"An exercise for all, a meditation for some, and a martial art for a few."

T'ai Chi Chuan (Cheng Man-Ch'ing simplified form)

Originating in China several hundred years ago, t'ai chi is now practiced around the world. The t'ai chi "form" is a series of postures, based on martial arts applications, that are performed in sequence in a flowing, relaxed, and thoughtful way. There are many forms of T'ai chi originating with different families in China. The forms may have different postures and numbers of postures, but many of the underlying principles are the same. Emphasis is placed on relaxation, balance, posture, and breathing. T'ai chi can be learned and practiced by people of all ages and abilities. People just learning the form can benefit from from increased relaxation and balance, while strengthening their legs as they learn the more low-impact postures. Long term students of T'ai chi can practice more strenuously and also more meditatively. T'ai chi can also be studied not just as an exercise, but as a martial art as well if the student wishes. At any level, T'ai chi requires no special clothing or equipment. It can be practiced in a small amount of space, indoors or out. Performing the entire form takes approximately ten minutes.

The form of T'ai chi taught at the La Casita school is a shortened version Yang-family form developed by Professor Cheng Man-Ch'ing, who learned the art of t'ai chi from Master Yang Chengfu in the 1920's.

Pushing Hands

Pushing hands (or sensing hands) is an exercise done by 2 t'ai chi students, working together to practice the t'ai chi philosophy of using relaxation and leverage to neutralize incoming force, rather than meeting force with force. Although there are push hands competitions where the goal is to push the opponent off balance, push hands is often practiced by students, not as a way of sparring, with an opponent, but as a way to work together and improve their form.

T'ai Chi Sword

There are several weapons forms (including straight and curved swords, spear, even fans) in the various t'ai chi families. In our school, students who have advanced in the empty hand t'ai chi form, may wish to learn the straight sword or jian. Following the same principles as the empty hand form, the sword form is more energetic, and challenges the student to remain balanced and to produce accurate, controlled movements, making the sword an extension of the hand.