This style of Tai Chi Chuan is called "YANG PAI KUANG P'ING" which means Yang Family Style from Kuang City (Kuang-p'ing Prefectural City, Yung-nien County, Henan, China). It was handed down to present day practitioners by Yang, Pan Hou - son of - Yang, Lu Chan who learned Tai Chi from Chen, Ch'ang Hsing, ninth generation Chen family master of Chen boxing, of the latter 18th and early 19th century. Although initially developed for boxing, TaiChi Chuan is primarily practiced these days to maintain good health. The art's principles follow the "I-CHING" (Book of Changes), an ancient Chinese book of philosophy which helps mankind understand the workings of the natural world. Simply stated, one of it's primary principles is that YIN energy (softness) and YANG energy (hardness) must be brought into harmony to balance and sustain life. Tai Chi practice generates internal energies (chi) to bring about a balance in mind, body and spirit. Tai Chi helps correct internal imbalances which left unattended may ultimately manifest in illness. In today's hectic world, people often experience pressures inducing stress which, in turn, can weaken health. Although there are different ways of reducing stress, Tai Chi approaches this problem through movement, alternating body weight - on one leg and then the other - in a series of slow, fluid and (at times) quick movements designed to enliven the spirit, calm the mind and energize the blood, internal organs, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Taoist stretching and various meditations are also taught to enhance suppleness and mindfulness. |
MY TEACHER ... CHIANG, YUN CHUNG |