, used to speak about the importance of having a learning mind. While martial arts have little place in this gun-toting world of ours, the awareness skills and self-defense applications of this soft, yielding and internal martial art are extraordinary. Even beginners can delight in playing tui shou (sensing hands).
More germane to modern living, the relaxation, balance and quiet we cultivate in T’ai Chi reduce stress and tension, calm the mind, disperse anxieties and encourage equanimity. Practicing T’ai Chi also provides a wide array of health benefits. We learn to let go and let T’ai Chi ‘do us’ rather than doing it. We engage in ‘moving meditation’ when we play T’ai Chi and give ourselves a respite from the constant self-centered thoughts chasing us.
Our Goals at All Good T’ai Chi
Our approach revolves around healing injuries and promoting health and well being. All our practices and classes are non-competitive. We strive to provide a safe, secure and friendly environment to learn T’ai Chi. Students are asked to not do more than is comfortable for them. The common saying “no pain, no gain” does not apply here! With regular practice, students find that their strength and range of motion naturally increase.
Most importantly, our classes and practices seek to help each student find their own way to practice and ‘live’ T’ai Chi. Our goals include better balance, increased concentration and calm, and an improved quality of life through practicing T’ai Chi principles, postures and movements. We enjoy student stories of how the practice of T’ai Chi has permeated the way they move and react in their day-to-day world–lifting, bending, standing, walking, and mentally navigating life’s challenges.
We hope you try T’ai Chi and join our expanding circle of people, young and old, from all walks of life, who seek –through practice — to reap the benefits of practicing this ancient gentle and flowing exercise for the body, mind and soul.