Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Schedule Change for 22 November
Due to some family issues, I'll be out of town and Tai Chi class will not be held at 0800, Saturday, 22 November 08. However, Gold's management may offer a substitute class during that time slot. Look for the announcement in the gym.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Training Methods
Training approaches vary among the various mind body exercise programs. In Tai Chi we utilize full lighting and the use of music is a concession to modern expectations rather than an essential element. Likewise, Tai Chi does not require unusually quiet conditions. Traditionally, Tai Chi would have been trained outdoors fully exposed to the prevalent environment. Music would not normally have been available.
However, some equally ancient traditions did use music, typically drums, as part of the training method. In certain Persian arts, the training master sits on a raised dais at the front of the training hall, playing a small drum set and calling the exercises. It is remarkably similar to a modern group exercise class, except we use recorded music rather than live.
In some classes, particularly modern yoga, lighting and music are considered essential elements in the training process. Dimmed lights and soft music set a mood and help the participant separate themselves from the routines of the day.
While Tai Chi does not depend upon these techniques, we should recognize that others do and may be unduly disturbed by changes to those classroom conditions. Unfortunately, the Mind and Body room is located in a busy part of the gym and the doors are not soundproofed. Many classes hold a meditation session as the final class element. So when arriving early for class, we should avoid holding group conversations near the Mind & Body classroom doors. Likewise, if the preceding class used dimmed lighting, we should not enter and turn up the lighting until after all the students in the preceding class have departed, as this is a recovery period between the end of their class and returning to their daily activities.
Some structure and routine is part of every training system. In Tai Chi, the structure is rather loose. There are always warm ups at the beginning and cool downs at the end of any session whether in class or alone. In between, the format is completely flexible. We prefer to "roll with the flow," so the content of any class is almost completely adaptable at any moment to the immediate needs of the students in attendance.
If you have special concerns that you need to ask about, we will address them. Rest assured that other class members probably have similar concerns and will benefit from examining the issue.
However, some equally ancient traditions did use music, typically drums, as part of the training method. In certain Persian arts, the training master sits on a raised dais at the front of the training hall, playing a small drum set and calling the exercises. It is remarkably similar to a modern group exercise class, except we use recorded music rather than live.
In some classes, particularly modern yoga, lighting and music are considered essential elements in the training process. Dimmed lights and soft music set a mood and help the participant separate themselves from the routines of the day.
While Tai Chi does not depend upon these techniques, we should recognize that others do and may be unduly disturbed by changes to those classroom conditions. Unfortunately, the Mind and Body room is located in a busy part of the gym and the doors are not soundproofed. Many classes hold a meditation session as the final class element. So when arriving early for class, we should avoid holding group conversations near the Mind & Body classroom doors. Likewise, if the preceding class used dimmed lighting, we should not enter and turn up the lighting until after all the students in the preceding class have departed, as this is a recovery period between the end of their class and returning to their daily activities.
Some structure and routine is part of every training system. In Tai Chi, the structure is rather loose. There are always warm ups at the beginning and cool downs at the end of any session whether in class or alone. In between, the format is completely flexible. We prefer to "roll with the flow," so the content of any class is almost completely adaptable at any moment to the immediate needs of the students in attendance.
If you have special concerns that you need to ask about, we will address them. Rest assured that other class members probably have similar concerns and will benefit from examining the issue.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Changed Class Time on Saturday
The Saturday morning class will now start at 0800 starting 01 November 2008.
This is due to some temporary resource conflicts in supporting some of the other classes at the gym. Hopefully this earlier time slot will help you off to a great start on your busy Saturday.
This is due to some temporary resource conflicts in supporting some of the other classes at the gym. Hopefully this earlier time slot will help you off to a great start on your busy Saturday.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Moderate Exercise and Tai Chi
We are still learning the Yang Style Short Form and are about 1/2 way through. Don't be discouraged if you've missed a few classes or if you'd like to start. There is repetition in the form that makes it possible to start at any time and back fill what you missed later.
Tai Chi is endlessly challenging and takes long view about health and well being. You need to start up now and stay with it all your life to gain the great benefits of Tai Chi.
In modern exercise and health terms, you must establish an "active life-style" which can include structure exercise programs. These exercise programs don't have to be exceptionally demanding to produce remarkable improvements in good health. Numerous studies have shown that a mere 30 minutes of daily brisk walking can produce a host of positive changes in your health and well being. In fact these sessions can be broken up in to 3, 10 minutes rounds of walking.
A recent study of the aerobic effects of Tai Chi has shown that an hour of Tai Chi practice is approximately aerobically equivalent to walking for 30 minutes on level ground at a pace of 3.0 - 3.5 mph. This is a modest pace. Best of all you can practice Tai Chi indoors, when the weather is too bad for outside exercise (heat, cold, high ozone or pollen, precipitation).
Tai Chi can also benefit those who cannot walk extensively due to arthritis, back pain, or other conditions. Tai Chi can be great when you are rehabilitating from a sports injury or accident.
Tai Chi is endlessly challenging and takes long view about health and well being. You need to start up now and stay with it all your life to gain the great benefits of Tai Chi.
In modern exercise and health terms, you must establish an "active life-style" which can include structure exercise programs. These exercise programs don't have to be exceptionally demanding to produce remarkable improvements in good health. Numerous studies have shown that a mere 30 minutes of daily brisk walking can produce a host of positive changes in your health and well being. In fact these sessions can be broken up in to 3, 10 minutes rounds of walking.
A recent study of the aerobic effects of Tai Chi has shown that an hour of Tai Chi practice is approximately aerobically equivalent to walking for 30 minutes on level ground at a pace of 3.0 - 3.5 mph. This is a modest pace. Best of all you can practice Tai Chi indoors, when the weather is too bad for outside exercise (heat, cold, high ozone or pollen, precipitation).
Tai Chi can also benefit those who cannot walk extensively due to arthritis, back pain, or other conditions. Tai Chi can be great when you are rehabilitating from a sports injury or accident.
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