Welcome to website of Nei Yang Gong and Tai Ji Quan
Taijiquan
太极拳Tài Jí Quán
Taijiquan training | Yang Style 24 posture form
Tài Jí Quán is a traditional Chinese martial art and popular system of mind body exercise that improves balance, coordination, flexibility, muscular strength and cardiovascular health. Taijiquan generally involves relaxed, calm and gentle movements that a performed slowly and continuously. It is gentle enough to be practiced by the elderly and infirm yet demanding enough to be challenging to the fittest of athletes.
Often referred to as Tai Chi in the West the Chinese treasure of Taijiquan is now popular across the world and its health benefits have been the subject of considerable scientific research.
The aim of Taijiquan as a martial art is to ‘defeat hardness with softness’ and to study it effectively as a martial art can take many years of diligent practice. That said many of those who regularly practice Taijiquan do so purely for the health benefits it can bring and after regular practice of Taijiquan it is not uncommon for the calm relaxed gracefulness of both thought and movement that it brings to begin to flow into all aspects of one’s life.
Taijiquan has the effect of relaxing and quieting the mind and as such is the perfect antidote to the mental stress that modern day living often brings.
By regular practice of Taijiquan one can strengthen the body and its functions, boosting the immune system and improving circulation enabling the practitioner to both protect good health, and if needed promote recovery from poor health.
Chinese medical philosophy dictates that all illness is the result of a blockage or deficiency of the body’s life force energy, or Qi. The practice of Taijiquan opens the meridians, the channels through which Qi flows, to ensure a natural flow of energy and blood throughout the system.
There are many styles of Taijiquan, most family styles that at one time were passed down through generations of Chinese families. Styles of Taijiquan include, Yang, Chen, Sun, Wu, and Wu (Hao) and whilst all differ in their expression they all follow the same basic principles.
The name Taijiquan means Supreme (太Tài) Ultimate (极Jí) Fist (拳Quán)
The most effective way to learn Taijiquan is through a suitably qualified and experienced teacher either by way of individual lessons or as part of a regular class. There are many teach yourself books and DVDs on the market but learning the Taijiquan in this way is difficult, although not impossible. Most serve as useful form of reference in addition to learning with a Taijiquan teacher.
The art of Taijiquan can of course compliment all forms of Qigong and it is for that reason that Taijiquan is used alongside Nei Yang Gong Qigong at the National Medical Qigong Hospital and Training Centre in Beidaihe, China.
Under the leadership of Taijiquan Master Feng Yijian the centre offers instruction in the Yang Style 24 posture simplified form, the 42 posture competition form as well as Chen and Wu styles Taiji sword and Pushing Hands, although the most common style taught to the many individuals and groups who visit the centre from around the world is of course the Yang style 24 posture form
On a recent visit to a park in Beidaihe, China I met an elderly Chinese man who was busy practicing Taijiquan. He told me that he had started practicing Taijiquan at the age of 66 years. This was 20 years ago as he was now 86 years old yet he looked far closer to 66.
After telling me I was very fortunate to be practicing Taijiquan at such a young age he walked away, the perfect advert for the art of Taijiquan
Information about Taijiquan classes and teachers and opportunities Taijiquan training courses at the Beidaihe centre are provided under the appropriate menu links
