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I hope that after reading the following essay, you will be better prepared to make an informed decision before attending your first Tai Chi lesson. Tai Chi Chuan can be practised on many levels, from a simple 'meditative' exercise to a realistic martial art! It is suitable for people of all ages and physical capacities. - Why not look through the club directory and attend a class near you? Interpretations With the popularity of Tai Chi Chuan growing, so is the number of different interpretations of the art. Some instructors cover the entire curriculum, including form, pushing hands, applications, and weapons. Others, on the other hand, are primarily concerned in improving the health elements of Tai Chi Chuan. They might put more emphasis on the hand form, Qigong movements, and meditation. As a prospective student, you have the choice of selecting the strategy that is best for you. Before enrolling in a class, it's a good idea to call one or two local instructors and ask them about what they teach at their school. The Hand Form The first, and most familiar, aspect of Tai Chi Chuan is the Hand Form. This is the series of slow movements you see performed in the parks, in China, early in the morning. There are many benefits to be gained from practising the Hand Form. Health Aspects On its simplest level, the Hand Form is an exercise system. However, it is not what we, in western culture, usually regard as exercise. How can these slow movements be exercise? In order to understand why it is good to have a knowledge of the concept of Qi (Chi) energy. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which is believed to be over 2,000 years old, also has, at its roots, the principles of Yin and Yang. It is believed that there are meridians or pathways which travel through the body carrying Qi energy. If there is a problem or imbalance in the flow of Qi energy, a TCM doctor would use acupuncture needles, or perhaps acupressure - the use of thumbs or hands, to stimulate acupoints, and release the blockages. Tai Chi Chuan and more directly, Qigong promotes the smooth flow of this energy. By performing the postures of the Form, in coordination with relaxed, natural breathing and the application of Yi, which is the intent or focus of the mind, we help to keep the Qi moving smoothly through the channels. Therefore, whilst doing these external movements, we are assisting the free flow of internal energy. Aside from promoting the flow of Qi energy Tai Chi Chuan can also help to increase flexibility, suppleness and exercise the muscles. The smooth, gentle movements also aid relaxation and help to keep the mind calm and focused. These benefits are extremely useful in today's stressful society. Martial Applications Each movement or Tai Chi posture carries defensive or offensive applications. To understand these applications it is important to have an awareness of the concept of Yin and Yang, which is at the root of the system of Tai Chi Chuan. Yin is considered to be the soft, feminine principle and Yang the hard masculine principle. In terms of applications a blow or strike would be considered to be Yang force. When the force is coming towards you, you greet it with Yin or softness thereby neutralising your opponent's strike. The postures in the Tai Chi Hand Form are constantly changing from the Yin to Yang aspect. By training slowly, the body becomes familiar with this constantly changing energy. Through training over a long period of time, we can develop these reactions to become instinctive in a combat situation. Partner Work If we were only to perform the Hand Form slowly it would not be sufficient training for combat situations. To develop a deeper understanding of how the concept of Yin and Yang applies to Tai Chi Chuan, we have to work with a partner. One of the first exercises we learn is Pushing Hands or Tui Shou. Here we have one partner pushing, with his/her palm against the wrist of the other. When your partner pushes against the back of your hand you would then soften your wrist, drop the elbow and turn from the waist. This allows you to absorb your partner's energy or force and neutralise it down into the ground. When their Yang force has been fully expended or neutralised, you would then turn your hands and return their energy by pushing back towards them. If, however, your partner were to push too far, or over-extend you would then pull them downwards, behind you. When the basic push hands exercises have been developed you would proceed to free-pushing. This trains you to incorporate these principles against free-form pushes. In free pushing, we try to 'listen' to our opponent's energy or intention in order to allow us to react appropriately. During free pushing, it is important to try to remain calm and relaxed. By doing so we will remain sensitive to our opponent's movements or intention. However, we must also maintain our own sense of presence or 'being there. If we were simply soft or relaxed without a sense of being there, it would be easy for our opponent to overcome us. San Shou San Shou is, depending on the style, can be a series of partner exercises where strikes or blows are delivered to various parts of the body. One partner strikes whilst the other neutralises the oncoming force by meeting it with softness or Yin energy. He/she then return blows. Initially, these exercises are delivered softly and slowly, increasing the force and speed as your experience develops. In some styles, San Shou is performed as a structured routine or sequence which incorporates various aspects of self-defence in a fixed pattern. Whatever the interpretation, San Shou would ultimately, train these techniques to be adaptable in free sparring. Weapon Forms Tai Chi Chuan has a variety of weapon forms. There is, traditionally, the straight sword, the broadsword and the staff. The culture of Chinese martial arts also allows for the adaptation of other common implements for the use of weapons. Some styles may also use a cane, fan and short or long stick form. There are many benefits to be gained from practising weapon forms. Aside from the obvious martial benefits training in weapons can help to stretch and relax the muscles and promote blood circulation. Styles There are generally considered to be five main styles of Tai Chi Chuan. The original style is reported to be the Chen style. The Chen style is very dynamic with some strong stamping movements and rapid punches. It is obviously very martial in content. From the Chen style came the Yang style and from the Yang came the Wu style. Other styles include the Sun and the Li. There are also variations that have derived from those original styles like the Wudang, the Hao and the Cheng Man-ching. Although Tai Chi may appear to some, to be an easy option, like other martial arts it requires commitment and dedication, to get the best from it. Like anything else in life, the more you put in, the more you get out. Written by Ronnie Robinson and is used with his kind permission. Many of you may be discovering Tai Chi Chuan for the first time and would like to know more about what is actually taught and practised in Tai Chi classes. For further information on Tai Chi Chaun visit www.taichiunion.com

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