Classes

Free Intro Demo / Workshop

Monday, January 8th, 7PM

A free introductory workshop for those interested in the upcoming Natick Rec Department classes.

Registration is required.

“Grasp The Sparrow’s Tail” Mini-Course

Starts Tuesday, July 20th

4 week mini-course delving into the depths of one of the most important moves in T’ai Chi.
Course fee is $35. Registration is required.

There Will Be No T’ai Chi Classes Today

Monday October 11th

Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 12th

Class Calendar

How to Join a Zoom Class

I am leaping into the current century, using a new scheduling/registration system for the independent MetroWest T’ai Chi classes. (Please note that for classes run by other organizations, you will not use this scheduling system. You will still register and pay through that organization.)  This will make things easier and more efficient in the long run, however, there may be a bit of an adjustment period while people get used to the new way of registering for classes. To help you get acclimated, I am offering a few tips below.



MWTC Classes

Important: You will need to set up a Username and Password for this system. You may find it helpful to do that before trying to register for a class. You can do that here.

If you are already registered with Fitli, you can log in here.

To register and join any of the MetroWest Tai Chi Zoom classes:

  • Tuesday 8:30 – Qigong Class
  • Thursday 8:30 – Qigong Class
  • Thursday 11:30 – Traditional Full Form Practice Class

Click on the class in the calendar, or the class in the list below. (If you are not logged in, you will be asked to do so.) Once on the class page, click on the “Book” button. (As in, “Book your class”.)

From there, you will be asked to pay for the class. You can do that either by paying for the individual class (currently $7 per class), or you can purchase a 10 class package for $70 if you would rather not make individual payments each time.

Once you are booked in the class, the registration system will send you an email confirmation. It will also send you a link for the Zoom class prior to the start of the class. PLEASE NOTE that each class time will generate its own Zoom link.

Other Classes

All other classes are operated by the organization running them. Please contact that organization to participate in the class.

Class Schedule List

Click on any of the classes listed below for a description of the class. More information coming soon.

Monday

6:30 – Natick Rec Department – Traditional T’ai Chi (In-Person)

Session Begins 9/23/24 – Registration Required

Classes are held at the East School building in Natick in the spacious gymnasium. Classes will be offered in both the 1st Section and 2nd Section of the form during the 6:30 timeslot. During this course, we will learn the moves of the form while also exploring some of the deeper ideas that make T’ai Chi such a powerful art.

Classes are held at the East School building, 90 Oak St. Natick. (Corner of Oak St. and Rte 9.)

This is a 10-week session running from 9/23 through 12/9. (No class on 10/14 or 11/11.)

Classes are $90 for Natick residents and $110 for non-residents. You can register for these classes by going to Natick’s Registration Website. Registration opens 9/4 for Natick residents and 9/11 for non-residents.

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Below is information about the the different types of programs that I offer.

Traditional Form

The “Traditional Form” that I teach is a version of the Cheng Man-Ch’ing style or the Yang 37 form. (For those who are more knowledged about these things, it is a variation of the routine with a blending of elements from both the Yang style and the Cheng Man-Ch’ing style.)

This form consists of a set routine of movements that takes about 15 minutes to go through. For the purpose of the classes, this routine is divided into three sections, each one offering challenging movements. The first section can be learned and used as a stand alone form, taking about 5 minutes to run through.

Practice of this style offers not only a relaxing, meditative experience, but also explorations into areas such as:

  • Awareness of body structure
  • Improved focus
  • Development of internal energy
  • Sense of fluidity and flow
  • Greater overall awareness of self
  • Martial applications
  • Philosophies and ideas from T’ai Chi

While this style of T’ai Chi involves a greater level of commitment and perseverance than the T’ai Chi for Balance program, the experience tends to be deeper with greater impact on life.

T’ai Chi for Balance

This program is focused primarily on improving balance, with a lighter emphasis on the areas of T’ai Chi listed above. While there are 8 movements in the basic set used for this program, they are generally easier to learn and to follow, allowing us to put a greater emphasis on the elements of T’ai Chi that help to improve our balance.

T’ai Chi for Balance programs go by several different names and include:

  • T’ai Chi for Healthy Aging
  • T’ai Chi for Healthy Living
  • T’ai Chi for Better Balance
  • T’ai Chi for Healthy Aging and Better Balance (TCHABB)
  • Movement for Better Balance

There are many studies that have shown that T’ai Chi in general is a practice that helps to maintain and improve balance as we go through life. The T’ai Chi for Balance programs offered here have been built to focus specifically on aspects of T’ai Chi that have the most impact on improving our balance. In these programs the moves are simpler and fewer while an emphasis is placed on posture, weight shifting and body awareness, among other aspects of T’ai Chi.

The movements take about five to seven minutes to go through the initial set of eight movements. These movements can be done in any order so that there is no need to remember a particular routine. The full set of fifteen movements takes anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes to perform.

Qigong

The term “Qigong” (pronounced Chi Gung) refers to any number of styles or systems that focus on improving and balancing our flow of energy (or “Qi”). Qigong may consist of a set of movements, or meditative postures and typically emphasize aligning our posture, regulating our breathing and using mind intent to create the benefits we seek.

The practice of Qigong predates T’ai Chi and includes a much broader spectrum of styles. Qigong can be used as a stand alone practice or as an excellent complement to T’ai Chi.

Currently, the style of Qigong that we most often practice in classes is called “Hunyuan Qigong”. This style of Qigong is very focused on working with Qi. Regular practice of Hunyuan Qigong will help to develop a stronger sense of Qi within our bodies while also increasing and improving the flow of Qi through various organ systems.

Practicing

Practicing is certainly helpful and is fairly necessary to learn the movements of both T’ai Chi and Qigong. Practicing will also help us to get the most benefits from T’ai Chi and Qigong and to explore the deeper aspects of our T’ai Chi and Qigong experience. To learn the movements and routines from any of the programs, it is recommended that participants practice at home what they have been learning in class. The more we practice, the more we get out of our practice. However, even fifteen minutes a few times a week will have a vast positive impact.

That being said, while practice is urged, we will never make you feel embarrassed or guilty if you do not practice. Everyone has their own path and their own reasons for taking classes. Practicing may simply be difficult for some of the students.

Ultimately, I want participants of our classes to enjoy the experience of taking their T’ai Chi classes. So the classes are typically fun and lighthearted. I believe that this is often the most effective environment to learn.

If you have any questions about the classes, feel free to go to the contact page and connect with me. I’ll do my best to answer your questions.