T’ai Chi Classes

T’ai Chi Classes with Linda

We are not wearing masks at this time.  However, if you are immune suppressed or have other vulnerabilities, feel free to mask. The owner of the Firehouse prefers we not wear  street shoes in the performance hall to protect the flooring, Any other shoe is acceptable.  You may ask yourself, what is the meaning of the Mandarin characters on this student’s shirt?  T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Tai meaning ultimate or supreme. Chi meaning energy and Chuan meaning fist. So, the meaning is Ultimate Fist.

bellingham tai chi classes

Come try a T’ai Chi class with Linda. 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. All students must be vaccinated, wear a mask and honor physical distancing. Please call or email Linda for more information at 360-389-5754 or Lindataichi@comcast.net

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. 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.

Community Qigong Classes (Open to the community at no cost to the participant) – We are meeting 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.  In the summer we go outdoors to Zuanich Point Park usually starting in July 2025. Watch this site for day and time.

 

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 Tai 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 3 beginning classes: Tuesday at 2 PM – 3 PM at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center 1314 Harris Avenue, is designed for students new to Tai Chi or have had some limited experience.  Tuesday at 3 PM- 4 PM is a beginning class for students with more experience and know the basis postures of set 1. This is also at the Firehouse. For students who need to move at a slower pace the 4 PM- 4:50 PM may be the class for you.  Peter Burkland is an advanced student and co-teaches these beginning classes.

 

                                                          Intermediate Tai 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.

Intermediate classes are on Monday 5:15- 6:15 PM at St James Presbyterian Church 910 14th Street (lower level)  Fairhaven and/or on Tuesday  11:30 AM – 12:45 PM  at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center.   For those students who can perform Set 1 comfortably and want to learn Set  2, I offer a focused mini-class on Tuesday at 10:45 AM at Hillcrest Church- must attend one of the intermediate classes first before attending this special focused class.

Intermediate Classes for students new to Set 2. If you are just starting to learn Set 2 ( Intermediate)  and want some extra help, try my Monday 4 PM- 4:45 PM class at Hillcrest. 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.   

 

                                                                                               Advanced 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.

Advanced T’ai Chi class is  on Wednesday 11:15 AM -12:15  PM at the Firehouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Avenue in Fairhaven          

 Weapon Classes

  • Yang Style 18 form fan- Currently being taught Wednesday at 12:15  PM at the Firehouse
  •  Single Knife Broadsword (Tung Style)- on hold currently
  • Yang Style 32 Sword  – Currently being taught Wednesday at 12:45 PM at the Firehouse  

These 3 forms are taught every  Wednesday at the Firehouse. Fan starts at 12:15 to 12:50. Single knife starts at 12:50 and ends at 1:30. Practice session every Tuesday from 1:15- 2 PM  at the Firehouse in Fairhaven.  You must be enrolled in a class to participate in learning these forms. These are advanced forms.

Private Lessons not available at this time.

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 Tung Family Master Tung Kai Ying.  This form is characterized by soft slow moving postures with the energy arising from within. Deep breathing and 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 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

 

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.

 

bellingham tai chi classes
Linda leading a Chair T’ai Chi class at the Bellingham library. This is pre-pandemic photo of a community class. All community classes now at Hillcrest Church or Zuanich Point Park in the Summer.

 

 

 

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