Tai Chi Classes – Dan Harrington – Tai Chi Tokyo

Guang Ping Tai Chi Chuan Classes – Tokyo, Japan

Dan Harrington, author of Alchemy Of Tao – A guide to Alchemic Three Treasure Qigong & Guang Ping Yang Taiji Chuan holds Tai Chi classes in Tokyo, Japan, in Yoyogi Park. His classes offer a unique opportunity to connect with nature and experience a sense of harmony with the natural world. See below for maps and class schedule.

The style of Tai Chi Dan practices is known as Yang Pai Kuang P’ing (Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Chuan). This refers to a Yang Family style originating from Kuang-p’ing Prefectural City in Yung-nien County, Henan, China.

The system was passed down through Yang Pan Hou, son of Yang Lu Chan, who learned Tai Chi from Chen Chang Hsing, a ninth-generation master of Chen family boxing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Although originally developed as a martial art, Tai Chi Chuan is now widely practiced for health, balance, and overall wellbeing.

The principles of this art follow the I Ching (Book of Changes), an ancient Chinese philosophical text that explores the workings of the natural world. One of its central ideas is that Yin energy (softness) and Yang energy (strength) must be brought into harmony to sustain balance in life.

Through regular practice, Tai Chi helps cultivate internal energy (chi), supporting a balanced connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Tai Chi practice may help correct internal imbalances which, if left unaddressed, can contribute to poor health. In modern life, many people experience ongoing stress, which can weaken the body over time.

Tai Chi offers a gentle approach to reducing stress through slow, flowing movement and mindful weight shifting, moving from one leg to the other. These movements are designed to:

• calm the mind
• improve circulation
• support the internal organs
• strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments

Taoist stretching and meditation practices are also taught to develop flexibility, awareness, and inner calm.

DAN’S TEACHER

Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi is taught at the Wen Wu School of Martial Arts in El Cerrito, California, USA, under the guidance of Master Yun Chung Chiang.

In addition to teaching Chinese martial arts, Master Chiang is a respected painter, calligrapher, and Doctor of Chinese Medicine (O.M.D.).

Note on spelling:
Guang Ping = Pinyin (mainland China)
Kuang P’ing = Wade–Giles (Taiwan)

ABOUT DAN

Dan began studying Tai Chi Chuan in 1972 while attending U.C. Berkeley, where he also studied Chinese philosophy, history, and the internal arts with Master Chiang until 1984.

Following this period, he worked in the Hong Kong film industry as an actor and stuntman. He currently works in film and broadcasting as an actor, writer, and narrator, and continues to practice and teach Tai Chi. For more information drop me a line.

3 Treasures Qigong Warm Up Exercises for Beginners (Video)

This 3 Treasures Qigong warm up routine has two parts and works to activate the centres of the body that create warmth and help circulate blood and energy in a balanced way. It is suitable for beginners, young or old, and can be practiced in a short amount of time.

What is Qigong?

Qigong (also spelled qi gong or chi gong) is a traditional practice that combines slow movement, breathing, and awareness. These easy qigong exercises for beginners are designed to support overall health, relaxation, and natural energy flow throughout the body. These easy qigong exercises are often used as a gentle warm up for Tai Chi or as a simple daily practice to support relaxation, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.

Benefits of Qigong Warm Up Exercises

These qigong warm up exercises for beginners may help:

• improve circulation
• gently mobilise joints
• support balance and coordination
• reduce stress and tension
• calm the nervous system
• prepare the body for deeper Tai Chi or Qigong practice

Easy Qigong Routine You Can Do at Home

These easy qigong exercises at home are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Whether you are looking for a gentle warm up, improved flexibility, or a way to relax, this qigong routine demonstrated by Dan Harrington is a simple place to start.

Practicing regularly, even for a few minutes a day, may help support long-term wellbeing.

Qigong Warm Up Exercises Video

This video is shared for educational purposes. All rights remain with the original creator.

Easy Qigong Exercises for Beginners (Step-by-Step Guide)

1. Lower Back Qigong Warm Up Exercise
Stand with feet together
Place open palms on your lower back
Gently rotate your hips in circles
Perform about 40 circles in each direction

Tip: Keep movements slow and relaxed

2. Qigong Hip Circles Exercise
Stand with feet shoulder-width apart
Place hands on hips
Keep your head lifted
Rotate hips in slow circles
About 40 circles each direction

3. Qigong Knee Circles Exercise
Bend forward slightly
Place hands on your knees
Rotate knees in circles
Perform about 20 circles each direction

Tip: Smaller circles are easier and better for beginners

4. Leg Brushing Qigong Exercise
Bend forward slightly
Use your hands to:
brush down the back of the legs
brush up the inside of the legs

Tip: This helps stimulate circulation and energy flow

5. Gentle Forward Stretch and Arm Rotation
Stand with feet together
Fold forward gently
Let your arms hang loosely

Rotate arms:
– forward
– outward
– slightly to each side

Tip: Keep the movement gentle and relaxed

6. Qigong Breathing and Centering (Hara Focus)
Stand upright and relaxed
Place hands near the lower abdomen (hara)
Breathe slowly and deeply into the belly
Take about 7 relaxed breaths

Tip: This helps calm the nervous system and centre your energy

7. Gentle Arm Breathing Movement
As you breathe in, allow your arms to rise slightly
As you breathe out, let your arms lower
Keep movements soft and natural

Tip: Let your breath guide the movement

8. Basic Standing Qigong Posture
Stand with feet comfortably apart
Bend knees slightly
Hold arms rounded at chest level
Keep fingers relaxed and open
Take about 24 slow breaths through the nose

Tip: Keep shoulders relaxed and your gaze soft

9. Weight Shifting Exercise
Shift your weight slowly from side to side
Place about 70% of your weight on one leg
Move gently between sides

Tip: Helps improve balance and coordination

10. Arm Expansion and Body Rotation
Extend your arms outward
Gently rotate your body
Look in the direction of movement

Tip: Keep breathing slow and relaxed

11. Upper Body and Head Movement
Bring hands near the sides of the head
Gently move arms and shoulders
Keep posture stable and relaxed

12. Final Arm Movements and Closing
Raise arms overhead without touching the head
Move forearms forward and backward
Finish by gently sweeping hands over the head

Tip: Keep everything slow, soft, and controlled 

Alchemy of Tao – Energy Training

Dan Harrington’s Alchemy of Tao – Energy Training approach to Qigong focuses on Taoist energy cultivation through structured movement, breathing and internal awareness. His method is designed to support physical conditioning, including strengthening of the joints, tendons and leg muscles, while also working with deeper internal aspects of the body.

This practice explores three key areas: supporting the body’s natural internal processes, developing strength through the tendons and lower body (centred around the Dantian), and using breath, focus and controlled movement to build stability and internal balance.

You can explore more of Dan’s teachings here:
Alchemy of Tao – Energy Training (YouTube Channel)

Mind–Body Practice in Tai Chi

In this video, Dan Harrington’s teacher, Master Yun Chung Chiang, discusses the importance of mind–body awareness in Tai Chi practice. This connection between movement, breath and attention is a fundamental aspect of traditional training.

This footage was recorded by Dan Harrington in the mid-1990s and offers insight into the deeper principles behind the exercises demonstrated above.

D. D. Harrington Youtube Channel – Guang Ping Yang Taiji Chuan
This channel by D.D. Harrington is dedicated to the study and practice of Guang Ping Yang Taiji Chuan, with videos showing movements, training methods and traditional forms from this lineage.

Contact Dan Harrington
Tai Chi Classes Tokyo

Phone: (03) 6475 0453
International: +81 3 6475 0453
Email: deanolatte@gmail.com
Visit Dan Harrington’s Website

Qigong & Tai Chi CLASSES LOCATION

YOYOGI PARK (JR Harajuku Station)
Saturday 7:30am to 9:30am
Sunday 9am to 11am