By Paul MacFarlane and Bill Grivna
Like everyone else, the St. Louis T’ai Chi Ch’uan Association has found itself having to change its usual class schedule in response to the corona virus. We hope to have in person classes when our fall semester begins in September. We may limit class size, have live stream classes, or some combination of the two. One thing is certain, we must be mindful of the world around us so we can respond to change, much like the practice of T’ai Chi itself.
You’ve probably seen people practicing T’ai Chi on TV, in a movie, or even locally, in a park or at the botanical garden. You know it’s a slow moving, graceful exercise that is supposed to be beneficial. You may have heard that at advanced levels it is a formidable martial art based on relaxation, yielding, and using an opponent’s energy against himself. But what do you really know about the many health benefits that can be gained from this wonderful, relaxing exercise system?
Yang Style T’ai Chi is characterized by slow, rhythmic movements of the body. The Form can be practiced at any age, requires no special equipment beyond comfortable, loose clothing and flat, thin-soled shoes. Once learned, the Form takes about eight minutes to practice.
To learn more about T’ai Chi Ch’uan, call 314-961-1355, visit our web site at www.taichistlouis.org or email us at taichistlouis@gmail.com.
Beginner classes start September 6 & 13 at the Monday Club in Webster Groves. (The first class is free for new students.)