Wake Up or Cool Down Qigong Exercise Video

Here is a short video (approx. 10 min.) of self-massage Qigong exercises that we use as a cool down after every Tai Chi Class.  These exercises are an excellent way to help you wake up in the morning and to make you feel energized as you start your day.  They are also excellent cool down exercises after any workout (running, martial arts, weight lifting, etc) to relax the body and increase circulation to the muscles and joints.  These types of self-massage techniques can help your body repair faster after workouts, which means less down time and a healthier body.  Most of these exercises are very silly looking, but once you feel the difference they make, you probably will not care about their silly appearance.  Enjoy!

Names of Postures in the Yang Tai Chi 24 Form.

I have been asked by several students to post the names of the movements for the Yang Tai Chi 24 Form so I am listing them here for those of you who have been wanting this list.  I have also posted this list, as well as the list of movements in the Yang Style Traditional Long Form on the "Chinese Terminology for Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Chinese Martial Arts" page of this site.  I hope you all find this helpful.

1. Beginning
2. Parting Wild Horse's Mane: 3x
3. White Crane Spreads Its Wings
4. Brush Knee and Push: 3x
5. Playing the Lute
6. Step Back and Repulse the Monkey
7. Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Ward off, Rollback, Press, Push): Left
8. Grasp Sparrow's Tail (Ward off, Rollback, Press, Push): Right
9. Single Whip
10. Wave Hands Like Clouds
11. Single Whip
12. High Pat on The Horse
13. Right Heel Kick
14. Twin Fists Strike Opponent's Ears
15. Left Heel Kick
16. Snake Creeps Down Left and Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg Right
17. Snake Creeps Down Right and Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg Left
18. Fair maiden Weaves with Shuttles: Left and Right
19. Needle and Sea Bottom
20. Fan Through the Back
21. Turn Body, Parry, Punch
22. Seal Tight (Apparent Close Up)
23. Cross Hands
24. Close Form

No Class on the 4th

This is just a reminder that there will be no morning Tai Chi class at New York Fitness on Thursday, July 4th 2013.  This class will proceed as usual starting Tuesday, July 9, 2013.  We will miss seeing you all in class and we hope you all have a safe, fun-filled 4th!

Happy 4th of July!