What is Tai Chi?
Deep breathing, meditation, and slow, elegant physical motions are all part of the ancient Chinese mind-body technique known as Tai Chi. Originally created as a self-defense martial art, it is now commonly used as a low-impact, soothing workout that improves flexibility, balance, and mental health.
What is Chen Style Tai Chi?
The earliest and most authentic style of Tai Chi was created in Chen Village, China, in the sixteenth century. It is very useful for both self-defense and physical fitness because of its dynamic, alternating soft and explosive movements, "silk reeling" (spiral force), and abrupt power releases (fa jin).
What is Yang Style Tai Chi?
The most well-liked and extensively practiced type of Tai Chi in the world today is Yang-style. It is very accessible for people of all ages and fitness levels to enhance their general health because of its calm, steady, smooth motions that are easy on the joints.
Tai Chi and Health
From the Mayo Clinic & NHS Torbay
- Improving balance, flexibility and muscle strength
- Reducing falls in older adults
- Reducing anxiety and depression
- Improving sleep quality
- Lowering blood pressure
- Improving cardiovascular fitness in older adults
- Relieving chronic pain
- Increasing energy, endurance and agility
- Improving overall feelings of well-being
- Improved immune function
- increased flexibility
- improved cardiovascular fitness
- Increased muscle strength
Tai Chi Push Hands
Push-hands is a practice method of traditional Tai Chi martial arts. Two students with their arms in contact practice twining and sticking actions to develop the sense of touch, awareness and balance within the body. This is the training method where Tai Chi movements connect with martial arts applications, and develops the understanding of how small forces can defeat strong physical power.
Push-hands is a practice method of traditional Tai Chi martial arts. Two students with their arms in contact practice twining and sticking actions to develop the sense of touch, awareness and balance within the body. This is the training method where Tai Chi movements connect with martial arts applications, and develops the understanding of how small forces can defeat strong physical power.
Who can practice Tai Chi?
Tai Chi is suitable for people of all ages and
levels of physical fitness. The movements can be performed slowly and gently
for health and relaxation, or faster and more powerfully for fitness and self
defence applications.
How do I know which style is best?
For grading, the "Chinese Wushu Association" recognises only the following Tai Chi Styles: Chen style, Yang, Sun, Wu, Wu/hao styles. No others are recognised at this time
For grading, the "Chinese Wushu Association" recognises only the following Tai Chi Styles: Chen style, Yang, Sun, Wu, Wu/hao styles. No others are recognised at this time
Should I study Chen or Yang?
For older people Yang style is ideal given the slower, wide open, gentle pace and the fact the majority of Medical Research has been on Yang style, followed by Chen style. Master Sifu teaches both Chen & Yang so Fitness Tai Chi students need not make a choice.
How do I know if the "Instructor" is qualified?
Your
prospective teacher should be happy to provide a certificate or diploma that
demonstrates training as a "coach" or "instructor" and a
way for you to research them independently.
Your instructor should also be a member of the "Tai Chi Internal Arts Union for Great Britain," which is the largest peer group of mutually-recognizing instructors in the UK - by a country mile. It should raise a red flag if someone isn't listed on the website.
You can also request a look at their insurance certificate. Insurance companies are often quite demanding of their insured's to prove that a client can back up a claim of this or that qualification or level of experience.
Your instructor should also be a member of the "Tai Chi Internal Arts Union for Great Britain," which is the largest peer group of mutually-recognizing instructors in the UK - by a country mile. It should raise a red flag if someone isn't listed on the website.
You can also request a look at their insurance certificate. Insurance companies are often quite demanding of their insured's to prove that a client can back up a claim of this or that qualification or level of experience.
Do all instructors have to have a "Dan" grading?
No, it is true that some instructors may be quite proficient without official Duan Wei grading (ie a black belt) but technical knowledge and international recognition should be an important factor when choosing a Tai Chi school if the possibility of progression might be a personal aim.
How long does it take to learn a form?
Generally speaking, students need at least 36 weeks to a year to master a basic form to the point of demonstrating gross motions. The next two to three years are spent learning the finer movements.
What is an "Open" Class?
The Chinese teaching approach serves as the foundation for the "open" class's pedagogy. In ancient Chinese martial arts, as is also the case with Tai Chi today, one is either a novice or a master; there are no belt degrees in between white and black, in contrast to many Western or Japanese combat arts.
This implies that regardless of ability level, everyone learns the same material at the same time. Naturally, the advantage for a new student is that they can enroll in a beginner's class at any time and feel comfortable with the speed and exercises.
Tell me a little about Master Sifu Victoria.
Master Sifu has over 35 years of martial arts experience (in particular under hall-of-fame judoka Masao Takahashi) & is a Senior Instructor member of the Tai Chi Internal Arts Union for Great Britain. In Chen, Yang Tai Chi, she holds the grade of 2nd Duan Wei (2nd dan). Master Sifu is also a Level 1 Tai Chi & Qigong Instructor, having trained under Grandmaster Liming Yue, who is head Judge of Chen Style Tai Chi for the TCUGB and direct pupil of the 19th generation of the Chen Family, Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei officially accredited with the title of “China’s Top Ten Contemporary Martial Arts Masters.” Grandmaster Yue is 7th Duan Wei of the China Wushu Assocation & was awarded the title 'World Tai Chi Promotion Ambassador' by Chenjiagou Tai Chi village in China in 2009.
Master Sifu's only goal is for you to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy better health.
