Tai Ji Quan (Tai chi Chuan) in Belgium, Brabant, Waterloo Lasne Ohain Liège Nivelles Charleroi Antwerp Gent Etterbeek Auderghem Woluwe Uccle Jette Watermael Boitsfort, Wavre (Waver)

Tai ji Quan	Brochures in french (pdf): Tai Ji Quan (paru dans Agenda plus) Qu'est-ce que le Tai chi?
Introduction \| History \| Video \| Bibliography

You will find the schedule of our Tai ji Quan courses on the Weekly lessons page of this site.

Introduction

Tai ji Quan is a chinese martia art accessible to anyone (children, adults), non-violent, without ranks nor competition. It has been passed on from master to disciple for centuries. A regular practice will benefit your health, and bring a balance at all levels.

There are different styles of Tai ji, which have been given the surnames of their founders. Each style has it's own number of exercices.

The first exercise is a succession of precise movements : « the form » which are derived from the martial arts and performed alone, at the pace of a slow and regular breath. As a complement to the form, there are other forms like pushing hands (Tui Shu) or armed forms (sword, saber), Taoïst breathing exercices and the practice of Chi Kung (Qi Gong).

Practice of the form

Practicing the sequence, or form, alone or in a group is fundamental. It is the base of all further study and is popular among all students because of its relaxing, healing and meditative effects.

Pushing hands

(Dynamic pushing hands, Da Loï, Tuishou, Sanshou) with a partner is playful and enriching. It helps to a beter feeling, deeper understanding and use of the movements of the form in their martial and energetic aspects.

More info about Tuishou (pushing hands).

Handling weapons

sword, knife, fan, stick, pole... are extensions of the body, tools that if mastered will favor self understanding.

History

Among all objectives of Tai Ji practice, there is the quest for harmony of the mind, a better health and the mastery of a martiel art...

Legend has it that Chang San Feng (1127-1279), a taoïst monk, originated the art after watching combat between a snake and a crane.

Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872) is the founder of the Yang style. He studied with the Chen family. Later he moved to Bejing and founded his own school where he tought his art in a modified form at the imperial court.

Yang Ch'eng Fu (1883-1936) has even spread the practice of Tai Ji to the United States and Europe in a simplified version. The original form was kept secret inside of the Yang family.

His oldest son, Yang Shou Chung (1905-1985), had to leave china during the revolution and he settled in Hong Kong in 1947. That is where the full Yang style was tought for the first time. Tai Ji makes use of internal energy called "Chi", which is stronger than muscular force....

- "QWhat is the most important reason for studying Tai ji?", a student once asked master Cheng Man Ching.
- "The most important reason is that when you will reach the deepest understanding of life, you will have still enough health to enjoy it."

Bibliography (french)
- Tai Ji Quan (paru dans Agenda plus) - Read more (pdf)
- Qu'est-ce que le Tai chi? - Read more (pdf)