About Tai Chi

 
   Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is one of the gems in the realm of Chinese martial arts. Ever since the founder of Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan, Yang Lu Chan, his sons Yang Ban Hou and Yang Jian Hou, his grandsons Yang Shao Hou and Yang Cheng Fu, and his great-grandsons Yang Zhen Ming, Yang Zhen Ji, Yang Zhen Duo, and Yang Zhen Guo have all worked together to research, change, develop, and spread Tai Chi Chuan.
   Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan has become extended and graceful, carefully structured, relaxed, gentle and flowing, while still maintaining the martial arts aspects. It is also a method for improving health and curing illness. Tai Chi Chuan is loved by tens of millions of practitioners, spreading Tai Chi Chuan at home and abroad. It has become the most popular of all Chinese martial arts, providing a remarkable contribution to the health of mankind.
  Master Yang Jun, 6th Generation and current Yang family standard-bearer
  
  Learn about the history of Tai Chi at http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/about/study/#history
  Learn about the theory of Tai Chi at http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/about/study/#theory
  Learn about the philosophy of Tai Chi at http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/about/study/#philosophy
  Learn practical information about Tai Chi at http://www.yangfamilytaichi.com/about/study/#practical
   
Tai chi does not mean oriental wisdom or something exotic. It is the wisdom of your own senses, your own mind and body together as one process.
  Chungliang Al Huang, Living Tao Foundation

 

   Practicing Tai Chi entails learning a series of postures which are practiced in sequences. Performed in a slow, gentle (no impact) way, the repetitive movement promotes relaxation of mind and body, increased coordination, increased circulation and the opening of the body's energy channels.
 
   The physical techniques of Tai Chi Chuan are described in the Tai Chi Classics (a set of writings by traditional masters) as being characterized by the use of leverage through the joints based on coordination in relaxation - rather than muscular tension - in order to neutralize or initiate attacks.
    The slow, repetitive work involved is the process of learning how that leverage is generated and how it gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation of breath, body heat, blood, lymph system, peristalsis, etc..
  edited, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai_Chi_Chuan
 

   Called "The Internal Martial Art" and "The Moving Meditation", Tai Chi can help you gain strength, balance and endurance. The combination of other cardio-intensive exercise (like walking) and regular Tai Chi practice offers an effective physical fitness routine. Tai Chi can help you get into shape and/or enhance your performance in other sports.

 
   Want to learn more? To get started, simply show up at any of our practices (see our practice schedule) or contact our instructor, Carl Meeks, at carl@kentuckytaichi.com.
 
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight.
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new.
 

Tao Te Ching XXII
 

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