Yang Style T'ai Chi Chuan
My goal is to educate people to the practice of Tai Chi and its many benefits.
More accurately known as tai chi chuan, the practice is a martial art system that includes both meditation and movement to enhance total health. Its movements are practiced in a slow, flowing sequence seeking connection between mind, body and spirit.
While there are five major Tai Chi Styles, the basis of all types of tai chi practice is "the form." There are short forms and long forms that vary from style to style, but traditionally a long form involves 108 movements and can take up to an hour to perform, while a short form can involve from 24 to 48 movements and takes 10 minutes of less to perform.
All Tai Chi styles follow similar essential principles and all styles have their unique characteristics. Certain styles are more appropriate for certain people. It is a good idea to choose what is the most suitable style for you.
This lens is about the Yang Style.
Martial Art
T'ai Chi is a way of life that has been practiced by the Chinese for thousands of years. T'ai Chi means "the ultimate." T'ai Chi encourages the fulfillment of the individual person, yet also emphasizes that this goal should be achieved through moderate, natural ways of living.Followers of T'ai Chi believed that people should discipline themselves to be spiritual, healthy, kind, and intelligent; to be responsible for assisting others to reach the same levels of achievement; to enjoy the truth; to fight fearlessly against immorality and injustice; and to protect the needy and the weak. It was with these goals in mind that the martial art aspect of T'ai Chi came to be developed and emphasized.
T'ai Chi theories were easily applied to the martial arts. Mind and body harmony, in tune with the natural order of things, was at the core of T'ai Chi. This offered a direction of development completely different from that of other forms of fighting techniques.
It also yielded awesome results in terms of human abilities coming from the power of the mind. Thus T'ai Chi Ch'uan became the most powerful martial art ever known.
Family surnames came to be associated with the different styles of T'ai Chi that were being passed on, mouth to ear, from generation to generation -- for example, the Ch'en style, the Yang style, and the Wu style. Many of these are still known today. Each style was distinctive, but all followed the classic T'ai Chi principles.
~~Adopted from T'ai Chi Classics (Shambala) written by Way Sun Liao
T'ai Chi Gifts
Do You Play T'ai Chi?
T'ai Chi for Health
Learning t'ai-chi can be a most enjoyable and rewarding experience. T'ai-chi is probably the most effective exercise for a holistic approach to health. It will improve your health and fitness, and help you to relax.
"It seeks stillness in movement and is a dynamic art form of continuous, circular, flowing and ever changing movements rather like water. Tai Chi Chuan is a series of patterns or postures which make the whole body work using at the same time strength and gentleness. Like floating clouds and flowing water, following the same principles and philosophies Ying- Yang.
If properly executed, Tai Chi Chuan is a high form of Chigong (qigong) and therefore an excellent all round health promoting activity.
Tai Chi is not an "esoteric" practise or a philosophy of life. It must be practised by those who enjoy physical exercises and are looking for an alternative to western methods. The benefits come from persistent training and consistency.
Contrary to what many people think, Tai chi is an excellent exercise for keeping in shape and strengthening the muscles, as well as preventing arthritis ,heart conditions, circulation and back problems.
It helps with posture and back problems, strengthens the functioning of internal organs and prevents repetitive strain syndrome.
Various psychological benefits can be observed: Tai Chi Chuan helps combat stress related illnesses such as depression, anxiety and insomnia. It promotes better concentration and tranquillity. The awareness of movement and breathing stimulates at the same time body and energy for a balanced healthy life."
- Shenlin Society of London
- Shenlin Society of London
Yang Style Short Form
Graceful in movement, slow in tempo, relaxed yet dynamic in beautiful natural postures, t'ai chi is a "moving meditation" that rejuvenates body, mind and spirit. The most immediate health benefits of t'ai chi practice are improved posture, flexibility, balance, circulation, metabolism, and neuro-muscular function, and a strengthened immune system.
Regular t'ai chi practice develops robust physical strength, emotional calm and serenity, mental clarity and latent powers. Thus the Chinese say that those who practice t'ai chi ch'uan will attain the pliability of a child, the vitality of a lumberjack, and the wisdom of a sage."
~~ Terry Dunn
These are great videos of the Yang Style Short Form. Each one is different.
Add These Books To Your Library
Vote for your favorite and add others!
Taijiquan, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form and Qigong by Yang Jwing-Ming
The complete, Taiji book from America's best known more...0 points
Yang Style Traditional Long Form T'ai Chi Ch'uan: As Taught by T.T. Liang by Gordon Muir
Gordon Muir began his martial arts studies at the more...0 points
Tai Chi Chuan Martial Applications: Advanced Yang Style Tai Chi Chaun (Martial Arts-Internal Series) by Jwing-Ming Yang
For beginners of advanced tai chi players, the 24 more...0 points
Tai Chi Chuan: The Philosophy of Yin and Yang and Its Application by Douglas Lee
A tai chi chuan practitioner for over 20 years, Le more...0 points
Blogs About T'ai Chi
- Tea & T'ai Chi
- Tea and T'ai Chi are important aspects of my life. Both help bring balance to my body, mind and spirit. I invite you along on my journey as a friend, reader and as a contributor as I explore these two treasures.
- Weakness With a Twist » Taijiquan
- Weakness With a Twist
A place to explore ideas related to martial arts, health and inner cultivation
Tea & T'ai Chi
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- Mountain River Yang Style info
- Mountain River Tai Chi information and brief history of the Yeung (Yang) Family style of Tai Chi
- Interviews with Kenji Tokitsu Sensei2
- Why do you teach combat tai chi instead of karate?
Please Leave Your Thoughts and Comments Here!
Please leave your comments here about T'ai Chi, about this lens or just say hello!
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Reply
- Roy de Vos Roy de Vos Aug 20, 2008 @ 3:54 am
- What a superb lens! You could go from link to link the whole day. Excellent!
My Other Links
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Indeed Jobs
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Lifestyle Family Fitness - Lutz, FL
Arrives at least 10 minutes prior to class to meet and greet participants Clocks into KRONOS Makes class announcement on P.A system 10 minutes before class... ... - Yoga Instructor/Tai Chi Instructor
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Hunterdon Health and Wellness Center - Whitehouse - Whitehouse Station, NJ
Certificate and/or Advanced Specialized or Technical Training in Yoga/Tai Chi MINIMUM YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Experience required. REQUIRED LICENSE... ... - GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR I
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Western Hills Healthplex - Cincinnati, OH
Fitness classes specifically in movement based formats (Dance, Step aerobics, Tai Chi, Seniors, etc.) Licenses / Certifications / Registrations: National Group... ...























