Taiji (Tai Chi) Class Description
Posted: July 23, 2008 at 8:52 pm | Tags: Martial Arts Davie and Cooper City Florida, Tai Chi, Taiji
Taiji Class Description
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.
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