What is Tai Chi?

Tai Chi Chuan or the Ultimate Fist, is an ancient Chinese martial art developed over centuries with influences from Buddhism and Taoism. Oral tradition identifies that it comes from the Taoist Monastery on Wu Dang Mountain. Movements mimic the movements observed in nature - animals, wind, trees, etc. - and are applied by the player to create a series of connected movements. These movements improve the strength, agility and endurance of the body while allowing the body to remain in a soft, relaxed state. Tai Chi is also called Moving Meditation as the complexity of the sequences and posture requires the mind to focus completely on the activity thereby removing distracting thoughts. Allow these thoughts to distract and the movements are not completed as required.

Though currently the health aspects of Tai Chi are emphasized, it is important to remember that Tai Chi was initiated as method of self-defense. Frequently the player is instructed to ‘shadow box’, perform each movement as though they are facing an opponent. During the training at Siu Lum Academy applications, how the specific move is used against an opponent, is identified. Though each move may have multiple applications, depending upon a given situation, only one application is identified to assist the student to understand the placement of the body, arms and legs.