Gong, Tai Chi As Health Exercise, Traditional Taijiquan
The Chinese tradition of exercise, therapy and rehabilitation for maintaining health, vitality and longevity has been practiced in China since ancient times.
Tai Chi (Taijiquan) was originally developed as an effective combat system and received early recognition for its various health benefits. While the term "Tai Chi" appears frequently in promotional materials for classes or may be brought into connection with health benefits, few understand, that, to qualify as Tai Chi, it must be taught and practised in accordance with the "Tai Chi Principles". Practitioners wishing to explore the deeper scientific, spiritual and practical aspects of Tai Chi will experience an interesting journey of self-discovery and -development.
Hundreds of million practitioners worldwide enjoy Qigong or Tai Chi as a form of health exercise, sport or martial art. We offer the following programs (please click on Tabs):
Exercise Qigong [1] Four famous types of exercises (Yi Jin Jing, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duam Jin, Liu Zi Jue) were compiled by the national Chinese Health Qigong Association (CHQA) based on researching the traditional Chinese way of exercising for the purpose of improving health, as well as by conducting modern scientific research into fields like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), modern medicine, psychology, exercise science and sports as well as by absorbing the essence and wisdom of expert practitioners and scholars.
Tendon Strengthening Exercise / Yi Jin Jing (12 movements)
Benefits The Yi Jin Ying movements have been proven to be able to improve health, fitness, prevent diseases, and regular, correct practice has very impressive effects on the respiratory system, flexibility, balance and muscular strength. It may also help to prevent and cure diseases of the joints, digestive, cardiovascular and nervous system.
Yi Jin Jing movements require a full range of stretching, bending, flexing and twisting in multi-directional and wide-ranging motions of the bones and related joints. The movements help to stimulate spinal and nerve cords to make them function more effectively, together with the exercise of limbs and internal organs. Strength, when required, is applied in a gradual manner and the muscles should be relaxed to combine strength with softness. An essential part of the routines is natural breathing and the integration of mind and body with a relaxed spirit to make the circulation of the vital energy (qi) as unimpeded as possible.
Five Animals Play / Wu Qin Xi (10 movements)
Benefits Exercising limbs, waist, trunk and spine can increase the movement range and physical efficiency. Exercises of the fingers and toes are particularly emphasized for improving the blood circulation to the extremities. Physical and psychological tests of people practicing the Wu Qin Xi give high scores to their overall constitution, the functions of the various organs, mental attitude and power of perception, as well as physical fitness.
Eight Pieces of Brocade / Ba Duan Jin
Benefits Ba Duan Jin practice has proven to improve the respiratory system, limb strength, flexibility of the joints, fortifies the nerves as well as enhances the general balance, cardiovascular function and helps to cure such illnesses as coronary artery scleroses and osteoporosis. It strengthens one’s immune system to a degree, delays the aging process and also improves one’s mental health.
Six Healing Sounds / Liu Zi Jue
Benefits The Six sounds exercise shall strengthen the liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys, triple heater, respectively, and shall help to balance the energy and functions of the internal organs. The Six Sounds is a traditional health and fitness practice focused on the breath-control. The exercises regulate and control the rise and fall of Qi (vital energy) inside the body and related inhalation and exhalation through six different mouth forms and sounds.
[1] All information from sources of the Chinese Health Qigong Association and shall by no means replace the advice by a qualified medical doctor; always consult your doctor prior to starting any exercise or Qigong program.
Primary focus of this program is to promote gentle regular exercises that do not require a large area or memorizing long sequences of movements like the Tai Chi forms. Tai Chi Gong Exercises are instrumental for mastering Tai Chi. For best benefits these exercises should be practiced on a daily basis.
Program Duration
Beginner Tai Chi Gong can be learned within 1 year, depending on practice habit, however, is a lifelong pursuit of improvement.
Program Content
We offer Tai Chi Gong programs for Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced students. Tai Chi Gong is integral part of any forms, push hands or sparring program.
Primary intention for this program is to promote Tai Chi as a regular gentle exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle for the purpose of improving and maintaining total health and fitness, relaxation, balance, coordination, flexibility and natural breathing. This program is suitable for individuals of all ages, who wish to just learn and practise Tai Chi without studying complex advanced Tai Chi concepts and theory. The impact is low but generally depends on a person's level of fitness.
Program Content/Choices
Gong, Tai Chi Gong, Health Qigong
Tai Chi Forms Your choice between Yang style Tai Chi, Chen style Tai Chi, Yang style Tai Chi Sword. Tai Chi forms are more demanding and require to learn and memorize a sequence of movements.
Push Hands (as health exercise) Fixed Step Push Hands to study balance, self-control, sensitvity, correct body posture.
ProgramDuration
1 to approx. 3 years, depending on personal program choices, intensity of study and time spent on practice. Within this program students are free to choose any program content according to their personal preferences and time available. Gong, Tai Chi Gong, Health Qigong is included at no extra charge with anf Tai Chi Forms or Push Hands.
Traditional Taijiquan is for individuals seeking a more challenging way to study and practice Tai Chi in theory, methodology and application. Content, complexity and requirements are progessive with practitioner's progress and experience and pose more challenges for body and mental activities. This program is complex, is suitable for any age but the intensity level can be moderate to very high.
Program Roadmap
- Includes all content, Health & Exercise benefits as in the Tai Chi Health Exercise programs plus advanced Gong
- Basic and advanced Tai Chi Theory & Training Methods
- Yang style Tai Chi Hand & Sword Form Refinements
- Chen style Tai Chi 1st Form Refinements
- Fajin Methodology and Practice
- Chen style 1st Form Applications & practice
- Chen style 2nd Form (Pao Chui) & Refinements
- Chen style Sword & Refinements
- Tai Chi Push Hands (Fixed & Moving Step Methodology and Practice)
- San Shou/Sparring and Self Defense
Program Duration
Minimum 5 years, depending on personal program choices, intensity of study and time spent on practice. Within this program students are free to choose any program content appropriate to their level, according to their personal preferences and time available. Gong, Tai Chi Gong, Health Qigong is included at no extra charge with any Tai Chi Form or Push Hands.
Optional Training Programs
- Competition Training (Forms, Push Hands, San Shou) to participate in National/International Competitions
- Assistant Instructor/Instructor Training
- Certified Instructor of Ji Hong Tai Wushu And Tai Chi College
- Indoor Disciple Training
- Privat Lessons for individualized programs and accelerated learning
All our programs are customizable to suit many areas of our challenging modern life. Tai Chi based excercises provide the tools to de-stress, for a total re-boot and realization of one's potential.
Private Lessons
- Private Lessons starting from $60/hour.
- Participating in our regular Course Program is excellent for purposes of learning the basic requirements and choreography of a Tai Chi routine. However to advance to higher levels Private Lessons are essential in the study of Taijiquan.
- Individualized instruction, goal setting and personal encouragement will accelerate your personal learning experience helping you to integrate advanced theoretical and practical Tai Chi concepts in your Tai Chi practice.
Health Exercise, Keep Fit, Corporate & Custom Programs
- Improved Health & Wellness, Relaxation & Stress Control, Body Posture, Internal Circulation
- Fitness, Weight Control, Balance, Coordination, Strength, Flexibility
- Meditation, Breathing Methods, Personal Growth, Mind/Body Coordination
Performance Enhancement
- Sports, Performance Arts (Dancers, Ballet etc.)
- High Performance Sports (Athletics), MindBody Control Concepts & Training
- Martial Arts, Sparring, Self-Defense
- Advanced Tai Chi Concepts & Principles Training
Group Exercise Programs
- Youth, Teenager, Adult, Senior Groups
- Fitness & Community Centers, Retirement Homes, Schools, Corporations
- Seminar/Workshops Tai Chi or Special Tai Chi Topics
For further details, private lessons or group classes at a location of your choice please call 416.704.9288 or email: jhtcschool@gmail.com