- CONTACT EMAIL: WINNIPEG@CANADIANTAICHIACADEMY.ORG
Canadian Tai Chi Academy FAQ
Footwear? Comfortable shoes, preferably with no or low heels, should be worn. Bare feet are okay on safe grassy areas but is not recommended for indoor tai chi.
Home Practice? Highly recommended next day after class. Practice what you learned in the previous class to help reinforce your learning and accentuate the health benefits of tai chi. There is Youtube support. Please ask instructors.
Class Cancellations? Only extreme weather conditions will cause a class cancellation. If the city buses are not running, we will cancel classes. You will be contacted if a cancellation is necessary. We rent space at church hall and sometimes they require the hall for their events like funerals. We will try and add on a class or extend one class to help make up for it.
Uniform? There is no uniform. Please wear comfortable loose-fitting pants and shirts. T-shirts with the CTCA Academy logo are frequently available for purchase. We prefer no skirts or dresses, but if you must, please wear appropriate shorts, thank you.
Frequency of Practice? ITCC is structured around a once per week curriculum with online support. Like any form of exercise regular home practice is encouraged. Lessons are reviewed at each class and there is Youtube support. Review is an important part of learning. There may be introduction classes at other locations that you might attend. Please speak with your instructor(s).
Area Rates
Introductory Tai Chi Course (ITCC)
Adults (64 & younger) $120
Seniors (65 & above) $90
Fixed Income – see paragraph below
ITTC runs about 4 months with once or twice per week classes and utilizes online support. Lots of repetition and review in class. After ITCC you are invited to join the Academy as a member and attend Foundations/Continuing Classes.
Membership Rates:
Membership entitles access to all classes, events, and Zoom classes, membership reductions when available.
Adults $40/month, $200/6Mos. And $400 Annual
Seniors (65 & older) $30/month, $150/6Mos. And $300 Annual
Fixed Incomes – see below
Fixed incomes? Your health is important. Please contact Location Leader, Cliff Yerex cliffyerex@gmail.com for a fee adjustment.
Locations: https://www.canadiantaichiacademy.org/location_mb_winnipeg.html
Adaptive Tai Chi? In a sense, all Tai Chi classes can be considered health recovery classes. Sitting Tai Chi Form classes are currently at Oakbank United Church Mondays 10:00am to 11:30am, at both beginner classes at Oakbank and at Manitoba Possible Saturdays 10:00 to 11:30am. Also, take a seat during any class, at any time, to rest and you may continue to do tai chi sitting and progress very well. Please check class Schedules at the main website
Class Locations Schedules Click Here
Breathing Techniques? The Canadian Tai Chi Academy highly recommends breathing, just kidding. Master Moy was a Chi Kung Master and focused on having the body breathe naturally as it was intended to do. Engaging the mind to focus on breathing can disrupt the natural flow of energy and was not recommended by Master Moy.
Chi Kung, Qi Gong or Nei Gong? Please note that Master Moy modified the Yang Style 108 move set to emphasize turning, stretching, rising and falling, expanding and contracting, borrowing principles from the internal martial arts and Chi Kung. Foundations/Continuing Classes introduce exercises that incorporate Chi Kung principles.
Benefits of Membership? Members can attend any Academy class in Canada. Please note that some special event classes are held as fund raisers with a nominal participation fee. The participation fee is published with the event poster. Some Zoom sessions available to members.
Rank or Belt System? There are no belts and all members have the same rank. Members that are new to Tai Chi will attend an Introduction to Tai Chi class before moving on to Foundations/Continuing Classes. Members who express an interest are invited to train to become instructors.
Certified Instructors? The training of instructors is a continuous process. One of the principle goals of the Canadian Tai Chi Academy is to provide training for members who are interested in learning and sharing with others their understanding of Tai Chi and related arts.
Events? Yes, Academy (CTCA) members can attend any class or special event but please note that some events may be fundraisers and some events may have a prerequisite of having learned the art.
Sparring? There is no sparring. Martial arts and the martial origin of moves may be referred to in order to improve or expand understanding.
Health Concerns? The first resource is your doctor. Your doctor can advise you based on your medical history. In general, if you can manage a brisk walk then you should be able to do the Tai Chi set. If you need to take a break to rest during the class, we encourage you to do so. If you have any other concerns please speak with your instructor and together you can find a way to adapt the Tai Chi to your needs. If you have significant pain, please inquire about the Sitting Tai Chi Programs available. The Sitting Tai Chi is designed to help you overcome mobility issues and injuries safely and without significant pain. It is included in your registration fee. Sitting Tai Chi can accelerate your introductory and Foundations learning and understanding of tai chi as the instructors use more advanced tai chi techniques.
Additional Instruction? Members are welcome to attend any of the ITTC classes. Courses usually run concurrently and will give you the additional instruction you seek. In general, personal/private instruction is not available. All instructors are willing to answer questions and provide assistance and feedback on request. The Introductory Tai Chi Course is structured as a group class. The Foundations/ Continuing Class is intended for both group and personalized instruction.
Correct Tai Chi? There is no incorrect tai chi. Your instructor will assist you in expanding your tai chi, making it a more productive tool to increase or regain your health. Your instructor provides group instruction but can work with you personally with feedback that will help you progress relative to your experience, age, flexibility and understanding. Causing significant pain is not good tai chi. Immediately stop and speak with your instructor.
Tai Chi For Stress? Stress is a common complaint for many people who are attracted to Tai Chi. The physical work of doing the Tai Chi movements simultaneously works on the mind and the emotions. Tai Chi is well known by the western medical community and is recommended for reducing stress. Movement alleviates tightness while strengthening the body.
After ITCC? Having completed the Introductory Tai Chi Course you are encouraged to attend Foundations/Continuing Classes. Attending more Introduction to Tai Chi classes is also an option. Foundations/Continuing Classes focus on building on the tai chi moves you already know for better health.
Foundations/Continuing Class Curriculum? Foundations/Continuing members receive instruction to reach a deeper understanding of the Tai Chi set including revisiting movements to discover additional details. Also, two jong exercises as well as three foundation exercises will be learned, if not already done: the don yu, the tor yu and the snake. Regular practice is generally more important than instruction as our body's require transformation to be able to reach a deeper understanding.
Trouble With Set Sequence? The goal of the Introductory Tai Chi class is to teach the 108 moves of the Tai Chi set. The expectation of the course is that the student will be able to complete the 108 moves surrounded by experienced members who know the set. There is no obligation for a new person to have memorized the entire sequence while taking the Introduction course. Becoming familiar with the moves to the point that you can do the sequence by yourself requires only repetition and some hints from your instructor. Generally, the more you do the set with the group, the more familiar you become with the sequence.
Observe a Class? You are welcome to come and observe a class. New students should look for an Introductory Tai Chi Course class. Students that already know the Tai Chi set should look for a Foundations/Continuing Tai Chi Class. It is recommended that you introduce yourself to the instructor so that your questions can be answered.
