Overview

Each week-long class will be held Monday through Friday, with a morning session from 9-10:30 and an afternoon session from 4-5:30.

This schedule optimizes the best part of each day with cool breezes in the morning and late afternoon and allows for a siesta in mid-afternoon, along with the opportunity for visiting some of the many beautiful and exciting locations in the Valladolid area, including: Mayan ruins, Cenotes, historic architecture, El Mercado Municipal, and several stunning museums such as the Casa de Los Venados and the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, both located less than one mile from our home base.

The process of conscious breath and body motion can produce great levels of relaxation, and opens the body and the mind to move and live with a great sense of joy. Following the Qi Gong, we will learn and practice the postures of Tai Chi, which is a guided, moving meditation. We will emphasize well-being rather than strenuous and challenging activity.

What level of experience do I need?
The first week workshop is appropriate beginners looking to have a first experience, along with people who wish to deepen their established practices.
Week two will focus on learning the postures of Yang Style Tai Chi's empty hand form.

Home base: Casa Hamaca Guest House

Casa Hamaca Guest House (www.casahamaca.com), a restored 17th-century mansion which can house up to 21 guests in eight shared suites, offers both interior and exterior class space to accommodate weather. Most classes will be outdoors on a large terrace.

Being inland from the hot spots of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, it is wonderfully free of the “scene” in the beach resort cities. The very informative Casa Hamaca website is strongly recommended for more information.

Tai chi is recommended by the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Rheumatoid arthritis. Physical Therapists, such as River Valley Sports and Physical Therapy, also recommend Tai Chi. The American Medical Association states, “Exercise is Medicine”.

Mark Tomlinson

Winter 2024
Join us in Mexico!

Tai Chi St Croix, (taichistcroix.com) is offering two week-long workshops in the colonial city of Valladolid, Mexico.

Meet your instructor

Mark Tomlinson is a certified instructor of Tai Chi, with more than 26 years of experience in practice and teaching along the St. Croix River Valley in Western Wisconsin.

More about Valladolid Mexico

Valladolid Mexico, located in the center of the "thumb" of the Yucatan Peninsula, was founded in 1550 by Spain. Most of the original architecture from 1550-1650 is still extant. The February climate usually has highs in the 70s-80s and lows in the 60s-70s.

Valladolid is a traditional Mexican city with many beautiful 16th and 17th century buildings, museums, and pleasing restaurants. It is very walkable and cabs are plentiful at remarkably low prices throughout the city.

I recommend considering a few days on either side of the workshop to enjoy some of the regional treasures such as Chichen-itza, a 30-minute cab ride away, Ek Balam, a cenote, or a 90-minute trip farther west to Merida, a city of over one million and the capital of the state of Yucatan, with stunning 16th century architecture, a grand plaza central, and many fine museums. Both cities’ central districts look like Spain of that era.

More about Casa Hamaca

Casa Hamaca is strongly recommended for safe comfortable dining and lodging, along with a very cordial and helpful staff led by the English-speaking owner, Denis Larsen.

Each participant will be responsible for booking their stay at Casa Hamaca. I can assist with advice if needed. Their kitchen can produce vegan and gluten free food upon advance request.

Enrollment is limited to 20 participants with a 50% deposit required with sign-up.

I accept personal checks or PayPal in US funds.

For more information you are invited to contact me directly at Marktomlinson650@gmail.com

Transportation details

Participants will fly to Cancun, Mexico. Valladolid is approximately 90 minutes west by rental car or bus.

Traveler's note: We recommend avoiding travel in/out of Cancun airport on Saturdays as it becomes overcrowded, with travelers commonly experiencing 45-minute waits to check/claim baggage.

Cost of the seminar(s)

The tuition is $250 for each five day Tai Chi workshop.

Travel, food and lodging expenses are the responsibility of the student.