Title: Tai Chi Tao
Instructor: Jin An Wong
Schedule: Wednesdays, January 8-May 6 from 8:30-9:30am (No class January 29 or March 18)
# of Sessions: 16
Location: DMAC Lawn
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Tuition: $148 for 16 sessions/ $10 drop in, cash or check only
Description: Yielding, softness, centeredness, slowness, balance, suppleness and rootedness are all elements of Taoist philosophy that Tai Chi has drawn upon in its understanding of movement, both in relation to health and also in its martial arts applications. In this 16-session course, students will learn the art of Tai Chi based on the Yang Style 108 movement set. Students will begin each session with simple Tai Chi warm ups followed by Qigong, focusing around a sequence of spinal movements to open the channels for the Qi (energy) to move through the body and settle into your Dan Tien (core or center). After warm ups and centering, students will begin to learn the 108 movements of tai chi that has been divided into three sets.
Tai Chi is the circulation of the Qi coming from the Dan Tien, allowing the Qi to flow through the body and bring peace and harmony to your internal system. Consistent practice of Tai Chi can improve balance, reduce stress and depression and can be extremely helpful to those with chronic ailments and illnesses like Heart Disease, Stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Osteoporosis just to name a few. Students should arrive a few minutes early as we will start on time and wear loose comfortable clothing, nothing that binds the body. Please refrain from eating before training or practicing Tai Chi.
Instructor Bio: Jin An Wong has over 30 years of experience in martial arts and is a 3rd Generation Tai Chi instructor.
“Having my grandfather and uncle as masters of Tai Chi and Kung Fu, allowed me to integrate these martial arts into my life at an early age. I was enthralled with the powerful moves and martial arts of Kung Fu, and pursued it into my adult life. But it wasn’t until I was in my mid 30’s that I began my training in Tai Chi, with Master Kai Ying Tung in Los Angeles, and my uncle Master Gui Wong in Toishan, China. From that time forward, I realized how more powerful and relevant this practice was for my mental, physical and emotional health. I felt Tai Chi was like making poetry in motion, and the peace and calmness it brought me was significant at this time in my life. It was so beneficial to me that I wanted to share this with others. First it was a few friends who wanted to learn, then I started teaching more in my spare time. I found that teaching was another dimension of learning Tai Chi, it gave me a better understanding of it, as I had to break it down into minute movements and explain the application and correct alignment of the body postures. When I saw students improve dramatically, and how they had a glow about them after each session, I knew this was important for me to do. I found teaching was as beneficial to my own growth as it was practicing it. Tai Chi and Qi Gong has changed how I view and operate in the world. I am more happy and at ease in my own body, and my surfing has continued to improve over the years.”
- Jin An Wong
Minimum: 5
Maximum: 15