A typical class
Each class is always a little different but typically includes the following instruction & practice based on the needs of the participants:
- Zhan Zhuang practice
- Chi Gung (Qi Gong) practice
- Tai Chi Form practice
- Push hands practice
- Weapons practice
Class with Wind River Tai Chi Chuan
Standing Meditation (Zhan Zhuang)— the core of our internal martial arts practice
Through the journey into stillness our mind wakes up to many potentials for both health and enlightenment. We can’t over emphasize the importance of standing meditation and its many benefits for our health and well being. There are many interesting stories and antidotes about the health and martial benefits of Zhan Zhuang, standing meditation.
When you learn to stand correctly and diligently practice daily, the benefits clearly manifest. Personal experience has demonstrated that standing practice benefits and enhances not only health but potentially any form of martial art and sport.
Qi Gong (Dao Yin) training
Dao Yin (Qi Gong) practice provides health benefits by opening all of the major meridians of the body. This form of Soaring Crane facilitates the cultivation, flow and balance of chi (Qi). Our Dao Yin training consists of 5 separate sets of movements that build body integrity and increase the strength of joints and tendons, as well as cultivate chi.
Five Animal Qi Gong
This is a very old practice and actually the origins of all the internal martial arts can be found in these sets that include the Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey and Crane.
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan (the form)
The Tai Chi form is practiced and taught in each session. The form is practiced with emphasis on the principles of the tai chi classics with an emphasis on shifting and airtime that are the result of an integrated whole body involvement in each movement, posture and transition. Tai Chi Chuan is a beautiful flowing set of postures that are also the basis of an effective martial art.
Push Hands (Sensing/Sticky Hands)
Push hands provides the laboratory for development of Tai Chi application, and also the garden from which the standing, chi development and Tai Chi form practice grows and develops. Practicing Tai Chi without push hands practice is like only half filling your lungs each time you breath, you only get some benefit.
Students also have the opportunity to learn:
- Tai Chi Chuan Application
- Tai Chi Chuan Sword
- Tai Chi Chuan Fan
- Tai Chi Chuan Staff