Our new season begins in October 2023! Join us for Tai Chi and Qigong at the Regent Centre on Locke Street South.

Tai Chi for Beginners

The next Tai Chi Beginner's Session starts in October 2022!  I hope you'll join us for some wonderful autumn and winter Tai Chi.

The schedule of classes at the Regent Centre is here. Classes for brand new beginners will run on Tuesdays at 5:15-6:15 pm and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 pm.

Location: Regent Health Centre, 150 Locke St. South
Fees: $65 + HST / month or $15 + HST / class 
*The monthly fee entitles Tai Chi Beginners to attend Qigong classes as well as any Tai Chi Beginner's classes.

Tai Chi for Beginners introduces participants to the Tai Chi set. Ours is a long form set that derives from Yang Tai Chi. It's an excellent entry point into internal or soft martial arts, self-healing, and meditation. The course focuses on the sequence of movements, while at the same time teaching core principles of Tai Chi that will serve you in all your future Tai Chi practice. Think of this as what to do—where to put your hands and feet, the choreography of Tai Chi—and how to do it—how to move in a way that relaxes and energizes the body and mind.

As a teacher, I am aware that new students usually approach learning with two things in mind: one, an interest in exploring Tai Chi, and two, some personal purpose for wanting to learn, whether it's getting involved in meditation, addressing a need for healing, developing a new hobby, or otherwise optimizing wellbeing.

When I began learning in 1991, I specifically wanted to use Tai Chi to rehabilitate following a serious accident. The more I learned, the more I moved past that initial goal, but I still credit Tai Chi with my mobility, flexibility, and the fact that I am pain-free despite my prognosis. My aim is to help you explore Tai Chi while also offering individual tips to help you achieve optimal wellbeing.

This course is appropriate for absolute beginners with no experience in Tai Chi, or for those who may have taken Tai Chi previously but want to work on their core Tai Chi skills or on memorizing the set.

How Long Does It Take to Learn The Set?
The answer to this depends a little bit on the class as a whole. Some groups learn more quickly than others, and some want to move through the set while others are more content to take their time. Our goal is to get beginners through the set without making anyone feel too rushed. On average, five or six months should be enough time. The main thing isn't how fast you learn the set, but how you feel after each class and the positive effects Tai Chi has on you even from the beginning.

Where Do I Go After Tai Chi for Beginners?
Once participants have completed the Tai Chi Set, they may join Advanced Tai Chi classes. You are always free to repeat Tai Chi for Beginners as many times as you wish.

The Form 
Although our form does take longer to learn than some of the shorter forms out there, I believe that the longer set offers a more complete workout and will help create a firmer foundation for your health in the long term. The journey of learning the set can be frustrating at times, but think of this as an investment in yourself.

I bring to the table thirty years' experience and training in Tai Chi and other internal martial arts, Qigong exercise and meditation, as well as my work in related fields of energy healing. The focus of my own practice is understanding the internal aspect of Tai Chi, correct movement, using Tai Chi to safely and comfortably address specific challenges, and Tai Chi as martial art. I share all of these aspects of Tai Chi with my students, and have seen amazing transformations happen through Tai Chi and Qigong practice.

~Melissa Smith

Last updated 29 July 2022

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