I teach Tai Chi from my private studio in Springwood, Blue Mountains. Classes are also taught in Blaxland.
Tai Chi is a Chinese movement art that now days is practiced mostly for health, providing benefits such as relaxation, coordination and balance. Tai Chi can be beneficial for conditions such as anxiety, tension, arthritis, musculoskeletal pain or to combat the ageing process.
I will teach you Tai Chi along with breathing exercises combined with movement known as Tai Chi Qi Gong (also spelled Chi Kung).
What is the difference between Tai Chi and Qi Gong?
The answer is that Tai Chi is a form of Qi Gong, but there are many styles of Qi Gong so not all Qi Gong is Tai Chi. Qi Gong refers to training in cultivation of Qi (Chi) which is universal life force energy. This is the same Qi (Chi) that is the central focus of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which uses a variety of therapies including Acupuncture and Herbal therapy to balance the flow of this energy for optimal health and function of the body and mind.
Qi Gong (Chi Kung) is essentially breathing exercises coordinating with movements. Tai Chi could also be described as a breathing exercise with coordinated movements. The difference being rather than purely health focused exercises, the Tai Chi ‘form’ is a choreographed sequence designed to teach the skills of the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan. Which can be translated as ‘Supreme Ultimate Boxing’.
Whilst Tai Chi can teach valuable skills that contribute to self defence or martial arts training, even if your interest is only in the health benefits of Tai Chi it is good to understand the origins, intentions and practices of the original art.
My Tai Chi Background
I was lucky enough to study under and become an apprentice and assistant instructor to Chinese Tai Chi Master, Sifu Peter Yu.
I studied Yang and Chen Style Tai Chi with Sifu Yu for over 15 years, learning the original Long Yang form, 40- and 24-step Yang short forms, Tai Chi Qi Gong, the partner practices of Pushing Hands, Da Lui (the Dance) and San Sou Fighting (a choreographed partner fighting sequence), Tai Chi weapons forms (Sword, Lance and Knife/ Saber), and two Chen style forms.
Tai Chi For Beginners
For beginner students I teach a simplified curriculum that is relatively quick and easy to learn whilst retaining the essence and understanding of authentic Tai Chi I learned from my teacher.
My qualifications and experience in Western Human Movement and Exercise sciences also give me a unique way to understand and explain Tai Chi for a Western audience.
The curriculum consists of Tai Chi warm up movements, foundational movement skills, Qi Gong breathing exercises, and the 24 step Yang style short form. Students have access to my video course to support their learning.
Tai Chi For Advanced Students
Dedicated students that are interested in learning to practice the Yang short form on their own can progress to learning the authentic breathing to the form often not taught or understood in many western Tai Chi schools. Interested students also have the possibility of progressing to learning longer forms or partner application exercises.
Blue Mountains Tai Chi Classes & Personal Instruction
Please contact me for private personal training in Tai Chi or see the classes page for current term classes.