What is Tai Chi Kung fu ? - Taizu Tradition Martial arts School

Tai chi Is to China traditional philosophy of Confucianism and Taoism in Tai Chi, yin and Yang dialectical philosophy as the core idea, the functions of maintenance of temperament, physical fitness, martial arts Sanda etc. as a whole, with the changes of yin and Yang and the five elements of learning, meridian, guidance and tonalide operation to form a Neiwaijianxiu, soft, slow and flexible and the traditional arts of ancient China move among force and soft.

history of tai chi

Tai chi (Mandarin: tàijí 太極, an abbreviation of tàijí quán 太極拳, literally "Supreme Ultimate Boxing") is an internal Chinese martial art 武术 practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. Though originally conceived as a martial art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons: competitive wrestling in the format of pushing hands (tui shou), demonstration competitions, and achieving greater longevity. As a result, a multitude of training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims with differing emphasis. Some training forms of t'ai chi ch'uan are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements.

Today, t'ai chi ch'uan has spread worldwide. Most modern styles of t'ai chi ch'uan trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu (Hao), Wu, and Sun.

Taiji (the `supreme ultimate` school) was derived from Wuji ('emptiness'; the `non-ultimate` school) and composed of two different states (liang yi)Yin and Yang. From Liang Yi came sancai (the 'three components') and sixiang (the 'four kinds of appearances'). Bagua (Eight Symbols) also came from sixiang. Tai Chi is often thought of as being quintessential of China, entailing the principles of Yin and Yang from the I Ching, (the Book of Changes), rooted in Chinese medicine (meridians and specific names of vessels), with the meditative aspect of it's practice in focusing on the breath. Tai Chi is a comprehensive study and characterized by the interaction of the energies of Yin and Yang. It's creation brought together an understanding of the laws of the human body with those of nature- alternating force and flexibility with swiftness and slowness.

tai chi for health

Research from many fields including medicine, physics, chemistry, anatomy, psychology etc. have shown that practicing Tai Chi plays a beneficial role in the prevention and cure of chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, pulmonary disease, hepatitis, naturopathy, intestines and neurasthenia etc.

Tai Chi follows the principle of Yin and Yang, the attack process focuses the inviting combined with the breaking up. During attack and defense, you sense the opposite force and force's direction by the ability to sense and break up the coming force. Using the force received to defend, ie. changes of move following the opposite changes.
The basic actions of Tai Chi are tightening, quivering, stroking, squeezing, elbowing, shoving, advancing, receding, considering, waiting, and stillness.

Every act is slow and relaxing. In Tai Chi drill, one should straighten back and waist, draw in the jaw, and droop the shoulder, with a feeling of flying across the clouds. A certain boxer in the Qing Dynasty once said of Tai Chi "act as the wave of the sea, torrential and never-failing."

Tai chi chuan 's martial aspect relies on sensitivity to the opponent's movements and centre of gravity dictating appropriate responses. Effectively affecting or "capturing" the opponent's centre of gravity immediately upon contact, is trained as the primary goal of the martial t'ai chi ch'uan student.[8] The sensitivity needed to capture the centre is acquired over thousands of hours of first yin (slow, repetitive, meditative, low-impact) and then later adding yang ("realistic," active, fast, high-impact) martial training through taolu ("forms"), tuishou ("pushing hands"), and sanshou ("sparring"). T'ai chi ch'uan trains in three basic ranges: close, medium and long, and then everything in between. Pushes and open-hand strikes are more common than punches, and kicks are usually to the legs and lower torso, never higher than the hip, depending on style. The fingers, fists, palms, sides of the hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, back, hips, knees, and feet are commonly used to strike, with strikes to the eyes, throat, heart, groin, and other acupressure points trained by advanced students. Chin na, which are joint traps, locks, and breaks are also used. Most t'ai chi ch'uan teachers expect their students to thoroughly learn defensive or neutralizing skills first, and a student will have to demonstrate proficiency with them before offensive skills will be extensively trained.

In the philosophy of Tai Chi, it is said Chi (life energy) follows the mind, each posture and movement creates a different energy flow that has a beneficial overall effect on well-being. Tai Chi is a comprehensive study, characterized by the interaction of the energies of Yin and Yang. Its creation brought together an understanding of the laws of the human body with those of nature—alternating force and flexibility with swiftness and slowness.

Tai Chi follows the principle of Yin and Yang, where the attack process focuses on inviting combined with breaking up. During attack and defense, practitioners sense the opposite force and its direction, using the received force to defend by changing moves following the opposite changes. Every act in Tai Chi is slow and relaxing. In Tai Chi drill, one should straighten the back and waist, draw in the jaw, and droop the shoulders, with a feeling of flying across the clouds. A certain boxer in the Qing Dynasty once said of Tai Chi, "act as the wave of the sea, torrential and never-failing."

Additionally, Tai Chi places great emphasis on the training of Qi and breath control. Qi is essential to refine a person's mentality and lies at the heart of Tai Chi, as with other forms of internal Kung Fu.

Detailed Tai Chi Forms and Exercises

Tai Chi incorporates a variety of forms and exercises, each designed to enhance body flexibility, coordination, and the flow of Chi. Here’s a detailed look at some of these:

Basic Martial Arts Techniques:

• Leg Exercises: Includes stretching, front kick, side-way kick, and more.
• Stance Exercises: Features bow stance, horse stance, crouch stance, among others.
• Hand Exercises: Focuses on palm techniques and hand forms.
• Body Position Exercises: Emphasizes keeping the body flexible, straight, natural, and coordinated.

Tai Chi Specific Practices:

• Standing Stake Exercises: Crucial for building foundation, available in fixed step (including non-polar and supreme pole exercises) and live step variations.
• Tai Chi Forms: National standard forms like the simplified 24 and comprehensive 32 forms, as well as practical forms such as the 81 movements in Chen style.

Advanced Techniques and Weapons Forms:

• Includes the 49 straight forms in Chen style, 23 broadsword forms, and the 132 straight forms of Wudang.
• Hand-Pushes Exercises and real competition techniques that utilize the eight methods of Tai Chi: bouncing, stroking, squeezing, pressing, gathering, liet, elbow, colliding.

These structured practices not only enhance physical health but also deepen the understanding of the dynamic interplay between mind, body, and energy in Tai Chi. Through these exercises, practitioners can achieve a state of mental clarity and physical health that embodies the true spirit of Tai Chi.

What does Tai Chi do for your body?

Tai Chi improves muscular strength, flexibility, fitness, improve immunity, relieve pain and improve quality of life. Muscle strength is important for supporting and protecting joints and is essential for normal physical function. Flexibility exercises enable people to move more easily, and facilitate circulation of body fluid and blood, which enhance healing. Fitness is important for overall functioning of the heart, lungs, and muscles. In addition to these components, tai chi movements emphasize weight transference to improve balance and prevent falls.

Who can do tai chi?

Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because tai chi is a low-impact exercise, it may be especially suitable if you're an older adult who otherwise may not exercise.

Why try tai chi?

The benefits of tai chi may include, Determine the health benefits of tai chi. Some evidence indicates that tai chi may also help:

• Decreased stress, anxiety and depression
• Improved mood
• Improved aerobic capacity
• Increased energy and stamina
• Improved flexibility, balance and agility
• Improved muscle strength and definition
• Enhance quality of sleep
• Enhance the immune system
• Help lower blood pressure
• Improve joint pain
• Improve symptoms of congestive heart failure
• Improve overall well-being
• Reduce risk of falls in older adults

In addition to the physical form, martial t'ai chi ch'uan schools also focus on how the energy of a strike affects the other person. A palm strike that looks to have the same movement may be performed in such a way that it has a completely different effect on the target's body. A palm strike that could simply push the opponent backward, could instead be focused in such a way as to lift the opponent vertically off the ground, breaking his/her centre of gravity; or that it could terminate the force of the strike within the other person's body with the intent of causing internal damage.

Most aspects of a trainee's t'ai chi ch'uan development are meant to be covered within the partnered practice of tuishou, and so, sanshou ("sparring") is not as commonly used as a method of training, but more advanced students sometimes do practice by sanshou. Sanshou is more common to tournaments such as wushu tournaments.

What You Get From Your Tai Chi Training ?

• Direct training with your Tai Chi master.
• Tai Chi For Health
• Tai Chi For Practical self defense.
• Training that takes into account your needs.
• Developing your Qi energy.
• Sensitivity.
• Natural power generation.
• Learn how to use your opponents power against them.
• Correct body posture.
• Learn how to relax and release stress.
• Self control & discipline.
• Access to other kung fu styles training.

Tai Chi at the same time also pays much attention of the training of Qi and breath control. Qi is to refine human's mentality and lies at the heart of Tai Chi as with other forms of internal Kungfu.

How to Start Your Tai Chi Training?

Coming to the Taizu Kung Fu School to start your Tai Chi Training is easy.

1. Simply click on the book now button (to the Below) and fill in a quick application form.
2. We will contact you to confirm your booking and training your dates.
3. Come to the school and start your training
4. Get in fantastic shape & have an amazing experience!