Tai Chi

This ancient Chinese system of exercise for all ages,
trains the mind to direct the flow of internal energy

Concept of Tai Chi

Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese system of exercise for people of all ages that can prevent and cure disease. It promotes health and is also an effective form of self defense. The circular movements of Tai Chi are non-strenuous, soft and flowing. It is often described as “moving meditation” because it relieves stress and improves concentration. The slow turning motions loosen the joints and spine and relax points of tension in the body. Tai Chi trains the mind to direct the flow of internal energy or Qi. The movements are preformed with silk-like energy that is continuous, flexible, soft and effortless. Slow, deep and gentle breathing regulates the forms tempo. Tai Chi can be an effective therapy to strengthen the digestive, circulatory, and skeletal systems.

Tai Chi is thought to be descended from natural movements of animals observed by Taoist monks. Tai Chi was developed by incorporating the vast knowledge of Taoist meditative practices into moving postures, creating what is known as a soft or internal form of exercise. Conforming to Taoist philosophy, the form originates from  Wu Ji, a state of stillness. Motion arises forming yin and yang – two complimentary opposites that combine to form the whole. Each  movement within the form contains yin and yang: inhalation and exhalation, soft and hard, empty and solid, right and left.

In Tai Chi, the body moves as a complete unit. The spine must be straight and the head is held as if suspended by a string from above. The shoulders and elbows drop naturally. The chest is slightly concave while the back is slightly convex. The waist is the axis for all movements and must be loose. The mind must be totally concentrated and absorbed in the form. The subconscious mind directs the form while the conscious mind becomes pure and empty. Mind, body and spirit are united as one and a state of selflessness exists.

Tai Chi Internals

The practitioner uses the mind to direct Qi
and movement balancing yin and yang

In Tai Chi practice, the practitioner uses the mind to direct Qi and Qi to direct movement. Motion arises from stillness (Wu Ji); Tai Chi is characterized by smooth flowing dance-like motion united with Qi Gong, concentration of the mind and the practical application of internal Kung Fu.  Seeking stillness in motion and practicing with a high degree of concentration balances the inner and outer and the practitioner reaches into the stage of void: man united with heaven.

Pre-heaven Qi (Yuan Qi) is created from Wu Ji.  Tai Chi's fluid, harmonious, meditative movements train Yin and Yang, and bring balance to the two kinds of inner Qi.  Tai Chi allows us to reach balance and gentleness. Under a good teacher's guidance the practitioner can generate Yuan Qi in the Dan Tien. Through sitting and standing meditation techniques, and cooperative Tai Chi movement, the Qi can be cultivated into motion.  You can improve the quality and quantity of Yuan Qi and its explosive power (Jing), balance Yin and Yang and, further, establish the internal foundation for Tai Chi sparring and push hands through the practice of Tai Chi.

Push Hands and Sparring

Wu Ji and Tai Chi training will produce enough Yuan Qi to balance its power

The first two stages of training, Wu Ji and Tai Chi, allow the practitioner to produce enough Yuan Qi to balance their internal power and improve their Qi quality, smooth the meridian channels and produce explosive power: Hun Yuan Jing. Once the practitioner has mastered these two stages they are ready to advance to the third stage to train Jing for use in application.  This stage of training is called Push Hands.

Through at least ten years of push hands training (single hand, double hand motion or static push hands), the practitioner trains to listen for Jing, yielding to Jing, and to emit Jing. You will be able to hear the opponent's intention at any moment, feeling your opponent's pathway of Qi, directing the opponent's Jing's landing point. This enables the practitioner to overcome motion from stillness. Softness overcomes hardness, applying four ounces to overcome a thousand pounds.

After practicing push hands to maturity,  the practitioner can use Jing by subconscious free will. He can achieve a level of integration of hands, eyes, steady mind, body and footwork; and can apply it to Tai Chi freehand sparring. This is the advanced level of Tai Chi practice and requires over 20 years of practice. That is why we say that you don't know Tai Chi if you only have ten years experience. You know a little bit if you have 20 years experience. Only then can you say that you know Tai Chi.  To learn Tai Chi push hands requires an experienced master instructor.  For further study you can contact Master Zhong in China.

Wu Dang Mountain Tai Chi

The Sage Zhang Sanfeng created Tai Chi 13 Posture, 
a treasure of the mountain, this technique remained secret until today

The Sage Zhang Sanfeng created Tai Chi 13 postures which includes: holding the ball, single push, split post, cloud hand, yielding postures, and more. These postures have very strong practical applications, and combine with Tuna, Caibu, Hun Yuan Zhuan, 3 different Taoist internal cultivation methods to train the eight extraordinary channels and the five organs. 13 Postures is a treasure of the mountain.  Until today this technique has remained secret and was only transmitted individually from a single teacher to a single student.

Years after the Sage Zhang Sanfeng, his successor created Sanfeng Tai Chi Chuan. It is the second generation Wu Dang Tai Chi form. It has 108 movements. It emerged from the 13 Postures form, and has the characteristics of 13 Postures.  It became a popular cultivation method for many successive generations.

The 14th generation Abbot, Master Zhong Yun Long, with the aid of 14th generation disciple Master Tseng, created the third generation Wu Dang Tai Chi, 52 movements which are simplified from the 108 movements. They have modified the form to suit the needs and curiosity of the ordinary world.

If you want to study Wu Dang Tai Chi, you can contact Master Zhong or Master Tseng for further training. It is our hope that Wu Dang Tai Chi will continue to contribute to the health and harmony of the modern world.

Tai Chi History

Zhang Sanfeng came to Wu Dang created Tai Chi 13 posture,
became the assembler of Tai Chi, and created Wu Dang Tai Chi

Influenced by Taoist religion and philosophy, ancient Chinese people invented many methods for cultivating essential nature and eternal life for longevity and immortality:  Dao Yin; Tu Na; sitting meditation; observing the inner body and the mind; five animal play; and, many ceremonial forms of Taoist rituals. These all contributed to the origins of Tai Chi. About 700 years ago, Zhang Sanfeng came to Wu Dang to cultivate his internal energy to achieve immortality. When he observed a snake fighting with a sparrow, he had a breakthrough and created Tai Chi 13 postures. This emerged from the ancient art of internal cultivation, combined with all the characteristics of martial arts styles and his own internal alchemy method. Wu Dang internal martial arts was created at the same period of time.

Tai Chi is not just the simple Tai Chi forms that we see in current times. It is a combination of Wu Ji, Tai Chi and Liang Yi, three different levels of form. Movement became a cultivation method with many facets: stillness to motion; exterior to interior; basic to advanced; motion united with stillness; and, fast movements combined with slow movements.

Zhang Sanfeng became known as the developer or assembler of Tai Chi. He refined these ancient arts and created the Wu Dang Tai Chi system.  From him, two branches extended, one to the North and one to the South. In the North, his successor was Wang Zhong Yue, and subsequently his successor Jiang Fa, created Zhao Bao Tai Chi. This became a community style, which differed from the style practiced in the monastery. Five styles evolved from Jiang Fa: Chen Wang Ting's Chen style Tai Chi; Yang Lu Chang's Yang style Tai Chi; Wu Yu Xiang's Wu style Tai Chi; Wu Jian Chuan's Wu style Tai Chi; and, Sun Lu Tang's Sun Style Tai Chi. These five styles became the most popular styles in the world today. From the Southern lineage, the successor Zhang Song Xi, was in turn succeeded by several families who remain more mystical and less known to the world.

Wu Dang mountain Tai Chi, and Zhao Bao Tai Chi remain more traditionally mystical and secret.

From 1959 to today, the Chinese government has created many simplified styles of Tai Chi from the different family styles. These simplified styles and competition routines are designed for people to practice and to promote Tai Chi for the general public.