Tai Chi

ABOUT LEARNING THESE ARTS 

Whether or not students learn something depends upon their attitude and determination.  Students need perseverance to reach their own victory. Each student’s end result of the study might be different from one another.

When you see people in the park , on the beach or classroom doing Tai Chi , the delicate movements which almost balletic … they all have one thing in common ; Personality that is strong, dedicated to perseverance and serious determination … that ‘failure is not an option’ kind of person.

Before starting the movements,  the mind should be calm and steady, training to control of the mind is one of the highest importance in Tai Chi & Qi Gong.

WHAT IS TAI CHI

Tai Chi Chuan is a cosmological term for the “Supreme Ultimate Fist” state of undifferentiated absolute and infinite potentiality, contrasted with the Wuji ( without ultimate ).

Some schools or people now often shortened it by just ‘Tai Chi’, especially if they focus more on the health aspect rather than the martial part.

WÚJÌ

All started with WÚJÌ position,  which translated as Without Ultimate, no extremity, void or empty. It is a state of infinite nothingness, the platform from which all things adds and comes. Wújì is the fundamentally firm beginning of reality.

YIN YANG PHILOSOPHY

Tai Chi adopted the philosophy of Yin Yang, an interplay of the opposite, to create balance. It is a graphical reference to the dualistic nature of the universe

Originated in ancient Chinese philosophy and metaphysics,  Yin Yang described as two primal opposing yet complimentary and supporting one another, as well as mutually dependent,  such as :  white & black – up & down – front & back – east & west – offense & defense – good & bad – live & die  … and many more.

Yin Yang is about balance, it is believed than anything imbalance will have bigger risk of falling , while balance leads to steady and sturdiness .

THE ART OF TAI CHI

Tai Chi is a series of movements based on offensive and defensive martial techniques, performed as a choreographed sequence set.  It is a slow deliberate movement, the steps are gracefully elegant yet shows strength with controlled balance, the upper body’s motion is circular and relaxed.

Once memorized, Tai Chi could be transformed into a moving meditation, the rewards are greatly received, like the equilibrium created,  tranquility achieved, building brain & muscles strength, self-confidence and contentment.

Practicing Tai Chi involves a unique interplay between mind, body, and spirit.  The brain informs the body on what to do and why, in performing the movement according to the adopted principles.

The way they describe it in classics is the movement never stops. No independent movement. In other words, power originates in the feet, directed by the waist, manifests in the hands.

BENEFITS OF LEARNING TAI CHI

  • Ability to execute a decision as self confidence builds. 
  • Sharpen the perseverance against giving up become result oriented.  
  • Adopting new routine into daily life which brings regular exercise, not only to the physical but also the mind & spirit
  • Build up the strength mostly on lower extremities as we managed to do and execute the forms properly.
  • Improve general health : 
    • Better balance, flexibility, and agility
    • Lower blood pressure
    • Reduce anxiety
    • Toning & strengthened muscles
    • Sharpen cognitive ability 
    • Increase energy & stamina
  • Broadened the knowledge of eastern philosophy, arts, and cultures
  • Expand our social community globally by attending virtual classes and meetings.

STAGES IN LEARNING TAI CHI

STAGE ONE: COURTING

  1. Getting to know the surface of Tai Chi
  2. Focus on memorizing the names of posture, basic movements, and their sequences to a form
  3. Fitting the new routine in your lifestyle

STAGE TWO: POLISHING

  1. The form has been memorized
  2. Mastering shifting weight, polishing every posture and making the form flow.
  3. Comfortable to perform anytime anywhere

STAGE THREE: FEELING

  1. Form starting to flow
  2. Do the form with music
  3. Focus on detailed movements

STAGE FOUR: TEACHING ( Pursuing to this stage within our Academy )

  1. Own the form
  2. Share with others
  3. Deepened the supporting knowledge (the well of knowledge will never dry )
The difference between Tai Chi and QiGong :
  1. Tai Chi is Martial Art – QiGong is not.
  2. Tai Chi has strict rules of principles thus more complex, while QiGong is more relaxed with modifications  (simpler)
  3. Tai Chi needs to be memorized  –  QiGong is optional, students can just follow the Sifu.
  4. Tai Chi requires knowledge of movements applications while QiGong has meridians to understand
  5. Tai Chi Forms strictly done in a sequence of their postures – QiGong may repeat a chosen movement/s for as many times as needed for a specific health purpose
  6. Tai Chi relates to a family style – QiGong relates to nature, human’s endocrine system, and animals often choreographed by the school or the temple.
  7.  Tai Chi needs more space to practice as they move around – QiGong requires smaller areas as their movements are tighter or stationary.
The same or similar points of Tai Chi & QiGong :
  1. Both are of Chinese origins
  2. Both are ancient arts under the QiGong umbrella
  3. Both adopted the philosophy of Yin Yang
  4. Both are done in mostly slow movements and low impact
  5. Both focus on internal energy, body movements, and spirit
  6. Both are all ages activities
  7. Both can be done indoors or outdoor