Weekly on Fridays, rain or shine:
09:00 - 10:25 = Chen Style Taiji Empty Hand Forms, intermediate followed by beginners’ work;
10:30 - 11:45 = Yang Style Taiji Qigong + Empty Hand Forms, beginners’ followed by intermediate work;
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Beginning 10 Jan 2025, at James Bay United Church there will be two taijiquan classes, one for Chen style, and one for Yang style - The total run-time will be Fridays from 09:00 to everyone out the door by 11:45, split in half for each style. We will open with experienced students’ work beginning with Chen style form practice and instruction at 09:00, and then we will work on Chen beginners’ skills starting at the 40min mark of that time slot, running to about 10:25 to allow for changeover, for cars to move, washrooms to be visited etc. At the next time slot, beginning at 10:30, we will open with Yang beginner’s skills and practice, followed at the 40min mark by form practice and 2-person drills and form, finishing and resetting the space’s equipment and everyone out the door by 11:45 in time for the next group using the room - the ‘sandwich’ is that the beginners’ training is placed in-between but overlapping with the experienced students’ work. We will stick to these timings as closely as student development and questions allow. You are welcome to attend as much of each class as you like, but please enter and exit from the practice space quickly, quietly, and respectfully if you are later or earlier than others.
For those unsure of what to expect/do when choosing: Chen style is the original form of Taijiquan, from which all other styles derive through history. It is built around a vigorous martial arts framework and philosophy, excellent for building a strong and integrated body, and tends to be much clearer in its expression of yin-yang interplay in the body, making it consequently more physically challenging for the practitioner. Yang style is Chen’s first child, and has historically been practiced by a large population of people both in and out of China; it is built on the same principles as Chen style, but tends to be lighter and a little more abstract in its expression of yin-yang interplay, making it less of a direct physical challenge to the beginning practitioner.
Given that principles and some movements are shared between the two styles, your progress and improvement can benefit from either or both, dependent only on your goals. Both systems will assist you in strengthening your body, loosening your muscles and joints, and generally increasing your capacity for health and vigour. Being built on the same principles, neither style is “better,” or “easier” - If you are committed and practice, expect progress over time, proportional to your commitment and practice. That said, please expect some homework each week in the interest of your own progress, and expect improvement in line with your practice. Taijiquan is a wonderful social activity, and there is real pleasure in practicing within a group, but independently applying yin-yang interplay in your body is different from stumbling along trying to follow a teacher or someone training next to you - Taijiquan is NOT only a spectator sport or follow-along activity, so it is my hope and task to bring each student to a place where they can each grow alongside our group, not just wave their arms back and forth in a confused state of mind, struggling at all times. To this end, please bring a notebook and writing implement to every class, and to assist yourself with recording any information or mnemonics you may need to take away between classes - there will also be some material on basic and intermediate theory from time-to-time. More than that, this is not meant to be a literature class, but it is simple pedagogical truth that writing things down helps us to integrate information/knowledge into our minds better than not doing so.
Chen style taiji class = weekly on Fri mornings 09:00-10:25, Fees = $45.00/month
Yang style taiji class = weekly on Fri mornings 10:30-11:45, Fees = $45.00/month.
These classes will run as long as there is participation.
Each 1.5 hour class is $45/month. Please put cash in an envelope for the first class of the month with your name on it; the envelope will be returned to you for re-use. Drop-ins are not ideal for student progress, but can be accommodated at $15 per class you attend.
Please wear comfortable clothing in which you can move freely, and bring a change of indoor athletic footwear. There are washroom facilities and drinking water on-site. Participants are encouraged to bring a water vessel/bottle, a note book + writing utensil, and an open mind; Please respect that this is an indoor class and some people are sensitive to strong odours and fragrances, so we try to ensure a scent-free environment.
Location as follows:
On the map below of James Bay, the blue box is where we will meet, at 511 Michigan St, Victoria, in the basement/lower hall of James Bay United Church. Please enter from the south side of the building (ie ‘downstairs at the back’) and change your shoes once inside. Because there is a Church-related outdoor market on the grounds on Fridays, please do not park in the Church parking lot if you are attending these classes.