Zhan Zhuang Video Course A Free Programme for Beginner Students Standing like a tree – Standing Pole Zhan Zhuang is a stillness meditation which is a unique and powerful method to awaken the body in stillness. It is an ancient internal Taoist practice to cultivate mind and body. Learn to re-wire your habitual posture, integrate…
Chen Tai Chi Livestream Online Group Classes via Zoom UK Join our traditional Chen Tai Chi all levels livestream. Learn strengthening and relaxing movements from the comfort of your own home with our monthly subscription. Give momentum to your home practice. Whether you are a new beginner or a seasoned student join instructor Nicola’s online school and…
Fang Song in Tai Chi The principle of dynamic relaxation and loosening. One of the most important Tai Chi principles is fang song which roughly means applied relaxation. To use the least amount of muscular contraction to perform a movement. Which means to release inappropriate muscle contraction, to loosen the joints and to reduce physical…
Tai Chi for Spine Health An Unhealthy Spine The spine is key to health. One of my teachers once said that Tai Chi and Qigong all focus on spinal health. We use the phrase ‘structural integrity’ when talking about the Tai Chi and Qigong posture. This means the posture is aligned correctly, to hold your…
The Hips in Tai Chi The importance of aligning the pelvis and hips in your Tai Chi practice, to improve the quality of your Tai Chi movements and your ability to absorb and generate martial power. In turn, this aids your postural health, how well your organs function and your ability to breathe deeply. Aligning…
Chen Taiji Cloud Hands For students wishing to practice at home, here some resources to help. In the Chen style Tai Chi movement “Wave Hands like Clouds” (Yun Shou) this uses the double arm silk reeling movement with a side stepping action. The side stepping Chen style cloud hands movement, found in the short and…
Rooting in Tai Chi One of the main principles in Chen Tai Chi training is rooting / grounding / sinking / balancing. This principle combines three concepts: Chen (pronounced chuen) which means rooting and sinking Qi to Dantian Zhongding which means central equilibrium, stable and balanced. Song which means applied relaxation. Without a root there…
Ding in Tai Chi How to align your spine correctly in your Tai Chi practice. The principle Ding in Chen Tai Chi means maintaining a well aligned upright spine. It is sometimes described as: Imagine a piece of string is pulling you up from the crown on the top of your head. Elevate the crown…
Peng Jin in Tai Chi Peng jin is the primary principle in learning Chen Tai Chi. It is a whole body quality that times time, effort and patience to develop within your structure. Once established, it should always be present. When beginner students notice that their movements and structure looks different from their teacher, on…
Method Not Mimic Your Tai Chi Journey As a beginner when learning the internal martial art of Tai Chi or Qi Gong, it is important to learn how to move rather than mimicking the instructor. Without guided and personal instruction, the movements become mere choreography. If you simply watch and follow your Tai Chi or…
Tai Chi Standing Zhan Zhuang – Standing Still for Powerful Health Zhan Zhuang is a powerful Taoist internal practice where a static posture is held for a period of time. It is the foundation of Tai Chi and Qi Gong training. By holding a posture in stillness you can develop integrated strength, improve your posture…
Static Stance Training Tai Chi The principles of physical body alignment. As a beginner, Tai Chi can be perceived as something quite simple, yet aligning the correct posture whilst relaxing the body and breathing deeply can be quite difficult. As soon as you concentrate on dropping your shoulders, your lower back closes. Ok, try again…. as…
Doing One Thing Correctly Applying the Principles in Chen Tai Chi Practice Active Movement Drills and Form Training. When learning the Tai Chi form and training drills, it is important to have a single point of focus, to do one thing correctly. This is active mindfulness. There are many principles and layers of learning, and…
