Taijiquan

Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳, Tàijíquán) is a form of Chinese Boxing based on Qigong principles. It was created by General Chen Wanting at the end of the Ming dynasty. Since its creation it has spread around the world and spawned an number of different styles, such as Yang Tai Chi, Wudang Tai Chi, Zhaobao, Wu, Sun and many others.

Taijiquan means Grand Ultimate Fist or Grand Extreme Boxing, where Tai ji refers to the philosophical concept of continuous and mutually interdependent change. Quan literally means "fist or boxing" but refers to martial arts. It's one of the major styles of Chinese Internal Kung Fu.

This famous art is practiced by millions around the world for health and wellness. Originally a martial art, Tai chi can be used as an exercise to enhance mind-body well-being. Taijiquan is part of our Qigong Curriculum and our Internal Kung Fu Curriculum. It, along with Ba Gua Zhang and Xingyi Quan are considered the three “Sister Arts” of Internal Kung Fu.

Chen Taijiquan
Chen Tai Chi Chuan (Chen Taiji Quan) was created in the 17th century by General Chen Wangting, 9th generation Chen Family member at Chen Village in Honan Province. Chen Village is situated close to the famous Shaolin monastery, credited by some as the origin of Chinese Martial Arts. Chen Wangting synthesized Tai Chi Chuan (sometimes called Peng Boxing, Cotton Boxing, or Shadow Boxing) from 1) Ming Military methods, 2) Chen Family Pao Cui (Cannon Fist Boxing), 3) Traditional Chinese Medicine 4) Taoist Philosophy and 5) Neidan - Taoist Internal Alchemy He is credited with inventing the push hands (Toui Shou) training drills. Chen Wang Ting was also called Guan Yu II because he was famous for his Guan Dao (Kwan Do) usage.

The art of Chen Tai Chi comes to us today through International Grandmaster Chen Quanzhong of Xian, China. International Grandmaster is the highest level recognized in China. He is the most senior of the 19th generation Chen Tai Chi Grandmasters. Grandmaster Chen's version of Liao Jia Chen Tai Chi Chuan is considered to be the oldest method in existence. Grandmaster Chen's son, Chen Xili, and his grandson Chen Bin now teach alongside him.

The Chen Tai Chi Curriculum contains Post Standing, Body Opening Exercises, Qigong, Silk Reeling, 13 Postures, Yi Lu Form (36 Movement) Yi Lu Form (72 Movement), Er Lu (Cannon Fist or Pao Chui), Sword, Sabre, Guan Dao, Spear/Staff, Long Pole, Push hands, Fa Jing, Applications, Qin Na, Shuai Jiao, San Shou and Nei Gong.

Yang Tai Chi Chuan
Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan is derivative of the Chen Style. It was passed from the Chen Chen Family to Yang Luchan, Yang Ban Shou, Yang Cheng Fu, Fu Zhongwen and Cheng Man Ching (鄭曼青, Zheng Manqing).

Grandmaster Bai Wenxiang studied under Fu Zhongwen and several other traditional masters. He teaches the traditional Yang Taijiquan system as well Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, and Ma Shi Tongbeiquan.

Dr. Tao Ping Siang was an indoor student of Cheng Man Ching. Dr. Tao also studied under several other Tai Chi and internal Kung Fu masters. He trained Water Boxing (Liu He Ba Fa.) under Wu Yi Hui. Liu He Ba Fa strongly informed his presentation of Tai Chi.

The Yang Tai Chi curriculum includes Cheng's Short Yang Form (37 Move), Traditional Yang Form (85 or 108), Separating Palms Two Person Form, Straight Sword, Sabre, Spear, Push Hands, Application, San Shou, and Nei Gong.