Internet-based Lessons |
Chen
Family style Tai Chi Chuan - beginners |
Tools - Tai Chi
ruler |
Here are links to
3 short YouTube videos of the first tai chi ruler exercise. In
class you would expect |
a teacher to walk around and correct postures. Then he or she
will make a second pass and, in the |
beginning, he or she will lightly hold the center bead and guide
you. The idea is get the diameter |
(about 8 inches for most people) of the circle that you are
rolling the tai chi ruler around right for |
you. Remember - relax the shoulders and the elbows. Just enough
inward force from each wrist |
and hand to keep the ruler in place. For now, the fingers are on
vacation. You want to do 8 circles |
per minute. As you can see in the videos, start by going downward
and out - from 3:00 to 6:00 on |
an imaginary clock. YouTube links:
https://youtu.be/XD8o3EMwNyk
(front view) |
https://youtu.be/JufQ4CqisPs (side view -
note my hand is moved so you can see the ruler) |
https://youtu.be/QKCxKUF3ocs
(fancy ruler made by Larry Robinson; in formal silks with Pi
Sha) |
Work on smooth, slow circles first. Then we will add shifting
weight, breathing and rotating the ruler |
If you need or want to visualize check out the link to some
geometry. A special treat at the end |