Kindergarden Taiji

http://www.littleriverkungfu.com/articles/children.html

Pre-Taiji Course for Kids



Introduction to philosophical concepts and Chinese terms
Yin Yang (Taoist principle similar to Western dialectics)
("Opposites like - Up/down, left/right, male/female, in/out ...")
Ch'i (energy which can be cultivated)
("Seeds turn to plants when nurtured by soil, water and sun.")
Shen (spirit)
("How you feel after winter's first snowfall ...")
Jing (innate, finite energy)
("Jenny is a good jumper and Jimmy runs fastest.")



Chinese meditation for health and energy (Chi Kung)
breathing practices
Buddhist breath
("Inhale - push tummy out, exhale - squeeze tummy in.")
movements form Taiji form coordinated with breath
calms and focuses the mind

Introduction to physical exercises
warm-ups, stretches, joint rotations
use of imagery ("Your head is hanging from a string from above.")
shapes, alphabet ("Make a 'V' with your feet.")
Stance training
leg strengthening and coordination
sinking weight, finding root and center
("Your leg is like a tree, with roots that grow to the center
of the earth.")
jumps and turns, landing silently



Introduction to Tai Chi principles
slow, synchronized movement that radiates from the waist (dantien)
connects the mind and body, generates awareness and control
light stepping ("Jump and shhhhhh...")
generates control
relaxation
reduces stress, produces calmness


Turtle Races
move across room in a group
"Slow, Big and Quiet" are the commands
the last one there wins
repeat going backwards


Push hands solo exercises ("Rock and Roll")
rocking - stepping forward, shifting back
develops spatial awareness
develops ability to advance with a firm root in back
rolling side to side
develops spatial awareness
develops ability to roll with force by turning the waist
teaches how to stay relaxed by using whole body coordination, not stiff arms




Push hands with partners
develops sensitivity to others while maintaining one's own center
("Stiffness is not strength.")
spatial awareness
move harmoniously, not competitively ("Feel your partner's energy.")
further integrates mind and body


Taiji Field Games
Follow the leader
partners touch lightly (as if holding a piece of tissue paper in between the wrists) on backs of each other's‚ wrists (both rights or both lefts)
leader initiates movements, from slow to fast, up and down, etc., then switch hands, then switch roles.
follower must stick and follow
develops awareness of ones own movements in space while feeling partner's energy
develops correct Taiji body frame
moving from the ground up with relaxed, but firm arm position


Sword fingers
"A" points fingers towards "B's" chest and walks straight in, certerline
"B" backs up with fingers up on outside of "A's" palm after a few steps back, "B" turns, rotating waist
the fingers roll off the chest
"B" must attack as "A" steps back
switch hands after a good while
partners may build up to running
teaches rotating to deflect force
teaches changing from offense to defense, and vice-versa


Group Meditations
group forms circle and touches palms lightly
teacher initiates movement, by looking towards and lightly pressing adjoining person's hand to send energy around whole circle
teacher announces when energy arrives, then without looking, sends it by pressing the other side, other direction
same exercise with eyes closed
same exercise without touching, palms on dantiens, just feel the energy circulate
remain standing for meditation session
kids feel their own energy centers
stimulation from controlled group interaction
kids feel calm and stable