What style of Taijiquan is taught at the Taoist Sanctuary?
The main curriculum is made up of Chen Family style Taijiquan, and Yang style classes are available. Chen style classes make up the bulk of the schedule, and all visiting Taijiquan teachers and masters teach Chen style.
Qi Gong classes include a variety of systems and exercises, including the Tao Tan Pai system, Dr. Xie Peiqi's Yin Fu Bagua system, Hua To's Frolics of the Five Animals, and Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang's standing post and silk reeling exercises.
What is the lineage of the Taijiquan teachers at the Taoist Sanctuary?
Bill and Allison Helm are 20th generation indoor disciplies of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang, the 19th generation Standard Bearer of the Chen family Taijiquan. Bill and Allison are also holders of the 5th Duan certification in the Chinese Wushu Association. The Chen family created Taijiquan, and the family has carried on the art as it was originally meant, teaching the full system with weapons and fighting applications. Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang visits San Diego yearly to work with Bill and Allison and to teach seminars to the general public. BIll and Allison also travel frequently to China to study with the Chen family. Grandmaster Chen Xiaoxing (CXW's brother) and Master Chen Bing (CXW's nephew) travel to San Diego periodically to teach seminars. Read more about the history of Chen Style Taijiquan here.
What is the progression of Taijiquan instruction?
Classes initially focus on relaxation, correct alignment of the joints, and understanding the basics of movement. The 38 form is taught over a 6-8 month period, allowing the student to grasp the basics while learning the choreography. Once the 38 form is learned, the student can start working with a partner to develop internal power skills. The student may also learn the Laojia Yi Lu or a weapon form at this point. Classes will begin to focus more on developing power, and the difficulty level of the class will increase. There is always something to learn, and students who have learned all of the forms taught still return to regular class to continue working on the higher levels of skill. Read more about the classes here.
Are there belts?
Traditional Taijiquan does not use the belt system. There are no formal levels other than the ones the students set for themselves. Practice is considered to be lifelong, and improvement is always possible.
Are there contracts?
The Taoist Sanctuary does not require a contract. Class fees are pre-paid on a monthly basis. At the end of the month, you may choose to stay or go, no strings attached. If you plan to miss more than 2 weeks of classes, your due date can be adjusted if you call and speak with someone prior to missing the classes.
What classes can I attend for the "member" monthly fee?
You can attend all regular Taijiquan classes that you qualify for, and any regular Qi Gong classes. Seminars taught by visiting masters and seminars offered outside the regular class hours are not included in the monthy fee.
What should I wear?
Comfortable loose clothing is best. Shoes are optional - one of the classrooms has a wood floor and one is carpeted. We have AC and heat, but we rarely use them. Layers are suggested in the colder months.
When can I start classes?
We have a semester based schedule, and we take new Taijiquan students for the first several weeks. At a certain point, it becomes too difficult to catch up, even with catch-up lessons provided by our teaching assistants. Check the main web page for the cutoff notices for the Taijiquan classes. Qi Gong classes are ongoing and can be started at any point in the semester.
How do I sign up?
Come to a class about 15 minutes before the starting time and check with the person at the front desk. You can try one Taijiquan class and one Qi Gong class for free, then if you wish to enroll, pay your monthly fee at the next class. We will ask you to sign a paper agreeing to your pay date (not a contract, simply a way to track the due dates), and this paper will also ask for your address, phone number, and information about any injuries or medical conditions. There is an injury waiver included.