A typical ClassWe meet on Wednesday mornings at Camrose Community Centre. Please see Contact Us for more details.
The first part of a class consists of simple warmup exercises, taking account of all the major joints in turn. These are often followed by others designed to help a particular aspect of the training such as balance or relaxation, learning to be conscious of what the body is doing. These will often include some
qigong movements.
As in any tai chi class the second part consists of a series of set movements or "forms" which flow into each other and are learned as a sequence. You have probably seen people performing these on the television. Each one is a formalised version of a fighting move and the martial application is often referred to as a help to make sense of what we are doing. All the moves are done slowly, with complete concentration and no tension, and do not result in getting out of breath. But because slow moves demand a lot of control, practice develops stronger muscles and better balance. The relaxation and concentration reduce stress, and so can reduce high blood pressure.
Every move is performed within the limits of the individual - nothing is ever strained or forced, but there are always new goals ahead. There should be no feeling of being better or worse than others. It is just for you, starting where you are.You are encouraged to take a break if you need to.