Tai Chi Chuan
Cheng Man Ching 37 posture form....
Tai Chi has been practised in China for over 2000 years.......
Symbol of Yin and Yang - Black with white dot - White with black dot.
Represents the mutual dependency and harmony of Yin and Yang quantities in the mind and body.
These are apparently opposing forces that in fact complement each other and can be complete only when balanced in harmony.
Mind and Body work together to improve balance, stability, flexibility and skill.
Yin - is associated with Darkness, Softness Water Earth Energy
Yang - Lightness Hardness Fire Chi of the heavens
Tai Chi is an enjoyable and effective way to reduce stress and avoid mental and physical tension whilst at the same time helping to cultivate inner Spiritual strength and Creativity.
There are five different forms of Tai Chi with quite separate styles and lengths. The form I practise is Cheng Man Ching style and has 37 moves.
Tai Chi is often called the soft martial art but this does not imply weakness; instead it means yielding and not using unnecessary force to overcome your opponent.
It is an excellent form of self-defence.
All Tai Chi exercises are fundamentally Holistic benefiting the whole Body as well as the Mind.
When asked by a student "What is the most important reason to study Tai Chi Chuan?", Master Cheng Man Ching replied, "The most important reason is that when you finally reach the place where you understand what life is about, you'll have the health to enjoy it."
Bibliography and links:
"The complete book of Tai Chi" by Stewart McFarlane
http://www.zhong-ding.com - Master Nigel Sutton
http://http://em.zhong-ding.com/ - East Midlands Zhong Ding
Please click here to find out more about T'ai chi in the Cahersiveen and Waterville areas.
Above you will see a video of me doing the form, please just click the play button to view the video.
I attended the Zhong Ding Autumn Training Camp in Nottingham, England during the first weekend in November 2009 and attained 3rd Duan grading, which is Senior Instructor Level.