Age Range
Typically 16 and older
Schedule
Tuesday and Thursday
Early Class: 10:30 AM
Midday Class 1:30 PM
Evening Class: 6:00 PM
Saturday (optional)
12:00 to 1:00 PM
Location
Directions to School
How We Teach Tai Chi
At the Chinese Culture Center, Tai Chi is developed in three phases, beginning with “formation”, where the student learns the individual structure of classic Tai Chi postures, such as “Wood Cutter Climbs Mountain” and “White Stork Spreads Its Wings” and how to tie individual postures together to create forms. Phase two is “precision”, when the student is introduced to the multiple self-defense applications of the individual classic Tai Chi Chuan postures. Sifu says, “if you don’t know applications, you only know half of Tai Chi”. Phase three is “expression”, when you have practiced the forms long enough to commit them to muscle memory and they become like walking or driving a car. It is said, “you must practice a form one thousand times to make it yours”. When you can do your forms without conscious thought, your mind is free to focus and direct the body’s “Chi” at will, and this personal energy will give your forms the true expression of Tai Chi Chuan.
Students are never pressured to perform, everyone works at their own pace, but it is expected that each person will do his or her own personal best, every time. To make progress, one must push his or her own boundaries, mentally as well as physically. Tai Chi Chuan offers the student as much personal challenge as he or she may desire, from a refreshing way to stay fit, to an endless Spiritual journey.
Anatomy of a Class
Classes follow a set sequence that includes both group work and individual teaching.
- Stretching
- Energy movement exercises
- Balance exercises
- Group form practice
- Learning forms and applications
Origins of Tai Chi
Although the historical documentation varies, most agree that the creation of Tai Chi Chuan is attributed to the monk Zhang San Feng (born at the end of the Song Dynasty, 1247) of the Purple Summit Temple on Wudan Mountain. He had retreated there after leaving the Shaolin temple to pursue his search for immortality. Stories tell that after witnessing a fight between a snake and a crane, the monk devised a system of self-defense based upon the “flexibility of the snake and the stability of the crane”, first known as “Wudan 32 Styles of Long Fist”. Tai Chi Chuan, over the centuries, has developed into one of the true treasures of China.
Tai Chi Chuan styles are family arts, hence the names. Chen Tai Chi, being the oldest and original style, was developed in the Chen family village, and later it was taught to a man named Yang and so on. Yang style is the most popular and widely practiced of the five major Tai Chi Chuan styles. The three remaining family styles are Wuu, Sun and Wu.
Tai Chi
literally “Grand Ultimate Fist”
What Is Tai Chi Chuan?
Tai Chi Chuan (Tai Chi for short) is often called “the exercise of immortality” due to its regenerative powers and overall health benefits. Sometimes referred to as “moving meditation.” Tai Chi Chuan practice focuses primarily on health and self-defense. It is known to improve balance, strength, flexibility and mental awareness, as well as develop and harmonize Chi, or the body’s internal energy. Based upon the Taoist principle of Yin and Yang (the forces of nature), as a martial art, Tai Chi uses the theory of “yielding force” to overcome an attacker. Gentle in appearance, but completely effective for self-defense, the slow moving forms of Tai Chi Chuan are suitable for adults of all ages.
Health Benefits
While China has studied and applied the theory of chi for thousands of years, western science only began to qualify and quantify chi at the turn of the 21st Century. Acupuncture, a widely accepted medical practice, is based upon the flow of chi along the twelve meridians, or chi channels along the body’s twelve meridians, or chi channels. Everybody has chi and through the practice of Tai Chi Chuan, you will learn to increase and control the flow of your personal energy, leading to a stronger body and a sharper mind.
Articles from Harvard Health Publishing
Tai Chi Forms
In the true tradition of Wudan Mountain, instructors personally teach students in a variety of Chen and Yang style forms. Each student begins with the basics of strength and flexibility training followed by an introduction to one of the oldest Tai Chi forms on record, Thirteen Postures. After the basics are acquired, the student learns 24 Move Tai Chi Chuan, a standardized competition form practiced the world over. Next, the student receives instruction in our school’s traditional 108 Move Tai Chi Chuan sequence, a long form with elements of both Yang and Chen styles. The mentally challenging Traditional 85 Move Yang Style form offers the student the opportunity to explore the true essence of Tai Chi.
Other forms include the 40 Move Yang Style Competition form, the International 42 Move (Combined Style) Competition form and for the experienced student, the Advanced 108 Move form, exclusive to our school.
Frequently Asked Questions
All most anyone can do Tai Chi. To be able to do class, you will need to be able to walk unassisted for 90 minutes. We stretch and warm-up both standing and sitting on the floor (as well as using the bars and walls of the studio) to help potential students understand that we have a variety of exercises and Chi Kung breathing patterns in each class. If a move is too difficult, you can pull back to where you aren’t stressing your limits.
Because Tai Chi is a slower moving martial art that focuses more on internal energy, typically students are 16 or older. Tai Chi requires a more mature attention span to focus on the slow moving exercise than the more aerobic arts like Kung Fu.
We always tell students not to hurt themselves. If a move is too difficult you need to pull back to where you aren’t stressing your limits. Stretching and balance exercises are included in our workouts. If you have any concerns, you are very welcome to come watch a class before deciding if you want to join.
We ask you to buy a school t-shirt and find loose-fitting black pants. You will need to determine what kind of shoes work for you on our studio floor.
Along with the physical exercises of stretching and strengthening that enhances the physical condition, Tai Chi exercises mental acuity with the memorization of the various forms one learns and practices as they progress through time.
If you have a physician, ask that person first. Minor issues can be brought up with an instructor. We also ask that if you have a contagious condition, to please stay away until you are better.
No, a tuition contract is not required. You will need to sign a waiver of liability for being in a martial arts class.
Our instruction places the tai chi moves in their martial arts applications context. We sometimes engage in contact, but not for the purposes of striking others. Tai Chi is mostly defensive, but also conforms to ancient Taoist health practices.
You will progress faster if you practice on your own between classes. Tai Chi is a life-long practice for health and longevity. Eventually you should be able to practice the forms and techniques in any setting as they range from breathing techniques to elaborate forms consisting of many coordinated movements.