Sun Style Tai Chi
with Jerry Henderson, and Elizabeth Arms, Certified Instructors
Sun Style Tai Chi is one of the youngest of the styles of Tai Chi, created by Sun Lu Tang, it is known for having a higher stance and upright posture with agile stepping. It has a pronounced Open/Close double posture and unweighted simple follow step differentiating it visually from other styles.
All styles of Tai Chi have basic principles in common: Movements are slow, smooth and continuous, made with the feeling of gentle resistance. Transferring weight from foot to foot is done with awareness and the forms are performed maintaining an upright posture and consistent height. The mind body connection is a primary focus being aware of movements and being in the moment. Keeping the joints soft, loose and open helps move the energy around the body and allows proper lubrication and continued movement. Always stay within your comfort zone, if something hurts, let us know.
We use Qigong exercises to warm up, learn forms, study movements and how our body feels. Qigong is using the mind through the breath to move the body in ways that assist in distributing the energy Qi or Chi around the body. This helps to support the health of all the tissues. While some are general, some forms are specific to organs or joints. Qigong may be practiced with repeated movements or externally motionless. Tai Chi is a set of Qigong moves strung together.
Some of our Tai Chi and Qigong will be seated, you are invited to sit at any time during the class to take a break, watch, or do the moves in a sitting position for which you will receive guidance.
While some styles of Tai Chi may ask for very specific forms or postures, Fall Prevention Sun Style Tai Chi is designed to demonstrate standard postures that can be modified to meet individual needs. It is okay if there is some limitation or pain that keeps your movement from being performed exactly like being demonstrated, stop before the pain, just imagine the movement to its fullest and you will receive the same benefit. Tai Chi is a slow process, the movement, the learning, the application all take patience, presence and practice. Be gentle with yourself and others as we learn together.
You can contact us anytime Jerry at 802-598-1830, Jerry@skyrivertaichi.com or Elizabeth at 802-735-5467, elizabetharms56@gmail.com with questions or concerns. Also our website at SkyRiverTaiChi.com has information about classes and notes to students.
Age Well is the sponsoring organization for Addison County at 800-642-5119