Tai chi chuan is truly a multi-faceted which can be practised in many ways, as a simple relaxation exercise, a slow meditative routine or as a highly effective martial art. Over the course of these pages we will focus on the various systems taught within the respective styles and also the many aspects of practice available to the practitioner. These include:
Tai Chi Aspects and Meditation in Motion
Tai Chi Aspects are single images and concepts on which one may concentrate while doing the form. They are tools for form refinement. By and by, they will combine into a moving kaleidoscopic picture.
Mediative Work
Stillness in motion is something that should be aspired to in tai chi and by working towards this aspect you can develop highly effective tools for coping in today’s busy society. Look out for some inspirational material to encourage your development in this much rewarding area.
Hand Form
Most peple are familiar with the tai chi ‘hand form’ which is the sequence of slow, choreographed movements that string together as one continuous flowing routine. Whilst the various tai chi styles, in the main, have the same basic principles there are many aspects which are unique to particular styles or approaches to these arts. We will work to illustrate both similarities and difference to help to increase your understanding of the many ways in which tai chi is taught and practised.
Partner Work
There are a range of partner exercises varying fom gentle sensitivity exercises, where we can develop our ‘Ting Jing’ listening skills along with devloping rooting, structure and flexibility to more vigorous push hands training or da lui and san shou routines which can also be applied as steps on the way to establishing full-contact fighting techniques.
Weapons
Whether you are interested in health, aesthetic, competition there are many weapons used in the practice of tai chi chuan and we look to include material to stimulate your interest.
Again, different styles of tai chi use sometimes the same but occasionally different weapons and we’ll introduce you to some mof these approaches to weapon work.
Competition
One of the most debatable aspects of tai chi is competition, how they are staged, judged and also how competitors apply themselves to the various categories that are used to evaluate their performances.
Contributions are welcome for these aspects.
Also recommended on Aspects of Tai Chi