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he Lin Shan School offers a number of different courses for those interested in learning the art of Tai Chi or Chi Gong. Private classes and group sessions are available in both these disciplines. The courses are conducted in the traditional way, which is still carried on today in many Eastern countries where students practise in the fresh air, usually in a public park. Dr Lin has always held classes in his garden and Marleen continues this tradition in her peaceful garden – an environment perfectly suited to relaxation and contemplation.
There are a number of courses available to choose from, depending on a person’s level of interest. Each course includes warm-up exercises and the most important principles governing the practise of Tai Chi and Chi Gong.
There are three Tai Chi courses: the ‘Grasp Sparrow’s Tail’ sequence; the first chapter of the Yang Style Short Form; and lastly a longer course that covers the remainder of the Yang Style Short Form.
The School also offers two Chi Gong courses: the ‘Eight Pieces of Brocade’; and the 18 Shibashi Chi Gong exercises.
If you practise diligently what you have learnt in any of these courses, your health will surely improve, especially if you are suffering from stress either at work or as the result of other conditions.
Students will be provided with a set of notes describing all the exercises, which can be used as an aid to their practice in between classes. Please contact Marleen to find out the cost of the different courses.
The “Grasp Sparrow’s Tail” form embodies all the basic principles of Tai Chi and is composed of the original 13 postures taught by the masters of old. It is a very good way of entering Tai Chi and has the advantage of executing certain postures on both the left and right sides of the body. It is ideal for those with limited time and space (about 2m2) in which to practise, but you will nevertheless experience all the benefits.
The classes always begin with a set of warm-ups that prepare the body for the next part of the class. In each lesson you will practise some basic movements and four different stances that will assist you in learning this circular sequence.
This form usually takes about four weeks.
This is a more advanced course in which you will learn the first chapter of the Yang Style Short Form. This course is geared for those who would like to further their development in Tai Chi. Warm-ups are always practised at the beginning of a class and these are followed by some basic movements. There are four stances, two different ways of walking, and 12 standing postures that you will learn during the sessions.
The Short Form takes a minimum of three months to learn.
This is an advanced course that completes the Yang Style Short Form for those students who are eager to progress further. This is the form that Cheng Man-Ching developed when he went to America as he realised that westerners needed a shorter sequence that suited their busy lives but nevertheless gave them the same health benefits.
It is difficult to estimate how long it takes to learn the complete form as everyone learns at a different rate. Normally it would take about six months.
These exercises were first described in a Daoist text in the 8th century. They consist of gentle stretching exercises that lengthen the tendons and muscles and thus stimulate the organs and improve one’s energy. These exercises work on every part of the body; most importantly they relieve stress and calm the emotions. During the course you will learn various warm-ups and two basic stances that are practised at the beginning of each lesson.
The Eight Pieces of Brocade can easily be learnt in a month.
This group of 18 exercises was developed in the 1980s in China by a Dr Chan. It is a simple, repetitive set of exercises he designed in order to assist his patients to enhance their health and longevity. Each of these exercises has a specific, beneficial effect. Thus by practising the whole sequence, every system in the body is strengthened. During this course you will also learn various warm-ups and two basic stances that are practised at the beginning of each lesson.
This course normally takes six weeks to complete.
Because not everyone has access to a teacher, Marleen has created a CD containing detailed instructions on how to practise the 18 Shibash Chi Gong exercises. Since the movements of Chi Gong are not very complicated, it is possible to learn it from this source.
The purpose of these exercises is to activate the flow of chi throughout the body, which consequently strengthens the internal organs so that you maintain health and vigour of both body and mind. In addition, they will promote a balanced, relaxed attitude that will help you to release stress.
The CD is divided into three sections:
Introduction to Chi Gong and its Principles covers the terminology used in Chi Gong, the health benefits of your practice, principles and guidelines, and some simple warm-up exercises to complete before you start practising
The photographs accompanied by text show you how to stand in the Preparation Posture and the Bow Stance. This is followed by a sequence of photographs and descriptions of the 18 exercises. Since each exercise has specific health benefits, these are also outlined in this section.
The movie shows how all the movements are performed; this will assist your practice once the whole sequence has been learnt.
The CD was created in Power Point and the movie requires either Windows Media Player or Nero. The cost of the CD is R120 plus postage. For more details please write to Marleen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.