Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), is the original combat form of Tai Chi. Translated, Tai Chi (Taiji) means 'Supreme Ultimate'. 'Chuan' refers to combat. Unlike many other martial arts, which are aggressive or outward, Tai Chi Chuan's main principle is that of 'strength within softness ' - turning offensive energy against an aggressor. This is a principle of yin and yang - a balance of opposites, where soft is used to overcome hard.

Nowadays, in the West, Tai Chi (Taiji) is practised and appreciated as a gentle form of exercise, and includes an ancient form of breathing exercise known as Qigong (Chi Kung) which has been practised in China for thousands of years. Most people will find Tai Chi and Qigong the ideal keep-fit exercise that comes closest to satisfying the criteria of what constitutes useful exercise. The term 'keep-fit' is understood as being fit to perform normal day to day activities. so 'fitness' is a relative rather than an absolute term. Ultimately, the underlying aim of good exercise is to prolong life and make it more enjoyable.

On a physical level, Tai Chi and Qigong exercise the limbs and gently massage the internal organs which most orthodox exercises ignore. The relaxed and slow tempo of the exercises calm the mind and stimulate the nervous system. Perhaps the greatest advantage of Tai Chi and Qigong as an exercise form is the total freedom it affords in terms of conditions for training. It can be practised in sickness as well as in health - in old age and in youth, indoors or outside, alone or in the company of others, and does not require equipment or special premises.

Tai Chi is suitable for anyone - and everyone.