Tai Chi as a martial art
Okay so there are loads of websites that talk about the martial applications of tai chi. We don’t really teach those in our classes. However, we do demonstrate how the postures can be used. This is not for self defence purposes but in order to show that the correct alignment and movement will provide the desired result in a martial setting. This helps the practitioner to do the form correctly and for the right reason.
There are no set rules such as if A does this then B does that. This is not tai chi. We try to show that the use of tai chi and the energy and movements of the postures allow you the freedom to adapt and change given a particular setting. Change is what tai chi is about so there are many variations within each posture. This does not mean that the postures are practiced differently each time, but it does allow for the emphasis to change within the framework of the movement.
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Tai Chi – the Poetry of Motion
Tai Chi takes years of practice. But practice is easy so don’t be put off at the slow pace of learning.
The names are not just poetic sounding names that have a mystical Chinese meaning. If we look into the names and read the Classics that refer to the origins of Tai Chi then we can start to unpick the secrets behind Tai Chi.
Below is a list of the names of the form and a simple explanation of the movement behind the name. Simply put Tai Chi was conceived by Chan San Feng when he witnessed a fight between a snake and a crane. So all of the movements are either the movement of a snake, a crane or both. Except when they have a specific action, for instance play the fiddle.
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Canada and Transformational Change
This year I made the big trip to Canada to spend a week at the Toronto Tai Chi Chuan and Meditation Centre with Andy James. This trip has been transformational for me. Of course the tai chi was great but the benefits of the Personal Mastery programme became a lot clearer to me. Since my return these benefits have been put into practice with regard to my personal and business relationships.
Directors Message
Our specialty for nearly 25 years has been teaching individuals how to balance and integrate body, mind, energy and spirit for holistic health, personal transformation and more compassionate and insightful action in everyday life. We feel this need for personal power and clarity is greater than ever as life becomes increasingly stressful, complex and time-pressured.
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Andy James New DVD Is Here!
Ba Gua Zhang, Xing Yi Quan and the more famous Tai Ji Quan, are regarded as the “internal family” of Chinese martial arts, which integrate body, energy, emotion, mind and spirit. This DVD demonstrates the basic and foundational training methods of Ba Gua Zhang and Xing Yi Quan as taught at the Tai Chi & Meditation Centre in Toronto and at Harmony Dawn retreat centre.
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