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Life in Balance

Release the tension. Quiet the mind. Ease your emotions.
Live from your center.

Create space for your spirit to thrive

Have you felt this way:

  • your job or to-do list is the center of your life
  • you have no feeling of purpose or that you've lost a lot of the joy you used to feel
  • your spark and curiosity are missing
  • you feel over or under emotional and have a lack of emotional connection
  • you feel chronic tension in places and flaccidity in others
  • you are tired, irritated, and done

I felt all of this. 

And you can read more of my story here

But even better, I'd love you to try the practice of Taiji and see if you notice your own shift.

Here's how this practice drops you right into the center of your life. Try this movement with me. Notice the subtle shift that takes place. If you can do it in this short video, you can do it in the rest of your life.

Upcoming Classes and Courses

A meaningful practice goes beyond the physical movement. You have to be moved in every way - physical, emotional and mental - in order for your spirit to thrive. Join me and connect to your own inner quiet and wisdom that comes from the full depth of a mindful movement practice.

Taiji For Balance Level 2 Teacher Training

Taiji For Balance is a form created and modified from the original Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan form. The entire Taiji For Balance set has 16 movements. Level 1 introduces the first 8 movements. Level 2 brings in the second 8 for a total of 16 postures.

This form originated in China and was brought to the United States by Master Kuo Lien Ying in 1965.

Taiji For Balance was developed to bring a safe, simple form of movement to people who were not only at risk of falling, but who live with anxiety, high levels of stress, and/or chronic illness, and are looking for balance in their lives.

Training Session Times and Dates:
April 15th, 22nd, 29th,
and May 6th
1-4 pm
Veterans Administration Columbus Ohio


What you'll learn:

We'll review the first 8 movements of the Level 1 form, but we'll add 8 more movements as follows:

This form was developed from the original Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan form. That form has 64 movements.

The sequence of the movements in Level 2 shifts gently. The additional 8 movements are in bold below:
1. Strike Palm
2. Grasp Bird's Tail
3. Single Whip
4. Wave Hands Like Clouds
5. High Pat On Horse
6. Brush Knee Twist Step
7. Punch Under Elbow
8. Wave Hands Like Clouds (in the reverse direction)
9. High Pat on Horse
10. Repulse Monkey
11. Slanting Flight
12. Left and Right Hand Raise
13. Fan Through The Arms

Then, the final three come back from Level 1 and complete the 16-movement form!

14. High Pat on Horse
15. Cross Wave of Water Lily
16. Bend Bow To Shoot Tiger

And we will close with Grand Terminus.

Why did I do this?!
There are many reasons I developed Level 2 in this way. As you may know, Taiji For Balance works all layers of balance: physical, emotional and mental. Shifting these movements challenges all three.

1. Challenges neural pathways - our nervous system's passageways that...

 

LEARN MORE

NEXT SESSION: Advanced Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi

Join me and explore the full Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan form! These are easy 30-minute drop-in classes every Wednesday and Friday.

For students who have learned Taiji 64, this is an exploration beyond the movements. Sense qi, settle the nervous system, relieve stiffness and stagnation in the body, and watch it release in relationships, at work, and at home. This is the work that will open places of deep holding, and create freedom and access to joy. And as you find peace and balance in difficult postures you will begin to live those practices feeling ease and contentment in everyday life.

Advanced Guang Ping Yang
Wednesdays; Fridays
Mar 6 - Apri 26 2024
12:30-1:00 EST 
16 Classes - $80
20% Discount for SWL Monthly Membership Holders

 

This practice is virtual. 
ALL CLASSES WILL BE RECORDED AND ACCESSIBLE TO ENROLLED STUDENTS

*Registration Closes Tuesday, March 5

Register Here!

NEXT SESSION: Taiji For Balance Virtual Class

This 16-movement form is a great introduction to the foundational practices of Tai Chi. Taiji for Balance is rooted in the 64-movement form of Guang Ping Yang Taijiquan and was developed by Lucy Bartimole originally for fall prevention, but many practice it for life balance.

Join our group of practitioners! Continue or begin your practice of mindful, meditative movement.

What you'll learn:

  • Warm-ups for the brain and body
  • The second half of the 16 movements of the form, depending on student comfort
  • Martial application, and centering meditation (for balance!)
  • A deeper understanding of the movements through the perspective of the philosophy that helped develop them

If you have never taken a taiji (tai chi) class before, wear loose comfortable clothing. You may practice taiji without shoes, just make sure what you stand on is free from anything that might harm your feet!

If you wear shoes, let them give enough space for your toes! A shoe with no heel and a wide toebox is preferable.


Taiji For Balance
Tuesdays
Mar 26 - May 14 2024
11a - 12 noon

8 Classes - $80
Free for SWL Monthly Membership Holders


*Registration closes Monday, March 25th

Register Here!

Upcoming Workshops and Special Classes

MASTERCLASS FOR CERTIFIED INSTRUCTORS

 It's time again for a free refreshing MasterClass in Taiji For Balance!

We'll be going over warmups, all movements, and I'll be answering any questions that you bring!

Those who attend will receive a link to the recording so you can review and use it for practice! This will be recorded but you must attend in order to receive the link to the video.

I'm looking forward to moving with you, answering any questions, and supporting you in any way I can.
Sunday, May 5th
2:00-4:30 ET
11:00a-1:30 PT
7p-8:30 GMT

REMINDER: Deadline to sign up and receive the emailed Zoom link is Friday, May 3 at midnight!

 

SIGN UP!

TAIJI FOR BALANCE LEVEL 1 CERTIFICATION

Shift will be offering a Taiji (Tai Chi) For Balance: Level 1 teacher training program specifically to develop and strengthen balance for people who are really struggling with balance, who have experienced a fall or have a fear of falling.

This is a simple, 8-movement modified Guang Ping Yang form designed specifically to develop strength, stability, and relaxation (which reduces fear) for building balance.

The training is thorough and demanding. It will be a full weekend of work: training, teaching, and learning! And, in the nature of tai chi, fun!

Prior to the training, you will receive:
1. Access to the online modules - over 60 recordings including everything you'll need to know and practice: Movements, Meditation, Warmups, How to Teach Taiji Effectively, Why and How People Fall.

2. A manual of information about balance, tai chi, the warmups, cool downs, movements, and teaching certain populations.

Register by September 10th, 2024

Saturday and Sunday
September 14 & 15
8:00-5:00
This is a VIRTUAL COURSE
 
REGISTER!

FREE ONLINE COMMUNITY

The work we do to transform our lives cannot be done alone in isolation. We are rich resources that can learn, rely and share with each other. This is what the SWL Community is all about.

This is a free-access online place to explore taiji (Tai Chi), qigong, meditation, and a special place for teachers.

I hope you join me there.

SIGN UP!

MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP

I am now able to offer a monthly membership to all of my online courses!

Try it for free for 30 days! You won't be charged unless you stay with us.

With a monthly membership you'll have 24/7 access to Taiji For Balance - Levels 1 and 2; Baduanjin Qigong; Meditation, Select Workshops Recordings, and future courses! 

LEARN MORE!

Hi!

My name is Lucy. And over 25 years ago, Taiji saved my life.

It shifted my perspective and brought awareness, clarity, and love. I am forever grateful.

I now teach these practices to anyone longing for genuine openness, ease, and a fulfilling life.

My guided meditations, easy to follow videos, understandable philosophy will gently shift you away from anger and guilt, releasing behavior that no longer serves you.

Taiji For Balance: Learn More

“Lucy Bartimole changed my life. I initially came to Shift to work with Lucy for the physical benefits of tai chi, specifically balance and strength - both of which have increased over the past 3 years. However, along the way, I really began to learn and appreciate the other aspects of tai chi, specifically the mental and emotional aspects of tai chi. Learning how to pay attention to my breathing and listening my body has brought me mindfulness, an ability to choose to react (or not), and a sense of peace and connectedness to the world.”

-Mary Jo Burkhardt

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Try this quick video

Tell us where to send the link and then try this gentle movement during a quiet moment you carve out for yourself.