I have been interested in martial arts since I was young due to my poor health as a child. Despite my interest, I never became competent in any martial art until I took up Chen style taiji chuan. My sifu and mentor, Tim Yuen, has patiently guided me since I gave up Southern Shaolin training after 15 years. Sifu Tim offered free tai chi classes back then and taught only two students, including myself. Over almost 16 years of training, I began teaching at Griffith Queensland College of Arts to my friends and started my own class.
With Sifu Tim Yuen's wholehearted guidance, I have come to understand the purpose of every move in the Chen taiji movements. In just two years of training with tai chi, I learned an equivalent amount to my years of Shaolin training. When Sifu Tim introduced me to Master Chen Yingjun, the 19th generation descendant of Chen style taijiquan, taijiquan truly became a part of my life. This fighting art has opened many doors of wisdom, helping me to understand why it is designed in a particular way and how it follows the principles of nature.
The spiritual aspect of practicing taijiquan involves cultivating the habit of letting go and clearing the mind of unnecessary information. This allows for a deeper understanding of the origin of all things and the ability to naturally deal with any situation or person, akin to water.
I have devoted almost 20 years to studying taijiquan, and it remains the most fulfilling martial art to me both physically and spiritually. It is a practice that can be both soft and relaxing, as well as heavy and strong. One of the most interesting principles of taijiquan is the emphasis on softness overcoming hardness. It took me many years of training to understand and achieve this concept, but I finally proved it to myself.
What is Tai Chi? In western culture, the slow-moving and meditative exercise known as "tai chi" is actually called "Taijiquan". The name "quan" refers to "the fist" or "the way of combat", and the concept of "taiji" is the principles of balance between the two extreme polarities of yin and yang. Taijiquan was originally developed by an ex-military officer in ancient China as a way to maintain both his martial art abilities and his health. This art was so effective and impressive that it was passed down through 20 generations of his family lineage. Additionally, it was spread throughout the village and across China after its invention. We are fortunate to have made contact with the descendant of the art, Master Chen Yingjun, who is willing to share his family's fighting art with us.
What does Tai Chi do? The exercise helps us to learn relaxation, but funny enough to build strength at the same time! Your legs will never feel so strong and so tired at the same time. Chen style taijiquan is about learning what is proper "frame". Frame means how are we able to position our body into a pose where the energy flows best. The better the qi (energy) flows, the stronger your execution of force and better circulation of blood in the body. However, to establish good qi flow we need strong legs, hence the wide low stances. What is a better exercise that emphasize on relaxation and building strength at the same time?