| rast to the harder forms of martial art, like | | | | practise. To emphasise the big movements of his |
| karate, Tai Chi is often thought of as a weaker | | | | Hand Form, Yang Ch'eng-fu took out the |
| option. It doesn't help that it is popular with older | | | | explosive Fa-jing and stamping. |
| people. | | | | The Study |
| However, if you study Tai Chi to its full extent, | | | | For beginners, the class structure would normally |
| then it becomes obvious that this is not the case. | | | | consist of Zhan Zhuang chi kung {standing |
| So, What is Tai Chi? | | | | meditation} and loosening exercises, followed by |
| Tai Chi Chuan is a holistic martial art using internal | | | | the study of the traditional Yang Style Tai Chi |
| energy ('Chi') for good health, self-development | | | | Chuan Form. |
| and self-defence. | | | | Whilst, for many people, this basic level of study |
| The initial training focuses on relaxed, slow, flowing | | | | is sufficient and proves very beneficial to their |
| movement to assist in realising the soft power of | | | | health and fitness, the true worth of Tai Chi as a |
| internal energy. Its adaptability makes the study | | | | martial art only really becomes apparent at the |
| possible for people at all levels of health and | | | | more advanced levels, where studies include: |
| fitness. | | | | Single Push Hands, Double Push Hands and |
| Shifting the weight constantly between the | | | | Sensitivity - utilising stepping backwards and |
| different moves helps to improve day-to-day | | | | forwards; Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan |
| balance and ease of bodily movement. | | | | (Crane); Yin Yang Concept and Correction of Yin |
| Tai Chi increases oxygen uptake, reduces blood | | | | Yang Concept; Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi |
| pressure, slows the decline in cardiovascular | | | | Chuan - Spiral Concept; Live step single and |
| power and increases bone density. | | | | double; Small Circle Push Hands; Ta Lu '2 & 3 |
| Because it develops strength and flexibility within | | | | steps and Ta Lu Form; Yang Style Sword; Yang |
| the joints, the practise can result in greater leg | | | | Style Broadsword; Threading Nine Pearls System; |
| and knee mobility. | | | | Substantial and Insubstantial; San Sau; Energy |
| The reduced levels of stress during and after | | | | healing. |
| practice lead to improved immune function, and | | | | If you can achieve competence in the advanced |
| heightened mood states. | | | | aspects of Tai Chi, your ability to defend yourself |
| The History | | | | will be hugely improved. Learning to harness and |
| The founder of the Yang style was Yang Lu-ch'an | | | | utilise your internal energy against an aggressor |
| {1799-1872}, who studied under Ch'en | | | | can be so much more powerful than the more |
| Chang-hsing starting in 1820. Yang became a | | | | obvious, but more limiting use of the external |
| teacher in his own right, and his subsequent | | | | physical strength of your arms and legs. |
| expression of tai chi chuan became known as the | | | | Your ability to defend yourself is vastly improved |
| Yang style. Yang Lu-ch'an came to prominence as | | | | if you can combine your internal energy with your |
| a result of his being hired by the Chinese Imperial | | | | own body weight. |
| family to teach tai chi chuan to the elite Palace | | | | Tai Chi - not just for old people. |
| Battalion of the Imperial Guards, a position he held | | | | Keira Benson is fascinated by Tai Chi's use of the |
| until his death. | | | | internal energy for healing and self-defence. |
| Moving to the present day Tai Chi, of which Yang | | | | For more information on tai chi in |
| style seems to be the most popular around the | | | | Southend-on-Sea, visit: |
| world, it is the Yang Ch'eng-fu form that people | | | | Or email: mindchi@tiscali.co.uk. |