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Many people have been drawn to Tai Chi for its soothing health benefits. Indeed, relaxation and meditation are the foundations of Tai Chi. The graceful movements for which Tai Chi is famous are performed slowly to help students relax. Tai Chi is a martial art for everyone. The early practitioners of Tai Chi eliminated strenuous physical movements so it could be practised even by the young, the sick and the elderly.

Through meditation, Tai Chi students learn to harness the energy of their body; Ch'i. Ch'i has two elements; the dark, feminine Yin, and the light, masculine Yang. In Ancient China the Ch'i was believed to be an invisible, intangible force, separate from one's will; the i (pronounced "ee".) In Western terms, Ch'i might be defined as the psychophysiological power associated with one's blood, breath and mind, and the biological power of one's respiratory rhythm (Draeger and Smith, 1980). The Tai Chi stances you will learn shall foster the circulation of Ch'i through your body. When the flow of Ch'i is impinged or stopped, people may feel it as an illness or physical discomfort. Smoothing the flow of Ch'i through a person's body to enhance their well being is the same principle as the Ancient Chinese Medicine of Acupuncture.

Through meditation and relaxation, you will learn to listen not to your ears or heart, but to your breath. Said Chuang Tzu, an early figure influential in Tai Chi, "The ear is limited to ordinary hearing. The heart to the rational. But listening to the breath, one awaits things uncommittedly."

Tai Chi is not just an effective system for health and relaxation, it is also a highly capable martial art. A person who is tense and tight is rigid and thus vulnerable to the blows of an attacker. But the training in relaxation and meditation allows a Tai Chi practitioner to be calm, relaxed and at peace, even in the midst of combat. Thus a Tai Chi practitioner can effortlessly evade and counter-attack their opponent. In the same way, a strong wind may topple a tall, mighty oak tree, yet leave a flimsy willow standing.

Said Ch'en Wei-ming, "With real T'ai-chi, your arm is like iron wrapped in cotton. It is very soft and light, yet feels heavy to someone trying to support it. When you touch your opponent, your hands are soft and light, but they cannot get rid of them. When your opponent is pushed ten feet away, they feel little movement but no strength. And no pain. But they cannot escape, and their own arms become sore. If they try and use force to control you, it is like catching the wind or shadows. Everywhere is empty... Real T'ai-chi is very wondeful."

Classes

Your instructors Sifu Richard Nicholls, Kevin The and Sifu Ian Taggart. Master Ian Lee and Sifu Jason King are also qualified Tai Chi Instructors.

We hold evening classes around Brisbane in several locations each week. We cater for all paces and levels, from beginner to advanced. Please click here for our timetable. Your first lesson is free.

The History of Tai Chi

The true origins of Tai Chi are shrouded in time and will probably never be known. One story is that a stranger passing through the town of Ch'en-chia kou in the 16th century made negative comments about the townspeople's own martial art. Yet when challenged to a duel, he defeated all comers with his own unique style. He was then asked to stay as a guest and teach his style to the townsfolk. This became Tai Chi Chuan (commonly called just "Tai Chi.") The town of Ch'en-chia kou has long been known as a centre of Tai Chi Chuan.

Other stories are that a Taoist priest learnt it in a dream. Another is the priest conceived it after watching a snake and bird fight. He contrasted the soft, relaxed manner of their duel with that of the brute strength-on-strength combat of men. There are many other, less dramatic stories to choose from.

(This history and the above description of Tai Chi is based on the excellent Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, by Draeger and Smith, 1980.)

Tai Chi Grading Levels

LEVEL ONE

• 8 Tai Chi Stances
• 8 Tai Chi Circles
• 2 Tai Chi Chi Gong Stances
• 9 Chi Gong Warm Up Exercises
• Chi Gong Gong

LEVEL TWO

• 8 Tai Chi Gong
• 13 Form
• Chi Gong - Sinking Chi

LEVEL THREE

• 24 Form
• 4 Stationary Push Hands
• Tai Chi Staff Form
• Chi Gong - Strengthening Chi

LEVEL FOUR

• 42 Form
• 8 Moving Push Hands
• Staff Applications
• Chi Gong - Circulating Chi

LEVEL FIVE

• Ba Gua Tai Chi Form
• 9 Throw Down Applications
• Chi Gong - Combining Chi

LEVEL SIX

• Ba Gua Tai Chi Dao Form
• Tai Chi Wrestling
• 12 Fighting Actions
• Chi Gong - Applying Chi To CMA

LEVEL SEVEN

• Ba Gua Tai Chi Jian Form
• Broadsword Applications
• Tai Chi Sparring
• Chi Gong - Applying Chi With Zen Principles

Please click here to:

• Learn About Us - Our instructors and our school.
• See our Classes and Timetables - Your first lesson is free.
• Learn about our Styles:
  • Shaolin "Long Fist" - The famous style of Kung Fu originating from Northern China (aka Bei Chuan, Chang Chuan).
  • Tai Chi - A slow fluid style known for its slow soothing movements (aka Taichi).
  • Chi Gong - A famous health system incorporating meditation, relaxation and physical training.
  • Shuai Jiao - Mongolian and Chinese Wrestling.
  • Ba Gua - An internal (energy-based) art to develop strong legs (also known as Chinese Boxing or Pa Kua).
  • Hsing I - A robust and powerful internal style based on 12 animal forms (aka Xing-Yi)
  • Weapons - Forms and training for a wide-range of martial weaponry.
  • Awards - Our school does well in tournaments.
  • News - The latest news and events.
• Click here to contact us.
• Click here to return to the front page.
• Click here for the Members section (training guides, essays and database).
• Click here for interesting Links to other sites.