RootFX Tai Chi

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These tai chi classes follow the principles of the Yang-style short form of t’ai chi ch’uan (commonly spelled in english as “tai chi or tai chi chuan”). The lineage follows that of Cheng-Man ch’ing and Benjamin Pang-jeng Lo. I was fortunate to study with Ben starting in 1993 in San Francisco, California in his group classes and later privately from his home.

Most students are surprised at how physically demanding it is to study Yang-style short form tai chi. The form consists of a sequence of stances (often referred to as the 37 repeated postures) that are practiced as a continuous flow from beginning to end. This is why the training is misunderstood as to be “relaxing” and “meditative”. The form, when done well, looks fluid and even graceful. But to learn the form, you have to practice and hold each stance repeatedly. Each stance is precise and takes core strength, joint mobility and muscle suppleness to maintain. This can take years to achieve and even longer to put together into one fluid form.

The benefits from this type of training is that your posture and balance will improve, your body will become stronger throughout and your strength and mobility will actually increase as you age. The training requires a commitment to attend class and a willingness to practice the form consistently between classes. It also requires you to hold and maintain low stances until your muscles fatigue. This is purposely done throughout the entire form in order to build strong core muscles and to release tension in muscles and joints.

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This class is not recommended for people that have pre-existing structural knee pain or damage. The entire form will take between nine and twelve months to learn. Once you learn the entire form, you can join the advanced tai chi class.