T’ai Chi Classes

T’ai Chi Classes with Linda

We are currently wearing masks indoors to ensure the health and safety for all. 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. 
Private lessons are not available at this time..

Beginning 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.

Beginning classes take place on Tuesday at 2:00- 3:00 PM and/or 3:00 to 4:00 PM  at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center (1314 Harris Avenue, Fairhaven). The 2:00 PM class is best for students brand new to Tai Chi and just starting out. The 3 PM class is best for students with more experience even though both classes are designed for beginners. Attend both for maximum learning. Peter Burkland is an advanced student and co-teaches these beginning classes.

Beginning Fan class takes place every Monday at 3:30 PM at Hillcrest Church and designed for students who wish to learn the  Yang style 18 form fan. Fan technique and the form are taught. You can purchase a fan on most sites like Amazon.  You will need a 13 inch weapon Tai Chi fan,  right handed and bamboo.

Intermediate 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.

ZOOM Class- Qigong   by ZOOM every Wednesday at (9:30 AM PST  (For students who only participate in ZOOM, the  tuition for this class is $25.00 per month).  For others, this is included in your monthly tuition- no added cost. This new day and time begins February 28, 2024

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.

During the fall and winter, Qigong and a Qigong form known as Shi ba shi meets  in- person every Tuesday  10 AM at Hillcrest Church 1400 Larrabee Street Fairhaven. This class is at no cost to the participant as it is my service to the community.  In July 2024, we move  outdoors for my “T’ai Chi in the Park” summer series  at Zuanich Point Park  ending September 30, 2024.  Read below under “Community Qigong Classes” 

Yang Style 18 form fan and Single Knife Broadsword (Tung Style) and Yang Style 32 Sword . 

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.
Private lessons are designed for students with particular needs and goals. I often work with individuals with neurological illness and concomitant balance issues to improve wellbeing, strengthen the mind, body, spirit connection and to improve balance and stability.  If you feel you have a special circumstance, discuss with Linda to see what options might be appropriate.

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

 

Community Qigong Classes  

As a Community Service, I offer free Qigong classes every Tuesday  at Hillcrest Church at 10 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 9:30 AM and ends at 10:15. 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