Tai Chi Chuan
is known for its many health benefits for both
body and mind
and promotes an overall sense of well-being, vitality and inner calm. Tai Chi's gentle flowing movements encourage the body to let go of any stress or tensions: flexibility improves, blood circulates more freely and the mind and spirit become clear and full.
Andreas Asmus has until recently been instructing at a
local Tai Chi school in Berkeley
with great success. His experience in ballroom dancing and passion for Tai Chi give him a special capacity to teach the preciseness and beauty of movement and at the same time to transfer the experience of flow and a feeling of connectedness of body and mind to his students.
Classes are taught in an open, friendly and supportive atmosphere with special attention given to learning the underlying
principles of Tai Chi Chuan
through a systematic approach to stance, posture and forms training while also giving insights into martial arts applications. This gives students a very effective and strong foundation for their Tai Chi practice and translates into a rich, rewarding and in-depth experience of the art after only a short period of time.
The integration of Tai Chi forms and Chi Kung (Qi Gong) exercises into the class schedule helps students appreciate and experience the meditative aspects of Tai Chi Chuan very early in their practice.
Our curriculum starts with learning the
basic Tai Chi postures and moves
and gradually progresses to more advanced
hand and weapon forms.
Each student is encouraged to learn at his or her own comfortable pace, fitness level or ability to further the benefits and enjoyment of this powerful and beautiful centuries-old martial art.
“To be able under all circumstances
to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue;
these five things are gravity, generosity of soul,
sincerity, earnestness and kindness.”
- Confucius
* TaiChiChuanBerkeley's logo: Dragons in Chinese culture have a positive connotation and represent power, excellence, and striving for goals and high values, as well as being a benevolent force which radiates goodwill, good luck, and blessings. The color red is associated with luck and happiness.
Tai Chi Curriculum
Hand Forms • 24 Form • 8 Form
• 16 Form
• 40 Form • 108
FormWeapon Forms
• 32 Tai Chi Straight Sword • Tai Chi Fan
Tai Chi Class Schedule
Tai Chi classes begin with a series of Chi
Kung
exercises (The
8 Brocade) which is one of the oldest exercise systems in the world
and promotes the
free circulation of Chi (“Life Energy”) throughout the body. Standing meditation, stretching, light cardio workouts and sensitivity training
are also part of the class schedule.
Afterwards
stance & forms training
begins with instruction tailored to each individual student or experience level. At the end of each class a form is practiced and experienced as a unified, harmonious group.
Private instruction can also be arranged as needed.
Class timesMondays: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Thursdays: 5:30pm – 6:30pm
No class on THU 11/27/08.
All skill, experience and fitness levels welcome. Join a class at any time. Comfortable, loose fitting clothes and flat/flexible sole shoes (and a smile!) are recommended.Tuition
Single class: $13
First class is FREE to new students.
Location
THE BEAT
Eddie Brown Center for the Arts
2560 9th Street, #119 •
Berkeley, CA 94710
510.548.5348
Easy access from East Bay locations: Oakland, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Alameda, Piedmont and other San Francisco Bay Area cities.
Only a few steps away from the studio you'll find the Westside Bakery Café and the NOLO Bookshop. Ample parking is available directly in front of the building.
Questions/Inquiries about the Tai Chi Program
Please contact Andreas Asmus at 510.849.0892 or
asmusa@pacbell.net

