Kung Fu Shaolin Mok-Gar

Wu Style Tai Chi

Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient Chinese art of self defence. This can be sub divided into two categories. One for self defence and the other for health and meditative exercise, which can prevent ailments through revitalising & rejuvenating the vital organs of the body. Translated as supreme ultimate boxing, Tai Chi Chuan is based on the Taoist philosophy of yin and yang. The legendary founder of Tai Chi Chuan was Jan San Feng (09 04 1247).

The important principle of the art is relaxation, which encourages meditation. The form is normally associated with the slow, graceful movements seen performed in Chinese parks, early in the morning. It is a series of carefully, co ordinated movements, flowing together as one continuous movement. It is an exercise system which gently increases the body's range of movement helping to increase body awareness, whilst exercising internal organs. It promotes the flow of Chi energy through the meridians, thereby restoring the body's lateral healing process. The slow meditative movements aid relaxation, stress reduction, balance and posture.

Move like a river is a popular saying in Tai Chi and is derived from the movements of animals and follow a natural, relaxed pattern. The three distinct characteristics of Tai Chi Chuan are as follows.

  1. Gentleness. The postures are steady and steadfast; its movements are easy and gentle.
  2. Consecution. The movements are continuous like the flow of a river.
  3. Circularity. Through circular movements, every part of the body is uniformly exercised, promoting the elasticity of the muscles and bones. This is especially significant for practitioners who are middle aged or older.
Push Hands

In addition to performing the Tai Chi form we also work with partners in pushing hands sequences. This is a series of safely structured exercises, which help to develop sensitivity, awareness and help merge the hard and soft styles as the next progression to Sticky Hand sparring.

It is extremely difficult to master the art of Tai Chi Chuan because one must possess a great deal of patience and the spirit of perfectionism. Yet with the right teacher and your dedication one can benefit in a very short time whether practicing the hard style of Kung-fu or not.

Do not hesitate to query why a move should be made in a particular way, or why a hand or leg should be placed in just that position and not in another. You need to understand its meaning so that you can remember better how the move should be performed, and appreciate the spirit and philosophy behind this ancient form.

The four main schools of Tai Chi Chuan practised today are:-
  1. Chen style of Tai Chi Chuan (the mother of the other three styles);
  2. the second oldest, and the most popular in the word today, is the Yang style Tai Chi Chuan.

The other two styles, though more rare are:-

  1. Sun style Tai Chi Chuan and the
  2. Wu style Tai Chi Chuan.

Although the four styles look different in accomplishment the thirteen basic techniques remain the same in all of the styles.