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In-Person Classes
Spiritus Optima offers small-group instruction in different styles of tai chi and qigong.
Read general information about our classes here.
Shibashi - Fall 2025 - As the seasons change, we'll turn back to qigong for our next session at the studio. Qigong combines gentle movements, deep breathing, and beautiful imagery to bring a quiet inner joy. Join us after Labor Day as we learn Shibashi, 18 qigong postures that promise to bring vitality, agility, and tranquility. Classes include a gentle warm-up and detailed instruction on each posture's movement, imagery, energy, and breath. Experience the wonderful wellness benefits of qigong!
Registration will open August 15th. For more information, see the class flyer.
Drop-In Classes - Nov & Dec 2025 - The return of the popular Drop-In Classes! Each class will explore a different tai chi style, movement or principle, and we'll take time to review and practice some of the forms we have studied together. Watch for a forthcoming list of each week's class topic. Tentatively scheduled for two weeks in November and three weeks in December.
No registration is required for Drop-In Classes. Check back in October for more information.
Happy New Year with Bafa Wubu - Jan - Mar 2026 - The newest tai chi form to come out of China (2019), Bafa Wubu combines movements from Yang, Sun & Chen styles. It is at once graceful and powerful, and covers the "essential" movements common to all families of tai chi. Classes start with a gentle warm-up, offer step-by-step instruction of the form, and close with qigong to clear the mind for the new year ahead.
Registration will open in December. Check back for more information.
world tai chi & qigong day
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day
WTCQD is a worldwide holiday that happens every year on the last Saturday of April, at 10AM local time. Each year, area tai chi enthusiasts meet at Saratoga Spa State Park to celebrate.
It is a fun & lively event to honor our practice and recognize the benefits tai chi brings to our lives.
WTCQD 2025
A dedicated and enthusiastic crowd of tai chi players gathered in Saratoga Spa State Park to celebrate World Tai Chi & Qigong Day 2025. After a week of remarkably sunny weather, this day was showery. We took refuge under the arches near the Hall of Springs.
We shared a gentle warm-up, then played through Yang 10, Yang 16, and a modified Sun form. We had Bang sticks for everyone to try a short, meditative form. Our advanced class demonstrated a Whip Stick form. We ended with plenty of qigong - a Shibashi sampler, the Buddhist Qigong for Lovingkindness, and to celebrate the Year of the Snake, Sifu Tony led us through a special Snake Qigong. 🐍
Despite the rain, everyone was of good cheer! We mingled afterwards with cookies and conversation. And there were plenty of smiles to go around!
May I suggest you mark your calendar now to celebrate World Tai Chi and Qigong Day in 2026! 💜☯️
WTCQD 2024
A good crowd of players was on hand to celebrate! Together with Sifu Tony Grimaldi of New Moon Tai Chi, and certified tai chi instructors Lynn Gretschel & Jean Gustafson, we hosted 28 people in Saratoga Spa State Park.
We played through Yang and Sun forms, practiced a meditation with Bang sticks, tried China's newest tai chi form Bafa Wubu, and ended in a big circle sharing deep breaths and good energy with qigong.
We lucked out with the weather! It was a cool, sunny morning, and we were watching our shadows on the green grass, looking at lots of wispy clouds and admiring Spring color in the trees.
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2024
(Late photo! Sorry if we missed you!)
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2024
(Late photo! Sorry if we missed you!)
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2023
It was cool and showery, so we took refuge under the arches. This dedicated group enjoyed playing our way through many tai chi forms, followed by lots of qigong.
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2023
It was cool and showery, so we took refuge under the arches. This dedicated group enjoyed playing our way through many tai chi forms, followed by lots of qigong.
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2022
Looks like we had better weather! We played outside in the sunshine on the great lawn, doing various tai chi forms - Yang, Sun, Wu - and many different postures of qigong.
World Tai Chi & Qigong Day, 2022
Looks like we had better weather! We played outside in the sunshine on the great lawn, doing various tai chi forms - Yang, Sun, Wu - and many different postures of qigong.
your tai chi journey
While there is a lot of good information and helpful videos about tai chi on the internet, there is no comparison to sharing actual time and space with a group of practitioners.
Seek out groups near you through martial arts studios, fitness centers, continuing education programs, and senior centers.
Ask your health insurer for tai chi programs.
Find your tribe!
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