Central Iowa Tai Chi & Qigong

12/28/2021

I think this is Chen Style Tai Chi New Routine II.

11/24/2021

Yang Style Tai Chi's Power Release.
Yang Lu Chan, the father of Yang Style Tai Chi, had second son Yang Ban Hou. It was said he was the best after Yang Lu Chan. Yang Ban Hou's story was rarely told because he died earlier. One story says he relocated to his hometown and taught Yang Style Tai Chi. His style has been continued by his students. It seems Ban Hou Tai Chi has more training in power release. This video shows the Yang Style Tai Chi practice from Master Li Zhanying, the fourth generation of Ban Hou Tai Chi.

說明

10/20/2021

Saw this video on YouTube. Old Chen Master's routine. It seems old frames have been changed over time.

First section: Chen Qhuanzhong, 19th generation Chen Taiji master, demonstrates Lao Jia (Old Routine). This is the oldest form of Chen style Tai Chi Chuan. ...

08/01/2021

This is one of my favorite Chen Style Tai Chi Old Routine by a Shaolin Monk.

完美的 陈式太极拳老架一路 演示：释延弘大师 -- Once of the best Chen Style Old Form Tai Chi Quan

07/27/2021

This is the most fierce Chen Style Tai Chi I have seen.

07/04/2021

This year, I started coaching Chen Style Tai Chi at YMCA. The schedule is every Saturday from 10:30-11:30am. Due to physical demand, the beginner class from Chen Style Tai Chi Essential 18 Routine. If you are interested or want to expand your learning of Tai Chi, please let me know. Here are some requirements for your consideration of signing up for this program:

1. all ages are welcome but be aware of the physical demand of Chen Style Tai Chi. Students are required to follow my instruction to expand physical strength. No Tai Chi experience is required but preferred. Younger age is preferred.

2. My teaching will be in the Chinese traditional way with Taoism philosophy.

3. The class is limited to 10 students. The schedule may be expanded to weekdays.

4. I prefer students come to the class consistently. Chen Style is more complex than other styles in each movement...dropping any class might impact your learning process.

5. Teaching Tai Chi is not my business but an interest in bringing physical and mental wellness to the community. I do not offer private lessons out of YMCA.

6. I believe YMCA has a membership requirement (I never asked YMCA that question), so if you would like to come, please check with YMCA Waukee.

7. I am coaching Essential 18, and possible Old Routine 74 for the introduction class based on my observation on students' learning progress made in Essential 18 and physical condition Maybe more if there is further interest and the students are "strong" enough. I do not teach push-hand and combat techniques. For the deeper to professional level, I will refer students to my teacher - the 20th general of the Chen Family.

Thank you,

Nick

02/07/2020

My introduction to Meditation class scheduled for February 27th still has plenty of room. Please get registered by emailing me at janet4health@yahoo.com. Janet Shoeman

02/07/2020

my beginning Tai Chi class starting Feb 19th at Peterson's Holistic Services is now full. If you want to join a beginning class - let me know. If I get enough interest, I'll start another class. I want to keep these classes small. thanks everyone. Janet Shoeman

01/17/2020

Meditation Basics: What it is & What it isn’t

Leader: Janet Shoeman

Would like to meditate but don’t know where to start? Tried it before but don’t seem to be able to quiet that monkey mind? Come and try it out. Small group discussion and practice. All welcome.

When: Thursday, February 27th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Where: Peterson’s Holistic Services, 3005 86th St. in Urbandale IA.

Cost $10

To register: text Janet at 515.554.8539 or email Janet4health@yahoo.com

01/17/2020

6 Week Beginning Tai Chi Chuan Class
February 19th through March 25th, Wednesday Evenings 7 – 8 pm

Instructor: Janet Shoeman, Test 515.554.8539 or email janet4health@yahoo.com

Janet has over 25 years of experience in Tai Chi. All beginning students start with the Yang Style 24 simplified form. Small class sizes, individual attention.

Cost: $65

Class size limited. To register contact Janet.

Ongoing classes available for experienced Tai Chi players.
All classes are held at Peterson’s Holistic Services which is located at 3005 86th St. in Urbandale IA.

10/02/2019

Since I heard of Fong Ha's death I have been thinking a lot about things I learned from him. Such a wonderful teacher and happy kind man.

Here are some of Fong's insights:
• No one can be better at being you than you.
• Fangsong - release or let go + loose = “relax”
• Movement – how to balance and recalibrate balance
• Purpose of tai chi is to not fall down.
• You are already enlightened, you just forgot and need to recognize it.
• It’s not how you look, it’s how you feel.
• When standing still we are soaking ourselves back in
• Show me 100 Yang masters, I show you 100 different forms. To master a style, it has to become your own.
• It takes 100 hours to change way of thinking.
• Chi leads movement. Must feel not force.
• Transitions “walk the way” - follow the path.
• It really doesn’t matter what tools (forms/styles) you use so long as you are cultivating your own skills
• Chi does not refer to the flow of any particular substance but rather seems to represent the principle of flow which is always cyclical
• Advancement comes from answering questions. Discovery comes from questioning answers.
• We are all masters of our own way. We are the only ones who can fulfill our own destiny.
• Teacher – needs to have in themselves what you are looking for.
• Already have – be mindful
• Stillness allows us to achieve great skill, because in stillness chi gathers.
• Desire to be comes first.

Li/Chi/Shen
Li: Move physically using effort and muscles, leads to good health.
Chi: Move from awareness. Hand stretches out not because you stretch it (Li) but because it fills with chi.
Shen: Spirit level. Standing not doing.

Fong Ha, a well known teacher of Yang style Tai Chi and Yiquan has passed away. He began learning Yang style Tai Chi in Hong Kong in 1953 from Tung Ying Chieh.

06/05/2019

NOTICE of workshop with Grandmaster Zhong Zhenshan. (following is a note from Sunny Xu)

Dear all,
I’m glad to let you know that Mr. Zhong Zhenshan will come to Des Moines again in July and teach some workshops. He once offered several workshops while staying in Des Moines in 2014.
This time the workshops will be held Saturday, July 27 and Sunday July 28.
The workshops will cover the following parts:
1. The Theoretical System of Wu Family Taijiquan
This is a very brief introduction about what philosophies and cultural background
fostered this special art.
2. The Characteristics of Wu Family Taijiquan
This part will give a brief introduction to the main characteristics of Wu Family Taijiquan, and how the six healing sounds formula was incorporated into the form practice for health benefits.
3. The Training system of Wu family Taijiquan
This part will give a holistic introduction to the traditional Taijiquan training system, including standing practice, form practice, push hands practice, weapon practice, etc. The principles and key points to each of them will be explained and the participants will have opportunities to practice under Mr. Zhong’s instructions. The six healing sounds formula will be taught while we go through form practice. This is the first time for this formula to be publicized in the U.S.
4. The Training Method of Wu Family Taijiquan
In this part, Mr. zhong will explain some key concepts in taijiquan training, such as Kong(emptiness), song(relaxation), Yuan(circular movements), Huo(flexible and lively) Chen(heaviness), Shen(spirit), Yi(mind), Qi(energy), Qishi (range of qi), one center, 2 axes, 3 planes, five bows, six coordinations, eight pairs of stretching Jin, etc. Most of them are publicized for the first time. The participants will be able to get new experience under Mr. Zhong’s guidance.

These workshops will highlight:
• Some key concepts and training methods: one center, 2 axes, 3 planes, five bows, 6 coordinations, 8 pairs of stretching Jin/energy, etc.
• The six healing sounds formula incorporated into Taijiquan practice
• Push hands skills and practice
The workshops will be interactive, theory explanations and effective practice will be closely related. While getting a holistic understanding of Taijiquan training, the participants will have a lot of opportunities to get face to face instructions from Mr. Zhong Zhenshan and experience meaningful personal practice.

Location: on Saturday morning and Sunday morning from 9 to 12, we’ll have workshops at South Suburban YMCA (401 E Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa). On Saturday afternoon from 4 to 7, we’ll meet in a park, focusing more on practice and communications. If the weather is bad, we’ll find another place.

A liability waver will be signed before the workshops.
The workshop fee is $180. Those who once attended Mr. Zhong’s workshops in 2014 or any of my workshops will get a $30 discount.

The fee will be paid at door (cash only), but I do hope you register as soon as possible so that I have time to prepare. Please email me at wutaiji18@yahoo.com or hebeichinese@gmail.com before July 20. You could also call me at 515-661-3691.
Sunny Xu