Tai Chi Chuan

I've been using Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan as a total fitness program (mind/body/spirit) for a number of years. I will be adding information and links regarding the art here as time goes on.

More than 300 different known martial arts styles are practiced in China. There are two Chinese Martial Art systems, the internal and the external systems. The internal system includes Tai Chi, Hsing-I and Pa-Qua styles. They emphasize stability and have limited jumps and kicks. The external system includes Shao Lin, Long Fist, Southern Fist, and other styles. They emphasize linear movements, breathing combined with sound, strength, speed and hard power impact contact, jumps, and kicks.

There are many different styles or families of Tai Chi Chuan. The five which are practiced most commonly today are the Yang, Chen, Wu, Sun, and Woo styles. All Tai Chi styles, however, are derived from the original Chen family style.

Some people believe that Tai Chi was developed by a Taoist Priest from a temple in China's Wu Dong Mountains. It is said that he once observed a white crane preying on a snake, and mimicked their movements to create the unique Tai Chi martial art style.

Initially, Tai Chi was practiced as a fighting form, emphasizing strength, balance, flexibility, and speed. Through time it has evolved into a soft, slow, and gentle form of exercise which can be practiced by people of all ages.

yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)yin_yang.gif (1245 bytes)

Yang Style Tai Chi Homepage follow this link to an excellent site on Tai Chi Chuan and scroll down to find out more about this wonderful way of life.

Patience Tai Chi Chuan Association You can learn a lot more about the practice of the martial aspects of Tai Chi chuan from this site

Taijijuan  Sometimes spelled Taijijuan this site is also a good resource for learning about the basics of  Tai Chi Chuan and gives an overview of the 24 Movement Short Form

Qi Gong pronounced Chi Kung is another Chinese exercise system that has its roots dating back over 2500 years. In addition to completing the 108 postures of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan daily, I also practice a variety of Qi Gong in particular a series of breathing and mediation exercises

Internal Strength Magazine   offers commentary and instructive articles which are related to those martial arts using "internal strength".

The Neijia Home Page This is a serious treatment of the martial aspect of Tai Chi Chuan and other internal martial arts. Although most often thought of as a exercise program for slow movers, few people realize the power of  this martial art.This site is a repository of information about neijia arts, also known as internal martial arts. These arts include Taijiquan (also spelled T'ai Chi Ch'uan), Xingyiquan (also spelled Hsing I Ch'uan), Baguazhang (also spelled Pa Kua Chang) and other less well-known Chinese arts. They  also cover the Japanese art of Aikido because of its reliance on the same principles of motion and power generation used by the Chinese neijia arts.

Application_ani.gif (37694 bytes)
Do you want to see how Tai Chi Chuan can be effective self-defense against a live opponent? Then click the animation above and go to the Patience T'ai Chi Associations link of short video presentations.