Start | Taiji Merida

What is Tai Chi?

The slow and exact exercises that are practiced at any time of the day. These exercises help to restore the energy level in the body and calm the mind/thought. Taiji is generally practiced in this way, with objectives aimed at maintaining good health.

Taiji originally belongs to the Chinese martial arts. Looking at the Taiji from the outside, one sees a sequence of smooth and calm movements. The body is precisely aligned and moves fluidly without any part of the body stopping.

Taiji can be used for self defense and promotes health. However, the main work takes place internally. An aspect that is emphasized in our training.

The Tai Ji I teach is Yang style. It is a group of exact movements. The first structure comprises 37 different positions linked to form the "simplified form". Learning this figure takes a minimun time of six months with a training of 2 weekly lessons (mandatory).

Tai Ji: means "great extreme", "great polarity", "the greatest" and is based on the Daoist philosophy which its fundamental objective is to achieve plenitude.
Tai Ji is an internal style of Chinese martial art, stressing the principles of relaxation and yielding both in application and in daily life. Tai Ji training develops inner strength and harmony through the coordination and relaxation of Mind and body. Externally, Tai Ji is the art of movement for health and self defense. Internally, is the science of Mind and internal energy or Qi.

This training prioritizes deep internal development and is meant for people looking for more than just good health or relaxation.

About me

I am Monica Gonzalez (1966), my practice began in 2002 in a basic Qi Gong course in Zurich, Switzerland, it was there where I got fascinated about martial arts movements and the Yin-Yang philosophy.
In 2006 -2010 I had the opportunity to learn and graduate as a Yang Style Taiji teacher. Since then I have practiced daily. My education has been with a direct disciple of Master Huang, Patrick Kelly from New Zealand. With him I learned that not only the body has to maintain a state of calm but that the mind, being calm, dominates the body.
This was the beginning of this endless and fascinating journey.
In 2010 – I gave my first group lessons, always with the aim of motivating, cultivating and teaching this wonderful way of exercising the body, mind and spirit.

Teachers and trainings

2004-2008

Diploma in Chinese Medicine at Biomedica in Zurich, Switzerland.
Practice under the supervision of Dr. Wei Zhang in Glarus, Switzerland

2008-2011

Tai Ji School in Zurich, Switzerland, Diploma recognized by the National Association of Tai Ji and Qi Gong in Switzerland SGQT

Member of of the Swiss Qi Gong and Taiji Association SGQT with lectures and seminars in Buddhist Meditation and I Ging

Training with Chunglian Al Huang, with the 5 Forces or 5 Elements; ground principles of the Chinese Medicine.

Trainings and seminars:

From 2011 to March 2023 weekly training (min 6 hrs per week) in Tai Ji

In April 2023, I moved to Merida Yucatan in Mexico where I practice daily in Parks and give also everyday lessons in Spanish as well as in English language.

2017

Seminar and training in Tai Ji in Budapest, Hungary, with Christine Schneider, Instructor Vienna, Austria

2017
January Three-day seminar, Tai Ji training with Patrick Kelly in Zurich, Switzerland
Power Response seminar with Dieter Mayer, founder of the ASS Institute in Munich, Germany, teacher of Taiji, Qigong, Wing Chun, and Escrima
Seminar and training in Tai Ji in Berlin, Germany, with Chr. Schneider, Instructor Vienna, Austria

2018
January Three-day seminar, Tai Ji training in Zurich, Switzerland
Seminar on Tai Ji with Michael Plötz, Senior Instructor and Chinese Medicine Therapist, in Hamburg, Germany

2019
January – 3 days intensive Tai Ji course with Patrik Kelly in Zurich, Switzerland
June – 4 days Tai Ji Seminar in Munich, Germany with Chr. Schneider
October – 4 days Tai Ji Seminar in Vienna, Austria with Chr. Schneider

2020
One week Tai Ji Seminar in Hamburg, Germany with instructor Michael Plötz

2022

One week Taiji Seminar in Salzburg, Austria instructor Chr. Schneider.

2023

Seminar and Training during October in Freiburg, Germany with the instructor Heribert Greiner
2025
5 days Seminar and Training in Boston, Mass - USA with the instructor Chr. Schneider, from Vienna, Austria.

My teachers webs:
* Patrick Kelly. https://patrickkellytaiji.com
* Ch. Schneider https://taiji-schule.at

How does a lesson is designed

Each lesson (about 75 minutes) is structured in the same way. This structure helps us in the progress of learning. In the course of the lesson, the physical exercises become more and more complex. In the process, we try to enter an increasingly deep and calm state of mind refined to everyday life.

Contact me via email to book a course: moniposa@gmail.com

First part - Relaxation exercises

At the beginning of each Taiji class we do five loosenings designed by Master Huang Xingxian. With these we learn to release tension, to align the body and to move smoothly. At the same time, we begin to calm the mind from the daily hustle and bustle and leads us to inner peace. A first step to this is to concentrate on the internal movements of the body

Part Two- Taiji Form

Beginners first learn Master Huang's short form, which is based on Master Zheng Manqing's 37-positions. In each lesson we go into more detail. Moving forward until you have memorized all 37 positions and you can move coordinated and smooth.
By practicing the form, we learn to perceive the internal forces that move us from the feet to the head; the body aligns and strengthens.

Third part - Tuishou - push (perceive) with the hands.

There are eight basic exercises to train mainly with the forces of the center of our body in combination with the arms, these exercises are practiced in all classes.
These exercises are carried out in pairs with great sensitivity and without force, in the deepest possible state of mind. We learn to feel the activation of the muscles in ourselves, but also in our partners to establish the smoothest connection.

Each lesson ends with a short meditation.

We finish with a short Meditation.

Meditation is an important and integral part of inner training (Neigong).

If there is less time or if we train outside, sometimes we do a standing meditation exercise instead of the sitting meditation: "Raise and sink"

Cursos

Parque La Plancha, Calle 51 w calle 48 (Centro), Merida.

Day: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 07.30 am until 08.30 hrs

Language: Spanish/English

Teaching: Yang short form

NEW GROUP FROM ABRIL 2025 ON

Address: Casa SATTVA
Calle 42 #380, esq. 55 A
Fracc. Francisco de Montejo
Sign up at: 999 2965923 whatsup

Days: Mondays and Wednesdays

Time: 9:30 until 10.30 am

Language: Spanish

Teaching: 37 positions of Yang short form

MEL, Merida English Library, Calle 53

Address: Calle 53 #524 x 66 y 68 Merida, Centro
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays

Time: 09.30 until 10.30 hrs
Language: English
Teaching: Chungliang circles, incl. different Qi Gong exercises.

Courses to stay awake and enjoy life