T’ai-Chi is
a Chinese word meaning “supreme ultimate”. The T’ai-chi symbol above
represents a universal principle—the idea of an underlying wholeness
and balance which unifies all opposites and all things. T’ai-chi Ch’uan
is a martial art based on this principle. The basic training of this
art is what most people call “T’ai-chi”. It is done in slow motion
and is excellent for health, balance, self-awareness and relaxation.
What
I Teach
There are many
different styles of T’ai-Chi Ch’uan. I teach a symmetrical version
of the Yang family style created by the Grandmaster Tchoung Ta-Tchen.
All exercises are done left and right handed and include energy work,
standing meditations, solo movements (short and long forms ), partnered
sensitivity training (pushing hands ), martial applications (including
a partnered form ), a faster energy-issuing form and T’ai-chi weaponry
(solo and partnered forms ). Each part of this training reveals and
supports a deeper sense of balance and centeredness.
My
Approach
Although T’ai-chi
Ch’uan is a martial art and I teach it that way, I am not primarily
combat oriented. My focus is on using martial exercises to teach
balance, relaxation, grounding and connectedness.
I use T’ai-chi as a physical, spiritual, and psychological mirror
which reflects resistance as well as surrender to life, love and
wholeness.
Levels Of Training
There are no
“belts” in T’ai-Chi Ch’uan but I do see four interconnected levels
of work.
The Bone Level: learning the basic movements and
fundamentals, aligning and adhering to stances.
The Muscle Level: learning to let go of excess tension
to find fluidity, smoothness and grace, softening and relaxing stances.
The Energy Level: resting into a deeper energetic
connection to everything, with intent leading energy, which leads
the muscles and bones, referring to stances.
The Spiritual Level: releasing ego control and identification
and allowing life itself to lead the intent, energy, muscles and bones,
letting go of stances.
How
I Teach
I mainly teach
private lessons. I enjoy working with people one on one and can tailor
a T’ai-Chi curriculum to suit your needs, fitness level and personal
goals. You don’t need to study the entire art to benefit from T’ai-chi
Ch’uan. Lessons are informal and friendly but serious. I am thorough,
patient and I teach “from the ground up”. I give students strong basics
and point the way to deeper relaxation, energy, spiritual surrender
and understanding of T’ai-Chi principles in daily life. I encourage
an atmosphere of warmth, honesty and safety.
My Background
I was certified
to teach this system by Andrew
Dale, chief instructor of the Xin Qi Shen Dojo in Seattle,
WA. I have been teaching since 1985. I’ve worked with many beginners,
including senior citizens, and pace instructions to each student’s
individual learning speed and style. In addition to T'ai-Chi Ch’uan,
I have studied other movement arts including Bagua, Hsing-I, Chen
style T'ai-Chi, Contact Improvisation, Aikido and Yoga.