T'ai Chi Ch'uan

From serious athletes to seniors, people around the world are learning T'ai Chi and experiencing its benefits.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan is translated as "The Supreme Ultimate Martial Art". Developed in ancient China, T'ai Chi is designed to cultivate good health, meditation and self-defense. Relaxation, coordination, balance, muscle tone, weight loss and stress release are just a few of the benefits you will experience.

The Yang style short form is taught. The Yang short form consists of 37 postures developed by Professor Cheng Man Ch'ing, the leading martial artist of his time.

The solo form is performed slowly and continuously, taking about 10 minutes to complete one round. It requires no special equipment and can be done in a small space.

Meditation, "Chi-Energetics" exercises, and self-defense will also be taught. A T'ai Chi sword form and fencing are also available.

Charles Holman holds his Yang Style T'ai Chi Ch'uan classes every Tuesday evening from 6:00pm until 7:15pm.

Charles employs a monthly and three-monthly class fee discount plan as shown in the table below.

Single Class (drop-in)	$25
Monthly (4 classes)	$80 (20% discount)
Three-monthly (12 classes)	$200 (30% discount)

The Principles of T'ai Chi Ch'uan

Relax

Relax is the most important and all-pervasive principle of T'ai Chi Ch'uan. A relaxed muscle has greater quickness, accuracy, endurance and power than a tense muscle, which blocks the free flow of energy.

Body Upright

Any tilting or leaning of the body will automatically produce tension. Muscles tense in order to keep the body from falling over. An upright, balanced position promotes the deepest relaxation.

Separate Yin and Yang

In T'ai Chi, the weight of the body is continually moving from one leg to the other. This shifting or separation of weight creates a charging effect, increasing the flow of chi within the body. By increasing chi flow, T'ai Chi students increase their energy level and promote good health.

Move from the Waist (Tan T'ien)

The mass center of the body is called the Tan T'ien in Chinese. Movement initiated from this center promotes coordination and true internal power. The body becomes unified whole rather than a collection of disjointed parts.

Open Wrist

Open wrist refers to a relaxed, open position of the wrist and hand that promotes the free flow of energy to the finger tips.