CLASSES

TAIJI (TAI CHI)

Senior Tai Chi - 92 years old

What is Taiji?

Taiji (Tai Chi) is one of the major internal styles contained in Wushu. It was originally created as a martial art and the movements of Taiji contain martial applications. It utilizes the ancient philosophy of Yin-Yang and the Five Element theories for its foundation and to establish its training principles. The experience of hundreds of years has shown that practicing Taiji can improve ones health, reduce tension, and cure a number of diseases such as high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, stomach ailments, heart problems and nervousness. The same techniques that were capable of developing internal Qi for martial arts combat, also proved to be effective as life prolonging, healing, and rejuvenating exercises. Today, Taiji is best known by the millions of participants around the world for its health benefits.

There are many different styles of Taiji and a great number of Taiji Fist and weapon routines. However, the few major styles that have been recognized both in China and internationally are Yang, Chen, Sun and Wu style Taiji. Our school offers standard Taiji fist and weapon routines, as well as major traditional and competition routines such as Yang, Sun, Chen and Wu style. We also teach and explain the applications of Taiji movements, introducing and training Taiji Push Hands techniques such as the eight basic techniques, standard Push Hands routines, Free Push Hands etc.

Why learn Taiji? Who Should take this class?

• Best for people who are over 16 years of age.
• Suitable for people who may be in weak health as well as good health
• For people who wish to improve their health, fitness level, ability to focus, balance, flexibility, coordination, stamina, strength, body posture, power, and endurance.
• Taiji emphasizes a calm and peaceful mind. The practice of Taiji stimulates the central nervous system, helps to lower blood pressure, relieves stress, strengthens the immune system, enhances elimination of wastes and the circulation of blood, and channels the flow of Chi through the body's meridians.

What will I learn?

• Standard Taiji for beginners and intermediates including Taiji Fist and Taiji Sword; major traditional and competition style such as Yang Style, Wu Style, Sun Style and Chen Style. Each style may have many routines.
• Yang Style instruction includes: 10 Form, 24 Form, Traditional 108 Form
• Sun Style instruction includes: 72 Form, 93 Form
• Chen Style instruction includes: 18 Form, Laojia Yilu, 56 Form
• Each style has a variety of weapons. You can learn Taiji Sword, Taiji Fan, Taiji Broad Sword, Taiji Double Broadswords
• As Taiji is a martial art, we also teach and explain the applications of Taiji movements; introducing and training Taiji Push Hands techniques such as the eight basic techniques of Peng(ward off), Lu(roll back), Ji(press), An(push), Cai(pluck), Lie(split), Zhou(elbow), Kao(body striking), standard Push Hands routines, and Free Push Hands. Students will also learn how to use Taiji techniques to neutralize opponents, how to use the 'soft' to conquer the 'hard/strong', how to use an opponent's strength against him, how to redirect his strength against him, how to use minimal force to move a powerful attack, and many other techniques.