History
A little research reveals that there are many interpretations and variations on the origins of the legendary art of Tai Chi. 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 martial arts in Shaolin and then later retired to Wu Dang Mountain to become a hermit. During his retreat from society, he immersed himself in the study of Taoism, particularly the Tao Te Ching and the I-Ching, in pursuit of enlightenment.
During his time in the mountains, it is said that Zhang San Feng observed a battle between a snake and a crane. The coiling, relaxed movements of the snake against the lightning strikes of the crane inspired him and he integrated these elements into his previous Shaolin training. This, along with the concepts of Tai Chi, energy work, and meditation, formed the system we now know as Tai Chi. Since the time of Zhang San Feng, Tai Chi has since evolved into four primary styles: Chen, Yang, Wu, and Sun.
Tai Chi Program
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 can also be used as an effective form of self-defense.
The Tai Chi program at Wu Dao can be best defined as low impact martial arts training. In the beginning, students practice foundational Tai Chi movements and patterns, working with particular aspects of longer sequences in repetitive drills to help solidify basic choreography before moving onto more complete Tai Chi forms. Students improve strength, flexibility and coordination through practicing drills and forms, as well as participating in stretching, strengthening and breathing exercises. Additionally, through Tai Chi practice, students can cultivate internal, essential energy, referred to as "Qi" in the Chinese culture, which can be harnessed to promote a healthy and a balanced lifestyle. Dedicated Tai Chi practice can help students heal old injuries and in many cases return to their original, natural state.
Wu Dao also offers the opportunity to explore the combat applications of Tai Chi. Through the practice of specific drills students learn to redirect strikes and retaliate with a combination of their own energy combined with the force of their opponents' attack. Wu Dao incorporates these training elements into regular classes, as well as the practice of push hands.
Push Hands
Push Hands is a multi-person training practice that is based on the Internal Chinese martial arts. In Tai Chi, forms practice is usually done alone, with an internal focus on one's own structure and energy flow. In Push Hands, students practice applications and techniques with partners to help deepen the understanding of structure, sensitivity, and movement while trying to push their opponent off their root without losing balance themselves. This training improves the Tai Chi practitioner's awareness of not only their own strengths and weaknesses, but of their opponents as well. Ultimately, it helps to develop the martial artist's proficiency in Tai Chi as well as their overall capabilities, creating a heightened sensitivity to structure, balance, and direction of force and intent.
