Mid Island Tai Chi Club
TAI CHI CLASSES BY DONATION*
winter 2024/25 classes
No classes during holidays Dec 23 – Jan 5, 2025
Drop in to join our by donation classes such as Seated Tai Chi – Tuesday mornings – in Nanoose Place
NEW! Intro to Tai Chi class + Intensive Long Form Tai Chi class start January 2025 – Register with Nanaimo Parks & Rec as of Nov 20th
*All classes in Nanaimo, Nanoose Bay, and Cedar, are by donation except for classes organized through Nanaimo Parks and Recreation
Mid Island Tai Chi Club offers a variety of day time and evening Tai Chi classes for beginners and continuing students – with an emphasis on foundations of Tai Chi.
108 Move Tai Chi; Seated Tai Chi; Foundations of Tai Chi; Lok Hup; Hsing I
Tai Chi classes are held in seven community locations in Nanaimo, Cedar, and Nanoose Bay, in the unceded traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz’uminus, and Snaw-naw-as people.
The by donation class venues are Rotary Activity Centre (as of fall 2024), Wellington Hall, Church of Christ, Buttertubs Social Centre, Oliver Woods Community Centre, North Oyster Community Centre, and Nanoose Place.
Fee-based classes are at Beban Social Centre via Nanaimo Parks and Recreation.
CEDAR Location
GENTLE TAI CHI
Thursday afternoons 2:00 – 3:30pm / ongoing all year round
Standing and seated class. Suitable for everyone including those challenged by MS, Parkinson’s, mobility issues.
By donation class at
North Oyster Community Centre
JUST DROP IN TO REGISTER ON-SITE FOR BY-DONATION CLASSES, i.e.:
- Wed 6:45 – 8:15pm – Cont’g Tai Chi at Rotary Activity Centre (Pre-req: completed 108; 1-2 years practice)
- Thurs 6:45 – 8:15pm – Beginners, Cont’g Beginners, Cont’g Tai Chi at Oliver Woods (Everyone welcome!)
>> Note: There is also a continuing class in Nanoose Place, just 15 min from north Nanaimo – Foundations of Tai Chi, Thursdays 10:00 – 11:30am
FEE-BASED BEGINNER CLASSES
INTRODUCTION TO TAI CHI
– Wed 7:00 – 8:30pm –
Jan 8 – Feb 19, 2025
Course #132254, $56/7 classes
Mar 5 – Apr 16, 2025
Course #132255, $56/7 classes
INTENSIVE LONG FORM TAI CHI (108)
– Tues 7:00 – 8:30pm –
Jan 7 – April 29, 2025
Course #132256, $130/17 classes
Beban Social Centre
To participate in this fee-based class, register via Nanaimo Parks and Rec,
Tel: 250 756-5200
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NANOOSE BAY NEWSFLASH!
SEATED TAI CHI
NANOOSE PLACE (Committee Room)
Tues, 10:30 – 11:30am
Helpful for everybody, and especially students with health and mobility issues. While seated in class, students learn movements which help to increase circulation, as well as to improve joint mobility, and to stretch the tendons and ligaments.
FOUNDATIONS OF TAI CHI
NANOOSE PLACE
Thurs, 10 – 11:30am
Focuses on the building blocks that form the foundations of Tai Chi — including balance, coordination, flexibility, strength, and awareness. The emphasis is not the ‘Set,’ but rather the principles of movement. Suitable for those have completed 108 Tai Chi, as well as continuing beginner students.
BEGINNERS TAI CHI
NANOOSE PLACE
Thurs, 10 – 11:30am
As of November 7, 2024, students will learn moves 18 through 108 of the long form Tai Chi set, as well as continue to practice the principles and foundation of Tai Chi, to improve their balance, focus, and awareness.
ENERGY, VITALITY, BALANCE
Discover your potential through Tai Chi, a gentle yet profound martial arts and exercise method. Taught by experienced practitioners, Mid Island Tai Chi Club’s classes and workshops, in Nanaimo, Cedar, and Nanoose Bay, aim to promote all-encompassing wellness of the Body, Mind and Spirit — which derives from the definition of Tai Chi as the “Supreme Ultimate.”
WHY JOIN?
- Help reverse negative effects of stress
- Improve balance and concentration
- Promote energy and strength
- Cultivate relaxation through regular practice of Tai Chi (sometimes called a “moving meditation”)
- Connect with yourself and others
- Affordable — our classes in six locations are by-donation
- Get nuanced instruction in small to medium size classes
our approach to TAI CHI
Mid Island Tai Chi Club embraces the versatility of Tai Chi as an internal martial art, a system of exercise, and a method of personal development. We discuss and explore the energetic body, and support our students’ curiosity about internal systems, movement, and awareness.
We believe that the central principles of Tai Chi underlie all styles, and by teaching these principles and foundational exercises, we provide a solid base for future exploration. We are aware that “change” is the law of the universe, and the need to remain flexible, while being rooted in the body, is important.
For students who have plateaued in their Tai Chi practice or who are keen to advance their moving meditation practice, Mid Island Tai Chi Club also provides many opportunities for continued growth and refinement through nuanced quality instruction.
Our small to medium class sizes and structure allow for customized instruction in multiple locations covering Nanaimo, Cedar, and Nanoose Bay. Students also have a variety of class times (days and evenings) and instructors, with different styles of teaching, to choose from.
For those who are brand new to Tai Chi, there are options to register for the “Introduction to Tai Chi” class (first 17 moves/7 or 8 weeks) or the “Long Form Intensive Tai Chi” (complete 108 moves/20 weeks) classes at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo throughout the year. Registration is through Nanaimo Parks and Recreation at affordable fees. Following these classes, students are encouraged to continue their practice at any of our by donation classes.
The atmosphere at our classes is relaxed and comfortable, and inclusive. Members are also invited to participate in community activities including public Tai Chi demos, World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, Chinese New Year and year-end lunches, and club meetings.
Photo credits:
Water waves image by Gerd Altmann on Pixabay; Stacking stones image by Larissa Megale on Unsplash; Sunflower image by Mariya on Pixabay