Relax and Tai Chi at Urbino

The Il Biroccio Country House offers weekend or 1 week stays entirely devoted to your psycho-physical wellbeing through the practice of the age-old art of Tai Chi Chuan.
This is a truly unique opportunity to regenerate and reenergize oneself, expelling any stress from your body and mind relax through breathing exercises, stretching, and posture sequences. The courses will have place outdoor, in an quiet and uncontaminated environment.

Courses can be tailored to meet any specific needs, and are also suitable for advanced practitioners who want to deepen their knowledge of this ancient and renown art.

Tai Chi, silence, relax by the pool or in the garden, and great food: the perfect mix to enjoy an unforgettable vacation devoted to your inner well being!

What is Tai Chi Chuan?

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An ancient Chinese martial discipline based on the Taoist philosophy principles, Tai Chi Chuan is also a therapeutic method based on Chinese traditional medicine, art, meditation, philosophy and refined personal defence techniques, all of which equally contribute to the unique effectiveness of this discipline. Some of them might be prioritized according to one’s own attitudes, but none of them can be neglected in order to fully experience and appreciate what is at the core of this art.

Born in antithesis with other “harder” martial arts, Tai Chi Chuan is not intended to develop one’s physical strength, but is rather centred on improving one’s mental strength, and it is characterized by slow, constant, coordinated  moves and steps. It focuses on improving one’s power of concentration and achieving a state of full relaxation and enhance one’s body consciousness, all prerequisite conditions to the achievement of a perfect inner balance.

On a physical level, Tai Chi Chuan enhances one’s posture, improves blood circulation, loosens up joints, restores a good muscle tone, softens tensions and favours one’s energy rebalancing. And the gradual enhancement of one’s mental, physical and spiritual well being also contributes to strengthen one’s own personality and self-esteem.

Tai Chi Chuan can be practiced alone or in couples, placing you in close, constant contact with yourself or others. There are no age limits and it’s ideal for both young and old people.

FAQ

Can Chi Chuan be practiced by adults as well as children?
Yes, even though it’s more suited for adults, as kids might find it difficult to keep their concentration during the training.

Where can Tai Chi Chuan be practiced?
It’s advisable to practice it in a large and quiet space, better if outdoor. However, it is also practiced in gyms.

What time of the day is best for Tai Chi Chuan?
Preferably at dawn or sunset

Does Tai Chi Chuan have side effects?
No. However, people affected by specific physical pathologies should consult their own physician before starting this practice.

What clothing is required?
It’s advisable to wear very comfortable clothes. Shoes should be low and soft, allowing the feet to feel the ground and leaving the ankle joints free. In winter season, special care must be paid to wear clothes that keep one’s body constantly warm.

When it’s not advisable to practice Tai Chi Chuan?

When you are sleep or food deprived; soon after having sex; when you are physically or mentally tired.

Up to what age can I practice Tai Chi Chuan?
There are no age limits, provided your health conditions allow you to practice it.

Is Tai Chi Chuan a martial art?
Yes. Or to be more precise: Tai Chi is a philosophy, and Tai Chi Chuan is a martial art based on the principles of Tai Chi.

Can I practice Tai Chi Chuan even if I am not an athlete?
Yes. Anyone can practice it.

Is Tai Chi Chuan of any help against back pains?
Yes. Constant exercises can strengthen the muscles sustaining the spine, loosen up joints and correct bad postural habits.

Tai Chi Chuan at Il Biroccio: Agenda of the course (teacher: Marchionetti)
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Morning
7:30-8:00 Tai Chi Qi Gong (set of coded routine exercises of Tai Chi, “Yang” style)
(breathing control; visualizations, non- martial techniques, both static and dynamic, to increase energy circulation in the body outer parts, enhance the vital capacity, develop one’s Qi (inner energy), facilitates relaxation, recovery and serenity)

8:30-9:00 Breakfast

9:00-10:30 Taijiquan lesson – Basics (An introduction)
Chinese gymnastic exercises to develop equilibrium, stability, flexibility, posture, alignment, coordination, muscle tone). Proposed Sequence: “Gli otto pezzi di broccato”, or Baduanjin
Exercises focused on joint loosen up and muscles relaxation
Basic steps of the art (positions, steps and moves) and exercises in couple

Afternoon:
5:00-6:30 pm Taijiquan class – Advanced (in-depth examination)
Exercises for loosening up of the spine, and specific training for muscle groups, ligaments and tendons usually out of conscious control
Tai Chi Chi Kung exercises for sensitization and visualization (La Qi)
Introduction to the study of the 8 strengths of Taijiquan (Ba Men)
“Hand push” exercises (Tui Shou)

Evening
6:30-7:30pm
Study of the traditional long sequence of the Yang Style (Beginners and advanced)

Dinner

Info and Reservations
The course organization is dependent on the achievement of a minimum of 10 subscriptions
Subscription is limited to a max of 20 people

Next course dates will be coming soon
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