ONLINE TaiJi (Tai chi) & QiGong classes
YANG STYLE 108 LONG FORM
(Note: "Taiji" is the same as "tai chi" - just different ways of spelling the same word.)
I offer these tai chi and qigong classes for the public as a community gift, without charge.
These classes qualify to meet continuinng education licensing requirements for massage therapists in Washington State, and some other states. See more details below.
taiji (tai chi) & QIGONG class description & schedule
QIGONG CLASS:
Sunday mornings, 8:00-9:00 am (Pacific time)
Wednesday evenings, 5:30-6:30 pm (Pacific time)
all are welcome: No experience required
CLASS FOCUS: Qigong movements - these simple, repetitive movements enhance flexibility, strength, and general presence in our bodies. Qigong moves are foundational to tai chi, like the alphabet is foundational to reading and writing. Practicing qigong exercises prepare us to do tai chi as well as other everyday movements, like walking.
DATES & TIMES: (Pacific times)
- Sunday mornings: 8:00-9:00 am (60 minutes)
- Wednesday evenings: 5:30-6:30 pm (60 minutes)
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
~ All are welcome. Anyone who wishes cann attend; new and experienced people will both benefit
HOW TO JOIN THE SUNDAY CLASS: click on this link.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEDNESDAY CLASS: click on this link.
TO RECEIVE EMAIL WITH CLASS LINKS: Send me your name and email address. Request me to send you emails reminding you of upcoming qigong classes. Click here to go to my contact-me page.
bEGINNER LEVEL TAIJI (tAI CHI) CLASS ~ Section 1
Monday-Friday
9:00-9:55 aM (Pacific time)
All are Welcome: no Experience required
CLASS FOCUS: Yang style 108 move long form, Section 1 (first set only)
DATES & TIME: every weekday (Mon-Fri), 9:00-10:00 am (60 minutes) (Pacific time)
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
~ Anyone new to tai chi, or new to this form
~ Anyone wishing additional work on section 1
HOW TO JOIN THE CLASS: click on this link.
TO RECEIVE EMAIL WITH CLASS LINKS: Send me your name and email address. Click here to go to my contact-me page.
aDVANCED BEGINNER lEVEL TAIJI (TAI CHI) CLASS ~ Section 1 & 2
Monday - Friday, 10:10-11:00 AM (Pacific time)
All who are Already very familiar with first Set are Welcome
CLASS FOCUS: Yang style 108 move long form, Section 1 & 2, primarily second section
DATES: every weekday (Mon-Fri)
TIME: 10:10-11:00 am (50 minutes) (Pacific time)
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
~ Folks who attend my 9:00 online beginner class and are ready to begin learning the 2nd section
~ Folks who are familiar with 2nd section and wanting to practice/improve
HOW TO JOIN THE CLASS: click on this link.
TO RECEIVE EMAIL WITH CLASS LINKS: Send me your name and email address. Click here to go to my contact-me page.
iNTERMEDIATE LEVEL TAIJI (TAI CHI) CLASS ~ Section 1, 2 & 3
Monday - Friday, 7:30-8:45 aM (Pacific time)
All Who Are Already Very Familiar With First & second Sets Are Welcome
CLASS FOCUS: Yang style 108 move long form, Sections 1, 2 & 3 with attention to sets 2 & 3
DATES & TIME: every weekday (Mon-Fri) , 7:30-8:45 am (75 minutes) (Pacific time)
INTENDED AUDIENCE:
~ Anyone familiar with and experienced doing the full form.
~ Anyone proficient with the 1st and 2nd sets of the form and ready to learn the 3rd set.
~ Students in my advanced beginner class who feel solid with the first set and first part of the second set may join the Intermediate class after discussing this with me.
HOW TO JOIN THE CLASS: click on this link.
TO RECEIVE EMAIL WITH CLASS LINKS: Send me your name and email address. Click here to go to my contact-me page.
MASSAGE ContInUING education CREDIT
WASHINGTON STATE:
These classes meet Washington State massage license renewal requirements for up to 12 hours of CE credit.
To earn 4-20 CE credits within one calendar year for participation in these classes, please inform me in advance of your intent to do so by sending me a message via my contact me webpage, or by emailing me. After you have completed 4-12 hours of class and emailed me a request for a certificate of completion, I will send you the certificate.
- WA state CE requirements: (WAC 246-830-475)
OTHER STATES:
These tai chi and qigong classes meet CE requirements in some other states. Please check the laws to determine the details of CE requirements in other states.
NCBTMB:
These classes do NOT satisfy CE requirements for NCBTMB.
PRACTICE VIDEOS
In this 5-6 minute YouTube video I demonstrate the first section of the Yang style slow set. This is the section of the form taught in the beginners class.
(At the end of the video, YouTube brings up thumbnails of other videos. There is currently no way to turn this "feature" off.)
CLICK HERE to watch a three and a half minute YouTube video of Master Alex Dong, my taiji master pictured here, demonstrating the first set of Yang style slow set. This is the Taiji form you will learn in these classes.
Visit Master Alex's website store to purchase videos of him demonstrating the entire Yang style slow set, and also the Fundamental QiGong exercises done in my classes. He sells other Taiji videos and books as well.
In this 6-7 minute YouTube video I explain, demonstrate and teach how to do the salute with which we begin and end class.
(At the end of the video, YouTube may bring up thumbnails of other videos. There is currently no way to turn this "feature" off.)
disclaimer
While extolling the benefits of Tai Chi, please be apprised that there is not any implied, or guaranteed measure of success.
You acknowledge by your continued use of this site and programs that you understand the inherent risks of physical activity and indemnify me, Barbara Helynn Robles, and my businness, Awareness Massage, of any personal injury.
about the teacher: barbara helynn Robles
Barbara Helynn Robles was introduced to taiji and qigong in 2016 and immediately began daily practice, attending 10-15 hours of class each week and attending intensive workshops. That schedule has increased over the years. She is an approved teacher with the Alex Dong International Taijiquan Association.
In teaching qigong and tai chi, Barbara Helynn focuses on helping participants nurture and maintain health. An experienced movement coach and teacher, she gives specific suggestions to help participants develop more presence and awareness in our bodies so that we can move more easily and smoothly and we can develop both internal and external balance and strength. Regular tai chi and qigong practice can support all physical activities of daily living, and can also enhance our confidence, calmness, and pleasure of being alive. Barbara Helynn is committed to helping us all love and enjoy our bodies and our lives, just the way we are.
Although Barbara Helynn occasionally refers to the martial applications of the tai chi moves, this is not her area of expertise, nor her focus in teaching.
Barbara Helynn has been a licensed massage therapist since 1996, and a teacher of massage continuing education classes since about 2005. She has danced hula for over 20 years, West African dance for 10 years, and practiced Pilates for over 10 years. These combined experiences have given her an embodied understanding of human form, movement and the marvelous connections and interactions between body, mind and spirit, and laid a strong foundation for her tai chi practice and teaching.
CLASSES OFFERED AS COMMUNITY SERVICE
I offer my services and time free of charge. I do this willingly, without any thought of remuneration, profit, or gain.
using zoom, an online meeting application
Zoom is a system that allows multiple people to see each other and talk to each other online. I have found it easy to use.
USING ZOOM FOR THE FIRST TIME:
Before joining a Zoom meeting on a computer or mobile device, you will need to download the Zoom app. This can be done one of two ways:
1) From the Zoom download center. (https://zoom.us/download)
2) If you don't download the Zoom app ahead of time, you will be prompted to download and install Zoom when you click a link you've been provided to join a meeting. After clicking download, you will click “run”, then follow download instructions.
Find more information here: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting
Close Other Windows on your computer to prevent interference.
Turn off Your Cellphone. It's bothersome when they ring in the middle of class.
Pin speaker's video. When attending a zoom class, I often "pin" the teacher's image on the screen. This allows me to view the teacher as the main image, and prevents the screen from moving to focus on other participants. To pin a video, after signing into a meeting, click on the 3 dots in the upper right corner of the speaker image, then click on "pin video".
Adjust The Screen Position to see your full body: For doing taiji on Zoom, I raise my computer higher than usual, then tilt the screen forward. This allows me to stand 8-10 feet away from my computer and the camera records my full body. The screen angle which is good for showing a close up of your face as you sit in front of the computer is different than the screen angle which is good for showing your full body at a distance of 8-10' from the computer.
