We offer Yang style tai-chi, as taught by Chen Man-Ch'ing, classes in Oakland and Macomb counties. For new students, classes are currently being held in Clinton Township, MI. For a complete list of classes and times, please see the sections below. Returning students, be sure to check the schedule for current class days and times.
Instructor: Kim Cary
kimc.taichi@gmail.com
| Day | Class | Time | Location | Price / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | ||||
| Sword Practice | 11:45am - 12:00pm | Lake Orion | ||
| Form | 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Lake Orion | ||
| Sword Practice | 1:00pm - 1:15pm | Lake Orion | ||
| Form - Beginner (1st third) | 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Troy | Taught by Marci | |
| Form - Intermediate / Advanced (after 1st third) | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Troy | Taught by Keith Shackleford | |
| Free Practice w/ Keith | Call Delinda @ the church for times | Clinton Twp. | Taught by Keith Shackleford | |
| Tuesdays | ||||
| Advanced | 3:15pm - 4:15pm | Washington | ||
| Sword | 5:15pm - 5:45pm | American Lutheran Church, Clinton Twp. | By permission only | |
| Form - Beginner / Intermediate (all levels welcome) | 5:45pm - 6:45pm | Clinton Twp. | Minimum 6 students. Please preregister so I can confirm the class will run. |
|
| Energy/Breathwork Practice | 6:45pm - 7:00pm | Clinton Twp. | Free to those enrolled in form class | |
| Form - Corrections (whole form) | 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Clinton Twp. | $6 drop-in | |
| Push Hands | 8:00pm - 8:30pm | Clinton Twp. | $3 drop-in | |
| Wednesdays | ||||
| Form - Beginners | 11:30am - 12:30pm | Washington Twp. | ||
| Sword | 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Washington | ||
| Form - Intermediate / Advanced | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Mary's House | $6 drop-in | |
| Fridays | ||||
| Form - Intermediate / Advanced | 10:15am - 11:15am | Washinton Twp. | ||
| Sword | 11:15am - 11:45am | Washinton Twp. |
Lead by senior students, the open practice sessions are a great opportunity to get in some extra practice.
Students of all levels are welcome. New students will be introduced to the form, proper stance, breathing techniques and more. Continuing students will work on learning the 37 postures.
Minimum 6 students. Please contact Kim is you plan on taking this class.
For students that have completed the full form. Students continue to practice the full form, working on improving postures and deepening their understanding of the form.
Students focus on advanced practice of the individual form, as well as the collaborative two-person form.
For students that have completed the form and have experience in Push Hands, sword form adds another dimension to the tai chi practice. Instructor permission is required to join.
For the Beginner / Continuing Form class, all levels are welcome. This is the main class for leaning the form. First Timers, try one class free.
We will not have class if the Lake Orion Schools are closed due to snow/weather.
These classes are listed under the Senior section in the newsletter. Again students need to check the age and residency status to know the fee.
Troy Community Center cancels its morning classes when the Troy schools close for weather/snow. But since our classes are in the afternoon the students need to contact the desk after 11:30 am to find out if the afternoon classes are on. When there is a Snow day this class will be made up at the end of the session.
Fee:
Students can preregister with the center for the whole session. Again there are some residency differences.
Washington closes if the Romeo schools close for weather. And these classes will be made up at the end of the session.
Kim has been studying the Cheng Man Ch'ing Yang style short form for 30 years and teaching for 24.
Tai chi (or tai chi chuan, as it is known in China) is an ancient Chinese defensive martial art similar to shadow boxing. For centuries in China, tai chi was a secret heritage among the people and was taught from one generation to the next. It has become increasingly popular in the 20th century and is practiced worldwide. With tai chi, you follow a series of slow, graceful movements that mimic the movements you do in daily life.
Tai chi is based on the theory that continuous practice will help to train the body to respond quickly in a crisis. Since the movements emphasize complete relaxation and passive concentration, they can be compared with “meditation in motion,” which is said to be healing to the nervous system. The gentle, graceful movements, along with deep breathing patterns, are said to lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Tai chi is said to speed healing, to improve circulation, to boost immune function, and to decrease stress. Dramatic, flowing movements are used instead of forceful actions. The exercise emphasizes deep abdominal breathing that could help to maintain better lung function. As a low-impact exercise, it is perfect for older people or for people who have severe breathing difficulties. It improves the heart rate and overall cardiovascular function. According to clinical research, tai chi may provide the added benefit of warding off age-related breathing problems, especially in elderly people. In a study reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (1995), tai chi was found to help improve lung function in older people. Other studies have shown that practicing tai chi may help senior citizens improve their balance and reduce the number of times they fall, In one study, elderly participants who practiced regularly found that tai chi helped them achieve the ability to balance as well as someone 3 to 10 years younger. This study of 200 people 70 and older also appeared in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (1996). Those who took part in a 15-week tai chi program reduced their rate of falls by 47.5 percent.