Tai Chi or Tai Chi Chuan, modernly written taiji or taijiquan, combines techniques of self-defense with Taoist meditation practice. Therefore, when someone asks us what Tai Chi actually is, we always say: meditation in motion. That doesn't answer all questions right away, but everything you need to know about Tai Chi, we explain here.
In our Tai Chi sessions you will learn to strengthen and properly use the energies of your body. First, you will learn the principles of meditative standing, which sounds more passive than it is. After all, you need to relax your body and concentrate, which - as you will see - can be quite strenuous. This gets easier with each practice, I promise. After that, we'll get you moving and practicing together the 108 movements that are at the heart of Tai Chi. These are taught in three parts, so your lessons will be varied and you will progress along the way.
Correctly, we should speak of Tai Chi Chuan (or taijiquan). Chuan is literally the "fist" and shows that Tai Chi is actually a martial art. But don't worry, we're going about it peacefully. "Tai chi is not for fighting. But of course you can fight with it." Master Chu told us with a sly smile. The only thing that is definitely fought in Tai Chi is your inner blockages. So your mind becomes free and open for new perspectives.
Tai Chi is a form of energetic meditation that has its roots in Taoism. Taoism is about living in the moment, not about achieving some future or abstract transcendental goal. It is about living life consciously, in the here and now, "following nature," being in tune with the world around you, and discarding negative patterns.
No, don't worry. You are perfect just the way you are. Our goal is for you to practice Tai Chi with joy, to relax and to leave your everyday stress behind. The good thing about Tai Chi is that the movements work by themselves. You don't have to "do", "want" or "achieve" anything. Whereby exactly therein lies the art, in simply doing.