What is Tai Chi and Qigong?

Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial art whose history goes back many centuries, and like Kung Fu it includes both recorded history and ancient legend. Often described as “moving meditation,” Tai Chi (pronounced Taiji in Chinese) is also considered a form of Qigong (pronounced Chi Gong), which is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves a series of slow, relaxed exercises and meditations that coordinate the movement of the body with the breath and focus of the mind. Qigong, which translates to English as “life energy work,” dates back more than 4,000 years and has evolved with time into a wide range of exercises and meditations designed to improve health and prevent disease. Tai Chi Chuan (or Taijichuan) is often shortened to Tai Chi and translates to English as “supreme, ultimate boxing.” According to legend, the Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng created Tai Chi in the 13th century by incorporating Taoist Qigong and philosophy into Shaolin Kung Fu, hence creating a soft, “internal” martial art that relies more on relaxed leverage and force redirection than the more physical power-based “external” arts like Kung Fu. One well-known legend describes Zhang Sanfeng as being inspired to create this art by watching a snake fend off an attacking bird with its sinuous and fluid movements. 

Today, Yang style Tai Chi is believed to be the most widely practiced martial art in the world not only due to its martial contributions, but also due to its multiple physical and mental health benefits and to its accessibility to practitioners of all ages. Decades of medical research has shown Tai Chi to be highly effective at improving strength and balance, reducing physical and neuropathic pain, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing stress and anxiety. Tai Chi practice not only contributes to balance in one’s training regimen and health, but also to one’s life as a whole.

At our school we teach multiple forms of Qigong and multiple styles of internal martial arts including Yang style Tai Chi, Chen style Tai Chi, Liu He Ba Fa, Bagua, Wudang Sword, and other contemporary arts. According to more formal historical records, Chen style Tai Chi was created in the early 17th century by retired military officer Chen Wangting upon returning home after the fall of the Ming Dynasty. After only teaching members of their family for two centuries, Yang Luchan became the first student outside of the family to learn this art. After moving to Beijing, Yang Luchan’s unique presentation of Chen Tai Chi became known as his own Yang style of Tai Chi. His grandson Yang Chengfu further developed the art, focusing on the soft, neutralizing aspects of the style and created what is today known as the Yang style long form from which other shorter, more accessible forms have been created. Yang Chengfu was also the first to share Tai Chi with the general public and hence is known as the father of modern Yang style Tai Chi.

Liu He Ba Fa, or “six harmonies, eight methods,” is a rare and ancient internal martial art characterized by its water-like movements, going from fast to slow, from high to low, hence it has also become known as Water Boxing. According to legend, Liu He Ba Fa was created in the 10th century by Chen Tuan, a Taoist sage who lived on Hua Mountain. After centuries of only being taught to select students, only in the last century has it been shared with the general public. Bagua Zhang, or “eight trigrams palm,” is another interesting internal art believed to have been formally created in the early 19th century by Dong Haichuan. As a child, Dong Haichuan studied northern longfist Kung Fu before engaging in travels that would see him study a variety of other martial arts and Taoist practices including circle walking. It is believed that he eventually combined all of his knowledge into what is now known as Bagua Zhang, characterized by its evasive, circular footwork and wide variety of techniques including strikes, kicks, throws, and joint locks with the intention of being able to deal with complicated scenarios with multiple attackers.

Like all martial arts, Tai Chi and other internal martial arts have evolved with time. In recent decades, particularly during the development of the competitive sport of Wushu, new styles and forms of Tai Chi have been developed and shared throughout the world, including forms that combine techniques from multiple family styles that have appeared throughout history. We also offer training in these more contemporary Tai Chi forms.

Our Tai Chi classes are designed to be welcoming to new and experienced practitioners alike. Classes begin with joint loosening to maintain range of motion and prevent injury, followed by a few stretches to loosen the muscles. We then continue our warm-up with a blend of meditative and active Qigong, pulling from a number of different Qigong exercises and sets. Our practice then transitions to the learning and practicing of traditional Tai Chi forms in both large group and small group/individual settings. This allows practitioners of all experience levels to continue learning new things in each class and allows new students to join at any time. Forms practice is also complimented by applications work, silk reeling exercises, and pushing hands practice to further enhance one’s understanding and practice of the traditional forms. Classes then conclude with a final Qigong exercise to quiet the mind and relax the body. Students begin their Tai Chi training with a foundation in Yang style Tai Chi. From there, students will have the option to pursue any of the other styles taught depending on their interests and ability. Students are welcome to place their focus on Qigong practice as well. Our goal is to offer a personalized practice in a relaxed atmosphere for students of all ages and fitness levels. 

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