Frequently Asked Questions

No special equipment is needed to practice tai chi.  We recommend that participants:

• bring a refillable water bottle
• wear flat soled foot wear.  You do not need to go out and buy tai chi shoes - most participants in our classes wear sneakers or sandals - but choose the flattest soles you have, as feeling contact with the earth is an important part of tai chi.  Unlike yoga, tai chi is typically not performed barefoot
• wear loose fitting comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely
• come fragrance free, please, in consideration of others who will be sharing the indoor class space

Our tai chi classes begin with a set of Qigong warm-up exercises that have been carefully selected to help loosen up the major joints in our bodies.  FYI, tai chi is a form of Qigong.

After warmups we will review the tai chi form(s) we have previously been working with, both to refresh our memories and to see if there are any left over questions or issues from previous classes. Depending upon participant needs, we may continue to work on learning and refining forms we have already been learning.  

Or if the time seems right, we may move on, and begin to learn a new form.  There is no prescribed pace we need to move at - we progress based on how the participants are performing.  Perfection is not our goal, but we do want everyone to be able to safely perform each form - sometimes with modifications .  Our progress is steady and deliberate, and we will often iterate, circling back to go over one or more forms.  

We very seldom introduce more than one tai chi form in a class, and because not everyone can attend every class session, our iterations catch some participants up while allowing others to go a bit deeper into learning the form.  We typically spend several classes introducing, learning and refining each tai chi form at a level that is appropriate to each participant's level of knowledge and experience.

Our classes conclude with a set of cool down exercises.

Classes are designed to be very interactive, consistent with participant needs and desires.  Questions are always encouraged.  Classes can be performed standing, seated or any combination of those two, and modifications to the forms will be made as necessary so that participants are working in a safe, fun setting.

Solo tai chi practice can be an important part of anyone's tai chi journey, and affords many advantages.  You control the agenda - where, when and what to work on.  You can change course on a whim, or repeatedly drill something you want to get better at.

There are two categories of group play.  In an instructor led class, in addition to your own knowledge and experience, you have the advantage of someone else's knowledge and feedback.   In a gathering of tai chi players - maybe you meet up in a park to start the day - there is a special kind of group energy that is generated and exchanged between the players.  And when you move together in synch a special kind of community exists.  

So if you know enough to practice productively on your own by all means do so.  But also consider joining in a community of players to exchange Qi and contribute to their energy.  And you might even learn something new!

WEBSITES

The Tai Chi for Health Institute, founded by Dr. Paul Lam, is a wonderful resource for both general tai chi information and background, as well as the specific programs being taught here.

HTTPS://Taichiforhealthinstitute.org

YOUTUBE

To access videos of the tai chi forms we work on in class you can consult the Tai Chi for Health Marana YouTube channel:

HTTPS://Youtube.com/@taichiforhealthmarana

The videos are organized into the following PLAYLISTS  to make it easier to find a specific video:

Getting Started

Basic 6

Extended 6 

TCA part 2

Sun 73 section 1

Sun 73 section 2

Seated TCA

We accept:

Zelle   TaiChiEd@TaiChiForHealthMarana.com

Cash

We currently do not accept:

Checks

Credit cards

Paypal or Venmo

Insurance