What is Tai Chi?

   Tai Chi or Tai Ji Quan translates as "Supreme Ultimate Boxing". Developed by Chinese Martial Artists in the 1600's based on other fighting styles and a formula of '13 Principles'. Tai Chi uses one aspect of training that benefits people in todays world who cannot perform rigorous exercise - 'slow motion practice'. Tai Chi builds your stamina, enhances your flexibility, balance, and coordination. Taijiquan offers you the benefits of other forms of exercise by remaining accessible.

   Tai Chi is comprised of a series of postures that look like an effortless slow motion dance. Although there are a variety of interpretations and styles, all authentic Tai Chi is characterized by these specific postures and patterns of movement. At first, it looks quite simple to do. After a few classes, many discover that like any art, it has a depth and subtlety that you can spend years exploring.

History

   Tai Chi was developed roughly 400 years ago in Chen Village, Henan Province, China. Yang style in specific, was created in the mid 1800's by founder Yang Lu Chan who lived and studied in Chen Village and went on to create his own system of Taijiquan which he later taught in the Imperial Court as well as to his descendants.

In the 1920's, Yang Chen Fu (Yang Lu Chan's grandson) began to teach the Yang family art to the general public for health purposes by using slow motion practice and longer movements as the focal point and removing much of the application and fighting elements practiced by his forebears. Thus was born a form of exercise that was accesible to the young, old, weak, sick, and those of poor physical condition.

Prior to this Yang Tai Ji Quan was taught as a fighting art and involved such training methods as striking, kicking, joint locks, throws, sparring, fighting, weapons training, and push hands practice. Yang style became very popular and is more widely proliferated than any other style of Tai Ji Quan.