T'ai Chi Chuan
PE 197; CRN # 4691 : 2 credits
Southern Oregon University, Winter 2015
T & Th 3:45 – 4:50 pm, 1/6 – 3/12/15
Room: PE 132
Athletics/Physical Education Activities
Instructor: Nando Raynolds, M.A., LPC; 541-821-6623, nando@mind.net, www.nando-r.com
Sifu Raynolds has been studying T'ai Chi since 1978. He is also a 5th degree black belt in Karate and a
3rdrdegree black belt in Kenpo. His book on two person T'ai Chi practices is the bestseller in that category on
Amazon. He has also published DVD programs on T'ai Chi and Qigong. He works as a life coach and
psychotherapist and teaches NLP and Life Coaching programs.
T'ai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of self-defense primarily practiced today for its benefits in terms of
exercise, flexibility, and inner calm. This class focuses on a dance-like series of slow movements which build
balance, strength and coordination.
Learning outcomes: Students will learn the first portion of the Yang style form of T'ai Chi Chuan. All
movements will include self defense applications. They will be introduced to the basics of Taoist and T'ai Chi
philosophy and how these apply to interpersonal relationships and physical conflict.
Outline: There will be 20 class meetings and a meeting during exam week (as specified on the SOU exam
schedule) that will be a regular class. Each class will follow a similar pattern of warm ups followed by practice of
specific movements. Classes will include partner practices to explicate the movements and their martial
applications. Students will also be taught "push-hands", the beginning level of T'ai Chi sparring.
Grading: The Registrar will give you a grade for this class unless you specifically request the pass/no pass
option. 70% and above is a pass. This class can be taken up to 6 times for a grade and then can be audited with
instructor permission.
Assessment Methods: Attendance will count for 60% of the grade. Coming to class late or leaving early will
count as at least 1/3 off attendance. At midterm and during the last four class meetings, students will be asked to
demonstrate the movements. The midterm demo will count for 5% of the grade, the final for 10%. Performance
will be evaluated for amount of practice it demonstrates. Features such as fluidity and power display this clearly.
During quiet week, one class meeting will include a public group demonstration. This performance will count for
5%. There will be a quiz on the reading during the sixth week of class that will count for 5% of the grade. Five
typed, one page (400 word minimum) papers will be assigned over the course of the semester, the cumulative
point value for which will be 15%. Papers will be evaluated on length, clarity, sentence structure, spelling, lack
of references, misuse of internet sources, etc.
Points lost due to attendance etc ... may be made up by doing independent reading and writing as long as
the student’s performance of the T’ai Chi movements is adequate. Readings must be approved by the instructor.
Students will receive 3 points per page of written work on approved readings.
Texts: Handouts from the instructor are required, mostly on the class wiki. http://www.taichisou.wikispaces.com
Homework: Students will be expected to read the handouts and to practice the movements.
Additional learning aids: Supporting audio and video tapes/ DVDs are available. Visit the library or see
instructor. Visit our wiki and my website : http://www.nando-r.com for more material.
ADA Statement: If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability (whether it is
psychiatric, learning, mobility, health-related, or sensory), you may be eligible for academic accommodations
through disability services for students. Contact the Director, Disability Services for Students, at 552-6213, or
schedule an appointment in person at Academic Support Programs, Stevenson Union, Lower Level. DSS services
are available to all distance learning (online) students as well as on-campus students. Please see our DSS for
Distance Learning page. http://www.sou.edu/access/dss
T'ai Chi Chuan
PE 197; CRN # 4691 : 2 credits
T & Th 3:45 – 4:50 pm, 1/6 – 3/12/15
Room: PE 132
Instructor: Nando Raynolds, M.A., LPC; 541-821-6623, nando@mind.net
Beginning student assignment schedule:
Readings are all on the wiki:
Due date:
2nd Tues: Begin Handouts and Chapter 10
3rd Tues: SOU Intro and Chapter 9, TETC&QB
4th Tues: Chapter 11, TETC&QB
5th Tues: Relaxation Art.
6th Tues: Understanding self-defense
7th and 8th Tues: T’ai Chi classics
Written work – please email in the body of the email: Five 400 word papers due on
Tuesdays
Week 2: Paper 1-Describe your movement history - sports, activities, injuries and your goals
for T’ai Chi practice.
Week 4: Paper 2 –Narrative describing movements of the first chunk of T’ai Chi form learned.
Week 6: Paper 3 - Narrative describing movements of the second chunk of T’ai Chi form
learned.
Week 9: Paper 4 - Narrative describing movements of the third chunk of T’ai Chi form learned.
Week 10: Paper 5 - Review your experience with T’ai Chi, relate this back to your original
goals, and what is next for you? What are the challenges that interfere with or prevent your
regular practice?
Quiz, on reading and class lectures, Tuesday week 5
Midterm demonstration, in pairs, Tuesday week 5
Final demonstrations, solo, starting Tuesday week 9
Public group demonstration week 10
We will meet as per the university schedule during finals week for one regular class
Continuing T'ai Chi Chuan
PE 197; CRN # 4691 : 2 credits
T & Th 3:45 – 4:50 pm, 1/6 – 3/12/15
Room: PE 132
Instructor: Nando Raynolds, M.A., LPC; 541-821-6623, nando@mind.net, www.nando-r.com
Sifu Raynolds has been studying T'ai Chi since 1978. He is also a 5th degree black belt in Karate and a
3rdrdegree black belt in Kenpo. His book on two person T'ai Chi practices is the bestseller in that category on
Amazon. He has also published DVD programs on T'ai Chi and Qigong. He works as a life coach and
psychotherapist and teaches NLP and Life Coaching programs.
T'ai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese system of self-defense primarily practiced today for its benefits in terms of
exercise, flexibility, and inner calm. This class focuses on a dance-like series of slow movements which build
balance, strength and coordination.
Learning outcomes: Students will learn the first portion of the Yang style form of T'ai Chi Chuan. All
movements will include self defense applications. They will be introduced to the basics of Taoist and T'ai Chi
philosophy and how these apply to interpersonal relationships and physical conflict.
Outline: There will be 20 class meetings and a meeting during exam week (as specified on the SOU exam
schedule) that will be a regular class. Each class will follow a similar pattern of warm ups followed by practice of
specific movements. Classes will include partner practices to explicate the movements and their martial
applications. Students will also be taught "push-hands", the beginning level of T'ai Chi sparring.
Grading: The Registrar will give you a grade for this class unless you specifically request the pass/no pass
option. 70% and above is a pass. This class can be taken up to 6 times for a grade and then can be audited with
instructor permission.
Assessment Methods: Attendance will count for 60% of the grade. Coming to class late or leaving early will
count as at least 1/3 off attendance. At midterm and during the last four class meetings, students will be asked to
demonstrate the movements. The midterm demo will count for 5% of the grade, the final for 10%. Performance
will be evaluated for amount of practice it demonstrates. Features such as fluidity and power display this clearly.
During quiet week, one class meeting will include a public group demonstration. This performance will count for
5%. There will be a quiz on the reading during the sixth week of class that will count for 5% of the grade. Five
typed, one page (400 word minimum) papers will be assigned over the course of the semester, the cumulative
point value for which will be 15%. Papers will be evaluated on length, clarity, sentence structure, spelling, lack
of references, misuse of internet sources, etc.
Points lost due to attendance etc ... may be made up by doing independent reading and writing as long as
the student’s performance of the T’ai Chi movements is adequate. Readings must be approved by the instructor.
Students will receive 3 points per page of written work on approved readings.
Texts: Brief handouts and readings in a book approved by instructor will be required. A one
page paper discussing points the student found meaningful in the text is also required.
Homework: Students are expected to read the handouts and to practice.
Additional learning aids: The Tai Chi Book by R Chuckrow is a recommended supporting text. And
at this point I strongly recommend you buy the curriculum summary video or DVD. Also inquire for
additional supporting texts which match your focus. Visit my website: http://www.nando-r.com
wiki: http://www.taichisou.wikispaces.com
ADA Statement: If you are in need of academic support because of a documented disability (whether it is
psychiatric, learning, mobility, health-related, or sensory), you may be eligible for academic accommodations
through disability services for students. Contact the Director, Disability Services for Students, at 552-6213, or
schedule an appointment in person at Academic Support Programs, Stevenson Union, Lower Level. DSS services
are available to all distance learning (online) students as well as on-campus students. Please see our DSS for
Distance Learning page. http://www.sou.edu/access/dssI
T'ai Chi Chuan
PE 197; CRN # 4691 : 2 credits
T & Th 3:45 – 4:50 pm, 1/6 – 3/12/15
Room: PE 132
Instructor: Nando Raynolds, M.A., LPC; 821-6623, nando@mind.net
Continuing student assignment schedule:
Reading arranged with instructor week 2, one page paper on that text due by week 9
Written work: Five 400 word papers due on Tuesdays
Week 2: Paper 1-Review your practice since the last class and describe your goals for T’ai Chi practice.
Week 4: Paper 2 & Week 6: Paper 3 - Choose from the following topics:
Description of logistics of standing relaxed in gravity : how do you know if you are too tense and
extended? how do you know if you are too dense and compacted? How do you know if you are just
right?
Description of your high and low energy states - what are the physical and emotional symptoms of
these? How do you influence this?
Challenges you face to mindfulness. What interferes with your ability to be in the moment and present
as you practice? How do you influence this?
Description of your motivational system - how do you (or not) get yourself to do something you do not
initially want to do? How do you overcome resistance to regular and attentive practice?
Description of logistics and physical sensations of breathing up the front of the body and breathing up
the back of the body.
Description of your experience of the state of “listening” in push hands: what are the physical and
emotional tags for a receptive state in push hands - what are they for a non-receptive state?
Week 8: Paper 4 - Description of the movements learned.
Week 10: Paper 5 - Review your experience with T’ai Chi, relate this back to your original goals, and
what is next for you? What are the challenges that interfere with or prevent your regular practice?
Midterm demonstration, in pairs, Tuesday week 5
Final demonstrations, solo, starting Tuesday week 9
Public group demonstration week 10
We will meet as per the university schedule during finals week for one regular class.