Free Tai Chi Classes Offered in Oklahoma City

St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral offers free Tai Chi classes in downtown Oklahoma City. These classes started with Professor He Ji Han from China. He taught the classes for about 20 years and it's a form of Tai Chi he learned as a child from his grandfather. It's called Traditional Tai Ji, Family Yuang's Forms.

His students now carry on with the classes and new students are accepted at any time. Class size ranges from 7 to 23 students. The average class size is 10 students and the meeting place can accommodate more. The age range is 30 something to 90 years old. This class has met at St. Paul's for many years even though a large number of students don't attend the church.

Learning Tai Chi

At least one leader is in front of the class and everyone else stands behind. The leader sets the pace but also provides someone to follow as the steps take place while you are learning. It is said it takes 3 years to perfect Tai Chi and if you still don't have the practice down, try for 3 more years.

The movements are slow but precise so concentration is needed at first. Everyone is very gracious in helping one another and even those who have practiced 11 years forget a movement now and then. Tai Chi is more exercise than it looks and it's possible to work up a sweat if you stretch doing the steps. It is actually a moving meditation once the steps are learned. It's when the mind is at rest but the body is doing the movements that peacefulness develops.

Tai Chi Clothing

Wear loose fitting clothing and professor Han recommended shoes although many students practice in bare feet on the wood floor. Some students are in work clothes and just slip off their shoes. The class started as an opportunity for those who work downtown to attend during lunch. However, many students drive in from all over Oklahoma City for class.

One of professor's Han's longest standing students, who has 40 years of martial arts practice, teaches the free Tai Chi class on Saturdays at the Art of Yoga studio. This is a smaller practice area and holds around 20 students with an average of 8 in attendance. This class is the same form as at St. Paul's so one can join and practice 3 times a week.

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St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral Monday and Thursdays, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
127 NW 7th
OKC, OK 73102
235-3436

Art of Yoga Studio Saturday 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
2920 N. Paseo
OKC, OK 73102
609-6566

Source:
Author's Experience