The spring season is ending, but the summer season is about to begin. Training is guaranteed throughout the summer!
The spring season will end on Thursday, May 15th 2025. A gentle reminder that 1st of May there will be no Thursday training. The last two Wednesday training sessions, on May 7th and May 14th will be held at Brändö Gymnasium, Ståhlbergintie 2.
The spring meeting for the association will be held on the 15th of May at 17:30 in alin siirtolapuutarha, Pitäjänmäentie 32 / Metsäpolku 32, 00370 Helsinki. All members are warmly welcome to participate, and run off to the last training of the season afterwards!
The summer’s free training sessions will start immediately after the spring season ends. You’ll find practitioners in Hesperia Park on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 9 PM, and occasionally also on Monday evenings. On Sundays, free training takes place in Itäkeskus starting around noon. Arranging for free training can be made via the existing WhatsApp and Facebook groups.
On Helsinki Day (12th of June) Baji Association members will gather in Hesperia Park from 6 PM to 9 PM. We hope to see as many of our members as possible to showcase our training and inspire the local Helsinki residents to try out our styles. The association’s China trip overlaps with Helsinki Day, so some members will be representing us far, far away.
The summer intensives – 14.-17.7 – 28.-31.7 – 18.-21.8 The intensives cost 25 euros per lesson, or you can buy the summer season pass for 150 euros which will allow you to participate in as many intensive lessons during the summer as you are able. Location for the intensives is Kajaaninlinnantie 10 behind Liikuntakeskus Puron parking lot underneath the rain cover.
The summer barbeque will be held on Saturday, 19th July. It takes place in Talin siirtolapuutarha, Pitäjänmäentie 32 / Metsäpolku 32, 00370 Helsinki. Come hang out, enjoy some good food, and catch up with everyone!
With warm summer breeze greetings, Baji Association Board
Master Lü Baochun’s 11th Easter Camp follows the 5 Steps of Taiji -program and the training proceeds from external practice gradually into internal practice of Taiji. The Easter Camp is a unique opportunity to all Taiji-practitioners to benefit from master Lü’s transmission of ancient teachings and the principles of internal Taiji in a comprehensible and executable form. Master Lü’s 5 Steps of Taiji advances from mastering the external structure and movement step by step into the discovery of internal movement and gaining control of it.
The camp will have two training groups: foundation and advanced. We will start training on Friday together as one group and focus on examining the aspects of the two first steps, the basic building blocks of all Taiji training, posture and movement. Saturday onward one of master Lü’s most advanced students in Taiji will teach the foundation group by continuing integrating posture and movement as a solid base in form training and free movement. When finding continuous flow of movement and internal connection, the foundation group can also proceed to the next level of the program, integrating breathing & energy into training. The advanced group will start on Saturday with master Lü by examining breathing and energy movement in detail. When a solid base for external and internal training has been found, the advanced group will continue the journey into the mind-step, which will be the main focus of this year’s advanced camp. At the end of the camp we will review all the steps as one group.
The Easter Camp is open to all Taiji practitioners, regardless of training level, style or tradition. Foundation group is intended for everyone, from beginner to advanced, teaching in Finnish & English. The advanced group is intended for Taiji practitioners who have a solid base of external practice and are ready to step into internal training, taught in English. This camp is not about learning the external form or correcting it, but it is about the essence of your Taiji-training. In the classes we will use 2 first parts of the traditional Yang style -form, two parts of Chen-style Yi Lu-form and Qigong for training. It is not essential to know these forms, and if you like you can also use your own form in training.
Master Lü Baochun is a living legend of traditional Chinese martial arts, who has trained martial arts his whole life and Taiji for over 40 years. Master Lü´s fluent English and knowledge of internal power, both his meditative side and his fighting ability will guarantee the participants a huge leap forward in their own practice. Master Lü emphasizes the importance of questions from students and will give personal assistance to all students. Joona Sillanpää has studied and trained Taiji for over 20 years as a student of master Lü. Joona is also teaching Taiji at Baji Association’s weekly Taiji- courses. Joona trains Qigong, both Yang and Chen style Taiji and has achieved a high level of knowledge of the external and internal principles of Taiji.
A detailed timetable can be found at the end. We will start the mornings with 1h Qigong exercise as one group. Personal questions and discussions about training and philosophy are recommended. If the weather is fine, we will also train outside. Sunday night we will have an evening party and sauna by the lake.
The price includes 25h of training, accommodation, meals (3 x breakfast, 4 x lunch, 3 x dinner, 3 x evening snack), evening party & sauna on Sunday and a Baji thermos bottle. Accommodation is in single/double rooms, budget/hotel-standard options. It is possible to attend the camp without accommodation (meals reduced – Fri: dinner, Sat and Sun: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Mon: no meals).
Carpools will be arranged from Helsinki center, harbours and airport. If you are travelling from abroad, we can help you with accommodations and transportation and other info.
PRICES Foundation – double budget 511€ / double hotel 532€ / single budget 586€/ single hotel 607€ / no accommodation 395€ Advanced – double budget 581€ / double hotel 602€ / single budget 656€ / single hotel 677€/ no accommodation 465€
Registration by 2.4.2025 to the e-form. Room arrangements (by 2.4.2025), additional information, carpools and other info: heikki.poussa[ a ]gmail.com
Baji Association is organising a Tuishou seminar to introduce the principles of Tuishou under the guidance of Master Lü Baochun. The seminar will take place at Arabian nuorisotalo on the 22nd to the 23th of March 2025.
WHY TUISHOU? Tuishou, or push hands, is an exercise in which the fundamentals of movement are explored with a partner. It is suitable for a wide range of practitioners of oriental arts, regardless of tradition. This seminar is also suitable to those who have no previous experience on push hands or whose interest is not in martial arts. Master Lü’s principles in push hands is that these techniques can be practised from understanding and internalising the basics all the way to discovering, mastering and introducing inner movement. The aim is to learn high level control of yourself through contact with your partner. The seminar is thus not a competition to win your partner, but a practice method to help each other to find that control inside. The seminar is structured according to the student so that everyone can participate, regardless of their starting level.
Under Master Lü’s guidance, this seminar is sure to have something to offer for everyone, whether you are an experienced practitioner or a newcomer! So please join us, and bring a friend!
PRICE One day 60€ Full weekend 100€
PLACE Arabianpolku 1 A, 00560 Helsinki
SCHEDULE Saturday 16:00-18:00 Practice 18:00-19:00 Break 19:00-21:00 Practice Sunnuntai 10:00-12:00 Practice 12:00-13:00 Lunch 13:00-16:00 Practice
REGISTRATION To register for the seminar, please use this registration form. Please remember to register as soon as possible to secure your place at this great seminar. Last date for registration is 15.3.2025. Once you’ve received the confirmation email, you can pay the course fee to Baji ry account FI96 4108 0013 1692 17. Write “Tuishou Seminar” in the message. You can also pay for the seminar at the location by card or sports vouchers.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS For more information about the seminar, please email: baji ( ät ) baji.info .
The year is starting out great, as the training season starts on Tuesday 7.1.2025 according to the normal weekly schedule. Please remember to sign-up after your first free lesson!
On Wednesday 29.1.2025 we will celebrate Chinese New Year with open doors training. On that day at Alppiharju (Åshöjdens) school between 18-21, you can come and try weapons from 18-19 and from 19-20 Baji, Xingyi and Bagua. If there are requests for other styles, they can also be considered. The event is open to all and you can should invite your friends to join!
Upcoming events for the spring season include our traditional Easter camp and weekend seminars, the dates of which will be announced later.
There are still places available for the China trip from the 9th to the 20th of June 2025, so there is still time to register. More details about the trip can be found on our website.
Baji Association is organising a Tuishou seminar to introduce the principles of Tuishou under the guidance of Master Lü Baochun. The seminar will take place outside in Itäkeskus on a beautiful weekend between the 18th & 19th of May, 2024.
WHY TUISHOU?
Tuishou, or push hands, is an exercise in which the fundamentals of movement are explored with a partner. It is suitable for a wide range of practitioners of oriental arts, regardless of tradition. Under Master Lü’s guidance, techniques can be practised from understanding and internalising the basics all the way to discovering, mastering and introducing inner movement: in other words, the seminar is structured according to the student so that everyone can participate, regardless of their starting level.
This seminar is sure to have something to offer for everyone, whether you are an experienced practitioner or a newcomer!
PRICE
Saturday 60€
Sunday 60€
Full weekend 100€
PLACE
Kajaaninlinnantie 10, 00900 Helsinki
SCHEDULE
10:00-12:00 Practice
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-16:00 Practice
REGISTRATION
To register for the seminar, please use this registration form. Please remember to register as soon as possible to secure your place at this great seminar. Last date for registration is 17.05.2024.
Once you’ve received the confirmation email, you can pay the course fee to Baji ry account FI78 3131 3002 4255 77. Write “Tuishou Itäkeskus” in the message. You can also pay for the seminar at the location by card or sports vouchers.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS
For more information about the seminar, please email: baji ( ät ) baji.info .
Master Lü Baochun’s 10th Easter Camp follows the Five Steps of Taiji program. The training proceeds from external practice gradually into the internal practices of Taiji. The Easter Camp is a unique opportunity to all Taiji practitioners to benefit from master Lü’s transmission of ancient teachings and the principles of internal Taiji in a comprehensible and executable form. Master Lü’s Five Steps of Taiji advances from mastering the external structure and movement step by step into the discovery of internal movement and gaining control over it.
The camp will have two training groups: the foundation and advanced groups. We will start training on Friday together as one group and focus on examining the aspects of the two first steps. These are the basic building blocks of all Taiji training; posture and movement. On Saturday, Joona Sillanpää, who is one of master Lü’s most advanced students in Taiji, will continue teaching the foundation group by delving deeper into posture and movement as a solid base in form training and free movement. While finding continuous flow of movement and internal connection, the foundation group can also proceed to the next level of the program, and start to integrate breathing and energy into their training. The advanced group will start on Saturday with master Lü by examining breathing and energy in movement in detail. When a solid base for external and internal training has been found, the advanced group will continue the journey into the 4th step, Mind. At the end of the camp we will review all the steps as one group.
The Easter Camp is open to all Taiji practitioners, regardless of training level, style or tradition. Foundation group is intended for everyone, from beginner to advanced. Teaching is in Finnish and English. The advanced group is intended for Taiji practitioners who have a solid base of external practices and are ready to step into internal training. Teaching for the advanced group is in English. This camp is not about learning the external form or correcting it, but it is about the essence of your Taiji-training. In the classes we will use the two first parts of the traditional Yang style -form, two parts of Chen-style Yi Lu -form and Qigong for training. It is not essential to know these forms, and if you like, you can also use your own form in training.
We will start the mornings with one hour of Qigong exercise as one group. Personal questions and discussions about training and philosophy of Taiji are encouraged. If the weather is fine we will also train outside. Sunday night we will have an evening party. The price includes 23h of training, accommodation, meals (3 x breakfast, 4 x lunch, 3 x dinner, 3 x evening snack), sauna and Baji beanie. Accommodation is in single/double rooms, budget/hotel-standard options. It is possible to attend the camp without accommodation (meals reduced – fri: dinner, sat and sun: breakfast, lunch, dinner. Mon: no meals). The camp is held at Kisakallio, Lohja. www.kisakallio.fi
Carpools can be arranged from Helsinki centre, harbours and airport. If you are travelling from abroad, we can help you with accommodations and transportation and other info.
PRICES
Foundation – double budget 511€ / double hotel 531€ / single budget 586€/ single hotel 606€ /
no accomodation 398€
Advanced – double budget 581€ / double hotel 601€ / single budget 656€ / single hotel 676€ /
no accommodation 468€
Registration by 13.3.2024 by e-form. Room arrangements (by 13.3.2024), additional information, carpools and other info: heikki.poussa[ a ]gmail.com
Friday 29.3.2024 12.00 Arrival 12.00-13.30 Lunch 13.30-17.00 Training 17.00-19.00 Dinner 19.00-21.00 Training 21.00-22.00 Evening snack
Saturday 30.3.2024 08.00-09.00 Qigong 09.00-10.30 Breakfast 10.30-13.00 Training 13.00-15.00 Lunch 15.00-17.30 Training 17.30-19.00 Dinner 19.00-21.00 Training 21.00-22.00 Evening snack
Sunday 31.3.2024 08.00-09.00 Qigong 09.00-10.30 Breakfast 10.30-13.000 Training 13.00-15.00 Lunch 15.00-17.30 Training 17.30-19.00 Dinner 19.00-20.30 Training 20.30- Evening snack and sauna
Monday 1.4.2024 08.00-09.00 Qigong (self-guided free training) 09.00-10.30 Breakfast Check-out before training 11.00-14.00 Training 14.00-15.00 Lunch 15.00 Easter camp ends
THE FIVE STEPS OF TAIJI
1. POSTURE. This is the key to step inside of Taiji. You can never emphasize the importance of posture too much: this is the foundation that everything is built on. With correct posture you will find the necessary external structure and right alignment to reach balance and connection in your body. All joints are in a natural position, relaxed and open.
2. MOVEMENT. When you have reached correct posture and structure you can start to move, keeping this structure and connection at all times in training. With correct movement you will connect your postures in the form, harmonize the movement and keep external connection in the body throughout the form.
3. ENERGY, QI, BREATHING. It is time to recognize the subtle effect of breathing in movement; to find the natural rhythm of breath. You are not changing the breath, but just following it, naturally joining it. Breathing will start the movement and end it. When you have relaxed enough, Qi will appear and start moving in the body with breathing. The movement of energy will move your body. You have stepped to the internal side of Taiji. Your internal movement will be expressed as external movement.
4. MIND, YI. The first three steps have tamed your monkey mind and in your practice you are experiencing a deepening feeling of solitude and inner peace. It’s time to “grasp” the Qi and start to control it with your mind. Your mind will lead the energy and the movement of energy will be expressed as external movement.
5. SHEN, SPIRIT. This is a level that not many have achieved. It cannot be described in words and therefore cannot be studied in theory. When the first four steps are ready, Shen will emerge.
The Five Steps of Taiji are a continuum. You cannot continue to step two without mastering step one to a certain level. Each of the steps will keep developing through years of practice and throughout your lifetime. It is not a mistake to go a step down and return to basics: we all have to do that at some point during our Taiji-journey. Nobody has absolute or perfect posture nor movement, but with correct training and guidance, we are all getting closer to it.
Master Lü Baochun is a living legend of traditional chinese martial arts, who has trained martial arts his whole life and Taiji over 40 years. Master Lü´s fluent English and knowledge of internal power, meditative side and the fighting ability of Taiji will guarantee the participants a huge leap forward in their own practice. Master Lü emphasizes the importance of questions from students and will give personal assistance to all students. Joona Sillanpää has studied and trained Taiji for over 20 years as a student of master Lü. Joona is also teaching Taiji at Baji Association’s weekly Taiji courses. Joona is training Qigong, Yang and Chen style Taiji and has achieved a high level of knowledge of the external and internal principles of Taiji.
See you at the camp! Warm regards, Baji Assoiation announcers
