Tai
Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese art of self-defence,
conceived as a series
of soft, slow, and flowing sequences of movement specifically
designed to cultivate and direct the internal power
that circulates through one's system, which improves
the practitioners' health, and provides a source of
energy for self defence. This internal power, the foundation
to all life is termed Chi and is unlike external or
physical energy. Chi is formless, limitless, and most
importantly for self defense, can be applied in a much
more focused, and concentrated manner than physical
energy.
The twofold aim of the practice of
Tai Chi is to increase one's Chi and to
learn how to harness it. Tai Chi Chuan is rooted in
the Taoist philosophy which dates back to the fourth
century AD. "Yin and Yang in succession:,
the Tao te Ching says, or a flow
from passive to active or vice versa, "is called the
Tao". To this, Fu Yu Lan later added that, "if
one understands these laws, (the Tao), and regulates
one's actions in conformity with them, one can turn
everything to one's advantage."
To
generate great power you must first totally relax and
gather your strength, and then concentrate your mind and
all your strength on hitting your target. By harnessing
all the energy available, and delivering it in a focused
and concentrated manner, one is able to propel a much
larger and weightier opponent through the air, with a
blow that commenced only one inch away from the opponent's
body. This "one inch punch" is a fine example of the power
of Chi, and this is why Tai Chi Chuan was called the Grand
Ultimate Fist. The styles of Tai
Chi Chuan we teach are Chen, the oldest style in existence
and the Beiging short form which is the set that is most
practiced throughout the world.
Ba Gwa Chang (Eight Trigram Palm)
Ba
Gwa (sometimes written Pa Qua), like Tai Chi Chuan,
is rooted in Taoism and is practiced to cultivate the
Tao (manifest heaven and earth and order yin and yang).
Ba Gwa is also similar to Tai Chi Chuan in that they
are both internal schools of Chinese boxing (Niei Chi).
Ba Gwa shares roots with Tai
Chi Chuan that go back to the Taoist monasteries
but its modern protagonist is Tung Hoi Arnan (1789-1879).
Many stories about Tung have been passed down. One tells
of how he was sitting in a chair leaning against a wall
when the wall collapsed. His disciples, fearing that
he had been buried alive, rushed in looking for him,
and found him sitting in the same chair, leaning against
another wall. A similar anecdote tells of how he was
napping one autumn day and, as the air was quite chilly,
his disciples picked up a sheet and quietly tried to
cover him. When they put the sheet down, however, there
was no one there! "What's the matter with you?" asked
Tung from the window where he was sitting. "Why did
you try to startle me?."
The primary goals of Ba Gwa
are to harmonize one's vital energy and strength and
to understand the changing nature of the universe.
Its physical manifestation is quick anticipatory movement
away from danger behind one's opponent.
Chi Gung (Working On Your Chi)
Chi Gung also written Qui Kung means working
on your Intrinsic energy (suggests building or
cleansing it). Chi Gung is the study of the energy of
the universe. There are three general types of energy:
Chi Tian (Heaven Chi), Dih Chi (Earth
Chi), and Ren Chi (Human Chi). The Chi or energy
which flows through our bodies is influenced by the
energies of the earth and heavenly bodies. In
order to have a healthy and harmonious life we need
to be in balance with the energy of the universe and
in balance unto ourselves. Through the practice
of Chi Gung one is able to strengthen and balance Chi
circulation and slow down the degeneration of the body
-- gaining not only health,
but a longer, happier life.
Stress relief is
an essential part of overall fitness
and wellness. And there can be no doubt that
"solice comes through repose". However, in a hectic
fast paced lifestyle we sometimes need a more dynamic
means or a variety of means to reduce
and eliminate our high levels of stress.
Testimonial
"…Approximately nine years ago I was diagnosed
with a malignant brain tumour. I was told that I had
only several months to live. Fortunately I began my
training with Sensei in Niei Chi: Tai Chi Chuan, Ba
Gwa Chang and Chi Gung. It was time to rid my body and
mind of the poisons that had manifested themselves.
It was time to replenish, to rejuvenate. I was on the
path of self-discovery and enlightenment. This path
saved my life and changed it forever. I was taking charge
of my health, developing my vital energy, reawakening
my desire to forge ahead and grow.
