Principles and Focus

Classes integrate mindfulness, balance, centering, good health, strength, and fun.  Yoga-like breathing and stretching exercises enhance feeling energy and focusing.  In contrast to yoga, stretches and poses are in motion.  T’ai Chi emphasizes the “Mind → Intention → Movement” connection.

Classes generally begin with Qi Gong and T’ai Chi movements done to music for warming up and centering.  The music is often lively and intended to encourage spontaneous, relaxed movement.  After the warm-up,  Assistant Instructors  coach beginners for part of the class period. Approximately the last two-thirds of the class is devoted to learning Cheng Man-ch’ing’s Yang-style 37 posture short form.  The class closes with a slow meditation in movement.

Listen to Kirk Talbott and Kathryn von Rautenfeld discuss the journey of following a T’ai Chi practice and see classes in session:

T’ai Chi for Living

*Note on Certification:  The internal martial arts defy belts and ranks; efforts at certification tend to obfuscate rather than reveal true skill levels. Rather, the teacher, lineage, ‘gung-fu’ or skill acquired through practice, humility and other factors determine one’s teaching ability. Due diligence, common sense along with ‘Tui- shou’ or sensing hands, provides a good gauge of t’ai chi qualities – listening/awareness, relaxation, yielding, softness, timing, etc.