The School of T'ai Chi Chuan
of Metropolitan Washington, Inc.

A nonprofit educational organization

Teaching classes at
Rock Spring Congregational Church
5010 Little Falls Road
Arlington, Virginia USA

Fall 2008 Schedule



New Class for Beginners

Mondays 7:30-8:30 pm
>>>
September 15Free Introductory Class
September 22First class
September 29Second class
October 6Third class
December 8Last class

FREE INTRODUCTION: Join us for a one-hour program which includes a demonstration of the T'ai Chi form, a class in which you will learn the opening moves, and a question and answer period. No preregistration required. If you can't come to one of the Free Introductions, you may attend the first or second class and decide at the end of that hour whether to join the course.

BEGINNER'S CLASS: In this course, you will learn the First Third of the Beginning T’ai Chi Form up to Cross Hands. You will be introduced to basic principles including correct placement of the feet, alignment of the knees and hips, a straight and relaxed spine, and above all complete relaxation of the major joints in the body. It is this relaxation that allows the qi (chi, vital internal energy) to flow freely in your body, bringing a pleasant sense of well-being, and pointing you in the direction of good health.

Cost: $175 per semester. Payment is by semester, not by the class.
Repeats: $120 for the semester, or $15 per class.

Our Teaching Location

ARLINGTON: Rock Spring United Church of Christ (Congregational Church), 5010 Little Falls Road, Arlington, Virginia (near Glebe Road and Old Dominion). From Glebe, turn onto Little Falls Road and go down the hill several blocks (crossing Old Dominion) to the church on the left (where Columbus meets Little Falls Road). We meet in Carpenter Hall-the new hall behind the Neighborhood House. Enter through the hallway that connects the Neighborhood House and Carpenter Hall.

Local Information. For more information about our local programs, call us at: (703) 845-0083, or e-mail us at info@taichischool.org. Visit our website at:

www.taichischool.org

The School of T'ai Chi Chuan of Metropolitan Washington, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation. Mailing address: P.O. Box 2415, Reston VA 20195. For classes in other mid-Atlantic locations, call:


International Information: For more information about other teaching locations and summer residential programs, visit the website of the T'ai Chi Foundation, Inc. at: www.taichifoundation.org.

Health Benefits of T'ai Chi

T'ai Chi Chuan is a traditional Chinese health exercise that develops strength, relaxation, and vitality. Gentle enough for everyone to practice - whether young or old - it is deep enough to satisfy the most profound study. It is said that whoever practices T'ai Chi twice a day will gain the pliability of a child, the strength of a lumberjack, and the mind of a sage.

T'ai Chi has many health benefits from the Western point of view, including the following: · increases circulation (vital energy, ch'i)
· strengthens the legs
· improves balance and stability
· relaxes the entire body
· reduces stress
· relaxes and deepens the breathing
· improves posture
· focuses the mind, improving concentration

T'ai Chi Classes

Fall 2008

All classes meet on Mondays 7:30-8:30pm (except Warm Ups at 7:15)
Fall Semester starts on September 15 and ends on December 8.

Mini Class: T'ai Chi Warm Ups!
Mondays 7:15-7:30 pm
A drop-in class, open to all currently registered students -- for free! Learn and practice some easy exercises based on the T'ai Chi form to warm up for your regular class. These exercises reinforce basic T'ai Chi principles.

B1: Beginning Form, first third
September 15: Free Introduction. September 22: First Class
In this course you will learn the first third of the T'ai Chi Form - from Cross Hands to the Second Lift Kick. Prerequisites: None.

B2: Beginning Form, second third, plus review of B1
This course will begin with a review of the second half of B1, and will then continue on to B2 - from Cross Hands to the Second Lift Kick. Prerequisite: B1, or most of B1. This course depends on adequate enrollment.

B3: Beginning Form, third third
This course will take you through the last third of the form - from the Second Lift Kick to the final Cross Hands. Students who took B3 last spring are encouraged to repeat the course this fall before continuing with Fundamentals in the Winter semester. Prerequisite: B2

Intermediate Form & Push Hands (continuing class)
A continuation of the Intermediate Form & Push Hands class from the spring semester. Open to anyone who wants a brush up on Intermediate Form and continuing work with push hands.


Summer Vacation Programs

Bennington College, Vermont
July 11-20, 2008
Residential program at a great spot in Vermont!

Holland:
August 3-9, 2008
Five-day residential program in Rolduc, Netherlands (about one and a half hours by train from Amsterdam). Arrive Sunday evening, leave Saturday morning.

For more information about summer programs, visit the website of the T'ai Chi Foundation, Inc. at: www.taichifoundation.org


Calendar & Prices:

Calendar: The Fall semester begins on September 15 and ends on December 8. No class on October 13, Columbus Day

Snow & Bad Weather Policy: If Arlington County schools are closed or their evening programs are cancelled, T'ai Chi classes will also be cancelled, and the semester will be extended to make up the lost days.

Prices: $175 per semester. Payment is by semester, not by the class. No discount for missed classes.

Repeating a class: $120/semester or $15/class.

We guarantee an average of 10 class hours each semester. If we provide fewer classes due to snow days or other exceptions, the school year will be extended in June for make-up classes. Most semesters we schedule one or more additional classes, at no extra charge. These are either freebees or will be used for snow days or other exceptions when we cannot hold class. Schedule and fees subject to change without notice.

The School of T'ai Chi Chuan teaches the Yang family style short form as developed by Grand Master Cheng Man-Ch'ing. The School offers a comprehensive series of classes for beginning and advanced students. The full T'ai Chi form can be learned in the Beginning Form course of approximately 30 one-hour classes, usually divided into thirds which we refer to as B1, B2, and B3.

After completing the Beginning Form, you continue on with Fundamentals where you review the form and work fundamental principles. From there you progress to Push Hands 1 where you learn to work with a partner,then Intermediate Form, and higher level classes. Each course builds on the previous one and repares for the next.

Courses are taken in the following sequence:

Beginning Form: Learn the complete Yang-style short form as modified by Grand Master Cheng Man-Ching. Introduces you to the basic movements and principles of T'ai Chi Chuan. 30 hours, divided into three sections (B1, B2, B3).

Fundamentals (form): A review of the form with emphasis on embodying fundamental principles and building a strong foundation. 30 hours, divided into three sections (F1, F2, F3).

Push Hands I: An introduction to working with a partner in the single-hand push hands sequence. Emphasizes the principles of softness and relaxation. 20 hours (PH1).

Intermediate Form: The beginning of the internalization of the form. A re-learning of the form with a new perspective. 20 hours (IF).

Push Hands II: A continuation of Push Hands I, learning the two-hand push hands sequence and the principle of yielding. 30 hours (PH2).

Push Hands III: Advanced work on relaxation in form and push hands. 30 hours (PH3).

Intermediate Form Corrections:An in-depth review of Intermediate Form, with emphasis on each student's internal awareness of their own abilities and uniqueness.

Advanced Classes: Further study includes more work with form and push hands, plus the Sword Form.

Repeating Classes: We encourage students to repeat classes and entire courses. Although the STCC has developed a system of levels through which one progresses, it is the practice of T'ai Chi which produces results. Therefore, it is highly beneficial to repeat courses. Students usually embody more of the work the second time around.

In addition, the following special programs are offered from time to time:

T'ai Chi Principles Class
 This course works the T'ai Chi principles of correct form, relaxation, straightness and stepping empty to improve balance, strength and enjoyment of our T'ai Chi practice. Suitable for any student who wants to deepen their practice of the T'ai Chi form, and also for students waiting for their next course level. Prerequisite: B3.

Advanced T'ai Chi Class
An on-going advanced course working deeper levels of Intermediate Form and two-hand push hands. Intended for students who have completed one of the following courses: PH2, PH3, or Intermediate Form Corrections.

The Eight Ways of T'ai Chi Chuansm
This course focuses on T'ai Chi principles that can be used in your daily life. Eight movements from the T'ai Chi form are distilled into exercises that are easy to learn and fun to practice, producing a pleasant feeling. The Eight Ways provide all the health benefits of the full T'ai Chi form including: improving balance and stability; strengthening the legs; learning to relax; developing root; and understanding the natural flow of ordinary movements so they become relatively effortless. This is an ideal course for those who do not feel ready to take on the full T'ai Chi form. For advanced students, this course is guaranteed to deepen your practice of T'ai Chi.

Apprentice Program: If you are interested in learning to teach with the School of T'ai Chi Chuan, speak with your instructors for details about our apprentice program.

What Our Students Say

· I like the feeling of community, the continuity between the different classes, the personal attention.

· I like the energy of the teachers, their quiet pesence, their attention to detail. They care if we do it right. I also like the location -- the big, sunny, white room.

· I like the relaxed atmosphere, the friendly teachers and small classes.

· I find myself able to relax more easily, less tense throughout the day.

· I have relaxed my shoulders quite a bit. After a rough Monday, T'ai Chi class tends to put my perspective on things in a healthier, more empowered frame.

· I appreciate the patience of the instructors and their willingness to repeat often. They give individual personal attention to correct our movements.

· T'ai Chi is an important part of my health regime.

· I like the detailed precision of the teaching, the gentleness but thoroughness and competence of the teachers, the camaraderie.

· The teachers are great! They explain the moves well. Small classes, friendly people. Good pace of instruction.

· T'ai Chi has served as a "centering" event to focus on personal spiritual development. Aids in relaxation.

· The attention to basic principles in class enables me to work on my own.

· I respect the instructors' knowledge of the form and the history.

· I've become more relaxed, rooted, balanced, serene.

· Feedback is non-judgmental, teaching us to rely on our own inner responses, deepening our ability to listen to our bodies.

· I like all of the teachers. They are kind, cheerful, and so eager to teach. They all teach in such a way that confidence is instilled in the student.

· I can tune out, shut down, and focus at the drop of a hat.

· Conditioned from youth, my mental process, my state of being was full of struggle and stress. I was one complete tension ball. Then I took T'ai Chi. Abracadabra! Within a few months, security replaced uncertainty, rootedness replaced anxiety. My concentration improved. My energy which had been wasted on fighting the elements now was redirected toward healthier paths.

About the Teachers

All of our teachers have been trained by The School of T'ai Chi Chuan, an international school with over 100 teachers in six countries. Teaching is done in teams of two or more teachers, so there is always a teacher to follow up front. The School of T'ai Chi Chuan has developed a precise teaching method that makes it easy for students to learn the T'ai Chi form and principles.

Teachers in the School of T'ai Chi Chuan of Metropolitan Washington, Inc.:

Bev Burns, B.S., M.A., US Navy, retired; bookseller
Deb Davies, massage therapist
Gene Giffen, B.A., Ms.T., R.Ac., classical acupuncturist
Gay Kang, attorney
Jack Pion, licensed electrician
Lisa Ruedi, administrator
Peter Schwartz, B.A., screenwriter
John Shackford, Ph.D., editor
Vicki Shackford, B.S., R.N., Hawaiian Swimming teacher
Andrea Sincoff, M.A., planner, anthropologist, singer
Anne Smyers, A.M.S., landscape designer
Brian Turner, Ph.D., physicist
Erik Wenberg, computer scientist

© 2007 by The School of T'ai Chi Chuan of Metropolitan Washington, Inc.
Arica® is a registered trademark of Arica Institute, Inc.
The Eight Ways of T'ai Chi Chuan is a service mark of The School of T'ai Chi Chuan, Inc. (New York).