What is Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan)?
Developed in China, Taijiquan is a powerful and subtle system of fighting that imparts on the practitioner benefits beyond physical fitness and martial prowess. It also includes techniques from other ancient health systems and theories from Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The name, Taijiquan, is made of three characters: Tai (太), Ji (極) and Quan (拳). Often, they are translated literally as Supreme Ultimate Fist (or Boxing), but that removes it from part of the philosophy on which it is based. When found together, the first two characters (taiji) refer to the principle of complementary opposites: Yin and Yang. So Taiji Fist or Yin-Yang Boxing may be better translations.
Why study Taijiquan?
There are many reasons to study Taijiquan:
- learn a natural way of moving your body
- improve mental concentration
- achieve better coordination and balance
- increase the amount of energy you have for daily use
In short, practicing Taijiquan allows you to find a dynamic balance between mind and body through concentrated awareness of body movement.
You can practice Taijiquan throughout your life and continue to learn from it. You are never too young or too old to start. And don't forget, it is also a martial art.
Why study with me?
Simply, I love it and want to share it.
As a student, I read, research and continue to learn. As a teacher, I share everything I know and everything I learn. Taijiquan is very deep in what it offers, and I want to be your guide through its depths.
Learning Taijiquan is a gradual, lifelong process. What you learn will come from your efforts, and your knowledge will spill out into your daily life. I encourage any effort to learn Taijiquan and believe anyone can gain from it.