Tai Chi and Qigong in Fall 2023

Dear All,

I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming Tai Chi and Qigong season at the Regent Health Centre (150 Locke Street South) this fall. Here's the plan!

The start of new Tai Chi Beginners classes

We're running these classes three times a week, on Mondays at 11:30 am, Thursdays at 6:30 pm, and Saturdays at 1 pm. Beginners classes are an hour long, and will take you through Tai Chi foundation and the Tai Chi set from scratch. The first beginners class takes place on Monday, October 2nd. (See note below about Thanksgiving weekend.)

People who have completed a Beginners Tai Chi course and wish to review are always welcome to attend Beginners classes.

More Qigong and sitting meditation

Our popular Qigong classes run Mondays at 1 pm and Saturdays at 2:15 pm. These classes are always open to beginners. Qigong exercises are simpler than Tai Chi and more repetitive, so can be a great point of entry if you're unsure about your schedule or how you will respond to new exercises—drop in anytime! We often use these classes for troubleshooting any physical issues participants may be experiencing, including typical areas of tension, wear and tear, and challenges stemming from injuries. Qigong is a great practice in its own right, and can greatly enhance your understanding of Tai Chi.

Traditionally, Tai Chi and Qigong exercises are done to prepare the body for sitting meditation. For those students who wish to pursue the complete range of benefits that Tai Chi and Qigong can offer, I offer instruction in sitting meditation during the Saturday Qigong class.

Intermediate Tai Chi

These classes—Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:15 pm—are for those who have completed Beginners and want to explore the next level of Tai Chi foundation, polish the form, and commit it to memory. Anyone who has completed Beginners Tai Chi is welcome to attend.

Advanced Topics

Advanced Tai Chi classes run on Mondays at 2:15 pm and Fridays at 1 pm. Anyone who has completed Beginners Tai Chi is welcome to attend, with the understanding that some lessons  may be challenging. This fall, we'll continue studying Tai Chi, and go through Hsing-I foundation and the Hsing-I set. Hsing-I stepping, or the half-step push, is one of the keys to applying Tai Chi in martial art. This set is short in duration—it takes about five or six minutes to perform—and is deeply invigorating and powerful.

In February 2024, I'll be introducing the sword set for those who haven't learned it before, or who want to go through it again in detail. Stay posted for more info!

Lok Hup Ba Fa, Fridays at 2:15 pm: we'll continue where we left off in July, with deepening the moves and polishing the set. At this time, this class isn't open to people who haven't learned Lok Hup previously.

Thanksgiving Break

Note that classes are on for the week of October 2nd-6th, but we will be taking a break for Thanksgiving weekend. There will be no classes on Saturday, October 7th, and Monday, October 9th. All other classes will run as usual in October.

New Fees as of October 2023*

$17.50 + HST / class

$70 + HST / monthly pass

Monthly passes allow you to attend as many classes as you wish to throughout the month. This is by design: we want you to come often and get the most from your practice! The passes expire at the end of each calendar month. If you plan to attend five or more classes from the time of purchase, you'll save some money. Please consult your calendars and plan accordingly, rather than asking the front desk to do special math.

If you're brand new and unsure about whether you want to commit to a monthly pass, you can pay at the end of your first class.

*If you attended in August and September: please check your records and / or confirm with the front desk that you're all caught up on your fees for August and September! If you wait to pay, you may be charged the new rate.* 

To view the complete schedule and for up-to-date information, check the website:

http://taichionlocke.blogspot.com/p/class-schedule-and-fees.html

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, you're welcome to contact me by email or at (905) 521-0043. I hope to see you soon!

May 2023 and Beyond at the Regent Centre

 

Hi everyone!

Your intrepid Tai Chi and Qigong instructors are going to take a little bit of a break in May this year. Please note our away dates on your calendars:

There will be no classes from Monday, May 1st to Tuesday, May 9th. We're also taking the long weekend off, so there will be no classes on Saturday, May 20th or Monday, May 22nd.

All other classes will run as usual.

We're offering the monthly pass in May at a reduced rate of $55 + HST. If you're attending four or more classes in May, you'll save a bit of money with the pass. If you plan to attend three or fewer classes, it'll make more sense to pay per class. Plan accordingly!

Classes will run as usual with some exceptions for holiday weekends in June and July. In August and September, I'll be away for my annual hiatus, during which I focus on my own training and plan for the year to come. Last year we ran classes during this time with the help of advanced students and my co-instructors. I'll inform everyone well ahead of time what we're planning to do this time around!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at smithmk2@gmail.com or (905) 521-0043.

Cheers,

Melissa.