T’ai Chi Classes

Fall 2023 CLASS SCHEDULE

Classes Continue:

As is our tradition, each Fall we start again from the beginning of Cheng man-Ching’s 37 Posture Short Form and continue the following Spring through July.  Beginning students are welcome at any time!

First Class:  Wednesday, Sept. 6, 9:00 AM (Live and on Zoom)

SCHEDULE:

Morning Classes are focused on learning the 37 Posture Form.  Afternoon Classes are less structured and for general practice.  All classes are held at White Oak Recreation Center.

Live Classes

Registration is not required, just show up!  (If you decide to continue, Montgomery County Recreation would like you to register with them for liability purposes.)  Classes are led by Kirk Talbott and the Teaching Team.

Virtual, On-line Practice using zoom

For the zoom classes send a request to be added to the email list for the class using the Contact Us form.

New Virtual Class:  “Integral Tai Chi” led by JJ Rein

Combines Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and meditation in one practice that starts with a warm up, includes practicing forms, and ends with a cool down and mediation.

Thursday afternoons at 2:30 pm via zoom through the Montgomery County Library System.

To sign up for this class, you will need a library card.  Go to Montgomery County Library Virtual Events: https://mcpl.libnet.info/events?=undefined&r=thismonth&term=Virtual+Program

Click on the date you want to attend class, then click the “Integral Tai Chi” class link, and finally click on the zoom link. (Please note library security requires a different zoom link for each class.)

 

About  All Good T’ai Chi  Classes

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.

*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.

Location

Live classes are held at  White Oak Community Recreation Center, 1700 April Ln., Silver Spring, MD 20904

Open Enrollment 

Drop-in to sample T’ai Chi.  Just show up!  If you decide to continue,  Montgomery County Department of Recreation requests that you register with them at the front desk so they can track attendance at their centers.

No Fees

The classes are free.  All Good T’ai Chi is based entirely on the generosity of volunteers.

What to wear

We practice T’ai Chi for daily life, so we don’t wear uniforms.  Wear loose, non-binding clothing for bending and stretching. Most importantly, wear flat shoes that allow you to feel stable. Beginners usually like tennis or athletic shoes that feel supportive. Shoes with high heels or platform shoes are not advised because they are likely to cause injury from falling.  Advanced students often prefer flatter, thinner-soled shoes that allow their feet to feel more connection with the ground and earth.

*Tip: This is exercise. Do not eat a large meal right before you come to class. You will be bending and turning at your waist and this is not the time for your body to be trying to digest food!

Questions: Contact us for more information.