Have you always wanted to learn Tai Chi or Qigong? 

Let me introduce you to Tai Chi

My name is Chris Davis and I am the head instructor here at the Tai Chi Academy.

I have been practicing, studying, researching and teaching the Art of Tai Chi since 1998. It is a constant and ongoing fascination for me and something that I take with me everywhere I go. In this FREE guide, I will help you to understand what Tai Chi is, how it is practiced, why it is useful and how to start your own training.

If you enjoy this information, you may enjoy my book, an eBook called 'The Tai Chi Code; An exploration of the Science behind the internal arts'. This book is rated highly on Amazon, but you can get it here for FREE by heading to the bottom of the page. 

Now, let me introduce you to the art of Tai Chi!

Chris Davis
Head instructor
The Tai Chi Academy.

A brief history of Tai Chi

Tai Chi often traces its root back to Taoist and Buddhist influence from the Song Dynasty with some insisting that the well known Taoist Master Zang Sanfeng invented the system. 

These mythical origins however are hard to prove, instead, we can say that Tai Chi emerged in the Chen Village some time in the 17th century in the form of the Chen Family martial art. Up until the time of Master Yang Lu Chan, the art likely went by other names, including possibly "touch boxing" (Zhan Quan) or "Soft Boxing" (Mian Quan) 

Yang Lu Chan was the first to use the term Taiji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan) to describe the art after an imperial court scholar described it thus in the mid 19th Century. Master Yang learned in the Chen village for roughly 18 years and emerged with his version of their martial arts, which would become known as the 'Yang Style Tai Chi'. 

Other family styles would emerge from either Chen Style or Yang Style Tai Chi including the Wu Style, Sun style and Hao Style. But without doubt, it was the Yang Style that would be most widely spread, largely due to one of Yang Lu Chans sons, the famous master Yang Cheng Fu.

The link between Tai Chi & Qigong 

Tai Chi is an intelligently designed art, and the masters who created it were well versed in the healing and health promoting practices of their day. As such there is an intimate link between the training of Tai Chi and the methods of healing known as Qigong.

In Tai Chi we use internal training known as Nei gong to bring about internal power and skill. The term Nei Gong predates the term Qigong to describe internal practices and the two terms are often thought to be interchangeable (in most instances of use they are .. .but not always). It was easy for the Tai Chi exponent to learn and integrate Qigong methods into their Tai Chi practice, due to the close resemblance of the health benefits found in Tai Chi and those found in Qi gong. It is important to understand, however, that Qigong encompasses a huge number of Wilde varied practices; from the hard Qigong of the Shaolin monks, to the soft Qigong of certain Taoist sects. 

So it would be a mistake to lump all Qigong in with Tai Chi or visa versa. Instead we can say that the relevant Qigong to Tai Chi are in Tai Chi, and one can gain the benefits in alignment with their Tai Chi goals and objectives from these closely linked versions of the respective arts. 

Why Tai Chi is good for YOU!

In my book, The Tai Chi Code, I examine the subject of Tai Chi's effectiveness, why it works and how it works. These are questions that are often answered with mystical phrases or strange ideas. But actually there is good evidence and peer reviewed studies on the effectiveness of Tai Chi for various conditions and ailments. 

We can say that Tai Chi is highly capable in improving a number of often neglected systems in our bodies. From the deep focus on the balance and stability networks, to the development of our Proprioceptive senses; from the massaging and relaxation of tight tissues, to the efficient use of the breathing cycle; from the smoothing and re-enforcing of the bodies joints, to the development of whole body harmony; Tai Chi really does have a lot going for it and as a result ... for you!

What will you learn in a average Tai Chi Lesson

Going to your first Tai Chi lesson can be daunting but many classes will follow a similar format. Let's look at how a typical Tai Chi Class runs. 

Meet and greet
You arrive at the class and greet your fellow practitioners

Start and warm up
Teacher will call the class to order, you will spread our around the room, usually with senior students towards the front. Teacher may then explain what you will be studying today - and will begin the warm up. This may involve some standing still and breathing as well as motions. 

Nei Gong or Qi Gong
Often after the warm up you will do some Qigong or Nei gong training.