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What is tai Chi?

The healing benefits of Tai Chi have been reputed for hundreds of years by practitioners of this ancient exercise. Participants have described curing themselves of many different ailments and improving overall health. With its roots as a martial arts, Tai Chi also improves the physical well-being: it strengthens, develops flexibility and improves balance and coordination.  Mental well-being is enhanced with increased focus and a sense of peace and relaxation.  It is now common for doctors around the world to prescribe Tai Chi to patients to first eliminate stress and then start the healing process.  There is an abundance of research regarding the health benefits of Tai Chi that can be found on the internet today.

Tai Chi For beginners (Tai chi for health)

Although any short form class is suitable for beginners, this class will focus on the first few postures of the Yang style short form to give those new to Tai Chi more detail at a comfortable, slower pace.  Once the students complete this 8 week class, they will then be well-prepared to attend the regular Short Form class (see below for days and times).

Tai chi short form

The Short Form classes are designed to simplify and de-mystify the practice of Tai Chi.  In a slow and methodical approach to learning, students will be taught the 24 postures of the Yang-style form. Yang is the Chinese family that created this style of Tai Chi about two hundred years ago. Yang style has become the most popular style of Tai Chi in the world today.

WHAT TO EXPECT

It is not necessary to be in top physical condition to practice Tai Chi. The typical class will include gentle warm-up exercises that usually consist of moving gently, focusing on correct alignment.  This movement gradually strengthens the body and greatly improves balance. After the warm-up, a few gentle stretches will be practiced before it it time to go more "internal".  Internal is just another way of saying that the mind and the body are working together. If we just move our arms and legs, as in a typical aerobics type workout then it is not considered internal. The goal in Tai Chi practice is to move your body through the 24 different postures in a very relaxed and mindful way.

The most important part of your Tai Chi practice is called Qigong ("chee gong"). The qigong practice includes using visualization to circulate healing energy through your body.  If the body is relaxed and the mind is focused, then the Chi (bioelectricity) will flow smoothly through your body resulting in robust health.  Qigong is very easy to learn and follow. You will feel very relaxed and peaceful after practicing it for even a few minutes.

Tai chi schedule

(effective 9/9/09)

Short Form Classes

Amesbury/Newburyport

Monday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Amesbury studio (Herb Crooks)

Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Amesbury studio (Stephanie Hancox)

Thursday 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

Thursday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. UU Church Newburyport (Marna Badavas)

Friday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Amesbury studio - Beginners' Tai Chi (Chris Himmel)

Saturday 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

Topsfield/Hamilton

Monday 9:15 - 10:15 a.m. Topsfield Congregational Church/Emerson Center (Paul Mahoney)

Tuesday 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Hamilton Wenham Community House (Paul Mahoney)

Wednesday 9:15 - 10:00 a.m. Hamilton Wenham Community House (Paul Mahoney)


Classical Long Form Classes

Monday 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. Amesbury studio (David Bodoh)

Monday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Topsfield Congregational Church/Emerson Center (Paul Mahoney)

Wednesday 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Amesbury studio Wudang Tai Chi (LuAnne Pigeon)

Wednesday 6:00 - 7:15 p.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

Classical Long Form & Push Hands

Saturday 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

Tai Chi for Kids (ages 8 to 12)

Thursday 4:15 - 5:15 p.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

Tai Chi Arts for Youth (ages 10 and up)

Call for more  information Topsfield Congregational Church/Emerson Center (Paul Mahoney)

Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. Amesbury studio (Paul Mahoney)

 

please contact us for
more information and prices
978 388-1322
 

  • Class Descriptions

 

Yang Style Short Form (Tai Chi for Health)

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The healing benefits of Tai Chi have been reputed for hundreds of years by people practicing this ancient martial exercise. Practitioners have described curing themselves of many different ailments and improving overall health. Tai Chi for Health is a very gentle and relaxing class designed to reduce stress, improve balance and concentration while promoting a feeling of well-being.

Students learn the Yang style short form (24 form) also known as the simplified form as well as the complimentary healing Qigong (Chi Kung) exercises. This class is excellent for people trying Tai Chi for the first time.   

             

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Classical Yang Style Long Form

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The Tai Chi Long Form is more in depth study of Tai Chi . With the same healing benefits of the short form, this class introduces the theory of this amazing, soft martial art. Although somewhat more of a physical challenge than the Short Form, this form can be practiced by people of all ages. The complimentary health and martial Qigong will also be practiced.


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 Wudang Tai Chi

Great Bay Tai Chi now offers Wudang Tai Chi. This style is a six hundred year old Temple Style that incorporates the three internal styles of Tai Chi, Xing Yi and Bagua. Wudang Tai Chi will be taught to a limited number of students by LuAnne Pigeon who has been training in China with Master Shan. Master Shan will oversee the Wudang program.

Tai Chi Push Hands

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This class is a good compliment to the Long Form class. The student explores a deeper understanding of the movements of the Long Form by practicing the applications of the form with a partner. Students also develop a better understanding of energy while communicating through sensitivity exercises. With alignment, Qigong and centering, the students learn Tai Chi as a martial art. (Tai Chi Chuan).

Great Bay Kid's Tai Chi

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The Thursday after school program is designed for students eight to eleven. The class will be 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.

Great Bay Tai Chi Kids is an after school Tai Chi program that is designed to be fun, yet challenging. The students  practice a variety of agility drills while incorporating the essence of this traditional Chinese martial art. Students will train strength, flexibility and balance as well as employ Taoist meditative practices for a mind/body connection. The Yang Style Tai Chi form is taught. Paul Mahoney leads the class.  Paul has over thirty years of experience with the martial arts including more than 28 years practicing Tai Chi. Mr. Mahoney is assisted by two junior instructors 

 

        Tai Chi Arts for Youth


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Ages 10 and up in Topsfield. Ages 12 and up in Amesbury.

Great Bay’s “Tai Chi Arts for Youth” will now be offered at the Topsfield congregational church’s Emerson Center. This class is geared to those 10 and up and will include the study of the Classical Yang style Long Form, Tai Chi Push Hands, Chi kung (Qigong) and meditation. The theory behind the amazing, internal (soft) martial art of Tai Chi Chuan will be studied. Students will learn not only the movements (martial postures) with the study of the choreographed form but will practice the applications of the form by playing Tai Chi Push Hands with a partner. This practice will develop a better understanding of energy while communicating through sensitivity exercises. With alignment, Qigong and centering, the students will learn Tai Chi as a martial art.  

Benefits include:

Better concentration/improved awareness/ability to handle stressful situations better/ confidence/better coordination/practical self defense



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Photo by Sarah Low

 

Shaolin & Tai Chi - Qin Na (Chin Na)

Qin Na literally means to seize and control. It includes locking the joints, cavity strikes, sealing the breath, sealing the vein and takedowns. It is one of the four fighting strategies of all Chinese martial arts. The others include punching, kicking and wrestling. Qin Na is the root of the Japanese martial arts of Jujitsu and Aikido. It is a strong compliment to any martial style as well as an effective self-defense tool.

Tai Chi Fan

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David Bodoh teaches the Flowing Water Tai Chi Fan form as well as the related fan skills.

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