One of the core practices I focus on for Tai Chi is the Tai Chi Walk. This version of The Walk (which is really more of a glide with wide, short stepping rather than walking forward) is a continuous repetition of the movement Brush Knee and Press. We use this exercise as a way to strengthen the legs, deepen the stance, increase flexibility in the hips and kua. It is a walking meditation and great practice for all of the principals of Tai Chi.
To learn the Brush Knee and Press Tai Chi Walk will aid you in learning the form more easily and better ingrain the principals. The following break down is not intended to teach, but rather support what you have learned in class.
Tai Chi Walk break-down:
Preparation (or 5 – Bow stance):
Get into a forward bow stance (let’s use left foot forward for this example). Left foot is facing straight forward to front wall, right foot is pointing to the right diagonal, feet are shoulder width apart, weight is shifted more forward than back – 70/30, knees are relaxed into a bend, right hand is pressed forward with palm facing front wall in front of shoulder center, left hand is next to the left thigh. Relax!
1 – Sit back
Pour the weight back into the rear (right) leg and sit with all weight on that leg. Hands remain in position, but expand. No waist turn.
2 – Turn waist, turns out the toe
Turn the waist to the (left) diagonal, relax the forward (left) leg and allow the toe to turn out to the (left) diagonal with the waist turn. Palms of both hands turn to face inward. No weight shift.
3 – Pour weight and hips forward to diagonal and bring in knee
Pushing with rear (right) foot, push hips to diagonal and pour weight into front (left) foot to the diagonal until rear foot peels off the floor, then bring in the (right) knee to meet the other (left) knee. Upper (right) hand turns to face center of chest, arm becomes rounded as though holding a beach ball against your chest. Lower (left) arm floats upward in line with body, palm down, just below height of shoulder. No waist turn, weight shifts body to the diagonal.
4 – Step with heel and pierce ear
Step with unweighted (right) heel shoulder width to the right – do not shift weight here! Curved (right) arm descends slightly downward. Straight (left) arm first flips palm to face upward then bend elbow to point finger tips to ear. Very slight waist turn toward front wall and no weight shift.
5 – Return to bow stance
Turn waist to face forward, pour weight into front (right) leg to 70/30. Lower (right) hand continues to descend until hand brushes the leg and comes to rest by the thigh. Upper (left) hand is sent straight toward front wall by the waist turn and is now the upper hand pressed forward with palm facing forward in front of shoulder.
Now same movements, but alternate sides to continue.
At first, just practice the foot movements. To assist memory, you can try printing very large the following and hold at eye level to keep your head from looking at your feet (trust me they are still down there!)
…can you hear my voice? 
5 – Start in bow stance
1 – Sit back
2 – Turn waist, turns out the toe
3 – Pour weight and hips forward to diagonal and bring in knee
4 – Step with heel
5 – Return to bow stance
Relax and again!
First movement – “Preparation”…
Special thanks to our friends at Qi Elements (Herndon, VA), and Lung Chu’an Fu School (locally in Northern Virginia) for coming to join the fun and add to the variety of demos and classes.
Peaceable Dragon holds this event every year at Medowlark. It is a global event with the intent that there are tens of thousands of people coming together across racial, ethnic, religious, and geopolitical boundaries for the sole purpose of advancing personal and global health & healing. By creating a healing wave of calm around the planet, World T’ai Chi & Qigong Day paints a vision of possibility for humanity each year. One World . . . One Breath . . . World Tai Chi and Qigong Day is celebrated in over 65 nations and is recognized by the United Nations World Health Organization. 
Peaceable Dragon is a community of instructors and students of Qigong, Taijiquan, Yoga, Aikido and other “internal arts”, who share a desire to improve their physical, mental and spiritual health. Workshops with leading masters are held several times each year. Students of every level of expertise will find a community of learners in over 50 classes per week.
Tai Chi Exploration – Victory Lakes
Bristow (Manassass Area) Virginia
De-stress, wind down, relax, become more flexible and increase your strength and balance! Explore the health benefits and relaxation offered by the ancient art of Tai Chi!
Though Tai Chi is, by nature, a martial art, these classes will be taught with an emphasis on stress-reduction, relaxation and increasing flexibility. Modifications are available for physical considerations. The goal is to relax, have fun, and increase and maintain health through breathing and the gentle movements of Tai Chi, with additional exploration of Chi Kung and Yoga movements.
This is a multi-experience class. This is a combination class allowing new-comers to experience and explore the many advantages of various arts and allowing current practitioners to deepen their understanding and expand their feeling. Some meditation may be incorporated as well. All experience levels are welcome and will benefit. You will learn practical applications to take to work or home.
Please REGISTER FOR CLASSES in advance.
Please include your full name, phone number and email address in your registration email. Please bring your payment to the first class.
Email Kris Brinker for more information.
Please see my entire class list for Tai Chi (Taiji), Chi Kung (Qigong), and Yoga classes offered in or near Chantilly Virginia, Centreville Virginia, Burke Virginia, Fairfax Virginia, Reston Virginia, Herndon Virginia, Bristow VA, Manassas VA, and Springfield Virginia.