T'ai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi is a set of movements that, like acupuncture and Chinese medicine, is based on the idea of 'Chi '-- internal energy or life force. Tai Chi develops, circulates and stores Chi. Chi, our natural energy, can be used to heal injuries and illness and to improve our general health.
Tai Chi began as a union of Taoist internal Alchemy with Shaolin (Buddhist) Kung Fu. The various movements are strung together into groups called forms. The name 'Tai Chi Chuan' is interpreted as meaning movements that are ceaseless and infused with healing and martial techniques with an emphasis on softness and yielding.

There are several major styles of Tai Chi. Historically, Chen was the first style developed. It has the largest, most strenuous movements with expressions of power and is overtly martial. The Yang style of Tai Chi, whose movements are smaller and less obviously martial than theChen style, further emphasizes yielding and softness and is easier to learn but equally effective as a form of self-defense. The Wu style, a smaller and more compact variation of the Yang style, in addition to containing all the health and martial aspects of the Yang style, emphasizes release of stress and tension from the joints and internal organs.

Wu style also contains a separate meditation component.
As a health system, Tai Chi produces relaxation, balance, flexibility and coordination. During each practice, every part of the body is exercised. The postures loosen the joints and make the spine stronger and more flexible. Medical doctors in China commonly prescribe Tai Chi as therapy for many physical ailments including high blood pressure, poor circulation, arthritis, and back, neck, and joint problems. Tai Chi is probably one of the finest heart and lung exercises for old people, especially those who are not capable of strenuous exercise. It can be practiced by anyone, young or old, athletes or the physically weak. Tai Chi 's meditation techniques are extremely effective for calming and stilling the mind, releasing stress and slowing the aging process.

Yang Style | Wu Style | Chen Style

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