Tai Chi & Qigong
Overview
Taiji (Tai Chi) is a sequence of postures connected by flowing movement, practiced with focused breathing and a calm mind - a type of moving meditation. The slow, smooth movements gently stimulate the internal organs and joints, and improve energy circulation. Taiji is a gentle, low-impact exercise suitable for adults of any age and varying physical ability. Practicing Taiji can reduce stress, increase energy, balance, and flexibility, and ease symptoms of many health problems such as high blood pressure, asthma, back pain, and arthritis.
Pushing Hands is the next level of advanced training after learning the Taiji form.
Taiji at YMAA Boston
YMAA Boston teaches Yang-style Taijiquan. The founder and master of our school, Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming, studied Taijiquan in Taiwan under Master Gao, Tao. He continued his training with several masters and senior practitioners such as Master Li, Mao-Ching and Mr. Wilson Chen in Taipei.
Our Taijiquan is a traditional style influenced by Dr. Yang's 40 years of research and practice of traditional Chinese martial arts. The Taiji form taught at YMAA Boston displays the influence of White Crane Kung-Fu, a hard-soft martial arts style. Our Taijiquan is well-suited for developing health, self-awareness and self-defense. We practice Taiji for the physical and mental health benefits, and we also train the martial applications at the root of the movements. This attention to both the health and martial aspects (the yin and yang of Taijiquan) deepens the student’s understanding and practice of the art.
Taiji classes at YMAA Boston usually have a mix of students: students who know the form well, students just learning it, and students with varying levels of physical fitness. Students of all ages train together. Some train primarily for health benefits, while others train to advance to Pushing Hands classes, working through the YMAA ranks toward mastery. We try to ensure that everyone gets a gentle but thorough workout at their level and that everyone feels comfortable learning at their own pace.
In Taiji class, we develop these basics as our foundation:
- joint health and flexibility
- correct body alignment
- focused relaxation
- balance and stability
- internal awareness
- a calm mind
- using breathing to circulate energy
- mind/body connection
Qigong
Taiji classes also include Qigong, which literally translated, means "energy work." Qi (Chi) is internal energy, the bioelectric force in all living things. Qigong is the ancient practice of using the mind to naturally develop the body's energy through breathing, movement and meditation. It's used to improve health and to develop power for martial arts. It is an integral part of YMAA’s Shaolin and Taijiquan classes.
Furthering Your Taijiquan Training
After you have learned the Taiji form, you are welcome to also attend Pushing Hands classes, which incorporate partner exercises to further train the movement and self-defense principles of Taijiquan, like becoming sensitive to the opponent's intentions and meeting hard force with subtle redirection instead of opposing hard force.