Many people have been drawn to Tai Ji for its soothing health benefits.
Indeed, relaxation and meditation are the foundations of Tai Ji.
The graceful movements for which Tai Ji is famous
are performed slowly to help students relax.
Tai Ji is a martial art for everyone.
The early practitioners of Tai Ji eliminated strenuous physical movements
so it could be practised even by the young, the sick and the elderly.
Through meditation, Tai Ji students learn to harness the energy of their body; Qi.
Qi has two elements; the dark, feminine Yin, and the light, masculine Yang.
In Ancient China the Qi was believed to be an invisible, intangible force,
separate from one's will; the i (pronounced "ee".)
In Western terms, Qi 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 Ji stances you will learn shall foster the circulation of Qi
through your body.
When the flow of Qi is impinged or stopped,
people may feel it as an illness or physical discomfort.
Smoothing the flow of Qi 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 Quang Tzu, an early figure influential in Tai Ji,
"The ear is limited to ordinary hearing.
The heart to the rational.
But listening to the breath, one awaits things uncommittedly."
"Nothing under heaven is softer or more yielding than water;
but when it attacks things hard and resistant there is not one
of them that can prevail.
For they can find no way of altering it.
That the yielding conquers the hard is a fact known by all men,
yet utilised by none"
Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching (The Way of Power)"; An Early Taoist Writing.
Tai Ji 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 Ji practitioner to be calm, relaxed and at peace,
even in the midst of combat.
Thus a Tai Ji 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."
We hold a variety of classes throughout 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 Ji
The true origins of Tai Ji 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 Ji Quan (commonly called just "Tai Ji.") The town of Ch'en-Chia Kou has long been
known as a centre of Tai Ji Quan.
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 Ji is based on
the excellent Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts, by Draeger and Smith, 1980.
Tai Ji Grading Levels
LEVEL ONE
8 Tai Ji Stances
8 Tai Ji Circles
2 Qi Gong Stances
9 Qi Gong Warm Up Exercises
Qi Gong Gong
LEVEL TWO
8 Tai Ji Gong
13 Form
Qi Gong - Sinking Qi to Dan Tien
LEVEL THREE
24 Form
4 Stationary Push Hands
Tai Ji Staff Form
Qi Gong - Strengthening Qi in Dan Tien
LEVEL FOUR
42 Form
8 Moving Push Hands
Staff Applications
Qi Gong - Circulating Qi through the microcosmic circuit.
![[Yin and Yang]](images/yinyang.gif)
Through meditation, Tai Ji students learn to harness the energy of their body;