Wild Presence: Beginning Tai Chi - Free Online Class

Wild Presence: Beginning Tai Chi - Free Online Class

Learn about our approach to Tai Chi and try a breathing exercise and a few Tai Chi movements that relax the body and open chi (vital energy). By the end of the hour you will have a brief and simple practice of movements you can explore on your own. Tai Chi also fits well with other breathing and movement practices you may already enjoy.

Description
Tai Chi is an exploration of the flow of nature within our bodies. Like a walk in the woods with birds calling and flowers blooming, we attune to the sensations of the body’s inner landscape and the wild presence of chi. The feeling of chi is personal to each of us, but often feels like a tingle, buzzing, or warmth.

Whether in Tai Chi class or practicing at home we first notice the body’s alignment and tapestry of sensations and then make simple adjustments to posture and movement to open a sense of spaciousness. As we sense and respond to shifts in the inner landscape, we release tension and strained movement patterns that interfere with our body’s natural ways of moving. We discover that when we move with all parts of the body connected and relaxed, we can allow the flow of chi and cultivate fluidity and ease.

This is the first of three free online classes; the next two will be held on Sun, March 15 and Sat, March 21, both at 10:00 am CT. I will post a Meetup for each and a link to the class video recording for everyone who RSVPs.

An 8-week online class series will be held on Saturdays at 10:00 am CT, March 28 to May 16. Cost is $90. At the end of the class series participants have the option to join an ongoing weekly in-person and online Tai Chi class on Monday evenings in St. Paul.

YouTube videos:
Combing Hair and Tai Chi--Beginning Tai Chi Class Preview
Tai Chi Demonstration

My background: For 30 years I have started almost every morning with the slow and relaxing motion of Tai Chi which sets a tone of ease and spaciousness for the day. My first experiences with Tai Chi, meditation, and yoga were on a study abroad program in Asia in 1992. Soon after I began studying Tai Chi with Robert Larsen, founder of the Birthing Life Tai Chi Center in Minneapolis and a student of Cheng Man-ch’ing.

I started teaching Tai Chi in 1997 and currently teach in-person and Zoom classes on Monday evenings at TCFM. During other times of the week, I offer Tai Chi via Zoom and video courses. I am also also a Compassion Key Certified Practitioner (Level 1). I enjoy spending time in nature, including wildlife tracking, wilderness camping, and cross-country skiing, all of which complement Tai Chi. I live on a rural homestead in northwest Wisconsin with my wife and daughter.

Birthing Life Tai Chi Center class waiver
By registering for this event you agree to release and hold harmless Birthing Life Tai Chi Center, the instructors, and the class location from any liability for any injury or harm that might result from your attendance or participation in online or in-person classes, private lessons, practice sessions, recorded classes, video instruction, or any events sponsored by Birthing Life Tai Chi Center.

While Tai Chi movements are designed to put little or no harmful stress on the body, you understand that practicing Tai Chi poses risks, including but not limited to injuries like muscle tears, strains, and musculoskeletal injuries, and possible dizziness and fainting. We ask that you pay particular attention during the first class or the first class video recording where the instructor explains how to help mitigate these types of risks.

You affirm that you have no physical condition that should prevent you from participating in the above activities. You understand that it is your responsibility to monitor your own activity level and participation, and to stop, modify or delay participation based on your own discretion both during in-person and online classes and while practicing on your own.

Participating in an in-person or online video class may result in a recording of your picture or audio and that you grant permission and unlimited rights in perpetuity to Birthing Life Tai Chi Center and instructors to the use of your image and audio in those recordings.