About Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a gentle exercise and movement practice developed in Ancient China. It restores balance in the body, reduces stress in life, and has many proven health benefits. Tai Chi utilizes the ancient philosophy of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements theories for its foundation and to establish its training principles.

Although Tai Chi originated from Martial Art, it is practiced for centuries for its health benefits. The experience of hundreds of years has shown that practicing Tai Chi regularly can improve health, reduce tension, and improve the overall wellbeing of a person. It can help with several symptoms such as high blood pressure, arthritis, asthma, stomach ailments, heart problems, anxiety, and insomnia. It also helps reduce stress, calm the mind and bring ease and tranquility to one’s life. As a result, a person can feel more relaxed, have better sleep, and feel more energized

Tai Chi can be practiced in many ways. One can practice Tai Chi either as a type of Martial Art, a gentle exercise, a therapeutic measure to fight against illness, or as a moving meditation to bring more awareness to one’s body.

Tai Chi Styles and Lineage

Of the many different styles of Tai Chi, we teach Yang, Chen, and Sun style at our school. Our Tai Chi lineage goes back to the founders and Grandmasters of each Tai Chi style.

Yang Style Tai Chi

Yang style Tai Chi is the most popular and widely practiced style of Tai Chi in the world. It can be practiced by people of all ages and physical abilities. Yang style Tai Chi was founded by Yang Luchan, a master of Chen style Tai Chi. He developed Yang style Tai Chi by emphasizing Tai Chi's slow, even, fluid, and expansive movements.

Chen Style Tai Chi

Chen style Tai Chi is the oldest of the traditional family styles and ancestor to the Yang, Wu, and Sun styles. Chen style Tai Chi originated in the Chen Village of Henan Province in China. Chen style Tai Chi is practiced in a low stance, utilizing body coiling movements, stomping, and explosive releases of power called "fa jin.” Chen style Tai Chi is more physically intensive than Yang style Tai Chi and requires more strength, flexibility, and endurance.

Sun Style Tai Chi

Sun style Tai Chi was founded by Sun Lutang, a master of Xingyichuan and Baguazhang, two hard internal martial art systems. After Sun Lutang learned and mastered the soft internal martial art of Tai Chi, he developed his own style of Tai Chi combining all three systems. Sun style Tai Chi is practiced in a higher stance than Yang or Chen style Tai Chi. Sun style Tai Chi has the linear leg and waist movements of Xingyi, the stepping and circular hand movements of Bagua, and the softness of Tai Chi.