There are many legends and stories as to how Tai Chi first originated. The proclaimed founder of Tai Chi Chuan, Chang San-Feng (1279-1386), was regarded as a great Master of Shaolin Chuan.

One of the stories which grew around him describes the origin of Tai Chi Chuan.

The legend relates a dream of Chang San-Feng where he witnesses a fight between a snake and a crane said to be engaged in mortal battle. Each time the crane swooped down to take the snake, it was deflected by the smooth, yielding movements of the snake. It’s ability to retract, recoil and return the attack became a symbol for the motion and intent of Tai Chi Chuan and the picture of the snake and the crane became popularized. From this dream it is said that Chang San-Feng realized the wisdom of flexibility, softness and yielding when deflecting an attack.

With this basis, two schools of Asian Martial Arts grew in China. The first, the Hard Style, relies on strength and speed to sharpen fighting technique. Tai Chi Chuan falls into the second style, the Soft Style which cultivates sensitivity, timing and balance. Each Tai Chi posture is a response, a defensive response to a potential attack with the intent to neutralize the attack and redirect it toward the attacker.

The act of neutralizing an attack has many components to its art. The principles of Tai Chi were first expounded by Chang San-Feng and documented in the “Tai Chi Classics”, the oldest Chinese texts concerning the practice of Tai Chi.

Basic Tai Chi principals are as follows:

* Relaxation: A key to practicing Tai Chi, “Relaxation in the highest sense means faith.”

* Empty, Full: While practicing the lower body is heavy and rooted and the upper body light and pliable. One hand empties and gathers while another fills and emits. Rising Yang energy and residing yin energy change from one state to another, circulating and exchanging chi in one continuous motion. The “Tai Chi Classics” say, “Keep empty and you will be filled.”

* Evenness, Slowness: Practicing slowly at first and evenly at all times develops strength and fluidity. Establishing a slow, even practice will allow one to move faster wit greater balance, timing and coordination.

* Balance: While shifting weight from one foot to the next, keep the spine straight and the head turning wit the body’s center. In the Tai Chi Classics it is said, “When the lowest vertebrae are plumb erect, the spirit of vitality reaches the top of the head. When the top of the head is suspended from above, the body will be light and nimble.”

* Rooting, Sinking: The feet are relaxed on the ground, yet rooted, without gripping, a part of the ground. With relaxation and natural posture, one begins to sink, moving from a deeply connected place inside.

* Coordination, Centering: Each posture flows together in one sequence and the energetic flow becomes very established throughout the course of each Tai Chi set. With time, movement comes directly from the Dan Tien, the “Sea of Chi”. With breath and sinking, mind and body coordinate will spirit emerges.

* Breathing, Chi: Correct breathing accumulates Chi in the body. In Tai Chi, Chi is seen as breath or life energy.

* Concentration: Concentration or focus is necessary to learn and practice and maintain awareness of the principles of Tai Chi while practicing.

The Tai Chi Chuan offered at The Healing Hands Center is Yang Style. Students first learn the Tai Chi Chuan Foundational Set (a combination of original movements teaching natural posture, breathing, and internal awareness). Once established in this set, students may continue with the Competition 24 Form, the Competition 42 Form, and Weapons Sets.