Taiji For Balance: Level 2 Teacher Training

In this training you will receive:

1. Review the First 8 Movements

• Strike Palm - Builds gait and proprioception
• Grasp Bird's Tail - Builds awareness of moving from the center; keeping the eyes trained while the body continues moving
• Single Whip - focuses on anchoring the body, moving from the core, and turning the head with the hand movement
• Wave Hands Like Clouds - challenging step work while the eyes look in one direction, the hands shift, one foot steps out in an opposite direction: great for proprioception, equilibrioception, and building neuropathways
• High Pat On Horse - Eases the mind, creates a focus of stillness, and reminds us of where center equilibrium lives (Zhong Ding)
• Cross Wave of Water Lily - builds balance by challenging weight shift and centering the body over one foot
• 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
• Grand Terminus - eases the mind, emotions, breathing, settling everything back to stillness

2. Learn Supportive Classroom Practices like Taiji Walking and Lateral Walking
3. Eight New Movements - Seated and Standing

• Brush Knee Twist Step - Ease into stepping backward
• Punch Under Elbow - Moving from the center
• Wave Hands Like Clouds Reverse - Challenging step work mirroring the first version of this really fires neurons, building brain/body connections
• High Pat On Horse - A lovely familiar movement that creates ease and centering
• Repulse Monkey - More backward stepping, encouraging trust, focus, and neuroplasticity
• Slanting flight - Building awareness of the centerline, shifting of weight and balance between the feet
• Left and Right Hand Raise - The most challenging posture encouraging a lower stance, enhances brain patterning, improves greater body awareness and coordination, increases spatial awareness, enhances balance, improves left/right coordination
• Fan Through The Arms - increases awareness of laterality (or both sides of the body), enhances breathing, builds awareness of core strength and control

New! Online Video Access 24/7

In addition to the live training, you will have full access to all Level 2 videos

4. Access To Practice Videos- you'll have access to all of the video movements prior to taking the training so you will feel prepared for the training
5. Access To Videos and Exercises:

• Warm-Ups
• Wuji Posture
• Qua Movement
• Meditations

Warmups
We will review our standard warm-ups for class:

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 taught the importance of mindfulness through meditation and 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.

 Cool Downs

As a vital part of every practice session or class, you'll learn the importance of cool downs to the physical body - as well as the spirit. 

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. Leaving perfectionism behind you will explore observation, noticing, building awareness, and letting go of harsh judgment, analysis, and evaluation. You'll build the ability to observe, notice, and witness your students with love and compassion.

That is the gift of taiji. 

*PREREQUISITE:

1. You must have taken Taiji For Balance Level 1 and received certification to take this course.