Live Performance of Tai Chi
Tai Chi, commonly known as “moving meditation”, is much more than just an activity performed by people in the park. Tai Chi has its origins as an INTERNAL martial art, it can help maintain health as well as build skills to better movement, balance and biomechanics.
As we will witness in this demonstration, there is a lot of flow and grace in each of the movements, with a variety of speeds and dynamic interactions. Tai chi is not JUST the stereotypical slow moving exercise you see on TV or in the park. It is so much more … so let me introduce some of the lesser known aspects of tai chi.
Chen Village – The Birthplace of Tai Chi
Chen Village is the birth place of Tai Chi with roots dating back over 300 years. The oldest and original form of tai chi comes from Chen Village, therefore it is named Chen Style Tai Chi. In the early years, the original Tai Chi forms were kept a secret and practiced solely by villagers of all ages to defend the community. Tai Chi may have started as an internal martial art but the Chinese soon discovered that it offered enormous pro-active healthcare benefits to those who practice it daily.
Tai Chi – An International Martial Arts Sport
Tai Chi has also become an international sport, with athletes showcasing the grace and beauty of tai chi movements that vary between slow and fast, soft and powerful, with low stances, jumps, kicks and strikes.
In the late 1800s, a modified version of tai chi emerged called Yang Style Tai Chi. Yang Style Tai Chi is a gentle and flowing form, performed at an even speed, with simple, direct and easily adaptable stances. This form of tai chi is the most widespread and commonly practiced form of tai chi today.
Tai Chi for Health & Fitness
People of all ages practice tai chi for improving health and fitness. Learning Tai Chi is challenging with a steep learning curve, but the benefits and rewards are profound and long lasting.
Everyone starts with the basic skills program to learn vocabulary, principles and foundational movements before branching out to either a Yang style or Chen style tai chi, and weapons at the advanced levels.
Learning Tai Chi at Ji Hong Tai Chi Mississauga
My name is May Rahnema and this is Master Bao Sen Liang leading a class. We would like to welcome you to visit our studio in Mississauga, Ontario. Or visit our website: www.taichi.ca for more information.
Try a complimentary trial class or attend one of our Open House events. We look forward to seeing you!