Yoga & Tai Chi

Illustration of a bird flying.

Category: Tai Chi

  • Dialoguing with Resistance

    Dialoguing with Resistance

    Ever feel like you are fighting yourself in a yoga pose? I have heard many students say that they will not attend yoga classes that include poses with long holds. They tell me the long holds are too difficult even if the pose itself is not.  But what is so difficult about holding a pose…

  • I honor that place in you…Strength, friendship, humility.

    I honor that place in you…Strength, friendship, humility.

    I like ritual in my classes.  It adds a structure and a serious tone to the class.  In my yoga classes I always start with the ringing of a Tibetan bowl.  I end class with Namaste.  In my tai chi classes I start with the ringing of my Tibetan bowl and the formal greeting of…

  • A Touch of Silk

    A Touch of Silk

     “Move like a cat Flow like water Soften like silk” This is my mantra. Am I talking about tai chi or yoga? Actually the more I study both arts the more I use this mantra for both my yoga classes and my tai chi classes. It’s about practicing softly, slowly and continuously. But the aspect…

  • Tai Chi and Yoga: Similar, Not Similar, Similar

    Tai Chi and Yoga: Similar, Not Similar, Similar

    When I began taking tai chi lessons I was apprehensive that tai chi would conflict with my yoga practice – a practice that I have nurtured for over 30 years and a practice that I continue to polish and hone for my physical, spiritual and mental health. I wondered if tai chi would dilute my…

  • The Symbol of Yoga and the Symbol of Tai Chi: What do they represent, and are they helpful tools for teaching?

    I am always looking for ways to inspire my students and myself. Chanting AUM has been an integral part of my yoga experience and the yin/yang symbol is becoming an integral part of how I do my tai chi.  What do each of these symbols represent?  What is their purpose is our endeavors to keep…

  • World Tai Chi Day 2016 as Played in Our Corner of the World

    World Tai Chi Day 2016 as Played in Our Corner of the World

    Saturday, April 30, was World Tai Chi Day.  At 10 a.m. tai chi was to be played all over the world.  This year the World Tai Chi Day for this area was held at the Colonie public library.   There were around 30 people present and participating. The group was divided into sections according to which style of…

  • Tai Chi for Energy – Class Notes 4/28/16

    My Journey into the World of Tai Chi Sun Style Tai Chi Thursday April 28, 2016 There is always something you can learn in any class.  Take for example today which was Tai Chi for Energy day.  We practiced the Tai Chi for Energy three times then proceeded to Part II of this form.  Today…

  • Who is Regulating the Tai Chi World and who is training the Tai Chi Teachers to teach effectively?

    When I decided to take up tai chi I began looking around my area in NY to find classes that would be appropriate for me and that would also enhance and enrich my well established yoga practice.  Finding any class at all proved to be a challenge.  Classes were few and miles away and for…