Time Out Tai Chi, Tips and Resources

About Time Out Tai Chi
Parents, Why use Time Out Tai Chi?
Teachers, Why take Time Out Tai Chi into the class?
Time Out Tai Chi Lesson Plan 1
Time Out Tai Chi Lesson Plan 2

About Time Out Tai Chi

With Time Out Tai Chi we bond as we read the story of “Welcoming Jing” by his new friends Rose and Vinny. 

Reading together from an early age improves children’s development, well-being and school readiness.  

As readers and listeners become more familiar with the story, the learning of the moves will happen.  Simply talking about the moves will help. 

One of the best things parents, grandparents and teachers can do is to help children build inner strength to cope with the ups and downs of life. You can use simple Tai Chi moves as a way to defuse stressful situations and give thinking time before acting rashly.

The best way to get your child to exercise is to model the behaviour yourself and at all times we must have fun.

They say that practice makes perfect, but perfection is not what we are after. 

Everyone will put their own interpretation on the moves.  It is about finding harmony and serenity when used, that is important.

Used in different situations Time Out Tai Chi can be used to make even the most mundane task a chance to have a moment of quality time. 

- Waiting in the grocery line can become one of those good moments.

- Sitting and waiting at the bus stop could be another wonderful moment.

- Before making a meal at the end of a busy day relax, another great moment.

One of the best ways to ensure that your family members remember to relax together is by modelling the behaviour yourself.

- Read and share the story together.

- Talk about the moves together.

- Try the moves together.

- Do Time Out Tai Chi together

Parents, Why use Time Out Tai Chi?

Through the ancient ages to our modern day over 300 million people in the world practice Tai Chi. Time Out Tai Chi is an introduction to the basic principles of slow, gentle movements, thinking about your breath, concentrating and relaxing the body. Almost anyone can learn Tai Chi. There are no equipment to buy and it can be practiced almost anywhere.

With Time Out Tai Chi we bond as we read the story of "Welcoming Jing" by his new friends Rose and Vinny. Reading together from an early age improves children's development, well-being and school readiness.
As readers and listeners become more familiar with the story, the learning of the moves will happen. Simply talking about the moves will help.

Use these simple Tai Chi moves as a way to defuse stressful situations, encourage youngsters of all ages to consider using Tai Chi as a way of giving themselves thinking time before acting rashly. One of the best things parents can do is to help children build inner strength to cope with the ups and downs of life.

The best way to get your child to exercise is to model the behaviour yourself and at all times we must have fun.

Read and share the story together.
Talk about the moves together.
Try the moves together.
Do Time Out Tai Chi together.

Click here for PDF Version of this article

Teachers, Why take Time Out Tai Chi into the class?

With Time Out Tai Chi we read the story of “Welcoming Jing” by his new friends Rose and Vinny.  Things have changed at the zoo.  Jing has arrived.  Rose and Vinny go to see what he is up to.  Join in the fun as they find time out for friendship and exercise.

Through the ancient ages to our modern day, with over 300 million people in the world practicing Tai Chi, there is growing evidence that this form of exercise is beneficial to your health. Almost anyone can learn Tai Chi.  There is no equipment to buy and it can be practised almost anywhere. Studies have shown that Tai Chi is a healthy and safe exercise that just about everyone can get involved in. 

This book provides an opportunity to introduce Tai Chi to the classroom.  Using Time Out Tai Chi is a wonderful way to start building the habits of good posture, relaxation and movement.  By incorporating the breath we add relaxation. 

Building inner strength is one of the best ways to cope with the ups and downs of life. To help build this inner strength we need useful tools.  Encourage youngsters of all ages to use Time Out Tai Chi as a way of allowing themselves thinking time before acting rashly and to defuse stressful situations.
Time Out Tai Chi - Welcoming Jing provides the foundation for Tai Chi to expand your knowledge please find a qualified Tai Chi instructor to continue your journey with.

The word “jing” can be roughly translated to mean “serenity”.  Welcoming jing into your life is a positive experience for all.

Time Out Tai Chi Lesson Plan 1

For Teachers/Childcare Workers

Time Out Tai Chi Lesson Plan 2

For Teachers/Childcare Workers

Introducing “Posture of Tai Chi” – a foundation move for other Tai Chi movements

Discuss - Who are Vinny, Rose and Jing?

Read on “They looked over the fence and things had changed.”

Read book and talk about the pictures. 

Read up to “Jing smiled and nodded.”

Turn back to the instructions and point at the instructions. (ask the group to have a go seated just doing the hand movements)

Revise lesson 1 –  What is “Posture of Infinity”? 

First into “Posture of Infinity” and then into “Posture of Tai Chi”

Introduce a new game – passing the “Qi” ball

The first player stands in “Posture of Infinity” and slowly raises the hands to  “Posture of Tai Chi”  and holds the imaginary ball  “Qi” he/she then slowly turns the ball over so that the hands are now positioned one above the other, gently turning the upper body to the next player.  The next player is standing in Posture of Infinity” and slowly raises the hands to “Posture of Tai Chi”  to take the Ball “Qi” from the first player.  This proceeds slowly down the line or around the circle.  Adding a real ball can be very helpful for younger children.  This game encourages slow gently movements and sharing.

If time allows play the games from the previous lesson
Finish with explaining when you will continue the story.

Make the “Posture of Infinity” when lining up or standing for a while, use it to encourage good posture when seated.  Encourage slow movement when doing different tasks Always keep it fun.