Our sixteenth annual
"Return to the Mountain"
T'ai Chi Retreat
will be held June 2 - 6, 2010.

Head Instructor
Warren D. Conner
has studied T'ai Chi since 1973
in the U. S., mainland China and Taiwan. 
 

Warren's
T'ai Chi biography and lineage.

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T'ai Chi Study Center's
email address:

Warren@TaiChiCenter.com

T'ai Chi Study Center's
office telephone number:

703-759-9141

T'ai Chi Study Center's
office mailing address:

750 Miller Avenue
Great Falls, VA   22066-2914

Robert W. Smith
is enjoying his ninth decade.

What is the art of T'ai Chi? 

Centuries old, T'ai Chi ("Tie Jee") is a profound exercise that explores awareness of the mind, the life force and the body and their harmonious interactions. Deeply rooted in Chinese medicine, meditation and martial arts, this intriguing and enjoyable practice consists of a series of precise, gentle, physical movements combined with energy awareness and mental concentration. The movements are always done in the same order as the early ones lay the foundation for later development. T'ai Chi is a sophisticated form of the ancient practice of Ch'i Kung ("chee gung," vital energy work), in which students gradually gain awareness of and learn to concentrate on their physical, energetic and mental center which is called tan t'ien ("don tee in," energy cultivation field.)

Extremely well tested and proven, T'ai Chi has long been prescribed by doctors to alleviate a wide range of conditions including stress, arthritis, hypertension, balance difficulties, lower back pain, etc., as well as for anyone needing the general revitalization that results from improved respiration and circulation.

Plus, it is fun to do!
T'ai Chi practice is often called "playing" T'ai Chi to emphasize this lightheartedness.

The first steps involve learning the opening movements while increasing physical awareness and training yourself to be relaxed (i.e., not too tight and not too limp). Walk like a cat. Relaxation leads, with guidance, to energy awareness which is the first element of the very important meditative aspect. Reconnecting to your center is the first step towards rediscovering the harmony of body, mind and spirit.

Harmony with others is a major part of happiness. Once a certain level of movement, balance and energy awareness has been attained, those who are interested in interpersonal relationships and/or self-defense begin with T'ui-Shou (literally "push hands" but better described as "sensing centers") which emphasizes timing and sensitivity to another's energy in order to neutralize their force and lead them off balance. These skills are also directly applicable in less overtly physical situations such as discussions, negotiations and arguments. Your size, age and gender do not matter so much as your timing, awareness and understanding of your center. 

More on the Benefits of T'ai Chi 

T'ai Chi Principles 

The T'ai Chi principles are even more important than the movements for they are based on the laws of nature that shape our every moment and they provide us a way of self-correction. Moving in slow motion while listening internally promotes personal calmness and sensitivity to the eternal laws and rhythms of our universe which are articulated in the principles and manifested in the movements. T'ai Chi starts out primarily physical with emphasis on learning the movements of the body, but it eventually becomes mostly mental and meditative. 

More on the T'ai Chi Principles 

T'ai Chi
The name

T'ai Chi ("Tie Jee")
is also known as
Tai Chi, Tai-Chi, Taichi, Taiji,
T'ai Chi Ch'uan ("Chwen"), Tai Chi Chuan, Taijiquan, etc.

It is sometimes translated as
Supreme Ultimate
and also as Great Polarity.

When yin and yang are in harmony,
this is known as T'ai Chi.
Please see the symbol below.

The T'ai Chi Symbol 

The T'ai Chi symbol,
also known as the yin and yang symbol,
represents the harmony of dynamic opposites in our world of constant change.

Medical Studies of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

A summary of Western medical research
on T'ai Chi Ch'uan is now available.

Numerous Western scientific studies have shown the benefits of T'ai Chi for arthritis, hypertension, stress management, cardio rehab, immune system amelioration, respiratory difficulties, increasing leg strength, balance improvement, etc.