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taichi and taiji training classes and programmes in centennial park sydney, rushcutters bay and the eastewrn suburbs of sydney and surrounds

tai-chi

Over the past forty years I have studied taiji, qigong, kick boxing, taekwondo, karatejutsu, kobujutsu, boxing, kick boxing and weapons training.

I have lived and trained in South Africa, America, Japan, Holland, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.

I have also provided security in San Francisco, South Africa, Japan and Australia both in a private and business capacity for private and corporate clubs and music event organisers.


This training has lead me to a natural self confidence, a heightened state of awareness, deeper concentration, more self confidence and an understanding of the different methods of movement leading to an understanding of meditation.

information

yin yang larry friedberg "Taiji is an internal style of Chinese martial arts based on the principles of relaxing, yielding, neutralising and issuing both in application and daily life" P.Kelly

Taiji classes and training help you develop bodily harmony and bodily co-ordination.

Taiji has developed over centuries, using slow soft and gentle movements co-ordinated by the body-mind and breath.

Tendons, muscles, sinews and bones are strengthened by continuous circular movements.

Muscles are taught to contract and release and return to a neutral stretching position.
Internal and external senses and sensors are trained at different stages of a student's development.

The feet are rooted in the ground and the waist is used ahead of the body to twist, turn and spiral energy which, in turn, circulates around the internal body, assisting bone and internal organ health.

With patience and persistence, most people are able to learn the gentle movements of taiji exercises as well as the short 37-move Yang style short form, 108 Yang style long form, and later on the movements and method of the White Crane.

Taiji derives its strength from the 'drawing of the bow' where the feet are rooted in the ground, foot and waist pressure is felt, 'listened' to and then generated through the hands and feet.

Taiji Classes in Yang Style Tai-Chi are conducted in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Centennial Park and Matraville, or in private for groups and individuals.

Tai-chi/taiji classes in Centennial Park Sydney and Matraville consist of beginners and intermediate students.

Public tai-chi and qigong classes are held every Saturday morning in Centennial Park (view map) Sydney at 8.30am or Rushcutters Bay Park every Monday morning at 7.00am to 8.00am.

Tai chi movements alternate between yin and yang, left and right, forward and backwards, up and down to first achieve a degree of balance.

The first section of the 37 move short form and the five loosening up exercises form the basis of the beginners’ classes. Some basic sets of push hands, qigong exercises and stretching are included in this class.

Intermediate classes are based on the 108 move long form, intermediate push hands, short and long stick form. Sword, short and long stick and the fan forms are included from time to time or on request.

Personal and/or private group instruction may be available - on enquiry
A thousand years ago Daoist Master, martial arts and medical expert Zhang Sanfeng created what he believed was the ultimate form of self-defence and natural health preservation: a system that involved certain points being struck at certain times of the day. Not only would this disrupt the harmony of chi (energy) but the therapeutic value of these same meridians and points was realised (echoed in the principles of acupuncture and meridian therapies).

The value of this system lay in the capacity to strengthen the body, tonify the organs, and create the free flow through the meridians of chi (energy). Taiji in earlier days indicated a fighting art, named Tai Chi Chuan or Supreme Ultimate or Grand Fist.

Nowadays taiji and qigong are most commonly practised in a set pattern for their therapeutic potential.

Professor Zheng Manqian is often named as the practioner who spread Yang style taiji to the West; he was responsible for shortening the long form to its present 37 move short form and shifting the emphasis from a martial arts application to spiritual introspection.

Other styles of taiji developed simultaneously, Chen Style, Wu Style, Sun Style all drawing on each other.

Yang Chen Fu is regarded as the founder or figurehead of the Yang style Taiji, formalising the 108 moves of the long form, followed by Zheng Manqian (a master of five disciplines medicine, martial arts, painting, calligraphy and music), and by Master Huang, whose thousands of students, more recently including Patrick Kelly, have kept the flame of his teaching very much alive.
yin yang larry friedberg Taiji training and classes in Sydney’s Centennial Park, Rushcutters Bay and the eastern suburbs of Sydney, have atit's primary aim the cultivating of energy for the purpose of self realisation or 'enlightenment'.

Practising taiji heals the infirm, strengthens the weak, and encourages bone, muscle, ligament and tendon recovery and reducing the chance of injury, while aligning the body, quieting the mind and becoming aware of the spirit.

yin yang larry friedberg Taiji has evolved over centuries from its beginning as 'the Supreme Ultimate Fist' martial art to become a means of inner refinement; a science of body mechanics; meditation; health and relaxation.

While a state of health and relaxation is conceptually easy to grasp, it is difficult to achieve and requires dedication and indeed 'learning how' to relax.

The continual contraction of muscles, bones, tendons and muscles and their subsequent release during tai-chi exercises are a refined form of qigong or energy cultivation handed down over centuries by authentic masters.

Relaxation occurs as a result of learning to 'release' prior to 'relax'

yin yang larry friedberg Taiji can be used as a meditation; an art of movement; a method for better breathing; fitness exercise; a stress management program; a training in co-ordination and balance; to improve mental function; and a self discipline. "rocks are hard and unyielding the rivers flow around them and forget"
Qi or chi refinement The method and principles relating to the refinement of qi differ from person to person, with a variety of training exercises designed to suit personal life situations Qi is life energy which flows through all living things as well as nature. Gong is the work you put in.

Dynamic qigong is exercise and is the most practiced method, passive qigong is tranquil and includes meditation, visualisation and precise breathing methods. Here the focus is on a clear and tranquil state of no-mind wih a deeper connection and harmony with nature. Qi training may include a wide range of exercises designed to boost or increase energy flow, regenerate, repair and rejuvenate bad, negetive, lost or dissipated energy. Here the emphasis is on connection to the dao, to harmonise with nature and gain a clearer understanding of the universal qi. There are at least 7 major sources of qi:-

breath qi (respiration); food qi (from your diet);original qi (inherited from parents); internal qi (emanates inside the body); external qi (qi emanating from outside the body); nutritive qi (flowing through the meridians); and protective qi (energy barrier against external pernicious influences and pathogens. Qi or chi energy circulation. Breathing, shaking, meditation, joint alignment, pressure, muscle changes, heat, light, love all contribute towards inner spiritual growth with an increase of energy resulting, a heightened sense of awareness with more focus on the here and now. Anger, resentment, fear, pain are alchemically transformed using the body-mind, mind-body, deep-mind, celestial, astral and etheric planes which govern most of who we are and who we think we are. These are three methods of building the body's energy field:-

a) Through deep breathing methods b) By moving the mind through the body using a deep intention. c) By increasing the blood and lymphatic fluid circulation through the gentle pressure changes created by the the contant lifting and sinking of the body with it's gentle movements. Qi / Chi movement

Taiji is an advanced method of qi movement however there are also wudang and shaolin (north and south qigong) styles, some harder to practice than others. Different training exercises are implemeted to allow for imparting the fastest and most efficient method in the shortest possible time thereby allowing for each persons own practice routine to guide and determine the result.
Inner listening is a vital aspect to the training. There are interesting methods designed to create a meditative and quiet approach to 'mind' and a control of one's emotions - A state of 'no mind' or emptiness which allows deep internal processes to occur. Inner listening is a vital aspect to this method of training.

While in "theory" practicing martial arts of whatever 'style' is meant to:

- path the way to a heightened state of awareness - produce a calm approach to life, a philosophical and spiritual introspection - a reduction of ego related distractions - a way free of body/mind earthly appetites

This is not always the case and many side affects may occur if incorrectly instructed- distress, (unbalanced emotions, ego, feeling of misguided power may result). Nothing is guaranteed without patience, persistence and constant practice of meditation, a pure heart and struggle with ego related distractions.

A state of remembering is important - what the sufis refer to as Zikr.

The effect of lifetime training especially where guided by an experienced teacher can open the doors of perception to an inner reality.

Listening to subtle body, muscle, pressure, joint and pain sensations, the student is guided constantly within to a point where mind stops and oneness with existence is deeply experienced.

To experience stillness during activity is a heightened state of awareness which trains us to be still even in the most extreme situations.
testimonials

  • Hi Larry,They loved the Tai Chi this morning! Many staff members said – could we start like that every day???!!! Wouldn’t that be great! Thank you Larry

    Deborah

    happy customer

  • Hi Larry, The girls have all really benefited from the course with you and the feedback from all the parents has been really good. Collectively, we all think a refresher course in the holidays would be great. I'll leave that to the girls to sort out a day which suits them all! Your patience in trying to get this initially all sorted was greatly appreciated and I'm sure we'll see you again. Kind Regards

    Shelley Rose

    satisfied customer

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