- Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan)

What is Taiji Quan?
Taiji Quan (Great Ultimate Boxing) is the slow, meditative martial art style which promotes the correct alignment of the body, while gently increasing the strength of the joints and muscles. When the alignment is combined with breathing techniques the Qi, or internal energy, is moved around the body with the posture.
Daoist monks developed the theories of "Taiji" thousands of years ago. The concept of Yin/Yang from the Yi Jing states that "In all changes exists Taiji, which causes the two opposites in all things ... " the two opposites are Yin/Yang. In Taiji Quan this means the empty and the full, the open and the closed. If one part of the body is described as full what is left is empty. If one part of the body is described as open what is left is closed. These opposites cause the Qi to move around the body and at a high level of training the smooth movement of energy results in the “moving 1000 catties with only 4 taels,” a great force is redirected by using a much smaller force.
Those are the theories the actual boxing styles are believed to be an amalgamation of different styles; Taizu Chang Quan, a boxing style said to come from the Song Emperor Taizu (Zhao Kuangyin, reign AD 960-976). Qi Jiguangs' (1528-1587) "Cannon of Boxing" was combined with elements of Tiazu Chang Quan by Chen Wangting (1600-1680) who then mixed these with his own family style of martial art, which became known as Chen Family Boxing.
From Chen Style 4 other major schools (Yang, Wu, Wu and Sun) and many minor styles emerged.
Yang, from Yang Luchan (1800-1873) who must be credited with the popularity seen today after taking the formerly secret style to Beijing, where it developed rapidly.
Wu style Taiji Quan was created by Quan You (1834-1902) ,a student of Yang Luchan, known for its soft movements and upright stances, with no big jumps it was easier for common people (as opposed to martial people) to grasp. It was spread by the Wu family and became known as Wu style.
Wu Yuxiang (1812-1880) developed the second Wu style after training with Yang Luchan.This Wu style is known for its compactness, slow movement and strict footwork.
Sun style Taiji Quan was initiated by Sun Lutang (1861-1932) a master of Xingyi Quan (Mind & Body Boxing) and Bagua Zhang (Eight-diagram Palm). In 1911, he became a student of Hao Weizhen (1849-1920) to learn the Wu Yuxiang style of Tai Chi. Sun-style Taiji practitioners advance or retreat with quick and nimble movements, which are connected with closed or open stances when the direction is changed.
There are also Rou Quan from the Shaolin Temple and Wudang style from the Daoist temple at Wudang Shan.


What you will learn
You will learn as a beginner Yang 24 form Taiji Quan.
This simplified form was developed in 1956 by a meeting of masters convened by the Chinese National Council of Sports and Physical Education. Their aim was to promote health within the country and it was decided to condense the Yang 108 form so it was easily accessible to the common people.

After Yang 24 students will move onto Mixed 48 form.
This sequence was developed in 1976 by the Chinese National Athletic Association who took the simplified Yang form and incorporated movements from the other 4 major schools of Taiji Quan. Movements are mainly performed in the style of Yang, with some exceptions which use the explosive energy release known as Fajing.

When Mixed 48 is completed students can either continue with studies of empty hand forms or begin training with weapons. The first weapon to be taught is Taijijian 32 Form. Jian means straight sword as opposed to the "dao" or broadsword. It is a modern form devised for the State Commission for Sports and Culture, Beijing during the 1950's. It a short form ideal for beginners to learn sword movements, which can feel very difficult at first.

During the Chen classes you will learn Si Fan Quan (Four Direction Form) a beginners form by Shifu Chen Zhenglei teaching the first five major movements, repeated in four directions. Jiu Shi (Nine Part Form) developed by Shifu Liu Yong as a stepping stone before going on to learning Shi Ba Shi (Eighteen part Form) also by Shifu Chen Zhenglei, these beginners form movements can later be incorporated in to the more advanced forms.

There are also classes in taijijian, taijidao & taijiqiang (sword, broadsword & spear)

These forms contain martial movements, the application of these movements will also be taught.

Morning classes will cover taiji qigong, form work & push hands.

See details of all other martial arts classes

See class times for Taiji Quan