Breath and Balance Tai Chi

WHAT IS T’AI CHI?

T’ai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese exercise based in the philosophy of Taoism and is a form of qigong.   T’ai Chi means “supreme ultimate”- the common source that unifies all apparent opposites and Ch’uan means “fist”, referring to the martial art.  T’ai chi practitioners learn to stay centered, both mentally and physically, in the midst of conflict as we learn to maintain a calm, quiet state of mind.

BENEFITS OF T’AI CHI

T’ai Chi is a gentle Chinese exercise that, when practiced regularly, enhances:

• Relaxation
• Focus
• Posture
• Balance, stability
• Strength, flexibility
• Coordination
• Immune response
• Improved blood pressure

T’AI CHI PRINCIPLES

• Active Relaxation
• Mindfulness
• Breathe awareness
• Weight Separation
• Moving from your center
• Postural alignment
• Slow, integrated movement

Tai Chi Fundamentals® (TCF)

The Tai Chi Fundamentals form (TCF) was developed by Tricia Yu and Jill Johnson, PT to make T’ai Chi accessible to individuals of all abilities and for experienced practitioners to refine their form.  This program provides a simplified systematic approach for mastering the T’ai Chi principles, and improving posture and core stability through functional movements. The basic components of the TCF Program are movement patterns, the TCF form and mind/body principles.

Movement Patterns  

The movement patterns are a series of 12 exercises incorporating functional movements to practice T’ai Chi principles.  They follow a motor developmental sequence from easy to most difficult.  The expressive arm movements are based on elements of Qigong.  These movement patterns are repetitive for refining T’ai Chi basic skills and may be used as an exercise program themselves.

T’ai Chi Fundamentals form

The Tai Chi Fundamentals form is rooted in Cheng Man-ch’ing Yang style Tai Chi.  The postures progress from simple to complex.  The form includes critical elements from the Yang style which promote balance, endurance, strength and coordination.  By eliminating the more difficult parts of the traditional form, the TCF form is accessible to individuals with differing abilities.

Mind / Body Principles

The mind/body principles promote healthy living with awareness of our whole selves- physical, emotional and spiritual.