Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan)
WHAT IS TAIJI QUAN?

Taiji Quan (aka: Tai Chi Chuan) translates as the "Supreme Ultimate Fist or
The Grand Ultimate Fist" and is one of the most sophisticated Chinese Martial
Arts, according to Grandmaster William C.C. Chen.  
Grandmaster Chen states in Body Mechanics 1973, that "Originally Tai Chi
Chuan was vigorous as well as gentle, containing rigid-soft and rapid-slow
movements, with total body coordination and great mental control.  During
actual fighting, a master of Tai Chi Chuan could make his body as soft as
cotton, but at the instant of delivering a punch, suddenly become as hard as
steel.  One moment he was as motionless as a mountain, the next as swift as
ocean tides.  Achieving such unpredictable, alternate changes of dynamics
can lead to the highest level of martial tactics, whether in competitions among
masters or for self-defense against muggers and similar street attackers."  

Taiji Quan is a Qigong set.  It was actually designed to be an advanced
Qigong set with many applications.  For more information on Qigong click the
Qigong tab to the left.  


What are some of the Benefits?

According to Grandmaster Chen in Body Mechanics: "...The slow and even
movements of Tai Chi Chuan tend to relax the body and mind, promoting the
flow of vital energy (Qi) and replacing stiffness with flexibility and good body
coordination.  This helps fighters to effectively reach the highest level in the art
of self-defense.  Practiced daily and properly as an exercise, it promotes
one's mental tranquility, improves physical fitness, increases blood circulation
to its fullest capacity, and provides the tissues of the various organs with the
maximum amount of oxygen.  It also prevents or even cures certain forms of
sickness, such as arthritis, rheumatism and hypertension."  

Grandmaster Cheng Man Ching in Tai-Chi, The Supreme Ultimate Exercise
for Health, Sport and Self Defense states: "...The I Ching says: `Nature is
always in motion.  Man also should strengthen himself without interruption.`  
...The Chinese have a saying that whoever practices Tai-chi, correctly and
regularly, twice a day over a period of time will gain the pliability of a child, the
health of a lumberjack, and the peace of mind of a sage.  ...Tai Chi can indeed
do all, and more....Stressing slow respiration and balanced, relaxed postures,
it certainly promotes deep breathing, digestion, the functioning of the internal
organs, and blood circulation.  And perhaps there is also basis for the claim
that Tai-chi can relieve, if not actually cure, neurasthenia, high blood pressure,
anemia, tuberculosis and many other maladies."

IS TAIJI ONLY FOR SELF DEFENSE?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!  From experience instructing students ranging in age
from 4-103 years old it is MUCH...MUCH....MORE!!!!  In fact, the self defense
aspect of Tai Chi is only one aspect....Tai Chi truly is a training or exercise for
4 human levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Tai Chi can be as
surface and mundane or as deep and profound as you the student want it to
be.  It is not uncommon to hear among Masters who have studied for 50+
years that they still consider themselves beginners.  


We at the Institute have achieved great results with youth, adults and
seniors!

We have seen Seniors progress from wheelchairs to walkers, walkers to
canes, canes to independent & independent to superb abilities.  
In our senior classes, the average standing time assisted with walker or
independent on day one of a program was 5 minutes!

The average after 1 year is 45 minutes standing with or without movement.  
Yes often the seniors, with an average age of 85, are now able to stand and
exercise for 45 minutes without taking a break!!!!  How many adults or kids
without this training can do that!!!


Taiji Quan styles offered

We currently offer Yang Style, in particular, the Cheng Man-ch'ing Short Form.

Lineage is Everything!

Lineage is what separates the cream from the crop, in the old days it was the
only way to determine if your teacher was worthy to teach.  
.........NO.....
attending a workshop or reading a book does not qualify you to teach...
Note: any worthy teacher will have their lineage on display or available upon
request....ASK for this information before taking any class or workshop, then
verify the information as accurate!

The Institutes: Taiji Quan Lineage

short list, full list goes back to the 1200's & earlier!
Yang Ch'eng-fu's
10 Important Points for
Tai Chi Chuan
in Tai-chi
Touchstones: Yang Family Secret
Transmissions 1983 by Douglas Wile

  1. The Energy at the
    Top of the Head
    Should be Light and
    Sensitive
  2. Sink the Chest and
    Raise the Back
  3. Relax the Waist
  4. Distinguish Full &
    Empty
  5. Sink the Shoulders
    and Drop the Elbows
  6. Use the Mind and not
    Strength
  7. Unity of the Upper
    and Lower Body
  8. The Unity of Internal
    and External
  9. Continuity Without
    Interruption
  10. Seek Stillness in
    Movement
Chang San Feng
Yang Lu Chan
Yang Cheng Fu
William C.C. Chen
The Qi Institute.com