Champaign, IL Classes
Beginning classes are held on Wednesday evenings and Tuesday/Thursday afternoons. The next session will begin Tuesday, August 24, 2010 (day class) and Wednesday, August 25, 2010 (evening class). Please refer to the school calendar for class times . {Note: Javascript and cookies must be enabled in your browser to view the calendar}. Additional information concerning registration/logistics/cost/curriculum for beginning through advanced classes is provided below.
Time & Location
Wednesday EveningClasses are held from 6:00-7:30P in the sunroom at the Independent Media Center (IMC), located in the old historic Post Office building in downtown Urbana (just north of the Lincoln Square Mall). The address is 202 S. Broadway Ave at Elm Street, Urbana, IL. Wednesday evening classes include beginning Evidence-Based Taiji (EBTTM) and Qigong classes, continuing EBT classes, and advanced groups studying longer traditional forms.
Tuesday/Thursday afternoons
Classes are held from 2:30-3:30P at the Grace Lutheran Church, 313 S. Prospect, Champaign. Afternoon classes include instruction in beginning and continuing Evidence-Based Taiji (EBTTM) and Qigong.
Monday Evenings
Qigong and push-hands classes are held on a periodic schedule on Monday evenings, from 5:30-7:00, in the sunroom at the Independent Media Center (IMC), downtown Urbana. The first 1/2 of each class is qigong and is open to all CTS students. The second 1/2 of the class (push-hands practice/instruction) is by invitation only - inquire with one of the instructors if you are interested. Check the calendar for push-hands class times.
Saturday Mornings 2.5 hr "advanced" classes are held on Saturday mornings. During warmer months we are practicing at the northeast corner of Hessel Park, Champaign, and during colder months we are in the Independent Media Center in downtown Urbana. The first 1/2 of each class is qigong practice and is open to all CTS students. For current information on Saturday class times, refer to the annual calendar. Email Stewart at maitri8"at"comcast.net if you would like to be placed on the email list for ongoing Saturday class announcements.
Registration
Students are welcome to register at the first class of a session, but class size is limited at present and pre-registration is encouraged to reserve a spot. You may use our on-line pre-registration form. Please contact us via email or at 347.989.3388 with any questions. All students must sign a waiver and a non-compete agreement form annually as requisite for attendance at CTS classes.Cost
Refer to our fee schedule for class costs. In response to student requests, we are now using a pre-paid card system. Cards may be used for classes any time before expiration.Gift certificates are available - please contact us with requests for gift certificates. Private classes are available on a very limited basis, with priority given to current CTS students.
It is the policy of CTS to exclude no-one because of inability to pay. Individual requests for scholarships/tuition assistance will be considered - please contact us with tuition assistance requests.
Curriculum
CTS classes are progressive - each session is a continuation of the previous. Students are encouraged to progress at whatever pace they feel comfortable - some students elect to take multiple classes, while others often repeat previous sessions. The level of exertion of form movements and push-hands is easily adjustable to suit one's physical capabilities, and students of all ages and capabilities are welcome.There are three pillars of a complete Taiji training system: qigong, form, and push-hands. All are interrelated and essential to realize the full potential benefits of the art. Beginning students are taught Dr. Yang Yang's Evidence-Based TaijiTM and Qigong program, which was devised by Dr. Yang for research. In distilling this program, Dr. Yang asked himself the question, "What are the essential components of traditional training that will allow research subjects to see the most benefit in the shortest amount of time?" The program that he created in response to this question is a combination of a 7-movement Taiji form and static and dynamic qigong exercises.
Two 9-week sessions are typically required to complete the Evidence-Based TaijiTM and Qigong program. After that, students may either continue refining and deepening their understanding of these essential foundational exercises, or if they wish to continue challenging themselves in learning new motor skills they may join a Chen style 48 movement form class. Dr. Yang Yang refers to the form movements taught in this class as the "essential movements of the Chen Style 48 form". Additional static and dynamic qigong and silk reeling exercises are also taught in the 48-movement form class.
After learning the essential movements of the 48 form, students then progress through form refinements, push-hands, and additional form practices (e.g. pao cui or "cannon fist" and weapons forms).
Class Make-Up Policy
Pre-paid cards may be used any time prior to card expiration (6 months after the last class purchased).Annual Calendar
A school calendar listing dates and times for the year is available here.
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