Are you looking for a gentle yet effective exercise that promotes relaxation, balance, and mental clarity?
A new in-person
Beginning Tai Chi Class in the Yang Style Long Form will start October 3, 2024
Days: Monday and Thursday
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Location: Unity Church, 2871 Churn Creek Rd. (located in the rear of the “Park Plaza” business park), Redding, CA 96002
A New Class Starts Thursday October 3, 2024. This class is only offered once a year. (The 2023 year class is in session and closed to new students.) Because of the depth of the material presented you must start from the beginning. It takes approximately seven (7) months to complete the class, Therefore, we do not offer ongoing or drop-in classes. However, if you would like to visit and observe a class or attend the you are welcome to do that.
If you are interested in attending this class please send an email with your name and contact information to preregister or call
(530) 223-2346.
Fee: $60.00/month.
To register please send an email to taichi@reddingtaichi.com or call
(530) 223-2346.
Note: Masks are optional in class.
Tai Chi is an exercise for everyone – regardless of age or physical condition.
This introductory Tai Chi class is designed to acquaint students of all ages with
the principles and movements of China’s most revered exercise for health and longevity. Tai Chi is a gentle and low-impact form of exercise that promotes relaxation, balance, flexibility, and mental clarity.
Originating in China hundreds of years ago, Tai Chi is now practiced all over the world. Throughout this class, you will learn a series of slow Tai Chi movements that improve flexibility, balance, body awareness, and relieve stress. The movements are taught one at a time and explained in detail. Age or physical condition are not factors in learning Tai Chi, and no special clothing, shoes, or equipment are needed. Simply come to class wearing clothes you are comfortable moving in. The one-hour class emphasizes the health and meditative aspects of this art. The Tai Chi series of movements is taught in three sections.
Section 1: Introduction to Tai Chi
This is the introductory class to Yang Style Long Form where the student learns the basic principles of Tai Chi and the 13 main movements. This class meets twice a week. Each class introduces new movements. At the end of two months you will have a sequence of movements that take approximately 5-8 minutes to complete. Learning Section 1 is comparable to learning a “short” form of Tai Chi.
Section 2 of the form introduces more advanced movements, such as turns and kicks. On completion of this section it will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the first and second sections of the Yang Style Long Form.
Section 3 This class completes the three sections of the Yang Family Long Form. More complex stepping routines are introduced. Once the entire form is learned it takes between 32-38 minutes to practice.
Tai Chi at the Sundial Bridge (Winter 2021)
“What about corrections? How will I know I am doing the movement correctly?”
Based on my experience in teaching Tai Chi, I can confidently say that the majority of people will be able to copy and follow the movements with a high degree of accuracy. That said, we are not teaching “competition” Tai Chi and looking for “perfect” movements. The goal is to learn how to move in a relaxed, fluid way and learn to be more comfortable in your body.
You have learned the Long form, so what’s next?
The true benefits of Tai Chi become apparent as you integrate it into your daily routine, making it a lifelong practice. After learning the three sections of the Yang style Long form, you have several options to continue:
1. You can choose to repeat the Beginning class. Doing so will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the movements, which is especially recommended if you don’t feel confident enough to practice the form independently. You can repeat the Beginning class as many times as you desire.
2. Advance to the Intermediate Class, where we introduce non-competitive Push Hands (tui shou). Push Hands is a two-person movement sequence that deepens your practical understanding of Tai Chi principles and enhances your overall Tai Chi practice. In the intermediate class, we always practice the whole Long form in each session.
3. Join our weekly practice sessions in the McConnell Arboretum and Gardens, held every Saturday from 8-9 am. Attendance is free, and everyone is welcome
to join.
4. Take part in our sponsored events, such as World Tai Chi Day.
Push Hands (Tui Shou)
This is an intermediate level class is for those that have already learned the three sections of the single movements (Hand form) and practice it regularly. The application of the principles of Tai Chi is learned by working with a partner which is considered the Heaven level of advanced study. Students will learn Single Push Hands, Double Push Hands, Stepping Push Hands, and Da Lu (Big Rollback). In addition, other two person movements taken from the single movements will be taught. The two person movements are taught in a non-competitive manner so that students can learn listening (ting), yielding, adhering, sticking, and following. The emphasis is learning to be soft and light so that you can increase your awareness of movement. This class lasts six months and is a prerequisite for learning the two person set of movements called San Shou.
Form without function has no adaptability. Function without form has no foundation. Therefore form and function should be together for it to be foolproof. Practicing the Solo Set is the work of knowing the self. Practicing the Push Hands exercises is the work of knowing the opponent.
– Sun Fuquan (Lutang), A Study of Taiji Boxing, June, 1921
San Shou
This is an advanced level class and is for those who know the single movements very well, are familiar with Push Hands, and are committed to learning this form. San Shou is a two person form that takes the study of Tai Chi up to the higher levels. Students will advance their skills in the basics learned in the Single Movements and Push Hands classes by learning the applications of the Tai Chi Movements in this two person form. Both sides of the form will be taught plus there will be more emphasis on listening (ting), adhering, following, and developing the light and soft characteristics that Tai Chi is known for. This class is approximately one year long.
Here is a link to a translation of a Tai Chi manual describing
If you have questions about what is taught or if you want to get on a list for the next class, please send an email to: taichi@reddingtaichi.com
“I really enjoyed the classes, I am planning to continue and look forward to meeting you sometime. Zoom was great, it was like having a private teacher. And it was so nice to have the emails available to practice whenever I had a little time… I liked the way you taught the class as well. The amount to learn was just right. Even if I had a little trouble during the class, (like doing brush knee to the right, my brain only wanted to go left), with the emails and practicing a few times every day, I was able to learn it. I always looked forward to the next class… thanks again…”
— Pam
“The Zoom format works really well for me because I can see the nuances of the movements very clearly. It actually feels almost as if I’m receiving private instruction. Also, because there are no distractions, I find the experience to be more tranquil and meditative than when I’m in a group setting.”
— Sheila H.
Redding Tai Chi 