Programs
Six classes, by age
Every class starts from stances and builds to a form. Choose by age, then by kind of class.
- Ages 5 to 7
Little forms
Stances, kicks and a first short routine, taught as games to a count. Forty-five minutes, with a parent welcome on the bench.
- Ages 8 to 11
Forms
Longer forms with a change of direction, kicks across the floor and a first look at the staff. Sixty minutes.
- Ages 10 to 16
Weapons
Staff and saber routines with practice weapons, built on the forms. Open to students from the green sash. Sixty minutes.
- Ages 10 to 16
Teen performance and the performance group
Forms at performance pace: timing, direction and the space of a stage. The Saturday group prepares each demonstration. Seventy-five minutes.
- Adults and parents
Taijiquan
Slow forms, standing and moving, in a quiet class. No experience needed, and every movement has an easier version. Sixty minutes.
- Adults
Adult forms
The forms classes at an adult pace: stances, kicks, a form and a weapons routine when you are ready. Seventy-five minutes.
Sample content.
A class from start to finish
Bow in, practice, show, bow out
Every class follows the same order, so a new student always knows what comes next.
Students line up by sash, bow in and warm up. We practice stances and kicks across the floor, learn a few new movements of the form, then run the whole form together while the instructor watches. Each class ends with a bow out.
Warm-up and stretches, with an easier version of each
Stances and kicks across the floor
New movements of the form, a few at a time
The whole form, together, then a bow out
Stances first
A form is built from stances
A kick or a spin is only as steady as the stance under it.
The first weeks of every group go to stances: how to stand, shift and turn. Students who are steady there pick up a form quickly, because each movement starts from the floor.
Come and try a class
A first class is the easiest way to see the room and meet the instructor for your group.