What is Tai-Chi

Tai - Chi

Three goals studying Tai-Chi with Dr. Liu
* For health
* For self-defense
* For beauty

Some common questions about Tai-Chi:

1. What is Tai-Chi?

Tai-Chi is a martial art created by a Taoist monk, Chang Shen-Feng, in the Sung Dynasty (1101 AD). Over centuries, Tai-Chi has developed into many different forms; however, most of the forms follow the same principles as the original form. Because in the last century, some Tai-Chi masters emphasized health-related and philosophical aspects in their teaching, while others focused on the martial arts aspects, today we view Tai-Chi as a combination of techniques for self-defense, breath control, relaxation, meditation and health maintenance.

2. What will I learn in Tai-Chi class?

You will learn the basic form and the principles of Tai-Chi, along with related martial arts and health promoting exercises. There are three goals to the class. They are to teach self-defense, to promote health and to promote beauty.

3. How long will it take to learn Tai-Chi?

While to learn the basic form takes about 6 months, Tai-Chi is considered an exercise for the rest of your life. There is really no end to it, because there are so many forms and principles and theory to learn. To give you some idea, here is a list of the Tai-Chi forms I teach and how long it might take just to learn the form. (It would take the rest of your life to master all the forms!) After you learn the basic form, you may want to progress to other forms such as Tai-Chi Sword or Five-Animal Exercises.
This estimate is based on weekly lectures of 1 to 11/2 hour, with students practicing between lessons at least half an hour daily.

Basic form 27 lectures.
Fighting form 40 lectures (A and B form).
Tai-Chi Sword 25 lectures.
Tai-Chi Saber 20 lectures.
Sword fighting form 30-35 lectures (A and B form).
Saber fighting form 25-30 lectures (A and B form).
Five Animal Exercises 40 lectures.

4. Who can learn Tai-Chi?

Tai-Chi has been and is being practiced by thousands of Chinese people. It is an exercise and martial art for people of all ages. All you need is patience and persistence to learn Tai-Chi. Because the movements are slow and gentle, people in almost any physical condition can participate and benefit. However, even a person who needs a challenging workout will find that to practice a complete form of Tai-Chi actually demands a lot both physically and mentally. It usually takes about 25 minutes to practice the basic form of Tai-Chi: this involves going through 111 movements smoothly and continuously, meanwhile concentrating on the breath and the martial arts applications of the movements.

5. What are the health benefits of practicing Tai-Chi?

Tai-Chi may have numerous health-promoting benefits. It has been reported in medical journals that Tai-Chi is beneficial to people with high blood pressure, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, certain types of hormonal imbalances and circulatory problems. Because it is a low-impact, sustained activity with coordination of breathing and movements, Tai-Chi may also be a good exercise method for people with certain chronic conditions, such as respiratory distress, poor circulation in the lower extremities, joint problems, etc.
In addition, there are mental benefits: The slow movements can help to relieve stress, develop patience and concentration, and may help certain forms of nervous system disorders.

About the instructor:

Dr. H. Liu has been teaching Tai-Chi for nearly 20 years. He is of the 79th generation of pupils of the Hwa-T'o school of Tai-Chi. At present, Dr. Liu is the only person qualified to teach the Five-Animal Exercise in this country (USA).

* Why study the Five-Animal Exercise?

The Five-Animal Exercise is believed to have been invented during the Han dynasty (circa 110 A.D.) by the grand master of Chinese medicine, Hwa T'o, as an exercise method of longevity to complement herbal medicine and to maintain general health. Practice of the Five-Animal Exercise can build physical strength, maintain fitness and improve coordination. It may also help increase circulation, balance hormonal secretions, stimulate the nervous system, and enhance the immune system.

It is the goal of the Hwa T'o school of Tai-Chi to promote the Five-Animal Exercise. However, before a student can learn the Five-Animal Exercise, considerable physical strength and a knowledge of the basic movements of Tai-Chi are needed. The Five-Animal Exercise contains some very complex and strenuous movements, and it is much longer in duration than the basic Tai-Chi form. I have therefore developed the following step-by-step plan of study, so that students who wish to learn the Five-Animal Exercise can gradually build up their strength and become familiar with the movements.

* What is the proper sequence of studying the Five-Animal Exercise and Tai-Chi?

Students are required to learn the basic form of Tai-Chi before progressing to the Five-Animal Exercise. This requirement assures that students will become familiar with all the basic stances which are part of both Tai-Chi and the Five-Animal Exercise. Furthermore, starting one's study with the slow and rhythmic movements of the Tai-Chi basic form will give the student a solid background in the central principle of movement in this martial art form: using the waist and the legs as the "motor" for the rest of the body. After learning basic Tai-Chi, some students may wish to begin learning the Five-Animal Exercise directly. It is advisable, however, that students should advance to an intermediate level by learning either the Tai-Chi Sword form or the fighting form of Tai-Chi. These forms serve to further "fine-tune" the student's muscles and movements. By studying the basic form and one of the advanced Tai-Chi forms before undertaking the Five-Animal Exercise, students will develop the requisite physical strength and dexterity.

* TAI-CHI CLASSES

* for health
* for self-defens
* for beauty

Class I: Beginning Tai-Chi

Starting date and meeting time of class
This course will begin (at a time to be determined), and meet every Saturday at 9:30 AM. The date and time of the class may be changed, according to students' requests.

Class description
Students will learn the fundamentals of Tai-Chi as an exercise and martial art. Instruction in two related exercises, the five-animal exercise and "push hands" training, will supplement the course. Tai-Chi is a deceptively gentle martial art and when performed solo, looks somewhat like a slow, graceful dance. However, it has its roots in practical self-defense. The class size will be limited to 8 students.

Class II: Beginning Tai-Chi (to be taught in Chinese)

Starting date and meeting time of class
pending

Class description
The class is essentially the same as Class I, except that it will be taught in Chinese. Class size will be limited to ten students.

Class III: Advanced Tai-Chi

Starting date and meeting time of class
pending

Class description
Students will learn the use of the sword, sword fighting, and fighting forms of Tai-Chi with other weaponry. This class is open to students who have studied Tai-Chi or who have previously taken Class I or Class II. The class will be limited to six students.

Class IV: The Five-Animal Exercise

Starting date and meeting time of class
pending

Class description
The five-animal exercise is a very ancient Chinese exercise for health maintenance, invented by Hwa-T'o, the grand master of Chinese medicine. Good health is a prerequisite to taking the course. To his knowledge, Dr. Liu is the only person in this country teaching the Five-Animal exercise at this time, so this class presents a unique opportunity. The class is open only to those who have already studied Tai-Chi or taken Classes I, II, or III. Class size will be limited to four students.

For class information and registration please contact
__________________________________________________

Dr. H. Liu,
Voice/Fax: 678 699 0009
mail: 1689 Brockett Rd., Tucker, GA 30084
E-mail: liu100000@yahoo.com

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		Tai - Chi Three goals studying Tai-Chi with Dr. Liu * For health * For self-defense * For beauty Some common questions about Tai-Chi: 1. What is Tai-Chi? Tai-Chi is a martial art created by a Taoist monk, Chang Shen-Feng, in the Sung Dynasty (1101 AD). Over centuries, Tai-Chi has developed into many different forms; however, most of the forms follow the same principles as the original form. Because in the last century, some Tai-Chi masters emphasized health-related and philosophical aspects in their teaching, while others focused on the martial arts aspects, today we view Tai-Chi as a combination of techniques for self-defense, breath control, relaxation, meditation and health maintenance. 2. What will I learn in Tai-Chi class? You will learn the basic form and the principles of Tai-Chi, along with related martial arts and health promoting exercises. There are three goals to the class. They are to teach self-defense, to promote health and to promote beauty. 3. How long will it take to learn Tai-Chi? While to learn the basic form takes about 6 months, Tai-Chi is considered an exercise for the rest of your life. There is really no end to it, because there are so many forms and principles and theory to learn. To give you some idea, here is a list of the Tai-Chi forms I teach and how long it might take just to learn the form. (It would take the rest of your life to master all the forms!) After you learn the basic form, you may want to progress to other forms such as Tai-Chi Sword or Five-Animal Exercises. This estimate is based on weekly lectures of 1 to 11/2 hour, with students practicing between lessons at least half an hour daily. Basic form 27 lectures. Fighting form 40 lectures (A and B form). Tai-Chi Sword 25 lectures. Tai-Chi Saber 20 lectures. Sword fighting form 30-35 lectures (A and B form). Saber fighting form 25-30 lectures (A and B form). Five Animal Exercises 40 lectures. 4. Who can learn Tai-Chi? Tai-Chi has been and is being practiced by thousands of Chinese people. It is an exercise and martial art for people of all ages. All you need is patience and persistence to learn Tai-Chi. Because the movements are slow and gentle, people in almost any physical condition can participate and benefit. However, even a person who needs a challenging workout will find that to practice a complete form of Tai-Chi actually demands a lot both physically and mentally. It usually takes about 25 minutes to practice the basic form of Tai-Chi: this involves going through 111 movements smoothly and continuously, meanwhile concentrating on the breath and the martial arts applications of the movements. 5. What are the health benefits of practicing Tai-Chi? Tai-Chi may have numerous health-promoting benefits. It has been reported in medical journals that Tai-Chi is beneficial to people with high blood pressure, respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, certain types of hormonal imbalances and circulatory problems. Because it is a low-impact, sustained activity with coordination of breathing and movements, Tai-Chi may also be a good exercise method for people with certain chronic conditions, such as respiratory distress, poor circulation in the lower extremities, joint problems, etc. In addition, there are mental benefits: The slow movements can help to relieve stress, develop patience and concentration, and may help certain forms of nervous system disorders. About the instructor: Dr. H. Liu has been teaching Tai-Chi for nearly 20 years. He is of the 79th generation of pupils of the Hwa-T'o school of Tai-Chi. At present, Dr. Liu is the only person qualified to teach the Five-Animal Exercise in this country (USA). * Why study the Five-Animal Exercise? The Five-Animal Exercise is believed to have been invented during the Han dynasty (circa 110 A.D.) by the grand master of Chinese medicine, Hwa T'o, as an exercise method of longevity to complement herbal medicine and to maintain general health. Practice of the Five-Animal Exercise can build physical strength, maintain fitness and improve coordination. It may also help increase circulation, balance hormonal secretions, stimulate the nervous system, and enhance the immune system. It is the goal of the Hwa T'o school of Tai-Chi to promote the Five-Animal Exercise. However, before a student can learn the Five-Animal Exercise, considerable physical strength and a knowledge of the basic movements of Tai-Chi are needed. The Five-Animal Exercise contains some very complex and strenuous movements, and it is much longer in duration than the basic Tai-Chi form. I have therefore developed the following step-by-step plan of study, so that students who wish to learn the Five-Animal Exercise can gradually build up their strength and become familiar with the movements. * What is the proper sequence of studying the Five-Animal Exercise and Tai-Chi? Students are required to learn the basic form of Tai-Chi before progressing to the Five-Animal Exercise. This requirement assures that students will become familiar with all the basic stances which are part of both Tai-Chi and the Five-Animal Exercise. Furthermore, starting one's study with the slow and rhythmic movements of the Tai-Chi basic form will give the student a solid background in the central principle of movement in this martial art form: using the waist and the legs as the "motor" for the rest of the body. After learning basic Tai-Chi, some students may wish to begin learning the Five-Animal Exercise directly. It is advisable, however, that students should advance to an intermediate level by learning either the Tai-Chi Sword form or the fighting form of Tai-Chi. These forms serve to further "fine-tune" the student's muscles and movements. By studying the basic form and one of the advanced Tai-Chi forms before undertaking the Five-Animal Exercise, students will develop the requisite physical strength and dexterity. * TAI-CHI CLASSES * for health * for self-defens * for beauty Class I: Beginning Tai-Chi Starting date and meeting time of class This course will begin (at a time to be determined), and meet every Saturday at 9:30 AM. The date and time of the class may be changed, according to students' requests. Class description Students will learn the fundamentals of Tai-Chi as an exercise and martial art. Instruction in two related exercises, the five-animal exercise and "push hands" training, will supplement the course. Tai-Chi is a deceptively gentle martial art and when performed solo, looks somewhat like a slow, graceful dance. However, it has its roots in practical self-defense. The class size will be limited to 8 students. Class II: Beginning Tai-Chi (to be taught in Chinese) Starting date and meeting time of class pending Class description The class is essentially the same as Class I, except that it will be taught in Chinese. Class size will be limited to ten students. Class III: Advanced Tai-Chi Starting date and meeting time of class pending Class description Students will learn the use of the sword, sword fighting, and fighting forms of Tai-Chi with other weaponry. This class is open to students who have studied Tai-Chi or who have previously taken Class I or Class II. The class will be limited to six students. Class IV: The Five-Animal Exercise Starting date and meeting time of class pending Class description The five-animal exercise is a very ancient Chinese exercise for health maintenance, invented by Hwa-T'o, the grand master of Chinese medicine. Good health is a prerequisite to taking the course. To his knowledge, Dr. Liu is the only person in this country teaching the Five-Animal exercise at this time, so this class presents a unique opportunity. The class is open only to those who have already studied Tai-Chi or taken Classes I, II, or III. Class size will be limited to four students. For class information and registration please contact __________________________________________________ Dr. H. Liu, Voice/Fax: 678 699 0009 mail: 1689 Brockett Rd., Tucker, GA 30084 E-mail: liu100000@yahoo.com
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