| What is Tai Chi Ch'uan? | ||||||
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| The Mandarin term "T'ai Chi Ch'uan" translates as "Supreme Ultimate Boxing" or "Boundless Fist". T'ai Chi training involves learning solo routines, known as forms, and two person routines, known as pushing hands, as well as acupressure-related manipulations taught by traditional schools. Historically, T'ai Chi Ch'uan has been regarded as a martial art, and its traditional schools and Masters still teach it as one. Even so, it has developed a worldwide following among many thousands of people with little or no interest in martial training for its aforementioned benefits to health and health maintenance. Many call it a form of moving meditation. T'ai Chi theory and practice evolved in agreement with many of the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Besides general health benefits and stress management attributed to beginning and intermediate level T'ai Chi training, many therapeutic interventions along the lines of traditional Chinese healing methods are taught to advanced T'ai Chi students. | ||||||
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| Contact us today for a Free Introductory Class! | ||||||
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| What To Expect | ||||||
The class covers both the health and martial art aspects of Tai Chi Chuan.
All students are taught the following:
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Biography | |||||
| Will Dias has been studying Tai Chi Chuan for over 40 years in the U.S. and abroad. He has also studied and competed in a wide range of martial arts including Bagua zhang, Hsing I, Aikido, and Karate. | ||||||
| When | ||||||
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| Contact Info | ||||||
| To schedule your free introductory class, please call: (773) 719 - 1394 | ||||||
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| What is Qigong? | ||||||
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| The word qigong is a combination of two ideas:
qi - which is the vital energy of the body, and gong - which is the skill of working of the qi.
Qigong for health and healing consists primarily of meditation, physical movements, and breathing
exercises. Qigong practitioners develop an awareness of qi sensations in their bodies and use
their mind, i.e., intention, to guide the qi in the body. The benefits of qigong are said to
extend beyond health and healing to enhance the quality of life in general. Almost everyone
can learn qigong exercises for maintaining health and for self-healing. Qigong treatment has been officially recognized as a standard medical technique in Chinese hospitals since 1989. It has been included in the curriculum of major universities in China and throughout the world. In the West, many medical practicioners are now offering alternative medical programs which include Qigong & Accupuncture. Dr. Yan Xin (嚴新), a doctor of both Western and Chinese medicine as well as founder of the relatively popular Yan Xin Qigong school, suggests that in order for qigong to be accepted by the modern world it must pass the test of scientific study. In the mid-1980s he and others began systematic study of qigong in some research institutions in China and U.S. More than 20 papers have been published. |
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| Our 'Flowing Well'™ Method | ||||||
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| The method that we teach, involves balancing the healing aspects of both Tai Chi (the Yang set) and Qigong (the Yin Set). Our classes begin by the offering of Ginger or Tea to encourage 'Qi Flow' (not required). Then we begin the training by moving through one of the traditional Qigong sets as taught by our Masters. After the conclusion of the Qigong exercise sets, we will then begin the basic Tai Chi form from either the Simplified, Wudang, or Chen styles. At the conclusion of the form set, the session will conclude with supervised traditional breathing exercises to cap off the development from the class. This slow and repetitive work generates the Qi gently and measurably increases and opens the internal circulation: (breath, body heat, blood, lymph, peristalsis, etc.). Over time, this method creates a lasting effect, a direct reversal of the constricting physical effects of stress on the human body. This reversal allows much more of the students' internal energy to be available to them, which they may then apply more effectively to the rest of their lives; families, careers, spiritual or creative pursuits, hobbies, etc. | ||||||
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| The study of the Flowing Well method involves developing two aspects of the student: |
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| Health | ||||||
| An unhealthy or otherwise uncomfortable person will find it difficult to meditate to a state of calmness or to use their internal energy as a martial art. Training therefore concentrates on relieving the physical effects of stress on the body and mind. | ||||||
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| Meditation | ||||||
| The focus meditation and subsequent calmness cultivated by the meditative aspect of T'ai Chi is seen as necessary to maintain optimum health (in the sense of effectively maintaining stress relief or homeostasis) and in order to use it as a style of meditative control in all aspects of one's life. | ||||||
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| Also experimental evidence suggests the following healing effects of Tai Chi Ch'uan, qigong exercises, and meditations: | ||||||
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| Cardiovascular lower resting heart rate; normalized EKG, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels |
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| Respiratory slower respiratory rate, improves gaseous exchange, significant benefits for asthma & bronchitis |
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| Immune System better targeting of antigens, significant anti-cancer effect |
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| Circulation improves microcirculation, prevents vascular spasms, very helpful for angina, migraine, and Reynaud's Syndrome (cold hands & feet) |
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| Brain improves cerebral blood flow, less incidence of stroke; reduction in frequency and intensity of seizure disorders; slow, high amplitude brainwaves suggest relaxed and integrated state of consciousness |
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| Musculoskeletal improves posture, balance, strength, stamina, flexibility |
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| Chronic Pain significant pain reduction from all causes, including injury, surgery, arthritis, fibromyalgia |
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| Mental Health decreases: stress response, Type A, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, depression. Improves memory and interpersonal sensitivity |
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| Longevity improves: blood pressure, vital capacity, cholesterol and hormone levels, kidney function, mental acuity, vision and hearing, skin elasticity, bone density, immune function, digestion, balance, flexibility, strength, libido. Destroys free radicals (major cause of tissue degeneration) by stimulating activity of superoxide dismutase |
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