Instructor, Jill L. Basso, will teach you how to enjoy the benefits that Tai Chi brings.
Jill offers classes year-round and is available to present workshops,
for retreats, groups or organizations.
See current class schedule and locations below.
Beginner – Advanced classes in Tai Chi form, Push Hands, Qigong and Weapons. jillbasso@earthlink.net
Tai Chi Classes
Jill teaches the Cheng Man-Ch’ing Short Form (Yang Short Form), a 37 posture Tai Chi form and the 108 posture Yang Long form. Her classes include classic & fundamental Tai Chi principles, standing meditation (Wuji), standing postures, silk-reeling exercises, solo & two-person exercises, push-hands, self-defense applications, Tai Chi sword, Stick form, sword dueling, as well as readings from the classics.
Jill teaches the postures with attention to detail, into short sets to help students learn each posture well and blend into a seamless & continuous form. Her students can continue the practice at home with ease and understanding. Students are encouraged to have a daily practice.
“With great attention to detail, and a contagious smile, the joy Jill has in teaching is very obvious. Highly recommended.”
~ Db
Classes Offered
~ New students are welcome to attend one free introductory class! ~
Beginners Tai Chi Form – Cheng Man Ching Form and Qi Gong
Learn basic postures of tai chi form found in the first third of Cheng Man-Ch’ing form. Learn to relax and deepen the mind-body connection of your body and apply core principles of tai chi such as balance, sinking, rooting and dynamic structure. Learn pre-liminary practices to allow a free flow of movement such as tai chi walking, traditional silk-reeling exercises, standing (Wu-ji) and moving meditation and chi exercises. Introduction to two-person sensing hands to apply core tai chi principles, listening and sensitivity with a partner.
Advanced Tai Chi Form – Cheng Man Ching Form, Advanced Qi Gong, Self – Defense Applications and Push Hands
Practice the Cheng Man-Ch’ing Form (Yang Short Form) and advanced corrections. Learn advanced tai chi principles to deepen your practice. Continue to learn exercises that support proper body structure & alignment, relaxation and the momentum of each tai chi posture. The teacher will provide advanced form corrections such as proper stances and advanced qi gong practice. Sensing hands and push hands will be introduced to practice listening, sticking, adhering and following with a partner, as well as beginner self-defense applications, using tai chi principles of non-force.
According to the Harvard Medical Guide to Tai Chi the Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi Chuan are:
- Awareness – Including mindfulness and focused attention
- Intention of Embodied Movement
- Structural Integration – Dynamic Form and Function of biomechanically efficient shapes
- Active Relaxation – Meditation in motion using flowing movements
- Strengthening and Flexibility
- Natural Freer Breathing – Helps regulate and harmonize the nervous and organ systems
- Social Support – Interactions with others toward self discovery
- Embodied Spirituality – Provide a practical framework integrating mind, body and spirit.
Eight Active Ingredients of Tai Chi (pdf – thanks to http://www.taijiquan.nl)
Advanced Weapons for Women – Tai Chi Sword, Stick and Punching forms for women.
Learn Yang Tai Chi Sword form, Stick and Punching forms while applying all principles of tai chi movement including relaxation, balance and personal empowerment. Learn 2-person sword and stick play and dueling.
Currently this class is offered to students who have are achieved intermediate or advanced level of the Tai Chi form. Teacher’s permission is required.
Santa Fe Push Hands Club
After 11 years, push hands club officially disbanded in 2020 due to the pandemic, yet occasionally tai chi practitioners meet for sensing hands and push hand practice; the two=person exercise of Tai Chi Chuan. It is a social, cooperative and fun gathering to practice principles of movement of sensing, following, adhering and sticking and the unlimited exploration of push hands with various partners. Knowledge of tai chi form is required.
Contact Jill for more information: jillbasso@earthlink.net
“Jill’s Push Hands Club is always one of the highlights of my week. It’s an opportunity to exchange ideas and practice with Tai Chi players from different backgrounds and different teachers in the Santa Fe area. Thank you, Jill!”
-Rick Von Kaenel, Santa Fe
Tai Chi Meets in the Park
Jill occasionally offers free Tai Chi community meets in the parks in Santa Fe during the spring, summer and fall.
She helps organize World Tai Chi Day, which is the last Saturday in April.
Tai Chi Class Schedule
The following classes meet OUTDOORS, year-round in Cornell Rose Park.
We meet closer to Alta Vista St located at 1320 Galisteo Parkway, Santa Fe.
Monday @ 1 pm – Yang Long Form and The Eight Brocades
Wednesday and Friday’s @ 12:30 – Beginner Tai Chi and Qi Gong
Sunday’s @ 11 am – Advanced Class – By teacher permission
Sunday’s @ NOON – Women Weapons class (Sword, Stick, Punch) – By teacher permission
Important Winter Weather Note: Classes may be cancelled for inclement weather. Please stay in touch.
**************
The following class meets INDOORS at the
New Mexico Fencing Foundation, located at 1306 Clark Road, Santa Fe.
Saturday’s NOON – 1:15 – Beginner Tai Chi Class and The Eight Brocades
Map of Rose Park
Class Schedule:
Tai Chi Class Fees
Class fee in the park or Drop-in: $10. /class
Class fee at NMFF (Oct.- April): Sliding scale of $12.-$15. /class
The drop-in fee is requested for out-of-town visitors. Class fees are paid each class or in advance for multiple classes.
Private Lessons
Private lessons are for those students who are interested in lessons to supplement their attendance in class or for an individualized pace of instruction. Please contact the instructor to arrange your individualized schedule. Private lessons can be arranged for individuals, couples, children or small groups.
Late spring, summer or early fall lessons can be held in one of Santa Fe’s beautiful parks.
Fees: Fees are based on the size of the group, location, and whether the student is an ongoing student in classes. Private lessons can be arranged in person in the Santa Fe area or via Zoom. Contact Jill for private lessons and fees.
“Santa Fe hosts many practitioners and instructors of oriental martial and healing arts. Jill Basso is among the few whose gentle practice and instruction is world class.”
~ Richard G, Tai Chi Student
Tai Chi for Kids!
Classes for children in the form of private family lessons, school classes or an addition to a summer camp program.
With its slow, deliberate moves, Tai Chi has a different feel in the body than other sports / exercises for children. The movements teach children body and postural awareness, self-discipline, deep relaxation of their body and discipline of the mind.
Through games, movement & sensory-based activities and art projects children learn to have fun while improving the mind-body connection. Parents are welcome to join in on the classes.
“I love Tai Chi, its the slowest thing I ever did”
– 8 yr. old, 2012 Golden Acorns Camper
Contact Jill for more information and to discuss your ideal program
Jill is featured in the Golden Acorns Healing Arts and Culture Summer Camp Newsletter – Spring 2013
Childrens Tai Chi Artwork
Tai Chi in Schools
Have your students learn Tai Chi form and principles while having fun studying and learning.
Teach your students Tai Chi in your classroom (suggested age: 5 years and up),
Physical Education class or any special school event such as Wellness Days or Health Fairs.
GOAL:
To teach children how to gain the physical and relaxation benefits of Tai Chi Chuan through the ancient and traditional Tai Chi principles and movements.
OBJECTIVES:
Children learn:
- To improve body awareness.
- To improve balance and coordination of their bodies.
- To improve posture with Tai Chi movements.
- Basic postures of Tai Chi Chuan.
- About their own space in relationship to others.
- Breathing techniques for relaxation.
- To improve cooperation with peers.
Tai Chi’s benefit for Children
- Teaches relaxation and focused attention.
- Improve sensitivity and listening with others.
These objectives will be achieved through: (sample of activities)
- Movement, Games, Storytelling and Art
- Solo / Partner Exercises such as:
Your Ch’i Balloon • Swim on Dry Land • Balance like a Tree • Can the wind blow you down? • Run Like a Tiger / Walk like a Cat • Wave Hands like Clouds • Animal Postures such as: Snake Creeps Down, Dragon Plays in the Clouds
::
Customize a class or series of classes as part of the physical education / health curriculum or classroom instruction to supplement the general education curriculum in any private or public school environment.
Lessons can be 30 – 45 minutes in length depending on age group.
Contact Jill to make arrangements for curriculum and scheduling for general or special education students.
Contact Jill for a copy of her NM License, Educational Degrees and CV
Workshops and Retreats
PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES
Attendees can enjoy a Tai Chi workshop at your conference as a great start to their day.
Tai Chi can help attendees to balance their day and conference experience with relaxation of the mind and body. Relaxation can help to improve concentration during a weekend of intellectual stimulation.
Content can include introduction to Tai Chi form, standing meditation, basic Tai Chi postures and slow moving exercises that emphasize energy flow, tai chi principles and chi kung.
Customize a Tai Chi workshop, with topics of your choice, for your attendees.
Choose 30-90 minute workshop(s). Workshops can be offered during an AM, lunch or PM slot.
FEE: Contact Jill to arrange fees.
RETREATS
Stimulate your attendees while promoting relaxation and enjoy the benefits of Tai Chi. This is an excellent and balancing way for attendees to receive the most out of your retreat – provide them with a morning or mid-day tai chi class to refresh their day. Content can include introduction to tai chi form, standing meditation, basic Tai Chi postures and slow moving exercises that emphasize energy flow, Tai Chi principles and chi kung.
- Customize a Tai Chi workshop for retreat participants
- Choose 45-90 minute workshop (s). Workshops can be offered during an AM, lunch or PM slot.
FEE: Contact Jill to arrange fees.
Wellness Days / Health Fairs
Add Tai Chi to any school, hospital or organizational Wellness Day or Health Fair!
- Customize a Tai Chi workshop / seminar for participants.
- Choose workshops of 30 minutes – 90 minutes in length.
- Workshops can be offered during an AM, lunch or PM slot.
FEE: Contact Jill to arrange fees.
Desert Sage Tai Chi 