Practicing Tai Chi Chuan

Learning Tai Chi Chuan mainly involves learning of solo routines, also known as forms. A form takes the student through a sequence of precisely defined movements and stances while maintaining proper body alignment and following the principle of “central equilibrium”. Accurate, repeated practice of the form retains posture, encourages circulation, maintains flexibility in the joints and familiarizes students with the martial application sequences implied by the forms.

Tai Chi Chuan practice primarily involves three areas.

Health: Numerous medical studies of Tai Chi support its effectiveness in maintaining good physical and mental health. Practiced regularly, Tai Chi can greatly reduce stress and also offers many other short and long-term health benefits.
Meditation: The focus, stillness and connectedness cultivated by the meditative aspect of Tai Chi helps practitioners rediscover and reconnect with core principles of nature and therefore human life - purity, immediacy, non-attachment, simplicity and unity - being directly connected to everything around us, experiencing life as "flow" - meaning perceiving life more directly and purely without going through the filter of "ego" or "self".
Martial art: Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art is the study of appropriate change in response to outside forces or changes; the study of yielding and blending with outside force or change rather than attempting to meet it with opposing force.

The basic principals of Tai Chi can be desribed as: balance, centeredness, empty versus full (weighted & non-weighted), alignment, careful attention to precise movement, intent, rootedness of the legs, flexibility of the waist, sinking one's energy to the 'dantien', internal stillness and continuous flow without interruption.

The dantien or tan t'ien is an important focal point for internal meditative techniques and refers specifically to the physical center of gravity located in the abdomen three finger widths below and two finger widths behind the navel. In Chinese and Japanese tradition, it is considered the physical center of gravity for the human body and by extension the seat of one's internal energy (chi)

Tai Chi Chuan Berkeley teaches Tai Chi through a very systematic approach which makes sure students have a grasp of the study material before moving on to the next stance or form. Learning shorter forms first and then methodically building up to more complex and longer ones ensures steady progress and an in-depth understanding as well as appreciation of the art not only on a physical level but also on a level that involves the mind, heart and spirit.

Our curriculum covers a great variety of hand and weapon forms and also includes forms that require a "smaller footprint" (8 Form, 16 Form) and therefore can be practiced in more limited spaces at home or at work.

In addition to forms training, classes also include stretching, light workouts and sensitivity exercises to build up flexibility, strength and to experience physical movement as connected, in harmony and "the body moving as one".

Daily Practice

To reap the greatest health benefits from practicing Tai Chi, consider making it part of your daily routine. In the beginning it might be advisable to attend classes twice a week which will make the learning experience much more effective and consistent.

Many people find it helpful to practice Tai Chi in the same place and at the same time every day to develop a routine. But if your schedule is busy, do Tai Chi whenever you have a few minutes.

The Berkeley
Performing Arts

2560 9th Street, #119
Berkeley, CA 94710
Map

Contact/Inquiries

Please contact Andreas at 415.422.9933 or andreas@taichichuanberkeley.com