This 8-week Taiji Flow class series on Mondays at Seattle Bouldering Project’s Fremont location is a great way to anchor your mind-body connection and begin your week with a clear, relaxed mental space. We’ll focus on standing meditative movement sequences based in Chen style taiji quan (tai chi) and qigong, examining foundational flows and skills that can be practiced alone or stitched together for a longer sequence. Our practice explores balance, stability, fluid navigation through space, joint flexibility and articulation, finding ease during exertion, and cultivating strength with minimal force.
Consistent attendance at all sessions is encouraged for greatest cumulative benefit. Drop-ins also welcome.
Open to all levels, no experience necessary. Individuals of all backgrounds, identities and lifestyle preferences are welcome to participate. Wear comfortable clothing that doesn't restrict your range of movement, and bring a water bottle.
Space is limited, registration required for all (links below). This class series is free for SBP members and punchcard holders to attend, and you must register in advance to reserve your spot. If you’re not a member of SBP, you are still entirely welcome! Just grab access to the facility first before reserving your spot: options for 1-month prepaid, punch card or day passes are here. All memberships and day passes get full access to all SBP gyms, including bouldering and training terrain, fitness amenities, sauna at Poplar, and the regular rotation of yoga and fitness classes.
Please register for each class individually so we can track attendance week to week:
Mon Sept 16 @ 6:45-8pm
Sept 23
Sept 30
Oct 7
Oct 14
Oct 21
Oct 28
Nov 4
Instructor bio: Deborah combines her professional backgrounds in health and the arts to teach classes featuring movement, sound and dance as tools for wellness. As a board certified Chinese medicine practitioner, she believes there is great power in connecting each person back to themselves and to the natural rhythms of the earth.
Taiji Flow FAQs
What is taiji quan?
Taiji quan is a movement practice that originated as a martial arts training tool in China, traced to the late 1600s. It is a relatively young practice if you consider that the foundations of the movement and its correlating Daoist philosophies had been developing for millenia prior. The practice is generally done slowly and can be adapted to suit a wide demographic. Many people today incorporate it into their regular self-care and wellness routines.
What if I have no experience and have never done anything like this before?
This series is designed to be accessible and modifiable for all levels!
Is taiji quan the same as tai chi?
Yes, these different spellings refer to the same practice, they just come from different systems of romanization. “Tai chi” comes from the Wade-Giles system that was created between 1850-1900 by two British men whose surnames were Wade and Giles. In the 1950s, a Chinese linguist developed the pinyin system, which literally translates to “spelling sounds.” Pinyin is the more widely used system today and is the format that we are using here.
What’s the difference between taiji quan and qigong?
Qigong literally translates to working with energy and is a broad umbrella term for a multitude of practices that involve working with qi. These can be standing, seated, lying down, static, moving, and there are a plethora of styles and practices. Taiji quan more specifically refers to a movement form that originated as a martial arts training tool involving the physical body as well as an internal energy component. So, in fact, taiji quan can technically be considered a type of qigong.