"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

Marcel Proust

YANG STYLE TAIJIQUAN

(T'AI CHI CH'UAN)

  For Health and Self defense.

Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan) is an ancient Chinese martial arts system based on the Taoist philosophy of the balance represented by the opposing universal forces of Yin and Yang. It is a style incorporating a series of meditative movements into the body's structure in order to stimulate the flow of internal energy or Qi (Chi). In turn, this develops radiant health in the practitioner as well as the quality of inner calm.

Taijiquan is a peaceful system designed to promote health and longevity, as well as a style effective in harnessing an opponent's energy to be returned to him in its self defense applications. Long term practitioners experience changes in their body's structure allowing one to release muscular tension rather than to store it.

One's movement and thoughts begin to flow harmoniously while still being capable of using the body to generate great amounts of energy when needed. This principle is particular to the internal Chinese styles of martial arts where one is taught to allow energy to flow through the body rather than to try to create it only from the muscles.

BENEFITS OF TAIJIQUAN PRACTICE:

The tensions and stress reducing qualities of Taijiquan have become particularly relevant in today's times, where stress and tension are part of the major causes of illness in our population.

The effects of Taijiquan on the body is that of regulating the flow of internal energy in the same way that an acupuncturist reduces or increases the flow of energy by the insertion of needles in the key points of the body's meridians. Taijiquan is of course much less invasive to the body and thus more natural.

Taijiquan is also an excellent method of self-defense especially well suited to a mature person. All the techniques imbedded in the form have been successfully battlefield tested over many centuries in hand to hand warfare.

Some conditions known to be positively affected by the practice of Taijiquan are:

Yang Style Taijiquan is one of the oldest and most respected Martial Arts in the world. Its popularity is mostly due to its holistic health benefits especially suited to the mature person. It has been called meditation in motion and the world's softest aerobics. This course is designed to teach the form and its postures. The Taoist principals of Yin and Yang along with Qigong, meditation, Push Hands, and Chan-Ssu-Shin practice will also be taught. This curriculum is taught to accommodate those interested in Taijiquan as holistic exercise as well as those interested in the martial side of the art. Please call for more information.

AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDIES PUBLISHED ON TAI CHI AND ITS BENEFITS:

PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING RESEARCH:

Study reported in the August 2002 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine:

"A group 72 people aged 65 to 96 took tai chi classes twice a week for six months. Researchers assessed the impact of the exercise on day-to-day physical functioning - activities such as climbing stairs, carrying groceries, recreation, and personal hygiene.

Compared to a group of older people who did not take the classes, those who started tai chi with low levels of physical functioning improved rapidly, with an overall improvement of 83 percent across six different categories. Participants found the classes relaxing and said that the exercise increased their energy, flexibility, balance, and strength."*

PREVENTING FALLS:

Study reported in the May 1996 issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society:

"One study assigned 215 people aged 70 and older to three groups. One group practiced tai chi three times weekly. Another got computerized balance training using machines that help people relearn balance after a fall. A third group did no exercise, but met to discuss issues relating to the elderly. Seventeen months after the training stopped, the tai chi practitioners had reduced their risk of falls by nearly half. The other groups had not reduced their risks at all."*

PAIN CONTROL:

Study reported in the 2000 - 4th quarter issue of the Journal of Nursing Scholarship:

"Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that one hour of tai chi a week may have significantly reduced chronic arthritis pain in a group of older adults. The study involved 16 people aged 68 to 87, half of whom attended 10 weekly one-hour tai chi classes. At the end of the study participants reported that their pain levels had dropped from a score of 3.25 out of 10 (where 10 is "the worst possible pain") to a score of 1.75. Tai chi may help to reduce arthritis pain by increasing circulation and stimulating repair of damaged joints."*

IMPROVES IMMUNITY:

Study reported in the September 2003 issue of - Psychosomatic Medicine:

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles took a group of 36 men and women whose average age was 70 and assigned them either to a 15 week Tai Chi class or placed on a waiting list to act as a control. Those who took the 15 week course showed improved immunity and better physical health and mobility.

*Mount Sinai School of Medicine - Focus on Healthy Aging ® Publication - Volume 6 / Number 5 - May 2003 - Tai Chi: Good Exercise At Any Age.

BENEFITS OF TAIJI JIAN (STRAIGHT SWORD) PRACTICE:

Taiji Jian is good for internal martial arts training:

Taiji Jian enhances a practitioner's understanding of the principles of Taijiquan. Taiji Jian is more complex than the empty-handed Taijiquan form because of the relationship between the number of touch points and the continuously changing nature of yin and yang. In empty hand combat, there are two touch points, so yin and yang can be separately associated with each of the two points and changes in yin and yang can be clearly felt. In the Jian form, however, there is only one touch point (where the swords touch each other) and yin and yang both center on this singular point. In order to create balance, the practitioner must use their empty hand and their mind to create a second touch point. Then, yin and yang can be separately associated with the one actual touch point and the touch point created by the mind. To create the second touch point and distribute yin and yang correctly, the practitioner must have a sound understanding of Taiji principles.

Taiji Jian practice is superb in the cardiovascular training of the body, especially the legs and waist. Many requirements of the Jian form, such as the balance positions, the footwork and the larger range of movement, are more difficult than those in the empty-handed form. The empty hand form is much more concerned in the dynamic stability of each of the postures because of its grappling (Chin-na) aspects whereas in the Jian form mobility and nimbleness of hand and foot is stressed to a greater degree.

Taiji Jian practice assists in movement coordination. The movements of the Jian form are more complex than those of the empty-handed form and therefore the timing is also more difficult. In the Jian form, the practitioner has to hold and manipulate a sword. This makes hand skills, step skills, and the coordination of internal and external components more complex. As a result, students may feel uncomfortable at the beginning of their study of Taiji Jian. Gradually the student's skills and coordination will improve, and they will begin to feel better. Jian practice can yield clear and quite rapid increases in the strength of the internal components Shen, Yi, and Qi.

Taiji Jian is excellent for Qigong training and for improving and maintaining one's health. Because the range of the movements is greater in Taiji Jian than in the empty-handed form and because the sword extends the energy of the body, Qi can move more smoothly and more extensively. Also, the circles of Yi can be larger and Shen can be projected out to a greater distance. All of these differences contribute directly to an improvement in Qigong training. Another result of Taiji Jian practice is an improvement in health. This outcome is a consequence of the concentrated physical training that Taiji Jian demands.

"Taijiquan training is the one most beneficial thing the elderly can do to prevent falls and the related injuries which usually lead to a decline in health and hasten death."

Journal of the American
Medical Association
May 1995

TAIJIQUAN CURRICULUM

INTRODUCTORY: 10 Classes

• Ying/Yan Theory

• Qi Theory

• Stances

• Basic (Reverse Abdominal) Taiji Breathing Pattern

• Stepping Patterns

• Basic Yang Style Eight Pieces of Brocades Exercises

• First Set of the Yang Chengfu Long Taijiquan Form (12 Postures)

• Basic Martial Applications Analysis of Postures in First Set

INTERMEDIATE INTRODUCTORY: 10 Classes

• Chan-Ssu Chin Exercises

• 5 Element Theory (Acupuncture Meridian Theory)

• Spiral or S Curve Theory (Pi & Golden Rectangle/Triangle Theory)

• Second Set of the Yang Chengfu Long Taijiquan Form (32 Postures)

• Basic Martial Applications Analysis of Postures in Second Set

ADVANCED INTRODUCTORY: 20 Classes

• Clinical Eight Pieces of Brocade Exercises (Ba Duann Gin)

• Shichen Theory (24 Hour Pressure Point Access Theory)

• Third (Last) Set of the Yang Chengfu Long Taijiquan Form (39 Postures)

• Basic Martial Applications Analysis of Postures in Third Set

ADVANCED YANG TAIJIQUAN: Ongoing Classes

• Entire Yang Chengfu Long Taijiquan Form Practice (85 Postures)

• Advanced Martial Applications (Chi-Na) Analysis of all Postures

• Push-Hands Practice

• Taijiquan Free Sparring*

• Advanced Daoist Taiji Breathing Technique Practice*

• Daoist Meditation Techniques*

• Advanced Pressure Point striking

YANG TAIJIQUAN JIAN STRAIGHT SWORD FORM: Ongoing Classes

• Entire Yang Chengfu Taijiquan Jian Sword Form Practice (53 Postures)

• Jian Chan-Ssu Chin

• Applications

TO VIEW AN ANATOMICAL REFERENCE CHART DETAILING PRESSURE POINTS AND THEORY GO TO THE MASSAGE PORTION OF THE NORTHERN CRANE WEB PAGE.

* Taught only to very advanced practitioners

SHORT HISTORY OF THE YANG FAMILY TAIJIQUAN MARTIAL ARTS SYSTEM:

Many legends abound concerning the origins of Tajiquan, especially those involving the mythical and apparently immortal Chang San-feng, who is said to have lived anywhere from the tenth century (Sung Dynasty: 960-1278) to the sixteenth century. The most common legend has him living in the thirteenth century.

All legends aside we can be certain of some facts concerning Taijiquan. The I Ching and its hexagrams, the concepts of Yin and Yan and the sophisticated methods and philosophy of Taoism and Taoist meditation are at the root of Taijiquan’s development. Furthermore, the meditative and martial exercises known as “Arhat Boxing” or “the Eighteen Buddha Palms” developed (or possibly imported) by an Indian Buddhist monk known as Ta Mo are unquestionably the historical basis of not only Taijiquan but also Shaolin Quan-fa (Shaolin Kung Fu), most if not all Wushu (modern Chinese martial arts), Kenpo, and Karate. Ta Mo taught at the Shaolin Monastery around the mid Eight Century AD.

Yang Luchan (1799-1872) of Yongnian county in Hebei province went to Chen Village in Wen county around the age of ten in the pursuit of work. He not only found a livelihood there but also studied Laojia (Chen Style Taijiquan) from Chen Village’s boxing master Chen Zhangxing (1771-1853). Returning home after reaching maturity Yang Luchan started teaching this art form. People started calling it Zhan Mian Quan (cotton boxing) and Hua Quan (transformation boxing).

The Wu brothers, from a prominent Yongnian family persuaded him to go to the capital to teach this boxing to the Qing Imperial princes. Becoming quite famous at the capital, he was appointed martial arts instructor to the imperial banner battalion.

Gradually Yang Luchan revised his boxing from the original Shaolin styled art form of Chen village which included leaps, stomps and many difficult to learn techniques into an art form much easier to learn and practice. His third son Yang Jianhou (1839-1917) further revised it, developing it into what is known as “middle frame” again making it easier to learn and practice. It was then passed down to his third son Yang Chengfu (1883-1936), who again revised and standardized it into the “large frame” Yang Style Taijiquan practiced today.

The Yang Chengfu Style Taijiquan Solo Long Form has become the most popular Taijiquan Form practiced in the world today because of its simple, straight forward, relatively even and slow movements. It is distinctly different from the original Chen Style Taijiquan and its alternating of fast and slow, extreme spiral or screw like windings, twists, turns, leaps and stomps.

Phil Perez's training in Taijquan started quite casually in the late 1970's in NYC when he became exposed to the Cheng Man Ching Yang Style short form from a close friend who was a student of Master Chen, NYC’s premier teacher of Cheng Man Ching’s version of Yang Style Taijiquan. He went on to learn the Yang Style long form in the mid 1980’s from another close friend whom he would quite often kick box with and shortly after became a student of the late and great Master Zhang Luping until his death in 1998. Master Zhang was an internationally renown mathematician, martial artist and master of all 5 styles of Taijiquan as well as Baguaquan (Pa-Kua Chuan), Qinjiquan (Chin-Ji Chuan) and Shaolinquan (Shao-Lin Boxing). His guidance in my Taijiquan and indeed in my life is still sorely missed.

Copyright © 1998  By Phil Perez [Northern Crane]. All rights reserved.
Revised: November 19, 2007 .

CLICK HERE TO GO TO NORTHERN CRANE HOME PAGE

IF THE SIDE BAR APPEARS YOU ARE ALREADY THERE