The first 2 Essentials of Tai Chi refer to our posture. Dianne covers how being "suspended from the crown of the head" ties into the idea that our chest does not need to be "thrust out." Focusing on our bringing our breath to the back helps "raise the back" and give us strength and relaxation.

Posture is important and in Tai Chi, we learn that we are suspended from the crown of our head, allowing the rest of our body to fall naturally into alignment.

Dianne talks about the song of Tai Chi that is found in Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming's book, Tai Chi Chuan, Classical Yang Style, and how this song relates to the 6 Harmonies and the underlying principles of Tai Chi. NOTE: The sound issues resolve at about 13 minutes. We apologize for the technical pr...

The 6 Harmonies coordinate with and support the underlying principles of Tai Chi. Dianne introduces this classic Tai Chi idea and describes how you can enhance your practice and receive the true benefits of Tai Chi.

Your feet are the foundation of your movement. This episode covers how your feet are connected with the underlying principles of being Rooted and Grounded, Substantial/Insubstantial, Moving from the Dan Tian, Columns and Energy flow.

We do Tai Chi so that we can benefit from this wonderful form of exercise. In this episode, Dianne reviews some of the benefits of Tai Chi and how the underlying principles help us achieve them.

In this short episode, Dianne warms up with some movements and then does the form with you. With a focus on the components of Balance, we tested out our new equipment and everything went well.

Pick up a bar/stick and join us for this class which focuses on the position of your hands in the form.

Even though the movement "hold the ball" is a simple transition, it still has benefit for the flow of your form.

As you understand how the form is put together, you can apply the underlying principles and really start to relax as you do the form. This lesson helps you get the mechanics of the form so you will be able to regulate the body and begin to relax.

As a martial art, it is important to keep a sense of an opponent in Tai Chi. It is also a cognitive challenge to keep your brain focused on the intent and purpose of each movement. Learn a new form along with some martial arts applications of each movement.

Tai Chi is an excellent form of exercise for brain health. Working on a new form will challenge your brain and help you work on dual-tasking.

Even though Wave Hands is innately relaxing, we can still improve our flow by applying the underlying principles to this movement. Bonus: we look at the final few movements including the turn into Deflect, Intercept and Punch to help you understand how to shift your weight and feel better ending...

There are three movements in the form that use the Twist step. Learn how to do this step and then apply it to these movements to help the flow of the form.

The principles of Rooted and Grounded, Substantial/Insubstantial, Columns and Moving from the Dan Tian are all very important to executing the kicks in the Tai Chi short form. Learn how to apply these principles and start to enjoy kicking!

Dianne presents the Ward Off seqeunce as an important piece of understanding Tai chi movement.

Focusing on individual movements will help you with the flow of the form. This video focuses on how the underlying principles help you with Repulse the Monkey.

This is one of the most difficult movements in Tai Chi. Learn some exercises to help make this movement easier and learn how applying some of the underlying principles help you flow through this movement.

All of your Tai Chi form should feel like a "flow." Learn how the other principles help you with the continuous movement of the form and why you want to accomplish this flow.

The breathing that you use with Tai Chi should drive the benefit of relaxation. This class discusses how to focus on your breathing so you can optimize relaxation.

Tai Chi is a martial art. It is important to understand why you are doing what you are doing. It also helps you understand how and why the underlying principles interact and help you get the benefits of Tai Chi.

Rotation is a simple, but important principle in Tai Chi. Review some individual movements and learn how rotation helps with relaxation and power.

Learn how the principle of Rooted and Grounded starts with the idea of stability. Practice some movements and do the 24 short form.

Work on the principle of Substantial and Insubstantial with separate movements and then with the full Yang style 24 short form.