History
A little research reveals that there are many interpretations and variations on the origins of the legendary art of Tai Chi, pronounced Tai Ji in Mandarin. What most historians and practitioners agree on is that the foundation of Tai Chi was created by a Taoist monk in the 1300’s, named Zhang San Feng. In his youth, Zhang studied Shaolin martial arts while working as a government official in the area around Shaolin. After retirement, he retreated to Wu Dang Mountain and became a hermit. During his retreat from society, he immersed himself in the study of Taoism, particularly from deeply examining the Tao Te Ching and The I-Ching in pursuit of enlightenment.
During his time in the mountains, it is said that he observed a battle between a snake and a crane. Some say that it was a dream but others believe that it was a real observation. The coiling, relaxed movements followed by the lightning strikes of the snake inspired Chan San Feng. He adapted the movements that he witnessed with his previous Shaolin training, along with the concepts of Tai Chi, energy work, and meditation into the system we now know as Tai Chi.
Since the time of Zhang San Feng, Tai Chi has evolved into four primary styles: Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun.
Overview
Tai Chi is generally practiced slowly to allow the student to gain understanding of movement with conscious awareness. At advanced levels, Tai Chi forms can be practiced with surprising speed and express tremendous power through redirection and magnification of energy. While Tai Chi has many meditative and health benefits, it is an effective form of martial arts with combat applications.
Through Tai Chi practice, students can cultinate internal, essential energy that can be harnessed to promote a healthful and balanced lifestyle. Regular practice helps to increase strength and flexibility, improved posture and blood flow, leading to reduced stress and anxiety. In addition, Tai Chi helps students heal old injuries and in many cases return to the original, natural state.
Wu Dao’s Approach
At Wu Dao we focus on helping students improve their overall physical and mental health through the practice of Tai Chi. Students should see improvements in strength, flexibility and coordination through practicing drills and forms, and participating in stretching, strengthening and breathing exercises. They will also improve their mental health due to the meditative nature of Tai Chi.
In addition, Wu Dao offers opportunities to explore the combat applications of Tai Chi. Through the practice of specified drills, called patterns, students learn to redirect strikes and retaliate with a combination of their own energy combined with the force of their opponents’ attack. Wu Dao also hosts specialized classes for the practice of push hands, in which two individuals start from a neutral position and attempt to push their opponents off balance through use of techniques.
