Taiji & Meditation

On its initial state the ancient Art of Taiji focuses on developing a more relaxed and coordinated body, whilst improving overall health through the increased flow of oxygen and energy circulation. Smooth continuous movements, coordinated with the breathing, will also calm the emotions.

Deep awareness of the changes taking place inside the body bring the Mind into a focused deep state. This initial enhanced state gradually crystallizes to build a stronger Body-Mind connection.

A process of self-knowledge and self-improvement starts taking place both inside and out.

This is what we call The Inner Path. A well posted road towards your True Self.

Introduction

We aim to offer you the Path of Internal training for Body and Mind as has been taught in Europe and Asia by our teacher Patrick Kelly for over 40 years. This is a Path of Inner knowledge and Self-development, and also a way to enhance the natural Body skills of external softness and inner strength, benefiting your health and developing useful martial arts skills for daily life.

We teach a step by step method to connect and evolve the Jing-Qi-Shen (Body-Energy-Mind). The traditional Daoist system with a modern approach.

MAIN BENEFITS

Inner and Outer Balance | Health & Self Defense | Spiritual Growth

In the initial stages you will start to experience several benefits that arise from regular practice.

INITIAL BENEFITS

The body loosening
Movements becoming more free
Improved balance
Some sense of Elastic Power (Taiji Jin)
A better awareness of the body
An increased ability to shut down the over-active superficial mind
A deeper awareness of yourself gradually arising

4 Main Components

Song Shen Wu Fa: Loosening Exercises

The Song Shen Wu Fa - 5 Loosening Exercises are a set of basic training exercises based on the Taiji Principles created by master Huang Xing Xian (1910-1992). Training them accurately develops “relaxed hip joints and shoulders, Body-Mind coordination and relaxation, Energy circulation and Inner Strength” that are key benefits of Taiji.

Benefits

Closing down the mind to a deeper state. Turning the listening inwards.
Loosening the body- Relaxes the muscles & frees the joints.
Gradual integration and experience of the principles such as distinguishing Yin from Yang, and relaxation from contraction.
Improves coordination of the body & mind.
Introduction & understanding of the Wu Xing/5 Elements cycle (5 muscle phases and its associated mental states)

Taiji Jia: Taiji Form

The 37 Move Taiji Short Form we teach was created by professor Cheng

Man Ching (1902-1975). Known as the “Master of 5 Excellences” he was a disciple of Taiji master Yang Cheng Fu. Cheng Man Ching simplified the old taiji form to 37 moves to make it easier to teach and train. His form has come to be known as Cheng Man Ching Taiji. Taught over 3 months it forms the frame where we can integrate the principles arising from the practice of the 5 Loosenings. Coordination of Mind and Body, the use of Yi (Intention) and developing the Elastic Power of Taiji are at the core of the Form. We practice slow to natural speed for about 15 minutes in each class, or longer in seminars.

Benefits

Develop use of intention to generate inner strength & power and direct it.
Develop the idea of elastic force & energetic activation.
Works on accuracy & smoothness, through coordinated fluid movements.
Develops internal awareness through subtle alignment changes.
Intelligent repetition to be able to refine the basics.

Tui Shou: Pushing Hands

Tui Shou or Pushing Hands trains sensitivity towards the partner Intention, Energy and Forces. You will become sensitive to the subtle process of connecting into another person, which is a really helpful skill for daily life interactions. This step adds the 8 fix pushing hands patterns to the previous training. Once you have grasped the essential points of the pushing hands exercises, applications are also introduced (the ‘famous’ but hard to grasp ‘Fa Jin’ or Issuing 'Elastic Forces’ which for Taiji Masters were famous in the Martial Arts world).

Benefits

Develop sensitivity to subtle changes on others and its influence on yourself.
Helps to understand and refine the subtle level of activation of forces or energy first in ourselves and then in the partner.
Development of self defense skills through the principles of yielding and neutralizing incoming forces, through a more subtle practice.
These intelligent applications can be applied to help manage the outer pressures and challenges of daily life.

Taiji Koh Chang, Thailand (Photo Credit: Yani Cai)

Ming Xiang: Meditation

Meditation is where you can collect the benefits of the Taiji practice, and transform the base energy towards a more refined one. This is the alchemy process that the Classics describe as the transformation of Jing - Qi - Shen, or Body’s Energy - Emotional Energy - Mental or Spiritual Energy.

It is, once more, a step by step process of inner evolution. We practice an intelligent synthesis of Daoist, Buddhist and Sufi meditation, following the precise directions of our teacher, Patrick Kelly.

Benefits

Integrates the benefits from the training in order to transmute the energy to the different levels.
Refines the gross energies into a subtle one in order to develop our inner potential, and ultimate meaning of our existence.
Develops a deeper understanding of yourself.