Wei Family class, included in tuition
Tai Chi Chuan
Health on Monday and Wednesday, the fighting art on Friday.
The art
Tai Chi taught as a complete art: health first, then the fighting method
Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art practiced slowly. The slow form trains balance, breath, and the connected use of the whole body; the fast form and push hands train the same movements as fighting. Most schools teach only the first half. We teach both, on different nights, so every student can choose the door that fits.
Monday and Wednesday are the health classes: Tai Chi walking, chair Tai Chi for anyone who needs to sit, and the form taught for balance, joint health, and calm. Friday at 7:30 is Tai Chi for combat: applications, push hands, and the fighting use of the form.
Where it comes from
The Wei Family carries its own Tai Chi transmission alongside Xing Yi and Bagua, the three internal arts of Chinese boxing. Sifu Michael Johnson teaches the class with Barbara Thomas and Liberty Hoyer, both Wei Family disciples, assisting.
What it does for you
Tai Chi is the best-studied exercise for balance in adults over sixty. The walking drills are built for it.
Slow, aligned movement with no impact. Chair Tai Chi makes it available to anyone.
Breath, attention, and slow movement together. Students describe leaving class lighter than they arrived.
Friday's class is where the form becomes fighting. Push hands teaches sensitivity and root you cannot get any other way.
What a class looks like
Health nights: standing and breathing to settle, warm-up of the joints, Tai Chi walking, then the form taught in sections, with a chair option for every drill. Combat night: the same form at speed, applications with a partner, push hands rounds.
Your first visit
Loose clothes and flat shoes or bare feet. Tell the instructor about any joint or heart concern before class. Chair Tai Chi is available on health nights for anyone who wants it.
Questions before you come? Call 336-542-5920 or email support@traincloudforest.com.
Students in this class also train