Taiji For Balance Level 1

proprioception (knowing where we are in space and moving safely in that space), interoception (our sense of what is happening within us), exteroception (knowing what is happening outside of us), nociception (discerning harmful stimuli), equilibrioception (sense of balance),  posture, but also to reduce fear and anxiety. 

Balance is not just a physical function. When the brain is occupied with swirling thoughts, or when we are in a highly emotional situation, there is little room for quiet awareness. These distractions not only challenge our physical balance, but our emotional and mental balance.

Taiji For Balance develops that quiet awareness while creating physical balance in the body.

The eight movements are as follows:

1. Strike Palm - Builds Gait and proprioception
2. Grasp Bird's Tail - Builds awareness of moving from the center; keeping the eyes trained while the body continues moving
3. Single Whip - focuses on anchoring the body, moving from the core and turning the head with the hand movement
4. Wave Hands Like Clouds - challenging stepwork while the eyes look in one direction, the hands shift, the foot steps out in an opposite direction: great for proprioception, equilibrioception and building neuropathways!
5. High Pat On Horse - Eases the mind, creates a focus of stillness and reminds us of where center equilibrium lives (Zhong Ding)
6. Cross Wave of Water Lily - builds balance by challenging weight shift and centering the body over one foot
7. Bend Bow to Shoot Tiger - challenges awareness of moving from the center of the body, using the strength of the pelvis and guiding the mind to focus
8. Grand Terminus - eases the mind, emotions, breathing, settling everything back to stillness.

Warmups
You'll be taught a set of warmups that is geared to this demographic that includes:

1. Massage - massaging is a vital practice, especially for those who have arthritis and stiff connective (fascial) tissue. Massage includes specific acupressure points as well as brushing the skin to build proprioception and qi flow.

2. Joints - moving every joint builds neuropathways so we work to maintain the range of motion and possibly increase it

3. Multijoints - these exercises also build proprioception by challenging movement in different joints at the same time

Meditation

You will be led in a practice of  how to lead your clients through guided imagery meditation that reduces anxiety, settles the chattering mind and brings simplicity back.

Meditation is a vital part of taiji. Without the practice of quieting the mind, balance will always be fleeting.

This course will give you several meditations from which to choose for your classes. But you are encouraged to build your own practice so that leading others is fluid and easy due to your own knowledge base and understanding of the benefits of meditation due to practicing it yourself.

Cool Downs

As a vital part of every practice session or class, cool downs are necessary to prevent stiffness in joints and muscles, but also to bring another space for quiet movement after using the brain and body in learning the taiji postures.

Cool downs are not only important for the physical body, but are vital for settling the mind, easing the emotions and bringing the body into rest and digest - or activating the parasympathetic nervous system.

Learning To Teach

You will learn these movements, but you will also learn HOW to teach them to this demographic. Leaving perfectionism behind you will explore observation, noticing, and building awareness. And letting go of harsh judgment, analysis, and evaluation. And you'll build the ability to observe, notice, and witness your students with love and compassion.

That is the gift of taiji. 

Finally...you will be given tools to understand your client base

Assessments

You will also learn how to assess where your students will be placed: seated or standing.

Through Timed Up and Go and Functional Reach tests, you'll be able to know where your students should safely be placed.

These assessments also give students a baseline of comparison to see how their practice of taiji has helped them along the way. As you retest them, they'll see their achievements!

This is an empowering practice. When you show each person in your class how they've shifted since the beginning, you can also give them the satisfaction and empowerment that they did it!

They listened. They tried the class. They practiced. They achieved the results.

This builds empowerment for your students and when they feel they've done this, they're going to feel empowered to do other things. 

Here is the schedule for Winter 2023 Taiji For Balance Teacher Training.

In-person sessions:

Day and Time:
Mondays 1-4 pm

Dates:
November 27
December 4
December 11
December 18

All in-person sessions will be held:
Columbus Veterans Administration Center 
420 N James Rd, Columbus, OH 43219

Each student must have a computer and online access to complete the virtual portion of this class. All coursework and exams will be online.

Cost of the entire program including all online access and in person classes is currently $379.00.

To register for this training opportunity, click on the link below.