T’ai Chi at Makoto Newcomen

04/03/2026

May 15! Enjoy some T’ai chi in a beautiful setting!

Please note, Member reservations are required to visit during Spring Blooms from open to close. Members can make free reservations at the Member Portal.

02/13/2026

The new mirrors are up!

08/24/2025

To understand the movement pathways of Taijiquan's force, practitioners often concentrate on training the hands and body. However, beginning from the feet is the essential path. To achieve this the focus of Taijiquan lies in cultivating the root. If the feet are unstable during practice, even if the upper body movements are correct, it will be difficult to manifest the characteristic whole-body integrated force of Taijiquan, because the power of Taijiquan originates from the root.

When practising, the mind should focus on both feet. The lower body must be stable, with the feet firmly rooted, the toes ‘gripping’ the ground, the Yongquan (Bubbling Well) acupoints hollow, and the centre of gravity steady. The feet must be solid, channeling the body's weight into the ground to generate a downward stepping force. During the form, one must constantly pay attention to the stability of the heels, clearly defining the feet's position, angle, shifts in the centre of gravity, and the axis of rotation to maintain dynamic balance. This reduces the burden on the knees and helps resolve knee pain issues. At the same time, pay attention to the transitions between the substantial and insubstantial in the feet—the substantial foot must be strong, while the insubstantial foot must be light and empty.

Power originates from the feet, passes through the waist as a pivot, and is transmitted to the point of force expression through the coordination of the body. The feet must step firmly into the ground to generate force, the legs serve as the main conduit of power, the waist governs the transformation of force, and finally, the force reaches the hands. This entire process must be executed seamlessly in a single flow.

Practising Taijiquan from the feet is a long-term endeavour. With prolonged training, the foundational stance work of the feet will become increasingly solid. In Tuishou it allows one to respond with ease, to disrupt an opponent's root while maintaining one's own centred stability.

08/24/2025

The Drunken Boxing Podcast #065 - Nick GraceninMaster Nick Gracenin has a 4 decade career as a teacher of Qigong, Tai Chi, Chinese Yoga (Dao Yin) and Chinese...

04/08/2025

From the training floor!

04/04/2025

I am teaching a beginner class at Longwood Gardens on Thursday, July 10 at 8:30 AM!

Events & Performances Show or hide subnavigation Calendar Host an Event Fountains Illuminated Fountain Performances Playlists Flowing Water Documentary Music, Performances & Theater Indoor Performance Series Summer Performance Series Carillon Series Organ Series Longwood Gardens International Organ....

04/01/2025

Spring has sprung!

03/03/2025

Relax!

01/06/2025

Monday 6:30 PM 1/6/25 -Timeless Tai Chi is postponed until next week. My concern is less for the amount of snow than the possible poor road conditions this evening. As much as I am anxious to begin our class, it’s not worth wrecking one’s car over. We will start next week and tack an extra class on to the end of our session.

01/02/2025

Starts on Monday, January 6!

12/07/2024

We are offering an 8 week beginners class through Chester County Life Long Learning!
Although weirdly this link says Zumba it will take you to the link for the T’ai chi class.