0

Taiji (Tai Chi) Class Description

Taiji Class Description

Find a Taiji Class

While many of us are familiar with the name Tai Chi, the Mandarin pronunciation used in classes is Taiji. One of the first thoughts many people have when the word “China,” is mentioned is the image of older people in the parks in the early mornings practicing a slow dance. It is this “slow dance” that many people think of when they think of Taiji. But Taiji is so much more than that. As one of the oldest arts of China, Taiji is vast and intertwined with the rich history of China.

Taijiquan literally translates as, “great upmost fist”, but is commonly translated as, “The Grand Ultimate Fist.” Taiji has been used in China for thousands of years to help the practitioner cultivate his body and mind and is used to physically strengthen the body and discipline the mind to create harmony all around you. Commonly depicted as a “slow” or “useless” style of martial arts, Taiji actually was one of the only styles of ancient Chinese martial arts to survive the onslaught of invasions and rebellions that occurred well over 4,000 years ago within China. This survival is due to the fact Taiji develops a strong body and a sharp mind which are essential to any fight or battle. Although Shi Heng Zhan does not teach nor advocate violence, he is one of the first persons to defend Taiji and its usefulness in combat.

Taijiquan was developed as both a means of approaching the Dao and for use to resolve violent situations without inflicting much damage. Dao literally means, “The way,” and is the basis of Daoism. Seeking first the proper path in life, Daoism has been an essential aspect of Chinese culture.

Shaolin Taiji resembles most the Chen Style of Taiji which is the oldest style of Taiji. Chen Taijiquan is characterized by the elongated stances, explosive movements, and faster flow of movements at certain points in the routines, or taolu as they are known in classes. Due to its close proximity to Shaolin temple, Chen Taiji naturally made its way to Shaolin and was integrated into the martial practice of the Monks. The Shaolin temple was historically a “boiling pot” of martial skill as masters from all over China came and either took refuge or retreated to Shaolin Temple. As the monks practiced Taiji alongside their Gongfu and Qigong practice, the Taiji took on its own unique Shaolin-shape. The Taiji that Shi Heng Zhan continues to transmit is unique to Shaolin temple.

Taiji classes are aimed at “polishing” your body, mind, and spirit so that the beautiful person you are can fully shine through. Shi Heng Zhan never allows his students to say that they are fat or out-of-shape, but rather to help them realize that they need only to remove the “rust” they have accumulated and polish their bodies and minds to reveal the beautiful gift that their bodies are.

Taiji is based upon a strong foundation of discipline and hard work. Taiji taolu are practiced slowly due to the fact that there is much more to a movement than meets the eye. Shi Heng Zhan was taught that Taiji is a form of “Action Meditation,” and that our practice of the art is aimed at reducing stress, building a strong body, gaining patience, as well as increasing balance and coordination. The exercise regiment of Taiji includes stretches, punches, kicks, stances and of course, forms.

0

Description of a Qigong (Chi Kung) class

Qigong Class Description

Find a Qigong Class

Literally, “breath cultivation,” Qigong is a system of exercises aimed at promoting the body to heal and strengthen itself. In conjunction with traditional Chinese medicine, Qigong is practiced in order to heal and allow the body to recuperate from most any ailment or injury. Based on the Chinese concept of Qi, Qigong is a practice of circulating, gathering and using Qi. Qi is translated often as “the breath of life.” At Shaolin, Qi is taught to be, “that which makes your heart beat.” This saying is used to describe Qi as the electrical current which runs through your body. Qi runs along meridians and is stored in a place known as the Dantien. Qigong works to correct the flow of Qi along these meridians and helps awaken the Qi residing already in the Dantien. More information about Qi and its relevance in traditional Chinese medicine can be gathered by talking to your local acupuncturist.

Shi Heng Zhan’s Qigong class was designed to teach students the fundamentals of Qi and to pass on the forms, known a taolu, so that students can practice daily to help improve their health. Students start off learning exercises they can do which will help them to improve and cultivate their Qi. These exercises were designed on the basis of being practiced daily. When the student shows proficiency in the basic understandings of Qigong, they will begin to learn the Qigong taolu known as Yijinjing which was taught to the Shaolin temple monks by an Indian Buddhist monk. His name was Bodhidharma and he was known in China as Damo. Based upon the Indian practices of yoga, Yijinjing was developed to help the monks stay limber and alert while they would sit and practice no-action meditation. Thus, along with introducing Chan Buddhism to Shaolin temple, Damo created “action meditation.” It is this meditative practice which brought about the development and cultivation of Shaolin martial arts. Because of the introduction of Yijinjing, we now have a tremendous martial legacy which might not have otherwise come about. More information about the history and foundations of Shaolin temple are available in the articles included in our “Links” section.

Following Yijinjing, students will learn other famous Qigong taolu such as Baduanjin, Luohan Shiba Shou, and Pao Quan among others. Students will also be exposed to both action and non-action meditation in order to help prepare the body for Qigong practice. The exercise regimen for Qigong class includes stretching, stances and forms work.

0

Gongfu (Northern) Class description

Gongfu Class Description

Find a Gongfu or Northern/Southern Kung Fu Class

One of the most famous aspects of Chinese culture and Chinese history is the practice of Kung Fu. As pronounced in Mandarin Chinese, Gongfu is one of the essentials which define the martial heritage of China. It is safe to say that following Karate and Tae Kwon Do, Gongfu is among the most popular and widely known martial arts. Gongfu has a lineage which dates back nearly as far as Chinese history making it one of the oldest martial arts still in existence today.

Many attribute the Shaolin temple in Henan Province with the creation of Gongfu. This notion is incorrect. Gongfu was merely systemized and formatted at Shaolin temple. It had existed within China for thousands of years prior to the founding of Shaolin temple. More information about the history of Shaolin and its influence on Gongfu is available in our links section.

Gongfu is the most aerobic of the arts that Shi Heng Zhan teaches as it is based off of the training regimen the Shaolin temple warrior monks used to develop their martial skill and become some of the most respected warriors in all of China. Gongfu literally means “hard work” or “difficult cultivation.” Because of this, Gongfu is the foremost practice of physical discipline amongst the police forces in China. This concept of hard work is apparent in the physically demanding drills and taolu practiced in classes. Gongfu not only applies to martial arts but also to any task you place effort into. The thing you work hardest on is your Gongfu. The Gongfu that is taught in Shi Heng Zhan’s classes is martial arts and are properly known as Shaolin Chan Quan. This allows us to see that the practice of Gongfu is based on the idea that you work hard no matter what task comes your way. It is for this reason that Gongfu is one of the foremost practices of “Action Meditation” at Shaolin temple. More information is available in the articles included in the links section.

Many people have approached the practice of Gongfu throughout its more than 3000 year old history and that is why there are so many styles of Gongfu. Speaking strictly of martial Gongfu, there are many schools of thought on the divisions of Gongfu; Northern and Southern for example. Shaolin Chan Quan stays away from defining itself as anything. In Chan Buddhism philosophy, there is no plus and no minus. So there is no north and no south. However, for the discerning martial artist, Shaolin Chan Quan fits the description of a Northern style of Gongfu. Commonly differentiated from Southern Gongfu practice, Northern is said to emphasize wide stances, high kicks, elongated jumping techniques, bursts of agility and speed, circular blocks as well as long-range attacks.

Shaolin Chan Quan is practiced to build a strong body so that the mind has room to grow and cultivate. The practice of Chan Quan, when compared to a practice such as Taiji or Qigong, yields outward physical results, such as weight loss, in a faster manner. There is a saying that with Gongfu, you will become a warrior after 3 years of practice…while in Taiji, after 10 years you will become one of the strongest warriors in all the land. The goal is the same, but the path is different. Finding one’s own path in life is a beautiful expression of freedom. Gongfu is a path.

The exercise regimen of the Shaolin Gongfu/Chan Quan includes a wide variety of stances, kicks, jumps, stretches, punches, strengthening exercises, and forms work.