What is T'ai Chi Ch'uan?

T'ai Chi Ch'uan is an ancient form of calisthenics an self defense. As a physical exercise it can be practiced by all young and old, male and female without the restrictions of weather, space, time, clothing or equipment common to other sports. The slow and even movements of T.C.C. tends to relax the body and mind, promoting the flow of vital energy (chi) and replacing stiffness with flexibility. This helps other martial practitioners to effectively reach the highest level of effectiveness.

Practiced daily properly as an exercise, it promotes mental tranquility, improves physical fitness, increases blood circulation to it's full capacity, and provides the tissues of the various organs with the maximum amount of oxygen.

Events and Announcements
Updated 10/17/2001

Don't forget to register for classes on November 12, 2001.

In the News
T'ai Chi and Parkinson's Disease

Here I might mention a story in the news that pertains to T'ai Chi Ch'uan. T'ai Chi Ch'uan is an excellent exercise for the enhancement of general health, and it offers particular benefits for the Parkinson's patient. I have had the opportunity to observe and discuss T'ai Chi with three PD patients who practice T'ai Chi regularly. Here is the response of one patient.

A 53-year-old woman, ten years after diagnosis, states, "When I am focused and practice daily, I feel stroger and physically and emotionally. my tendons and ligaments become longer. My muscles become soft and relaxed, and yet strong. The symptoms of my condition lose their grip on me, become less severe. When I lose my focus, I become incresingly more rigid and I feel as if I am falling apart. One cannot know or understand what this is all about unless one has experienced it."

By Leonard Schwartzman, M.D.
National Parkinson Foundation 1996

Questions & Answers

Should T'ai Chi Ch'uan be a sport?

No. It was never meant to be a sport. If we search the history of T.C.C. there is no recorded manuscript stating that the art of T.C.C. was ever involved in sports or combative competition. There may have been personal combative sparring, but only in the study, and research of achieving a higher level. Like San Shou. Also known as free boxing. San Shou consist of the basic principles nothing else. It really has no true form. Remember T'ai Chi becomes formless. It has no shape. It only takes shape of it surroundings. Like nature. It has no limitations.

Is Push Hands considered the combat aspect of T'ai Chi Ch'uan?

No. Push Hands is not the combat aspect of the form. San Shou is the combative aspect of T.C.C. Push hands is nothing more than an extension of ones form. If you do get into a push-hands competition you have just thrown out the principle of investing in loss. How can you do push-hands, and state that you have the highest ability in fighting when in reality all push-hands is nothing more than another part of the form. Your actually are suppose to be building on your sensitivity skills. If you seek in your combative skills, seek in your form not in push-hands. All it would do is create a reversal effect on your push-hands ability. Just because you can knock a person back with your pushing ability does not mean that you can fight. That is nothing more than an illusion. Please do not fool yourself with this. The truth is that push hands should really be called sensing hands. The word push is not the right term.