What is Tai-Chi ?
Tai-Chi Forms have been described as "swimming on land". They also are comparable to slow motion walking, but with gentle, soft, and rounded movements performed slowly and with precision. A centred mind directs the flowing graceful movements that make this fitness discipline aesthetically pleasing to watch as a "moving meditation". Tai-Chi principles are based on the premise that since life is constantly moving and changing we need to learn to cope and "roll with the punches", so we don't get stuck or get knocked off our centre. Through the practice of Tai-Chi one can cultivate a strong centre, an open mind, and flexibility at the same time. Tai-Chi is for health and Tai-Chi Chuan self-defence. But this is an internal martial art, and does not profess brute strength or muscle in its practice.

Tai-Chi In China: Past and Today.
If Tai-Chi is so good, then why don't we know more about it in this country? Part of the reason is that for centuries Tai-Chi was practiced in isolation by the Chinese. Not until the Cultural Revolution did Tai-Chi become better known to the rest of the world by Master teachers who were fleeing their beloved homeland and emigrating to other parts of the world to teach their soft internal martial art. Fortunately for the Chinese people, Tai-Chi was found to be such a healthy discipline possessing both preventive and curative benefits that Tai-Chi was adopted by the Chinese government to be taught in their public schools. Today, foreign visitors to China can watch millions of people practice in parks and plazas, performing this graceful dance-like discipline in the early morning hours.

Tai-Chi History.
Tai-Chi is based on the philosophy of Lao Tzu. This revered philosopher believed that life is in constant flux, and in order to live productive, healthy, and balanced, one needs to understand the importance of yielding and going with the flow of life. Westerners have been more often than not taught to resist, persist at all costs, overcome, and "go for the burn" in our struggle to tackle our problems at work, in exercise, sport, or in our personal lives. Tai-Chi emphasizes the power and the value of relaxation, yielding, and flexibility.

Research demonstrates that we can get immediate benefits from less exercise than originally thought to be true. It is impressive to see that positive results have been experienced on even the first day for reducing stress and blood pressure when moderate forms of exercise, such as walking, are used. This information directly correlates with performing the Tai-Chi forms, which last about fifteen minutes depending on how slowly you perform the integrated movements.

Tai-Chi is a very sophisticated and intelligent exercise program. It uses the power of the legs to shift your weight while the arms raise and lower in various full rounded movements. The long held exercise prescription of about 60 minutes a day, three to five days a week to get positive results proves too intimidating to many persons. Unfortunately, the result is that these individuals don't get involved at all and become spectators in life.

Tai-Chi is a perfect alternative choice for those reluctant individuals, the older, the overweight, as well as the triathlon type of individual who is seeking perfection in his/her technique and performance. All participants receive benefits for obtaining good health practices that can be practiced daily for a lifetime.

You can perform Tai-Chi well into your eighties and nineties and receive its life sustaining health care benefits. Could the same be said for jogging, weight lifting, and aerobic dancing?

Strength Through Relaxation.
Witness first-hand or look at the video clips on this site of demonstrations of a master's push hands techniques (two person self-defence exercises using Tai-Chi Chuan principles) with young man in their twenties. You will see that from nowhere the young opponent is suddenly propelled off his feet into the air and smack into a mat placed against the wall to break his fall. There was no sign of exertion or very often even movement that can be seen on the master's part. But the movement at the moment of impact can be like being hit by a truck.

Power of Chi or Energy Work.
These kinds of demonstrations are somewhat theatrical, but the impression has long lasting effects. What are you watching, can it be real? It is very real but it has to be felt and explained by a master before you understand the potential. Just try to suspend your disbelief until you feel it in your training, most then find it good fun and very bizarre, so laughter is a strong facet of this training.

How could something that relaxed and casual have such profound focus and force? "Chi", or "prahna" as it is expressed in the East Indian culture, means life force. In the practice of Tai-Chi the Chi, which is the intrinsic life force, becomes refined like steam.

Steam as we know has the power to move such massive things as trains and boats. In Tai-chi the Chi moves freely throughout the body. The body holds no tension, thus, the body feels almost transparent. The body can be likened to an empty vessel in which the Chi can flow in and out. You become "plugged" into this Chi energy by focusing your mind at your centre (located in the lower abdomen-approximately two inches below the navel) and relaxing the body while standing in perfect alignment. These kinds of visual impressions have a marked effect on the quality of the movement and the thinking of the individual. To empty your mind is a freeing experience and one that enables you to be open, flexible, and capable of responding to a situation in a calm and appropriate manner.  The legendary Master Chang San-Feng (who some honour as the founder of Tai-Chi) over 700 years ago believed that "muscular strength was not in harmony with nature and the theories of meditation. Thus, he developed a school of soft martial art and meditation. Perhaps, because of these seemingly conflicting aspects, meditation, health, and self-defence, many people are confused about what Tai-Chi is and does for an individual. Frankly, the most important aspect is that Tai-Chi principles work. No matter what you motivation is Tai-Chi principles can enhance your performance without the tension and anxiety that inhibits you from doing your best. By being totally relaxed and concentrated at the same time, you can enhance your achievements.

Tai-Chi and Breathing.
One of the most essential ingredients for performing at your best is to understand the proper and most efficient way to breathe. Whether you simply walk, or are more active like a football player, golfer, or aerobic dancer, proper breathing is essential for success. Tai-Chi incorporates this necessary ingredient through full deep abdominal breathing and knowing when to inhale and exhale for each movement. This factor is vital to your performance, and yet is overlooked in so many fitness regimes. Unfortunately, most people do not know truly how to breathe. The art of breathing is one of the most overlooked subjects in the study of movement.

Weight lifters know the value of proper breathing, and singers do too. Their careers depend on it. But the average person half the time doesn't take the time to think, "Am I breathing correctly"? They are cutting off one of their best assets for achieving excellence in execution when they don't mind their breath. Wasting breath is like wasting your most valuable commodity. It's squandering your life giving force. A baby is like a real-life breathing machine. Their little bellies are pumping away giving them optimal energy. Their arms and legs move freely with ease. As we get older many people tend to restrict their breathing. They begin shallow breathing from their chests only. This limited kind of breathing puts a harness on life potential. Breath is life. The value of deep abdominal breathing as we practice in Tai-Chi is essential for increasing your quality of living.

Visualisation.
Lately, Westerner's have been hearing more and more about experimenting with visualization for improving one's physical performance and mental attitude. Books on using visualization for improving one's success in business and the power of imagery in healing are also gaining acceptance in our present day literature. Tai-Chi has been using imagery since it began around 1200 A.D. When practicing Tai-Chi the colourful descriptions that describe different form moves, such as "wave hands like clouds" or "stork cools wings" conjure mental images that influence the quality of the movement. Since the practice of Taijiquan is precise and also imaginative, both hemispheres of the brain are drawn into play. The use of the right and left brain draws out the most potential in an individual. A relaxing, yet strengthening technique such as Tai-Chi develops the whole person: in mind, body, and spirit. It is not something that can only be talked about in theory, but needs to be experienced.

Tai-Chi and Health.
Tai-Chi provides a healthy gentle and safe way that totally relaxes the practitioners and teaches us how to use our energy more productively and efficiently. I have coined the expression "Tai-Chi is the Great Granddaddy of Low Impact Aerobics". Tests have shown us that when the Tai-Chi form is done with knees well bent, more oxygen is burned and it becomes an aerobic conditioning exercise. When the Tai-Chi form is performed in the low position, great cardiovascular (heart) stimulation occurs (between 60-80% of M.H.R.) Unfortunately, research in this country has been sparse. Cardiologists, respiratory specialists, orthopaedists, sports medicine practitioners, physical and occupational therapists would find Tai-Chi to be a most enlightening discipline to do research on due to its multi-faceted health preventive and curative benefits.

The Overweight or Less-Active.
I also suggest that persons who are overweight or less active by nature would find Tai-Chi attractive and enjoyable to do. Sports do not get much participation of overweight individuals, because the exercise may be too strenuous or prove embarrassing to individuals to have to put on leotards or shorts to participate. Participants find that Taijiquan replenishes them and is easier to stay with than an exercise program that leaves you exhausted.

Easy and Inexpensive to Implement.
You don't have to change your clothing to perform Taijiquan. It is recommended that you wear clothing that is easy to move in and wear low flat shoes for class. The model is ease and simplicity from beginning to end. You don't need a huge amount of space to have Tai-Chi classes. It can be done outdoors as well as indoors, which makes it an ideal program that can be enjoyed by all throughout the changing seasons.

Rehabilitation and Older Students.
I have had students in my classes with such conditions as hip replacements, pacemakers, and individuals with hypertension, arthritis, lupus, and back problems. The students were advised by their Doctors to remain active, but to find an activity that wouldn't aggravate their condition. Tai-Chi was a perfect solution. There are persons of all ages and levels who make a contribution to a classes success. Tai-Chi is perfect for the youngest member of a class to the eldest. I have taught Tai-Chi to students over 80 years of age. Their sense of humour and active participation has been a joy and an inspiration to everyone in the class.

We encourage our students to use Tai-Chi principles throughout their everyday lives. Living life as a moving meditation has tremendous power and significance. The common misconception is that Tai-Chi is some esoteric dance could not be further from the truth. It is both beautiful and practical. Nothing lasts from one generation or dynasty to another without having some universal and timeless truths incorporated in it. Tai-Chi embodies these truths within a system of health and self defence.
 
Another important aspect is that the Tai-Chi principles can help improve your other exercise programs and aerobic activities such as running, tennis, squash, golf, cricket, dance, etc. You can improve your performance by learning how to properly use Tai-Chi principles, such as correct breathing, moving from centre, and knowing how to relax with the movements. All great athletes use Tai-Chi principles, even though they may not know that is specifically what they are doing. But when a technique is honest, it doesn't matter what its origin is or what name is used to identify it. A technique that ascribes to basic fundamental truths can be adapted to enhance everyone's' performance.

Tai-Chi is a holistic practice. When an individual feels and acts in harmony with him/herself, the person's abilities are unified. In its simplicity are the seeds for profound achievement. Because today's sudden changes, shifts, mergers, and stressful demands are rapidly accelerating our lives we depend on the health and well-being of each individual to be the most focused, creative, and powerful person as they can be.

We all need to learn how to make the best of what we have without squandering our talents and energy. Through Tai-Chi an individual can confront change in a relaxed balanced manner. Through being centred, individuals can confront crisis situations with calmness.