Champaign, IL Classes
A school calendar with class times and locations is available here. {Note: Javascript and cookies must be enabled in your browser to view the calendar}. Additional information concerning registration/logistics/cost/curriculum for beginning through intermediate classes is provided below.
Time & Location
Beginning classes are held on Wednesday evenings and Tuesday/Thursday afternoons. {Note: Afternoon classes are subject to demand/interest, and may be cancelled at any time if registration is low.} Registered students are welcome to attend both evening and afternoon classes (see class make-up policy below). Advanced classes are held on Saturday mornings, on a periodic schedule.Wednesday Evening
Classes 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.
Saturday Mornings Advanced classes are held on Saturday mornings. Currently registered students are welcome to observe and/or join the first hour of Saturday morning class to participate in group qigong/form. For current information on Saturday class times and locations, check here.
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
The cost is $135 per session. Payment is due at the first class of the session: a $5 late fee will apply for all payments received after the second class of the session.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
The Tu/Th classes are one class. This class will meet for 1 hr twice a week.The Wed evening class is 2 hours, once a week (the first 1/2 hour is open practice).
CTS will allow any currently registered student to attend all three introductory classes *provided* there is sufficient room. If the Wednesday evening class is full, Tu/Th students will not be able attend Wed evening also.
Missed classes may be made up at any time, though the class make-up policy does not extend beyond the current session.
Annual Calendar
A school calendar listing dates and times for the year is available here.
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