"The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare to let go.
Our true work is this voyage, this adventure"
Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
WELCOME to the Long Island Center for Yoga’s Tai Chi page!
In addition to the many yoga and pilates offerings at the Long Island Center for Yoga, the Center is proud to offer a class in the ancient Chinese art of Tai Chi.
For those of you unfamiliar with this health giving practice, Tai Chi (also known as Tai Ji and Tai Chi Ch’uan), is an ancient Chinese martial art that in recent decades has become known for improving both mental and physical health. It is said that Tai Chi originated in Chen Village, China, approximately four hundred years ago when its founder merged the martial art of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu with Taoist energetic practices. Tai Chi became renown as a powerful martial art, literally translating to “Supreme Ultimate”. Over the generations, from the Chen Style the Yang and then Wu and other styles evolved. Within the major styles of tai chi, there have developed thousands of “forms” - choreographed sets of martial movements performed in a slow, graceful but powerful manner.
As stated, there are several major styles of Tai Chi taught throughout the world including Yang, Chen and Wu (indicating family names). The primary form taught at the Yoga Center is the short form 16 movement Wu Style. Wu Style is characterized by short, high stances and uses large internal movements of the body.
The emphasis in the Tai Chi class is upon teaching
the students basic
principles of Tai Chi (and Qi Gong, as well) including stances, balance,
coordination, proper body structure and alignment all formulated around
relaxation of the body, calming of the mind and which allows movement of energy
or “Qi” (Chi). During class, a series of warm-ups and qi gong (literally,
energy work) are practiced prior to actually working on and learning the form.
These warm ups are designed to enhance in students the principles necessary to
loosen and awaken the body and its systems and gain the benefits of Tai Chi.
Those not familiar with Tai Chi may be surprised at some of its benefits including the fact that Tai Chi is a cardiovascular activity burning approximately 280 calories per hour. Tai Chi is also considered a weight bearing exercise and therefore considered beneficial for bone density. The compression and expansion of the joints in Tai Chi mean the ligaments and tendons are strengthened and the joints lubricated by the body’s fluids. Balance and physical coordination are also inherent in all tai chi practice. Mentally, Tai Chi requires the practitioner to “calm the mind” which means our brains literally get to take a vacation from the “monkey mind” which rules our daily lives and thus we get to relax yet remain focused and aware......Only with a state of mental relaxation can the body truly respond to the mind.
Tai Chi may not be for everyone. Like every art, it is also a discipline requiring the practitioner to attend classes regularly and practice on their own.
The Saturday morning class focuses on basic principles of tai chi and introduction and refinement of the form and principles for those with experience. The intermediate class will further focus on refinement and detail of the form, more advanced principles, introduction of push hands, applications and weapons.
Tai Chi at the Yoga Center is taught by Teresa White who has fourteen years of experience in the Chinese martial arts including having earned a black sash in Shaolin Kung Fu under Shifus Lawrence Sweeney and Frank Matera of Shaolin Hung Mei Pai in Bay Shore, New York. About eight years ago Teresa added the internal arts of Tai Chi and Bagua Zhang to her practice and has studied with several world renown teachers including Chen Zheng Lei (Chen Style Tai Chi), Frank Allen and Tina Zhang (WuTang P.C.A., Lower East Side NYC), Jiang Jianye (Capital District Kung Fu, Albany) as well as many seminars and workshops around the world. Teresa’s background also includes studies in Qi Gong and Taoist meditation. For more information, contact the Yoga Center at (631)893-5445 or send an email to Teresa at twhite17@optonline.net.
Shifu Larry Sweeney is an occasional guest instructor during classes, generously imparting his thirty or so years of knowledge to all those present.
Please see the Schedule Page for class days and times (Intermediate - experience required or with instructor permission). Look for an advanced class in the near future. Check the Yoga Center website for updates.