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Class information and Specialist courses are listed below Workshop dates and information are under the 'diary' menu above See SIDE BAR MENU for, 'timetable' for class times, 'costs & membership' and 'venues' for class locations For a student's personal experience of Hard Qi Gong training see below
Shifu Liu demonstrates the Chen 56 Competition Form at the Chinese New Year 2008, in Manchester
CLASS NEWS: Winter 2011-2012 December TJC is closing for the Xmas Holidays from 10 December to January 2012, watch this space for upcoming classes in January... New Links to follow us:
Terms for 2012 Term 1: 12 February to 7 April (Easter) TAI JI CIRCLE Classes and Courses For information on our classes in Chen Tai Ji Quan – beginners to advanced forms, Da Bei Qi Gong, Tai Ji Gong Fu and applications, and the Hard (Ying) Qi Gong course, please scroll down the page. Class 'Timetable' and 'Venue' details are in the side bar menu at top left.
NEW STUDENTS • All new students can attend any Foundation Tai Ji class (if you miss the Course start dates), as they are aimed at new students to the Chen Style, as well as more experienced students, as Shifu Liu is working particularly with posture and movement correction over 10 weeks. It is important to practice regularly to learn and remember the movements so it is best to sign up for a group of 10 classes to obtain most benefit. You can come more than once a week or make up a class on another day if you miss one. If you are experienced in the Chen style you can ask Shifu Liu if you can attend other classes at your level of practice. • Da Bei qi gong classes are open to all, no experience is necessary to attend.
Shifu Liu teaching new students the silk realng exercises. NEW: Introduction to Chen Tai Ji Quan Foundation Courses 2012Our accessible 8 week beginners courses will give new students a step-by step practical experience of the basic essential requirements of Chen Tai Ji Quan and enable them to move on to the next levels more easily, other students are welcome to attend, no previous experience necessary.If you miss the beginning of the course you can still come along and catch up at the other classes. You can attend Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday Foundation classes. Start Date: 12 February 2012 Sundays Time: 10-11 am Special Foundation Course Class pass at non-member price of £88, or £60 for concessions, is available for 8 classes over 8 weeks (one term), (see 'Cost & Membership' in side bar menu for all fees). If you miss a class it can be made up at any other Foundation class. Or start coming to more than one class per week and start the 19 Part Form. Book now for our beginners course and classes: email: info@taijicircle.com
Foundation classes for new students Beginners to Chen Tai Ji can join the drop-in classes at any time, but it is easier to first have completed the Introductory Course, or to be doing the course and join in the other classes as well. Sundays Beginners Foundation Course
10.00-11.00 pm If you miss a class you can come to any Foundation class, you can attend the course more than once or drop into these clases on completetion of the course to further build up your basic foundation of Chen Tai Ji Quan. Mondays Foundation 6.30-7.30 pm Tuesdays Foundation Thursday Foundation (revision with Chris) If you have a course pass you can use that for these classes. Anyone wanting to improve their basic skills should attend Foundation classes regularly preferably twice a week or more will be most beneficial. See (left sidebar menus) for Timetable for all other class details and Venues for full addresses, and Cost & Membership for class fees. CHEN TAI JI QUAN The power of the internal Chen Tai Ji Quan system lies in its idea to combine Chinese martial arts, philosophy and medical theories to benefit health and well-being. This dynamic style is the original tai ji quan from which many other styles derive, and was once a secret practice within the Chen family village in Henan province. The traditional Chen forms contain original martial applications within them and they have both soft slow movements and fast energy releases. Chen Tai Ji can be practised slowly in a high stance to gain energy, or more vigorously in a lower stance for competition and increased stamina. Tai Ji is suitable for all healthy age groups. There are many health benefits to be gained by the practice of tai ji. The slow movements help the body, breath and mind to relax, give energy, help coordination, concentration, balance, strength and grace. Class Levels The Tai Ji levels indicated are intended to help people choose the classes they may be interested to attend (not to rank students) Introduction to Foundations of Chen Tai Ji Quan This 8 classes over 8 week course, covers warm up exercises and the Chen Tai Ji stances, footwork, hand and body positions, silk reeling exercises and zhan zhuang (standing practice). These are the important foundations to learning tai ji and Shifu Liu will correct posture and movement so that you are then ready to continue with Foundation practice and begin to learn the 19 part Form. New Foundation Course starts: 12 February (see details above) Foundation The preparatory form and silk reeling exercises are vitally important to obtaining correct development in tai ji practice. With posture correction and repetition the student can develop smooth movements and transitions, increased energy, relaxation and gain good balance and coordination. These movements are the 'qi gong' of tai ji and are important for every level of student to continue practicing regularly. Complete beginners can join these classes. • Tai Ji Push Hands Is for all levels, and will be taught as a course by term. Level 1 After completetion of 2 terms of Foundation and during training at Foundation level you can try this form: • The 19 Part Chen Form (created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang), this is an entry level beginners form to familiarise the student with movements of the Chen style When comfortable with the form you can move on to the Level 2 classes Level 2 • 38 Part Form (created by Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang), this is an intermediate level form. It contains movements from the Chen 74 part Laojia Yi Lu, traditional old frame and the Xinjia New frame form. This prepares and facilitates learning the more complex routines and is also suitable for performing at Competition level. Level 3 • 74 Part Form, Old Frame, Laojia Yi Lu is the oldest 1st traditional Chen long routine, from which many of the shorter forms and other tai ji styles (Yang) derive. It is a very important foundation routine for conditioning and training in the Chen style. It is designed to promote concentration, condition the body and acquaint students with the inventory of movement techniques for more advanced styles of martial arts training. The form contains many slow continuous movements that use the reeling silk movement quality of Chen Taijiquan. Lao Jia Yi Lu also contains fajing, which is the explosive release of refined strength. Martial strategies within the form include strikes joint locks and throws. • Chen Sword the 43 Part traditional sword form • Chen Single Sabre traditional short form Level 4 • 83 Part Form, Xinjia Yi Lu – New Frame Grandmaster Chen Xiao Wang's grandfather, Chen Fake created the "Xinjia" form, so called 'New Frame' because it was adapted from the classic old frame. The main difference from old frame (Laojia) is that the movements are smaller and more obvious torso twisting silk reeling and twining of the arms/wrists is employed. This form tends to emphasise manipulation, seizing and grappling (qinna) rather than striking techniques.
• Cannon Fist is the advanced 2nd traditional Chen routine Laojia Er Lu (as it is full of explosive movements). It is advisable to have learnt the 74 Part Form before beginning this form. • Chen Tai Ji Techniques and Applications students can check with Shifu Liu to attend this class. • Double Sabres it is necessary to have studied Chen style hand forms, single sabre, and sword form before attempting the double sabres class
Click here for more information on Chen Tai Ji Quan Specialist Courses Tai Ji Push Hands Course Push hands introduces the student to working with a partner, it increase sensitivity to another persons energy and is the preparation for using martial applications Tai Ji Push Hands (all levels) : Starting 14 February Tuesdays 8.30-9.30 pm, King's Cross Methodist Hall (Payment in advance per term)
56 Competition Chen Form Course The Chen 56 Form is epecially designed for competition as it can be completed within 4 minutes, it is full of trademark Chen movements which can be both fluid and smooth combined with vigorous releases of energy (fajin) Tai Ji Push Hands (all levels) Starting 16 February Thursdays 7.30-8.30 pm, St Paul's Church Hall (Payment in advance per term) OTHER CLASSES Da Bei Qi Gong – Buddhist doctrine Shifu Liu bought this very special qi gong practice to the UK from China. With its roots in Buddhism, this is a most powerful and effective form of Qi Gong. Its method, with Buddhist principles at it's heart, is linked to the Yi Jing Ching and is an excellent internal exercise and a well regulated system. It is a meditative, relaxing practice for the cultivation of energy and compassion, that can be practised sitting or standing, dancing or chanting. The body's internal energy or qi is the medicine for healing and the movement of this energy is like hot water running through the body like a fast wind that can also cause spontaneous movement, bringing in good new energy and expelling harmful energy out of the body. We would ask that NO ONE teaches this qi gong without written permission from Shifu Liu. Da Bei Qi gong classes are free to anyone suffering from serious illness who can attend class, please email and talk to Shifu Liu or Chris before beginning classes. For queries email: info@taijicircle.com Warm Up Exercises Most classes include warm ups of the joints, muscles and tendon stretching to loosen up the body and increase flexibility, mobility and strength. CLASS INFORMATION • All the classes are taught using the Chinese rather than the English names, which are standard and useful when attending other classes with Chinese teachers worldwide. • Students should wear loose comfortable clothes and flat shoes, preferable tai ji suits and shoes. • Do not eat a heavy meal for at least 1 hour before class. Tight leggings or jeans are not suitable for martial arts practice, as it is important for the air to be able to circulate so the skin can relax and open enabling energy to enter the body • If you attend class when it is hot, bring a change of 'T' shirt and maybe a small towel.
Specialist Intensive Courses
Shifu Liu being tested after completion of his Hard Qi Gong training
Hard Qi Gong – 100 + days training programme Hard Qi Gong practice improves your internal qi (energy) and is a benefit Only open to student members of the Tai Ji Circle Starting Jan/Feb 2012 Hard Qi Gong is a serious, challenging and demanding internal and external training programme that works on both a mental and physical level. It can also benefit many chronic health conditions. It takes daily practice and strong determination to succeed. People suitable for the practice Hard Qi Gong can be practised here in the UK, from late August through to early July, and can be done by anyone aged 16-60 years who is relatively fit and healthy without any serious mental or physical problems. It is not suitable for anyone who has experienced past severe physical or psychological trauma. It is also advisable to have had some practice of qi gong or meditation, and hard training. Shifu Liu prefers participants to be Tai Ji Circle members and for them to have attended our classes before they begin the training. Benefits The body and mind are strengthened and rejuvenated, energy increases and problems such as allergies, backache, headaches and other conditions may dissapear. It is a foundation for steel jacket training, one main benefit is the strengthening of the internal parts of the body to protect against injury. Shifu Liu will interview all potential students to check their suitability and the training process will be explained in more detail at that time. (Advance booking is essential, email us for interview) Tai Ji Circle students after completing the Hard Qi Gong training course, undergo optional testing (below)
> Justin Schlosberg on Hard Qi Gong training with the Tai Ji Circle
I’ve been training in Chen Tai ji quan and Da Bei qi gong for a year and a half now, and ying qi gong for nearly a year. Sometimes I’m not sure whether it’s training‚ studying‚ or just experiencing. Similarly I’m not sure whether it’s a hobby, a passion or a lifestyle it’s a tricky thing to define. When I started, I often found myself saying in jest that it would take me the best part of 30 years to get my head round the subtleties of the movements. In some ways I’ve progressed quicker than I expected, but in other ways the mountain just gets higher and steeper. As soon as I think I’ve mastered something, I discover I’m not even close. Maybe my back is not relaxed or my shoulders aren’t open or my hips aren’t low enough. Or maybe I’m just thinking too much. Doing the foundation course in ying qi gong last year, I glimpsed for the first time what it is to really think about nothing and feel only a fire in my belly, with my feet rooted to the ground and all my muscles completely relaxed. The course itself seemed to last forever at least the first 2 months did. It was during this time that training became the centre of my life, and everything else (work, family, friends) had to be slotted in around it as best I could. It’s sometimes easy to reflect on it with rose tinted glasses but reading back over my diary entries, those first two months were anything but plain sailing. I’d heard from previous graduates that the course can be gruelling to say the least, but it’s hard to imagine just what that entails until you do it. With seemingly constant aches and pains, endless fatigue and little to show for it other than a slightly more toned physique, I often wondered why I was actually doing this. But it was the personal landmarks‚ that kept me going. Doing the exercises for longer and with less pain was like a world of new possibilities opening up before me. I realised that I actually can do what I assumed or feared that I couldn’t. Ying qi gong exposed my weaknesses but also my potential to improve with perseverance and will power, like chipping away at a great wall piece by piece. By the time the course ended, I felt stronger and more awake‚ than ever before. And even if there is no end goal, and the peak of the mountain is forever obscured by clouds, it’s enough to know that I’m trying my best. For although I felt elated when the course finished, I quickly realised once again how much more there is to learn. In accepting that, the training becomes less about trying to get somewhere or be someone, and more about just enjoying the journey (of a lifetime). |
| For information in London contact info@taijicircle.com | |
