Vitality & Tranquility
Instead of stress, tension and exhaustion.
Welcome to Tai Chi.
SPRING COURSE REGISTRATION
Number of sessions: 8
Date: Date: April 1 – June 3
Time: Saturdays 9am
This unique course takes a step by step approach to learning the fundamental elements of Tai Chi to give students a balanced and complete training experience. Because this Elemental Tai Chi Form is both simple in structure and moderate in number of movements, it can be a great introductory course for beginners, yet it’s still rich in meaning, making it also suitable for intermediate and advanced practitioners.
The Elemental Tai Chi Form, is called “Tai Chi Bafa Wubu” in Chinese, which literally means “Eight Methods/ Five Steps”. This routine is based on the 13 core element technique and draws from the both traditional Yang, and Chen styles of Tai Chi.
Number of sessions: 8
Date: Date: April 4 – May 23
Time: Tuesdays at 7:15pm
Tai Chi is a gentle, low-impact therapeutic exercise that is known for improving balance, lowering high blood pressure, increasing mobility, and improving mental clarity. The core Tai Chi’ practice known as Silk Reeling is a unified system of spiral movements that begins with drawing the Tai Chi Circles with the arms, utilizing the entire body, and is characterized by twisting motions of the trunk and limbs. Tai Chi Silk Reeling philosophically mirrors how nature evolves.
This unique eight week course will cover training in how to practice the Positive and Negative Tai Chi Circles, 16 Step Silk-Reeling Form, along with various Qigong forms that have been selected to be of special benefit for us during the Spring season.
Date: April 1 – July 29
Number of sessions: 16 1.5 hour sessions
Time: Saturdays at 9-10:30am
In this course, we will focus on studying the Yang style 40 Tai Chi Form. This routine was distilled from the traditional Yang style Long Form, by removing repetitions, making it more practical to practice all of the original techniques and essential movements in a 6 minute timeframe. Because it takes a shorter amount of time, you can practice this one form 2-3 times in the same time it would take to practice the original 108 Long Form once. In each session, we will focus on relaxing tense muscles, clearing the mind, and harmonizing the mind, breathing and movements. By the end of learning this set, you’ll begin to naturally restore tranquility and vitality, helping you feel more energetic yet calm. Tai Chi helps to increase the supply and flow of energy throughout the body. It is effective for strengthening and harmonizing the functioning of all the internal organs and bodily systems. This beautiful routine is an ideal aid to recovery from illness or injury and works well with other forms of therapy.
What is Tai Chi?
It seems Tai Chi may be an art that can not be summarized in one sentence. Since it’s multi-faceted and does not have one specific meaning for all those who practice it, Tai Chi can be many different things to different people. Some see it as a moving-meditation, some as a loosening exercise we do outside, some as a form of natural stress release, some as a form of physical rehabilitation, while others still practice it as a traditional Internal Martial Art system.
There are so many different reasons to practice the beautiful art of Tai Chi, but there are four major categories of benefits, including:
- Focus and Concentration
- Balance and Coordination
- Health (Physical, Mental, Emotional)
- Artistic Expression and Fun Social Activity
While Tai Chi practice can greatly improve our focus and concentration, it also gives us something very positive to focus on. When we slow down, we can cultivate a stillness while moving in meditation. This starts with us noticing and following our breathing, allowing us to come back to a natural state where we can slowly become absorbed in tranquility. So, while we gain better concentration, we also master a method to de-stress. Tai Chi allows us to take charge, while letting-go. This unique skill training develops our ability to control our state naturally, transforming us into what our Tai Chi friends like to call a
“Tai Chi Stress-Bender”! 🙂
Scientific research shows that this program can not only help ease arthritis pain and increase your joint flexibility, but also significantly improves physical and mental health through slow, gentle movements connected to our breathing. Both the Arthritis Foundation and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) recommend our Tai Chi for Arthritis and Fall Prevention Program. This course has slow, gentle movements. It’s even more effective for healing since there have been multiple modifications so that anyone with arthritis pain could do it. It’s much more effective for healing than other types of physical activities, due to the low impact movements that can help ease pain in joints, while strengthening muscles that support the body, as we heal ourselves from injuries or illness. These modifications allow anyone who suffers from joint pain to participate fully without feeling restricted or endangered.
It doesn’t matter what level of experience you have with Tai Chi. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner! Exploring our Simplified 24 Tai Chi For Beginners is easier than you think. If you have some training already, you can dive deeper into the ancient teachings, with our Yang, Sun or Chen style Tai Chi courses. Advanced level practitioners can continue to learn and even become an instructor and share the depth of Tai Chi & Qigong for Vitality and Tranquility with others.
For literally centuries, Tai Chi has changed people’s lives for the better. We’d love nothing more than for you to experience the gift of Tai Chi, too.
So, What Does “Tai Chi” Mean?
Originally, the term Tai Chi, or Taiji, was first used by early philosophers over 2,500 years ago. The two Chinese characters for Taiji 太极, translate literally as “grand” (Tai) and “ultimate” (Ji). Together these two characters combine to roughly mean “Polarity” of the two primary forces called Yin and Yang, that are born out of “Infinity” (無極 Wuji). Yin and Yang represent two opposites that each thing, action, or event has another side. For instance, the transformation of seasons: Fall transforms into Winter, and Spring transforms into Summer, the same as day turns to night, night turns to day. Each object and action has its opposite and nothing can ever stay the same.
The internal martial art exercise form of Tai Chi, is actually called: 太极拳 Taijiquan. 拳 Quan means “Fist”, meaning boxing as a martial art.
Tai Chi For Vitality & Tranquility is a place to clear your mind, get some exercise, and meet new friends. We have Tai Chi, and Qigong courses for Beginners, Intermediate, and Advanced practitioners. We also run specialty courses such as:
Tai Chi for Arthritis, Simplified 24 Tai Chi For Beginners, Tai Chi for Fall Prevention, Health Maintenance Qigong, Tai Chi Push Hands, Tai Chi Sword and Instructor Immersions.
Everyone is welcome!
What Style of Tai Chi do We Teach?
The Tai Chi For Vitality & Tranquility program is comprised of four areas of study, including:
- Simplified Tai Chi For Beginners (Elemental Form & 24 Step Form)
- Advanced Program (Chen Style from Hong Taiji Lineage: Chen Fake – Hong Junsheng – Liu Chengde – Stan Tabor)
- Health Maintenance Qigong (Yang Shen Gong)
- Tai Chi For Arthritis & Fall Prevention
Let’s start at the beginning. Originally, Tai Chi was a martial art that was developed hundreds of years ago in China, and has evolved over time, into what we know today – the most famous mind-body exercise form in the world! The oldest form of Tai Chi, dates back to the 1600’s, when a retired army general developed several martial art routines. These routines evolved into the Chen style, which is characterized by alternating fast and slow movements with gentle and explosive applications. At our school our advanced Tai Chi program is the complete Chen style curriculum that your instructor Stan Tabor learned from Master Liu Chengde in China for over twenty years. This version of Chen style came from the famous martial artist Hong Junsheng, so it is also referred to as the Hong Method or Hong Taiji.
The most popular style of Tai Chi today is called the Yang Style. The Yang style comes from the Chen style, but was modified to teach non-martial artists and is characterized by large, slow, relaxed movements that are perfect for beginners or people looking to de-stress! Our Simplified Tai Chi For Beginners program is based on this classic Yang style tradition.
The youngest system of Tai Chi is called Sun style. It includes many Qigong (Energy-Work) elements and has a slightly higher stance, which makes it perfect for those suffering from Arthritis to practice without having any worries about joint pain. Our program “Tai Chi For Arthritis and Fall Prevention” is based on the Sun style.
Although each of the different styles of Tai Chi have their own characteristics and some are more suitable to certain people, they all share the same principles. So, learning the different styles can be fun and help us gain better understanding, similar to seeing a problem from a different perspective can help us solve it with multiple approaches.
Our Tai Chi courses and workshops have one main focus and purpose:
To Help People Live Their Healthiest/Happiest Life!
Our instructors are friendly and knowledgeable, and they make sure that everyone in the class is comfortable and having a good time. Whether you’re new to Tai Chi or have been doing it for years, you’ll find a class that’s perfect for you.
Qigong is a Chinese energy cultivation practice that uses standing meditation coupled with slow, fluid movements, that can help to awaken us to the flow of life energy within and around us, and lead to a better balance of vitality and tranquility.
氣 Qi literally means air and/or energy. We can say Qi is like the air we breathe, but it’s so much more than that. It surrounds us and penetrates every part of our bodies. Our bodies are like batteries, if they’re not charged, they will not work. If we feel scattered or lethargic, it’s a sign that our Qi needs to be replenished.
功 Gong means “Skill” developed from concentrated work over a considerable amount time. Qigong is the mindful training of harnessing or balancing our vital energy. We can say it’s kinda like Recharging Our Battery!
In our Health Maintenance Qigong course, you can expect to learn proper deep breathing technique and feel your internal energy (Qi). As infants, as soon as we are born, we naturally use abdominal or belly breathing which provides more energy storage than chest breathing does. You will also learn time tested movements to help you move and feel your energy, your Qi with diligent practice everyday.
By the end of your first season of Qigong, you’ll notice more vitality, less stress and greater peace and tranquility in your life.
Tai Chi Chuan, or Taijiquan, is an Internal Martial Art Exercise Form. This means that Taijiquan is originally composed of martial applications of self defense techniques linked together in a “form” as a routine of practice. It became both philosophical based and an internal art when the masters from the Qing Dynasty combined it with ancient Qigong systems. Since its origin, Taijiquan has become more of a therapeutic exercise for self healing.
Qigong is not a martial art. It was originally practiced by Chinese physicians and patients to prevent/cure illnesses and become a deep form of meditation leading masters to higher levels of awareness.
There is a Chinese saying:
气功是太极之根, 太极是气功之花
Qigong is the root of Taiji.
Taiji is the flower of Qigong.
Coming Soon… Tai Chi & Qigong Courses And Workshops
Watch for these upcoming course offerings!
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Tuition: Early Registration $129. After Early Registration, tuition will be $159.
Class registration will shut down after 20 students.
Location: Life Skill Academy, 322 Millbury Avenue, Millbury, MA
Instructor: Stan Tabor
Description: The Simplified Taiji 24 form is the most popular Tai Chi form in the world. With only 24 movements, it’s the perfect way for you to experience the benefits of Tai Chi, no matter your current fitness level. This routine was derived from the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi long form, by deleting many of the complicated and repeated movements, making it easier for people to learn and practice.
This beautiful form takes 6 minutes to perform, and is excellent for beginners at any age, who are looking for a low-impact whole-body exercise, and those with limited time to exercise. In this 8 week course, we will learn the movements of the 1st half of the form in detail, step by step, adding a few postures at a time.
This course will consist of a review of movements #1-12 and a step by step instruction of the movements #13-24.
Prerequisite: Must have finished the Simplified 24 Tai Chi Part 1 Course
Number of sessions: 8
Date: TBD
Day and Time: TBD
Tuition: Early Registration $129. After Early Registration, tuition will be $159.
Location: Life Skill Academy, 322 Millbury Avenue, Millbury, MA
Explore the Depth & Detail of Tai Chi
Prerequisite: Must have finished & be familiar with the Simplified 24 to gain the most benefit.
Number of sessions: 8
Date: TBD
Day and Hour: TBD
Tuition: Early Registration $129. After Early Registration, tuition will be $159.
Location: Life Skill Academy, 322 Millbury Avenue, Millbury, MA
Description: Do you want to…
- Improve the depth and detail of your Simplified 24 Tai Chi Form,
- Explore the depth of wonderful world of Yang style Tai Chi, and
- Enjoy working with others in a friendly environment?
Yes? Then, this course is for you!
Who will benefit from our Tai Chi Deep Dive Course?
Anyone who enjoys Tai Chi and wants to reach a higher level more quickly can gain much from this course!
Number of sessions: TBD
Date: TBD
Day and Hour: TBD
Tuition: TBD
Location: Life Skill Academy, 322 Millbury Avenue, Millbury, MA
Description: For those who’ve already studied the Simplified Tai Chi 24 Form and would like to progress further with their practice, we teach the Simplified Tai Chi Sword 16 Step Form. This set is the best introduction to learning the Tai Chi Sword.
As with the practice of our 24 Hand Form, the Simplified 16 Step Tai Chi Sword (Taiji Jian) will continue to develop each student’s balance, coordination and concentration, as well as offering us the same health related benefits and strength development as the Tai Chi Solo Form.
Even though it is called the Simplified Method, there is still a tremendous amount of depth and knowledge to be obtained from its practice that can challenge each individual to reach a high level of proficiency within its practice, and a great way to exercise in helping to maintain & improve our health and wellbeing.
Based on Yang Style Tai Chi, this form is very useful for Tai Chi beginners who are just starting weapon training. The movements and footwork are easy to follow and learn, and also help us to lay a strong foundation in the learning of the more intermediate and advanced level Tai Chi routines.
Date: TBD
Day and Hour: TBD
Tuition: TBD
Location: Zoom Meeting
Description: In nature we can observe that during the four seasons, element energies give birth to transformations throughout all of nature. Throughout the year, as the Sun shines from different angles, it enables energies from the Earth to mix with powerful solar energy and empower everything on our planet, forming the varying subtle to dramatic effects of our four seasons.
In ancient China, the masters discovered that there were actually twenty-four solar terms which take place over the course of the four major seasons. They named these mini seasons “Jieqi”. Each of these solar terms were given specific names based on what these masters observed happening throughout nature at these times in regards to the transformations of growth and decay. They realized that each solar term lasts about 15 days, and has an energetic connection to one of our twenty four vertebrae. Over the centuries, they developed methods to help us leverage energy to empower us to achieve a balance of vitality and tranquility.
In each session, we’ll be working on meditation, breathing techniques, gentle movements, vocalization and visualizations with the goal of building and circulating the life energy (Qi) and prepare us for the method called Microcosmic Circulation (小周天循環).
Please Note:
- Places are limited. Acceptance is on a first come, first served basis.
- For online courses open to all participants around the world, please make sure to check your local time.
- For In-Person Classes bring a pair of clean sole indoor shoes to change into. No outdoor shoes will be allowed on the training floor.
- Please be advised space is limited to 20 students, and registration will close after 20 registrants due to space.