T’ai Chi Classes

Safety First:   It is important to me that students who come to any of my classes feel safe and have the confidence that they will not get ill being around other people. I am very proud of the fact that at no time have we had an outbreak in my classes.  We mask, when necessary, honor social distancing and students stay home when they do not feel well. I am not requiring masks during class at this time. The Firehouse has a high filtration system, Hillcrest is a large room with lots of air movement and St James is also a large room.   However, if you are immune suppressed or have other vulnerabilities, feel free to mask. Remember, if you are feeling a bit under the weather even if you think it might be a mild cold, stay home. Keep us all healthy.

~

Protecting the wonderful flooring of the Firehouse: The owner of the Firehouse prefers we not wear street shoes in the performance hall to protect the flooring.  Any other shoe is acceptable, or socks and some students prefer to purchase Tai Chi Slippers. Ask me about Tai Chi slippers as there are many options. Keep in mind- a flatter shoe that connects you to the floor is best for balance, stability and posture. These shoes are referred to as “minimalist” shoes versus “maximalist” shoes that have a very thick sole- cushy for sure but does allow the foot to move and work as designed.

~

T’ai Chi Ch’uan : What are the characters on the student’s red shirt in the photo you may ask?   T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Tai meaning ultimate or supreme. Chi meaning boundary and Chuan meaning fist. So, the meaning is Ultimate Fist and a method of movement to cultivate an internal power with no boundary.

~

Check my Linda’s Blog on the top right of my webpage from time to time. I keep schedules and events updated.

 Interested in Learning T’ai Chi?

Merry, student since November, 2016

About The T’ai Chi Class

So you are interested in learning Tai Chi or have taken some lessons and wish to continue your study. Come try a T’ai Chi class with me. Your first class is at no cost so you can decide whether it’s right for you. Just dress in loose, comfortable clothing and join Linda and your fellow students on the days and times listed below.  Please call or email Linda for more information at 360-389-5754 or Linda@lindataichi.com

What I teach: I teach the Tung Style Long Form created by Master Tung Kai Ying who is internationally known. He comes from the lineage of the Yang Style. Master Tung Kai Ying began his study as a young child and studied many forms of Tai Chi. He comes from a long line of Tai Chi Grandmasters. Tung Ying Chieh taught his son, Tung Hu Ling who taught his son, our teacher, Grandmaster Tung Kai Ying.

The Tung style is based on traditions of Yang Style and Wu. It is taught in 3 sets. Set 1 is designed for students starting out. Set 2 is more advanced and finally Set 3, the culmination of all 87 postures. There is no requirement to learn all 3 sets. Some students learn Set 1 and stay with that set throughout their entire course of Tai Chi practice.

Tuition for T’ai Chi Classes

In-Person & Online Options

Tuition
The first class is at no cost to you  so you can try it and see if you like it and to find the class with the best fit for your level and personal goals.

Tuition is $30.00 per month unlimited access to all classes cash or check made payable to Linda Tai Chi.  This means you can attend as many classes in a week or month as you desire including the Wednesday morning ZOOM Qigong class at 9:30 AM. Contact Linda for more information about ZOOM.

Private lessons are not available at this time.

A new beginning class has been added so you now have 5 beginning classes from which to choose depending on your schedule and level of interest. With your tuition, should you wish to enroll, you can attend as many classes a week as you wish.

Community Qigong Classes (Open to the community at no cost to the participant) – During the fall and winter months, we meet  at Hillcrest Church on Larrabee Avenue in Fairhaven every Tuesday at 10:15 AM.    This is a service I offer to the community to bring a sense of health and wellbeing to our community. As a member of the Community Qigong class, you will also get the weekly handout. You will not have access to the videos or resource materials. In the summer we go outdoors to Zuanich Point Park at water’s edge behind the Community center and next to the Fisherman’s Pavilion starting annually in July. We usually end in September depending on the weather. Watch this site or Linda’s Blog for updates.

~

Qigong by ZOOM every Wednesday at 9:30 AM by invitation. If taken as a stand- alone and not in conjunction with other classes, the tuition is $25.00 per month.   If you are taking other Tai Chi classes, the ZOOM class is included in your monthly tuition.

All of the Qigong routines are guided by the imagery of nature. They are  lovely to perform and allows the student to use his/her body in a natural way to improve posture, breathing, balance and a sense of calm.  All of the routines can be performed standing or seated.

Beginning, Intermediate & Advance
T’ai Chi Classes

Beginning T’ai Chi Classes

at the Firehouse Arts Center 1314 Harris Avenue

Beginning T’ai Chi Classes

Designed for students with no experience in T’ai Chi or for those with less than 6 months of class experience. Beginning classes will help each student learn the core concepts of performing T’ai Chi and learn set 1 of the Slow set. The class incorporates some Qigong exercises.

There are 5 beginning classes. Each beginning class focuses on Set 1. All of the classes are the same. They only differ by day and time to accommodate personal preferences of the students.

Tuesday at 2 – 3 PM is designed for students new to Tai Chi or have had some limited experience. Meets at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center in Fairhaven.

Tuesday at 3 - 4 PM is an advanced beginning class for students with more experience and know the basic postures of set 1. Meets at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center in Fairhaven.

Tuesday at 4 - 5 PM is designed for students new to Tai Chi or have had some limited experience. Meets at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center in Fairhaven.

Wednesday at 1:15 - 2:15 PM is designed for students new to Tai Chi or have had some limited experience. Meets at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center in Fairhaven.

Certified Practitioners often assist students when the class size gets large. We break into small groups so newer students can get more individualized. Say hello to these Certified Practitioners: Meg McConnell, Lois Penick, Peter Burkland, Seraphina Yui and Alana Coleman, and Pat Morse

Monday at 3 – 4 PM is a class for students new to Tai Chi or have had some limited experience. Meets at Hillcrest Church 1440 Larrabee Avenue in Fairhaven

Intermediate Tai Chi Classes

There are 4 classes from which to choose

Intermediate T’ai Chi Classes

Designed for students who are comfortable with Set 1 and can perform this set with a level of confidence. These classes will continue to focus on the core concepts and move forward with set 2. Some Qigong exercises are incorporated into the class.

Monday 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM at Hillcrest Church. This is a transitional class for students moving from Set 1 to Set 2.

This class goes at a slower pace than the regular Intermediate classes. If you feel confident in Set 1 and feel ready to move forward in your Tai Chi, this is the class for you.

Monday 5:15 - 6:15 PM at St James Presbyterian Church 910 14th Street (lower level) Fairhaven. Regular Intermediate Class.

Tuesday  11:30 AM – 12:30 PM  at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center. Regular Intermediate Class.

Lois, Certified Practitioner.

Advanced Classes

Advanced T’ai Chi Classes

Designed for students who can perform Sets 1 and 2 with some level of confidence. This class focuses on learning Set 3 and incorporating the 10 foundational principles of T’ai Chi.

Wednesday 11:30 AM -12:30   PM at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven

Monday at 3:30 – 4 PM at Hillcrest Church is a transitional class for students who are new to Set 3 lead by Peter Burkland. This class is designed to lend support to those students new to Set 3 or who want to refine their postures.

Weapon Classes

  • Yang Style 18 form fan – Currently being taught Wednesday at 12:30  PM at the Firehouse

These classes vary based on season and interest. Email or talk Linda to learn which class is coming up.

  •  Single Knife Broadsword (Tung Style)

  • Yang Style 32 Sword 

You must be enrolled in a class to participate in learning these forms. These are advanced forms.

Private Lessons not available at this time.

More About Linda’s T’ai Chi Classes

Tung Family Style – A traditional T’ai Chi Ch’uan Form based on principles of Yang style

Of the 5 styles of T’ai Chi Ch’uan, Yang Style is the most popular world- wide. I teach a yang style/Wu style form based on the interpretations of these styles by Master Tung Tung Kai Ying and Master Tung Chen Wei. This form is characterized by soft an internal mental focus are classic traits of this form. Each class is designed to guide students through the form to increase learning and to achieve the ultimate goal of T’ai Chi- tranquility and inner harmony. This is achieved by focusing on the here and now, synchronizing the breath and using imagery to enhance the mind, body spirit connection. There is certainly a spiritual component to T’ai Chi. Being aware of our own internal process and how we relate to the world and the universe is fundamental to my approach to teaching T’ai Chi.

Linda’s T’ai Chi Curriculum

  • 5 Animal Frolic Qigong

  • 8 Pieces of Brocade Qigong

  • The Heart Kidney Qigong

  • The Five Treasures Qigong

  • The 5 Breaths Qigong

  • Tiger Mountain  Qigong

  • Slow Set  Tung Family style long form – 87 postures (Based on Yang style)

  • Fan Set 18 form Yang Style

  • Tung Single Knife (sabre broadsword)

  • Yang style 32 form sword - Tung Family Set

  • Kunlan Twining Hands Bagua Qigong

  • Tiger Paws

  • Soft Palms

One More Word about My Community Qigong Classes

As a Community Service, I offer free Qigong classes every Tuesday  at Hillcrest Church at 10:15 AM October – June. During the summer, July – September, I offer these classes at Zuanich Point Park behind the Boathouse near the water’s edge.

These are fun , easy to follow routines to improve breathing, posture and stamina. The Zuanich Point Park class starts at 10:15 AM  and ends at 11 AM. Outdoor classes are cancelled when a severe smoke warning is issued by local governmental agencies.

Meg, Certified Practitioner.

Learning Options for Enrolled Students

Linda offers extra help for students before or after classes as needed

  • Access to videos of me performing postures to assist in practicing at home

  • Weekly hand-outs on topics of health, wellbeing as well as techniques

  • Resource materials available to learn more about Tai Chi and Qigong

  • Seminars with local experts to enhance and deepen the students understanding of Tai Chi and Qigong

Alana, Certified Practitioner