The best way to see if T'ai Chi is for you is to visit us and
try it out! Free introductory sessions are offered in many locations. Included is a demonstration, a short
lecture on T'ai Chi, and a lesson teaching you the opening movements. For
further information contact a teaching
location near you or checkout our class schedules.
The 37-posture Yang Style Short Form takes about 30-35 hours to learn and is
taught in three separate ten-hour sections called: B1, B2 and B3.
Classes normally meet for one hour once a week although weekend intensive
trainings are also offered. The moves of the form are thoroughly explained and
practiced. Daily practice is recommended.
B1 - the First Third
In the first 10 classes you learn the moves of the First Third and the basic principles of the form. Relaxation is
the key. The First Third
is actually a complete form unto itself. Repeat it as often as you like or
proceed with B2 and B3. (10 hours)
B2 and B3
The remaining 20 classes complete the teaching of the basic form. Each
session picks up
where the previous one left off—with a
complete review of the previous class followed by new material. You will discover changes in your body
and mind. (each is 10 hours)
We offer a complete curriculum for continuing study. Emphasis is on the principles of relaxed movement
which are essential to progress.
Fundamentals - F1, F2 and F3
In this course, we work to embody the Form at a deeper level.
As in any art, there are fundamental elements that provide a foundation on which
one's practice may grow and flourish. In Fundamentals, we focus on these
elements in each posture and examine how each posture or transition works our
balance, our relaxation, and our awareness. (total 30 hours)
Push Hands 1
In this course we introduce the work with a partner.
Despite the connotation, "push hands" is taught in a non-confrontational way,
focusing on our own stability, balance and ability to interact with each other
in harmony. (20 hours)
Intermediate Form
In this course, we progress to a deeper and more internal understanding and
practice of the form. New concepts are introduced that enable us to integrate
our form and push hands practice as one body of knowledge. (20 hours)
Push Hands 2
This course is a continuation of Push Hands 1 with the
introduction of a two-hand sequence and the
principle of yielding. In this course we establish a clear
understanding and embodiment of push hands practice, refining our technique,
sensitivity and our awareness in relation to others. (30 hours)
Push Hands 3
In this advanced course we focus on both the form and push hands using
various techniques to increase our awareness and
release tension from specific parts of the body. (30 hours)
Intermediate Form Corrections
In this course we also use our study of the form combined with our study of push hands. The
insights we've gained in Push Hands 3 are used to further refine our
intermediate form practice. (20 hours)
Eight Wayssm
Eight movements from the T'ai Chi form were distilled by Professor Cheng
into exercises that are easy to learn and fun to practice. The Eight Ways
provides all the health benefits of the full form. You will often find this
course offered at our Summer Vacations. The course is especially good for
those whose health does not allow them to doing the full form.
Traditional Hawaiian Swimmingsm
Offered during our Summer Vacations, this swimming technique used by
Hawaiian warriors from the Huna tradition uses the T'ai Chi principles of timing,
balance and relaxation.
Time in the Artsm
These sessions offer an in-depth exploration of any of the many aspects
of T'ai Chi. The course content is chosen by the individual teacher in order to
meet the needs of a specific class of students.
The Arica School is a cornerstone of our
T'ai Chi School. Arica trainings are offered at many of our
teaching locations, at our
summer vacations,
as well as through Arica School sponsors around the world. Its essence
permeates our work.
The following Arica trainings are often offered during our summer vacations.
Please view
the Arica page for a more complete list of
trainings:
Arica Daily Routinesm
The basic unit of work of the Arica School is this everyday routine
of exercise and meditation, which, when maintained as the groundwork
for our spiritual life, provides immediate short-term benefits,
becoming an extraordinarily well-tuned practice for achieving mystical
transcendence. Divided simply into morning and evening routines,
it is very easy to follow, and by continuing regularly, there is an
enormous spiritual strength that develops. This practical format directs
our life towards the aim of achieving enlightenment for the benefit of all.
Thus the Arica Daily Routine provides what is necessary for transforming
our daily life energy into alive spiritual energy.
Psychocalisthenics®
A sequence of twenty-three movement and breathing exercises which activates the
flow of vital energy through all muscle groups, organs, glands, and tissue.
Psychocalisthenics is part of the Arica Daily Routine and some Arica trainings.
Psychocalisthenics is easy to learn and can be completed in sixteen minutes. It
is taught in a one-day group training.
Velocity Meditationssm and Velocity Initiationsm
This is a two-and-a half hour long practice, producing with certitude the
State of Pristine Sudden Enlightenment. The degrees of the Lights are
actually experienced, making permanent and crystallizing the State of
Pristine Enlightenment. The Clear Light or the Diamond Light is discovered
as a series of colors, as experienced in the Velocity Initiation with the
Universe yantra. The awareness of the Immortal Soul becomes Immovable and
Perfect. The experience of unity with the heart of all humanity, past,
present and future, becomes a constant companion, which is the source of the
most precious moral and virtuous Ethos. There is a profound sense of perfect
peace of mind and happiness of heart that arises from the Pure State of
Bliss from the fountainhead of our immortal Soul. The achievement of real
Mystical States and True Reality in its actuality and transcendentality is
perfectly attained.
Chua Kasm
Chua Ka is a form of deep bodywork, either a self-massage or one given by a
masseur, evolving the body to its highest degree of sensitivity and awareness.
Our life experiences create networks of muscular tension (pain) that we
remember as fears. Working the tissues with precise hand and finger
positions and a stick called a ka, we transmit energy (Chi) to the bone,
removing the tension. When we release physical tension, we release psychic
tension. A one-day self-massage group training. If you are interested in
experiencing a Chua Ka massage, practitioner's names are available from
Arica Institute.
The Arica School
founded by Oscar Ichazo
Our school was founded by Patrick Watson who was given permission to
teach by Professor Cheng Man-Ch'eng, who "ordered" Patrick to train teachers
(see interview). Shortly after Professor Cheng's death,
Patrick was also asked by Oscar Ichazo, the founder of Arica Institute, to open a
T'ai Chi school.
The School of T'ai Chi Chuan continues the tradition of Professor Cheng
and Oscar Ichazo by offering teacher training as an option to advanced students who have
demonstrated their commitment to the art. Courses includes advanced work in
the Form, Push Hands and
the Sword.
