Tai Chi Chuan
Northstar Tai Chi Chuan instructor Jay Soderberg has been practicing Tai Chi Chuan for over 15 years (since 2006). During this time, he has studied several Yang style forms, including the traditional Long Form (108 moves), the 24 – Form, Cheng Man Ching’s 37-Form, and the 40-Form. He has studied with Fong Ha, who was a widely respected Instructor living in Berkeley, CA, that taught world-wide. Jay was certified by Fong Ha to teach Yang style Tai Chi Chuan in 2012. Jay has also been certified as an instructor in Dr. Paul Lam’s Tai Chi for Arthritis (TCA) form including the Falls Prevention and Seated versions of the TCA Form. You can learn more about Tai Chi Chuan by reading my post “What is Tai Chi Chuan?”.
Performing Grasp The Bird’s Tail Sequence
Qigong
Qigong (which can be translated as energy practice) is also an area of expertise for Jay. With experience in both the Yi Jin Jing and Eight Pieces of Brocades, Jay can help people that may not be able to, or have no desire to learn a Tai Chi Chuan form. Qigong and Tai Chi Chuan are closely related and both help to improve your health.
Tai Chi Ruler
The Tai Chi Ruler is a wonderful type of Qigong. It is easy to learn, can be utilized by anyone, and is extremely beneficial. It was brought to the United States by my teacher, Fong Ha. You can learn more about the Tai Chi Ruler here, or you can purchase one here.
Meditation
Interested in meditation? Northstar Tai Chi Chuan can help with that too! There are several mediation methods, but one of the simplest is Natural Meditation, which is what Jay teaches. Natural Meditation is appropriate for both beginning and experienced meditators. Meditation can greatly enhance your Tai Chi Chuan and Qi Gong experiences. See our post regarding meditation here.
Instructors and Locations
Jay Soderberg teaches in the Minneapolis area – specifically in the southern and western suburbs of Hopkins, Plymouth, Minnetonka, and Wayzata. He has been teaching through Wayzata Community Education since 2014. In addition, he has been teaching since 2013; first assisting his teacher, Keith Root, then teaching in his own right since January 2015. Jay’s experience includes form work, applications, and push hands, and weapons forms. Private lessons are available in Tai Chi Chuan, meditation, and Qigong.
Mark Haerle teaches at the Jefferson Activity Center in Bloomington. Mark began studying Tai Ji Quan and Yi Quan in 2004. He is a student of Grand Master Fong Ha, a distinguished practitioner of Tai Ji Quan and Yi Quan. Mark was certified to teach by Grand Master Fong Ha in 2012. Mark has studied the traditional Yang style forms including the Long Form (108 moves), saber form and sword form.
Other information
The philosophy behind Instructor Soderberg’s teaching techniques is that it should feel comfortable and balanced. And, Tai Chi should be fun to learn and practice. The forms taught can always be adapted to any physical limitations that a student may have.
Some students come to learn the health aspects of Tai Chi. Other student’s interests lie in Tai Chi Chuan as self defense or a martial art. In reality, there is significant overlap between these goals. Many of the things that make Tai Chi Chuan healthy also are what make it effective as a self defense or martial system. Often, explaining the martial application of the particular move, helps the student to understand why a move is performed the way it is.
When are your in person classes/ information please
Hi Mitzi,
Sorry for the slow response to your question, but I was out of town.
I have some Qigong and Tai Chi Ruler Classes starting as early as the 17th of April. Also, I will be hosting a World Tai Chi & Qigong Day event at the Hopkins Pavilion on April 27th.
Classes in the summer are consolidated, I will be teaching Saturday Mornings in Tarnhill Park in Bloomington, and City Hall Park on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in Wayzata.
For more details, I have all of my classes posted on the “Classes & Events” tab. You can reach it here: Events
If you have any further questions, it is probably easier to email me via the contact page here: Contact Us
Regards,
Jay
Jay,
Am I qualified to take your cane class?
Weapons classes of any type (sword, saber, fan, cane, etc.) are considered advanced training, so they are not appropriate for your first class. A student should at least have the basics down. But that doesn’t mean that the student has to be expert or even an advanced in their studies. Students at different stages, will get different things out of a weapons class. As with Tai Chi Chuan in general, you get out of it what you put into it, and there is always something else to learn.
Enjoy,
Jay