Tai Chi Sacramento Martial Arts

Tai Chi is an ancient martial art form from China, dating back to the 1600's. Chen Wangting created it as a deadly martial art , passing this Tai Chi knowledge on as a family secret for generations. Yang Luchan was the first person outside the chen family to learn this martial art, forming the Yang style. Later on Wu Yuxiang was also taught Tai Chi who formed the Wu style. Many branches of tai chi were eventually formed, all deriving from the Chen family style martial art.


When defining Tai Chi it can be understood as the grand ultimitate or supreme boxing. While practicing Tai Chi, movements can be done fast for martial arts applications or slowly for the purpose of health. Bringing forth many questions. Is Tai Chi a martial art for self defense purposes or a slow exercise done for health?


Tai Chi has become a popular part of martial arts in recent years. The vision of elderly people gracefully doing Tai Chi in the early morning at the local park seems so peaceful. While martial arts focus on self defense, Tai Chi has the added benefit of being a meditation. Offering a exercise that is less stressful on the joints and muscles. Which offers Tai Chi a wider audience of people versus most other martial arts. Most martial arts are external forms, which means they focus on movements through the muscles of the body. Tai Chi on the other hand is a internal form of martial arts. Relying on the guidance of Qi through ones body through the movements of Tai Chi, requiring deep concentration of the mind. This is where one can gain the real health benefits of Tai Chi.


While Tai Chi has become more popular in the West in some cases it has lost it's true intent and become commercialized. One can see the evidence of this by how many teach yourself tai chi videos and casual weekend clinics are available. This has led to just "doing" the movements and forms alone, ignoring the inner cultivation of Qi. Ask yourself, does the teacher exhibit superior health or amazing martial arts applications from their own Tai Chi cultivation. One key in this search for a good teacher for health purposes is qi cultivation. A true master of tai chi cultivates their Qi through qigong meditation in combination with practicing form. It is said that 1% of Tai Chi is form the other 99% is based on the cultivation,circulation and control of Qi in ones body. This is what separates Tai Chi from other martial arts. Qigong meditation allows one to cultivate, circulate and control Qi in ones body. Allowing a true harmony in this martial art called Tai Chi.


For more information about Sacramento Tai Chi classes and instruction refer to www.sactaichi.com.



References

YeYoung, B. (2006). The healing power of Tai Chi and Qi Gong is based in Chinese Meditation. Available: http://www.sactaichi.com Last accessed 12 December 2009.

Waysun, L (1990). T'ai Chi Classics. 2nd ed. Boston: Shambhala Publications. p3-128.