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Head instructor
Warren D. Conner has studied
T'ai Chi since 1973 in the U. S., mainland China and Taiwan.
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T'ai Chi Study
Center
office telephone number:
703-759-9141
Robert W. Smith
celebrates his 81st birthday. |
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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
T'ai : Supreme; Chi : 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.
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 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", energy/breath work) in which, gradually,
students 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 us every moment and they provide 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

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. |