What Happens In A Typical Tai Chi Class?

What happens in a typical Tai Chi Class session? The Tai Chi instructor will say "Let's begin." Students line up in straight lined rows approximately an arm's length away from each other. The Tai Chi instructor then says "Salute!" We bring our hands up in a circular fashion with the left hand palm meeting the fisted right hand in front of us. After the hands come back down to our sides, we bow and return to the standing position. The teacher then will say "Begin." We all begin the 89 movements of the Yang Style Slow Set. The Tai Chi instructor sets the pace of the session. The typical Yang Style Slow Set takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. We have also completed the Slow Set in 60 minutes, at the discretion of the instructor. Beginning Tai Chi students start the Yang Style Slow Set with the rest of the students but break off in groups with the Tai Chi instructor up to the point where they left off from the previous class session. Depending upon how often the new student has registered to come to class, it takes approximately 3 months to learn the Yang Style Slow Set. Practicing what is learned in class at home is very important in achieving one's goals. Most beginning students are interested in the health and meditative aspects of Tai Chi Chuan. While other students are interested in the martial art applications as well. Each Tai Chi Chuan student may pursue his/her own development and goals at their own pace.

The teacher will allow a rest period after the completion of the Slow Set. After students learn the complete Yang Style Slow Set, the Tai Chi instructor will begin demonstrating corrections of specific Tai Chi movements. The Beginning Tai Chi Class also includes learning "pushing hands" with another student. Practicing this push hand form will teach you to feel your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Push hands will teach you to relax your body, deflect and repel an opponent's attack.

As the beginning student becomes comfortable with the 89 movements of the Yang Style Slow Set, the Tai Chi instructor will begin teaching the Tung Family Yang Style Fast Set. This is an abbreviated form of the Slow Set. The movements are faster and can be completed in about 5 minutes. It is a vigorous, aerobic style Tai Chi Chuan exercise that is well worth learning.

The Beginning Tai Chi Class students also learn Tiger Mountain Qigong (pronounced Chi Kung - Tai Chi standing exercise) which incorporates some of the Slow Set hand-arm movements. Students will also learn Tai Chi moving exercises and Tai Chi martial stance exercises.

No fancy uniforms are required to be purchased or worn in class. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and shoes. I wear a light, loose-fitting sweat pants and an over-sized shirt. My shoes are the velcro-strapped tennis shoes from my local Wal-Mart which costs only $9.95.

The class sessions are one and a half hours long.