Seated Tai Chi, the Five Elements Form, Exercise for Posture, Graceful Movement.

As an Exercise Tai Chi is gaining popularity because its graceful movements encourage coordination, mobility and balance. The slow deliberate movements require mental and physical acuity which improves posture and confidence. Due to the memorization of the form, Tai Chi can improve motor memory skills. Different from most exercise programs, Tai Chi emphasizes movements that are never forced, that move with a relaxed musculature, and that do not overly stretch connective tissues while increasing joint mobility. Tai Chi purposely fosters a grace and ease within one’s movement.

Class Description:
In this class we learn The Five Elements Form (5E) of Tai Chi. It is a modern, short, balancing form which encapsulates the Elements of the Universe into a short repetitive movement poem. This form and its gentle accessible movements is offered as a seated or a standing practice.  In both formats learners will memorize the form and be able to practice it on both sides of the body.

The physicality of the seated practice brings focus to the mobility of the spine, upper body coordination and core strength. Learners need to be positioned for their full range of motion and be cautious to hard surfaces of chairs used in a seated class. 

The Five Elements Form follows a brief narrative 
Water Out - Fire In - Wood Out - Across the Horizon - Metal Falls - Earth Grows –Embrace the Tiger - Gather the Elements – Return to Mountain

Learners need approximately 8 lessons to memorize The Five Elements Form so classes are presented in a format of 8. However, Learners are welcome to continue with classes indefinitely or join at anytime. 


Class format:
Group welcome 
Warm up, 
Review and practice of 5E
Exercise Highlights
Group Practice of 5E 
Cool down
Group goodbye 

Exercise Highlights: 
These portions of the class focus on postural cues, basic age-appropriate anatomy and developmental movement patterns. These portions of class are often dynamic utilizing various movement qualities with some challenge to motor skills. 

Parents: 
Do note that parents or Movement Partners (MP) are welcome. MPs should be prepared to participate both as a learner and as an MP.
Help prepare your learner for the best outcome by attending to the safety of the class space. 

In a standing class, learners need to be able to move with arms out spread in a full circle and be able to take 3 steps in all directions, approximately a 6’ x 6’. Be sure the viewing screen is as level to the learner’s head as possible. 

In a seated class, it is important that there are no hard surfaces of the chair that can accidentally be bumped into (example, when moving the arms it is easy to hit the elbows on the arms of a chair.) Be sure the viewing screen is as level to the learner’s head as possible. 

I hope to see you soon
Teacher Rie