Articles: Taijiquan
Form as a Vessel for T’ai Chi Principle—Part 2
Once enrolled in my class, she was all over the place swinging her arms as if dancing to imaginary music (fine at home, perhaps, but not in T’ai Chi class). This woman completely lacked structure, but more significantly, she lacked any desire for structure or willingness to consider its merits. More >>
Form as a Vessel for T’ai Chi Principle—Part 1
When the average person thinks of T’ai Chi, the image that I expect most often comes to mind is one of some person or persons practicing a slow motion T’ai Chi form sequence. This is quite reasonable given T’ai Chi’s usual portrayal in the various media. More >>
YMAA Taijiquan Lineage
Thanks to a recent reunion between Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming and his first Taijiquan teacher, Grandmaster Kao, Tao, we now know the complete lineage of YMAA's Yang style Taijiquan in more detail. The most interesting discovery is that Yang, Chengfu, who is famous for teaching the health aspects of Taijiquan to the public, also had indoor disciples who trained the martial side of Taijiquan. More >>
Understanding Traditional Yang Style Taijiquan
In order to analyze the traditional Yang Style Taijiquan sequence, it is necessary to understand how martial sequences are created and the purpose they serve. Taijiquan is not a dance or abstract movement. A proper understanding of the root of the art will help you practice more effectively. More >>
History of Yang Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan)
When he was young, Yang, Lu-chan went to Chen Jia Gou in Henan province to learn taijiquan from Chen, Chang-xing. Chen realized that Yang had great potential and taught him the secrets sincerely. More >>
YMAA participates in World Tai Chi & Qigong Day April 24
It’s open house across the world, beginning in New Zealand, when World Tai Chi & Qigong Day will spread time zone by time zone across the globe through 60 countries and across six continents. There will be events in cities, towns, and villages world-wide embracing wisdom from all cultures of the world. More >>
Beyond Your Barehand Taiji Form (太極拳套)
Once you have learned a basic Taiji form, whether you study Yang, Chen, or another style, there is still a great deal that traditional Taijiquan training can offer. More >>
Lessons from the Taijiquan Form Seminar
I had the chance last weekend to teach at the YMAA Boston Taiji Form Seminar. I was tapped to teach the Two Person Fighting Set. YMAA canon maintains that the Fighting Set is the last thing a person trains prior to free sparring. More >>
Shaolin: the Root of Taijiquan
After Bodhidharma (Da Mo) passed down his qigong (chi kung) theory at Shaolin Temple around 550 A.D., the Shaolin monks trained the cultivation of Qi, and realized that muscular power could be enhanced to a tremendous level, which could make martial techniques more powerful and effective. More >>
Taiji Chin Na - Martial Application
Taijiquan was originally developed for combat in ancient times. Its fighting theory is to use the soft against the hard, and to use the round to neutralize the straight or square. More >>
The True Quality of Tai Chi
What is Tai Chi? How does Tai Chi improve health? People ask me these questions all the time. Some ask because they see so many people doing these exercises in the park. Others ask because they can hardly believe there can be any benefits from such slow body movements. More >>
Taiji and Qigong
Those who practice both Taiji and Qigong as separate arts soon realize that Qigong is included among the many layers encompassed by Taiji. Knowingly doing Taiji movement as Qigong not only adds the benefits of Qigong but also improves the quality of the Taiji movements. More >>
Senior Moments #2: Taiji, Happy Toes, and Piano Fingers
So how does one teach Taijiquan to seniors, rehabbers, and the generally unfit? Consult the ancients, "The best leader follows." These people are generally coming to Taiji because of a life urgency (old age, sickness, injury, etc.) which has created an opportunity for change. More >>
Senior Moments #1: "Because we can't"
Back in the day of the last millennia, I had my first venture into teaching Martial Arts to the elderly. I secured a nice gig at the local senior center. There were about twenty intrepid explorers ready for the unknown. More >>
Zhang, San-Feng and the Ancient Origins of Taijiquan part 2
How old are Taijiquan and Taiji philosophy? Recent findings indicate that the basic Taiji movements and Internal Arts theory of breathing and Qi circulation pre-date Zhang and Chen significantly. More >>
Zhang, San-Feng and the Ancient Origins of Taijiquan
The origin of Taijiquan is a controversial issue. Some trace Taijiquan to the Chen family in the 1600's and others trace the art further back to Master Zhang, San-Feng. Both are correct. And neither of them created Taijiquan. More >>
Taijiquan Theory of Reaching Enlightenment
In the practice of Taijiquan pushing hands, Taiji circle sticking hands, and Taijiquan free fighting, etc., you must practice until you have reached a stage where there is no discrimination of the opponent. More >>
Taijiquan Master Kao Tao - Dr. Yang's teacher
Dr. Yang's first Taijiquan master, Grandmaster Kao, Tao (高濤), who Dr. Yang lost contact with after leaving for college and moving to the U.S., has finally been found in Taipei, Taiwan. More >>
Tai Chi Dynamics
Those who study Taiji know that its important concepts are frequently elusive, and, for many practitioners, much of the modern Taiji literature of substantive content is difficult to understand. More >>
Taijiquan Pushing Hands
Almost every Chinese martial style, both external and internal, has its own hand-matching training similar to Taiji's pushing hands. More >>
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Chinese Martial Arts Definitions
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Northern and Southern Chinese Styles
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