T’ai Chi Solo Form

The foundation practice of T’ai Chi Ch’uan is called the Solo Form. It contains a series of movements performed at a slow and relaxed pace. Each Solo Form class begins with a lesson. Then warm-ups, gentle stretches and joint-release movements designed to prepare you for T’ai Chi practice, followed by Qigong (chee gong, meaning energy work). Qigong is simple, relaxed movement combined with breathing patterns and techniques that produce a quiet, tranquil mind.

We teach the traditional Yang-style T’ai Chi form. The form is divided into three distinct sections. Each section builds on the previous section but can be practiced separately, giving the student maximum flexibility in creating a personal practice that fits their schedule. Our goal is to have a student finish a Solo Form class feeling calm, relaxed, and centered. Our mission is to assist and encourage a student to begin the journey of T’ai Chi as a lifelong practice. With its many health benefits, deep cultural and philosophical heritage, and the joy of solo, partner, and community practice, T’ai Chi is an art form that provides vitality and wellbeing for a lifetime.

T’ai Chi Symmetries

The T’ai Chi Solo Form provides numerous health benefits when practiced regularly. In addition, all of the movements in the Solo Form have functional martial arts applications. The T’ai Chi Symmetries are short, two-person forms created by Paul Abdella. The Symmetries teach a martial arts application for the postures in the Solo Form in the order in which they appear in the Solo Form sequence. They are performed in a relaxed and flowing way that develops sensitivity in the body to the external forces generated by a partner. Once a student has learned the Solo Form, they may begin to learn the T’ai Chi Symmetries forms. The practice develops an understanding of the martial applications contained in the Solo Form and deepens the understanding and experience of the Solo Form itself.

Pushing Hands

Pushing hands, sometimes called sensing hands, are two-person movement practices designed to teach martial applications, feeling, timing, and an understanding of the fundamental techniques of T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Students may join pushing-hands classes after completing the Solo Form. Students begin learning the basic practices and work into more advanced methods. Our push-hands classes are safe and highly structured. They develop a deep understanding of the Solo Form and T’ai Chi as a complete system.

Weapons 

Students can learn T’ai Chi weapons practices after learning the Solo Form. Weapons forms are practiced in a relaxed and fluid manner similar to the Solo Form. Weapons forms are used to extend one’s energy beyond the hands, to develop different levels of power derived from the weapon that are inherent in the Solo Form, and to help generate a refined aesthetic quality in the movements of the body. Each weapon has its own unique characteristics that develop specific skills. The weapons taught at Twin Cities T’ai Chi are the sword (Jian), the Saber (Dao), the Double Saber (Shuang Dao), the Cane, and the Fan. Weapons classes are open to students who have completed the Solo Form.