Taijiquan

What is taijiquan?
Taijiquan is a style of kung fu based upon ancient Chinese knowledge, biomechanics and the yin/yang principle.

Meaning
Taijiquan is commonly translated as 'supreme ultimate fist'.

Absolute boxing
Renowned Harvard translator and author Thomas Cleary referred to this style of kung fu as 'absolute boxing'. An alternative translation might be 'dynamic balancing boxing' because it suggests that yin/yang is a process.

How long have you been training this art?
Our kung fu instructor started taijiquan lessons in 1985. He was the lineage student of renowned teacher Peter Southwood for 25 years.

What does taijiquan involve?
• Authentic practice
• Slow and fast training methods
• Biomechanics
• Form (whole-body movement)
• Neigong (whole-body strength)
• Jing (whole-body power)
• Shuai jiao (take downs)
• Chin na (seizing)
• Weapons
• Self defence
• Fascinating and fun
• Yin/yang principle
• Advanced martial art
• Ancient Chinese knowledge
• Supple, strong, flexible body
• Powerful, functional skills
• Agile, nimble, fluid
• Mentally stimulating
• In-depth philosophy
• Preventative health care
• Qigong

Authentic
Taijiquan movements must conform to the authenticity guidelines outlined in The Tai Chi Classics.

Understand
The student must understand why they are doing each movement, otherwise that movement is meaningless and most likely incorrect.

Fighting application
Every taijiquan form movement has a martial purpose.