Tai Chi and Qi Gong

Instructor: Sarah Dunham

The Tai Chi symbol above shows the interplay between two opposing forces (yang and yin) through which all changes occur.  The yang is the light side with the small dark spot, the active, initiating force.  Yin is the receptive force, the dark side with the white spot.  In Chinese cosmology yang is the daytime, the light; nighttime is yin, the dark, inactive time.  But within each there is a small part of the other.  The opposites are always interacting, seeking a balance, finding the balance and then interacting again. 

Tai Chi promotes an understanding of this dynamic relationship, cultivating vitality and promoting relaxation.  As one of the internal martial arts, it emphasizes awareness over strength, intention over technique, and sensitivity and balance over force.  

Qi Gong has been used in China for thousands of years as a healing art for healing and strengthening the body, mind and spirit through strengthening one’s internal chi (or qi).  Chi has been described in many ways: as the bioelectric energy moving through acupuncture meridians; as spirit or vital force; as the rhythm of nature or fuel that powers the universe.  The best understanding of chi comes from an awareness of one’s own internal chi, helped along by the practice of Qi Gong exercises.

The Benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong

Once chi flows well within the body, the body restores and heals itself naturally.  The health benefits of this practice are many: it quiets the nervous and digestive systems; strengthens the immune system; and improves blood circulation without increasing heart rate or breath.  It enhances balance and flexibility and has been known to ease arthritis pain. Students of Tai Chi often find themselves developing a stronger concentration of mind and a sense of tranquility and well being.  One of the greatest benefits of the practice is its practical application in the world.  It allows us to see the gentle unfolding of our lives and we approach situations with less anxiety and anticipation and with a more relaxed readiness for any possibility.  It gives us a different perspective, refreshes our spirit.

Teaching Philosophy

I have deeply appreciated my practice over the years and my good fortune in learning under the guidance of Grandmaster Sam Tam. My intention in teaching Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong is to promote the philosophy and method of these ancient Chinese Internal Arts through following the Tai Chi principles imparted to me by my teacher.  In all aspects of the class, the emphasis will be to encourage student to become aware of, cultivate and regulate their internal chi and to embrace their own practice with confidence and peace of mind.    It’s a journey without competition and we will have fun along the way.


The Class
Each session will include:

  • A short meditation, to develop an awareness of chi and how it accumulates and circulates internally.   3 poses from the Yi Chuan system will be taught emphasizing the relaxation of the joints and a positive mind-body connection.
  • Qi Gong, to activate, cultivate and strengthen the internal chi while coordinating movement with breathing.   Students will learn the 5 sets of the Soaring Crane Qi Gong.
  • Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.  Students will learn a pattern of slow, continuous movements carried out with relaxation and without exertion or straining to maintain the postures.  As the Tai Chi classics say, the changing postures are connected like a string of pearls, the movement is as even as a river flows.  The set of movements are precise enough to occupy the mind, resulting in the conscious cooperation of the mind with the activity.

Additional training by may include:

  • “Pushing hands” partner practice, to learn to receive and return energy and to cultivate the art of responding (yielding) vs. reacting (using force).
  • Tai Chi Fan form
  • Tai Chi Sword form
  • Hands on training from Grandmaster Sam Tam.

About Sarah Dunham: Sarah has been a practitioner of Tai Chi Chuan for over 20 years, 10 years as a student of Grandmaster Sam Tam.  She is a founding member of IMAAHE, the Internal Martial Arts Association for Health and Enlightenment, currently serving as Events Manager for the organization.  IMAAHE is an association of teachers and practitioners of the internal martial arts system taught by Grandmaster Sam Tam.  Sarah is certified to teach Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, Soaring Crane Qi Gong, the Tai Chi Fan form and the Tai Chi Sword form.  She started teaching two years ago, with an ongoing class in Berkeley and monthly workshops in the Bay Area Deaf community.  Sarah is fluent in American Sign Language and her Friday afternoon class will be taught in ASL.