This instructional activity set is available to the public. There are three different versions:
#1 TAI CHI MOVES FOR KIDS – for preschool and elementary school children
#2 TAI CHI MOVES – upper elementary, middle school, high school and adults
#3 TAI CHI MOVES FOR KIDS FROM 4–94 in English and Spanish
Tai Chi Moves for Kids , for elementary school, includes 12 pictures showing the movements as well as a DVD to guide you in learning the moves and a downloadable MP3 file of the audio for regular practice.
I hope you will learn the moves using the DVDs or online video and then practice with the music and voice so that the concentration and focus can be on the movement of energy within the body and the visualization of the animal we are imitating.
You may use them in any order by forwarding to the appropriate track on the CD.
Tai Chi Moves for older children consists of an online video and an audio CD. The online video allows you to see the moves so they can be easily learned. There is also some written material explaining what is happening inside the body as we do the moves. This can be incorporated in the practice giving an opportunity for reading, understanding, vocabulary building. The audio CD is used in regular practice so the focus can be on the internal energy of the body and the feeling of relaxation. It is always best not to be looking at a screen, but focusing inside.
It is suggested that you start each session with movement #1, Tapping the Body, to wake up the energy and focus the attention.
Each session should end with one of the quiet activities. You may use any number of movements appropriate to your situation. A 5 minute session would consist of 2 moves and is a perfect break in a busy Scool day. Several movements in a row can start or end an academic activity, release tension, serve as a transition or as a valuable break. Use all 12 movements as a half-hour class.
All Tai Chi movements relax the body, improve balance, muscle tone, flexibility, concentration and focus, however there are subtle differences. The twelve movements may be used as follows: