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.
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 all 3 human levels: physical, mental, 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
Yang Ch’eng-fu’s
10 Important Points for Tai Chi Chuan in “Tai-chi Touchstones: Yang Family Secret Transmissions” 1983 by Douglas Wile
- The Energy at the
Top of the Head
Should be Light and
Sensitive - Sink the Chest and
Raise the Back - Relax the Waist
- Distinguish Full &
Empty - Sink the Shoulders
and Drop the Elbows - Use the Mind and not
Strength - Unity of the Upper
and Lower Body - The Unity of Internal
and External - Continuity Without
Interruption - Seek Stillness in
Movement