WHAT IS T'AI CHI CHUAN?
T’ai Chi Chuan, in its purest form, is nothing less than the manifestation of a human being in perfect harmony with Nature and Culture. T’ai Chi begins with awareness of stress, then brings understanding of body/mind/spirit to achieve harmony.
- ENERGIZING: The slow steady movements of T'ai Chi enhance the circulation of vital energy, or chi, throughout the body.
- RELAXING: By understanding the inherent principles of good posture and efficient movement, your body and psyche can be at ease, even during times of stress.
- UNIFYING: Body and mind work together to develop a new level of kinesthetic awareness—a more unified sense of being.
- EFFICIENT: Once you have learned the T’ai Chi form, a time investment of just 10 minutes in the morning and evening is the minimum needed for your personal maintenance.
- EXERCISE FOR EVERYONE: Women and men of all ages can benefit from this enjoyable and healthy exercise, which gives you strength and improves balance. No prior experience is necessary.
Many western studies have shown that T'ai Chi exercise improves all of our bodily functions and helps to prevent aging and disease (see
more info.) T'ai Chi movements also calm the emotions and focus the mind, thus making an outstanding contribution to one's health and well-being.
SUPPLEMENTARY WORK
In addition to teaching the fundamentals of T'ai Chi, our school offers related and advanced trainings to deepen the T'ai Chi experience:
- THE EIGHT WAYSsm: The Eight Ways is a series of 8 exercises distilled from the T’ai Chi form principles by Master Cheng Man-Ch’ing. This easy to learn routine uses visualizations to improve balance, circulation, leg strength, appropriate for aging and recovering health.
- TIME IN THE ARTsm: This instruction offers in—depth exploration of the theory and use of T'ai Chi principles in the art and in real life.
- CHI KUNG (Qigong): lit. energy cultivation, integrates easy-to-learn physical movements, focused intention, breath, visualization and sound, which quickly relax and invigorate the body while clearing the mind.
- PUSH HANDS: This is the advanced application of the T'ai Chi form work where students learn to use the form with partners
- T'AI CHI STAFF: The Tai Chi Staff uses a walking stick and is taught in three parts:
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- First an active Yang Form that introduces the positions.
Second a reactive Yin Form that deflects.
Finally, the Interactive Form with partners,
resulting in
healthy exercise, relaxation, confidence and fun.
