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Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan is an ancient art and science. Art because it strives for perfection of physical form and motion. Science because
it is based upon physical and psychic principles understood in the Orient for over 4,500 years. Tai Chi Chuan is a spiritual
discipline stressing perfect unification of the principles of the mind and body into the immovable yet ever flowing TAO.
Tai Chi Chuan is a holistic exercise of mind-body convergence. It reveals to its adepts, a purpose as a tool of health, a
process of re-integration of mind consciousness with biological effects in a physical sequence of flowing energy. When conscious
awareness of movements is united with energy, one can become integrated and in compliance with nature's way (Tao).
The practice of Tai Chi Chuan manifests a calming, harmonizing effect on the body as it directly affects the respiratory,
circulatory, and lymphatic systems through its diaphragmatic breathing. Breathing, when characterized by upper-body oriented
people, can restrict the natural movement of the diaphragm and lungs. Tai Chi Chuan lowers the breath concentration to the
lower diaphragm and belly to lower the center of gravity to replicate a grounded frame of our bodies. As we stabilize ourselves
with this structure, we also stabilize our psyche and connection with the roots of nature.
Some of the benefits of Tai Chi Chuan are:
Regulation of the Body, Coordination Skills in Group Environment, Increased mental acuity
Regulation of the Breath, Releases the hold of negative emotions, Strengthens and
relaxes the nervous system
Regulation of the Mind,Control of Energy Flow, Enhances the ability of cellular regeneration
Inner balance,Strength, Increases the elasticity of ligaments and tendons
Flexibility,Structural Balance, Curative responses to diseases such as Lupus, Fibromyoma
and Parkinson’s
Endurance of Breath,Happiness, Increased reduction of peripheral circulation
problems
Improved Life Situation,Social Support, Improvements in the vascular system for
reduction of workload of the heart,
Response to Illness,Control over your life, Improved Immune System through strengthened
Lymph Nodes and Pumps
Improved Digestion,Spirituality, Improved Cerebral-Spinal Fluids by regulation
of the pressure of the CS pumps
Healthier Immune System,Self-Improvement, Improved Circulation of Synovial fluid through
compression and expansion
The curriculum for the Tai Chi Chuan class is to start out by the introduction of a basic form as a means to simplify the
learning process and to save time by avoiding the longer forms that incorporate many repetitions. The long form is 108 movements,
but includes only 37 different movements. Patrick Baio has chosen to teach the Yang Style 24 Posture Simplified Form. As the
name indicates, the form consists of 24 movements. When assimilated, this form takes six minutes to perform. This enables
the practitioner to perform the set twice in the morning in twelve minutes and twice in the evening for a total of twenty-four
minutes a day. This form allows the practitioner a means to develop flexibility, strength, balance, agility and calmness while
moving. Martial applications for the movements will also be covered. This form was invented in 1956 by several Chinese Masters
of the Chen, Wu, Yang and Sun Traditions. This form will be taught in twenty-four, ninety minute classes. The first half of
the class covers Chi Gung sets, while the second half of the class teaches the Tai Chi Chuan form.
Chi Gung
For those unfamiliar with Chi Gung I will briefly cover an extremely large subject. There are many kinds of Chi Gung. Records
show as far back as 1122B.C. Chi Gung was practiced around the introduction of the
I Ching (Book of Changes). There are four main categories under two divisions. The first division is the Wai Dan (External
Elixir) and the second is Nei Dan (Internal elixir).
“Wai” (way) means “external or outside,” and “Dan” means “elixir.” External
here means the limbs, as opposed to the torso, which includes all of the vital organs. In Wai Dan Chi Kung practice, you concentrate
your attention on your limbs. As you exercise, you build the Chi (life force intrinsic energy) up in your arms and legs. When
the Chi potential in your limbs builds up to a high enough level, the Chi will flow through the channels, clearing any obstructions
and nourishing the organs.
“Nei” (nay) means “internal or inside.” Here, internal refers to inside the body instead of the limbs.
Whereas in Wai Dan the Chi is built up in the limbs and then moved into the body, Nei Dan exercises build up the Chi in the
body and moves it out to the limbs.
We can classify Chi gung into four major categories according to the purpose or final goal of the training: 1.) maintaining
health; 2.) curing sickness; 3.) martial skill and 4.) Enlightenment. Some of these are multi-purpose and cross over at times
to other categories. The four divisions are: Scholar Chi Gung for maintaining health; Medical Chi Gung for Healing; Martial
Chi Gung for prowess and combat; and Religious Chi Gung for enlightenment.
In my attempt to be brief, I will say that the Chi Gung we practice in class covers the first three categories. Tai Chi Chuan
is a form of moving Chi Gung. The Chi gung we practice in the first half of class are separate sets of six, eight, twelve
or eighteen exercises. These movements warm the body up for the Tai Chi Chuan. Additionally, these sets can be “stand
alone” sets, so they can take even less time when necessary.
The sets that we will cover are the Damo (Tamo) Muscle Changing Classic (Yi Jin Jing), the Tai Chi Temple Exercises (Tai Chi
Ji Kung), the Eight Pieces of Silk (Ba Duan Jin) the Secret Yang Family Tai Chi Chi Gung (Yi Ge Yang Tze Tai Chi Chi Gung)
and the Liangong Eighteen Exercises (Ba Shir Ba Liangong Kung).
Wu Kung
Wu Kung is a class of Traditional Chinese Exercises. These exercises are taken directly from forty years of practicing Chinese
Kung Fu (pronounced Gung Fu). There include warm ups, arm, leg and torso stretching exercises from simple to complex. There
are exercises for strength, speed, co-ordination, balance and endurance. They are practiced at different tempos, some slow,
some fast. This is a more active group. In comparison, it has some of the endurance of aerobic, anaerobic and gymnastic exercises
and the more active forms of Palates, all with Chinese style flavor. The majority of these exercises also have built in combat
applications. Whether you are aware of it or not, these exercises teach your body and mind to move in ways that have self-protection
mechanisms built in. After learning these exercises, you will find that when the applications are shown, you basically already
know how to use them. This is compared to wanting to carve a wooden statue. The statue is already inside the wood. It is a
matter of removing what is unnecessary. It is recommended that you consult with your physician that you are healthy enough
to participate.
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