Body Technology Studio,
14 Brownlow Road,
Tamboerskloof, Cape Town
South Africa, 8001
Telefax: +27 21 21 424-0286
Mobile: +27 83 527-5305
Email: andre@bodytechnology.co.za
TAI CHI CHUAN
Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese martial art based on daoistic principles. It can prevent illness and prolong life span. It reinforces the muscles and strengthens the ligaments and tendons in a natural manner, relaxing all joints and regulates blood pressure. It is a means to promote health.
“Chi” is the energy force that animates all things. It runs through a system of meridians that distribute this energy to all parts of your body. By practicing mental focus and relaxation one can learn to sense and direct this subtle energy through a system of movements and exercises known as Tai Chi Chuan. This martial art teaches us to direct movement from points along our spine thus originating from the centre line of your body. Observation of nature teaches us that the strength of a tree lies in its trunk, not in the branches and leaves. Why should the human body be any different? We need to re-educate ourselves to move in the ways we were designed to move, like watching children play. It is our job as adults to learn how to consciously move through life with that same flow and beauty. Move your body by using mental focus and relaxation instead of muscle power.
There are three aspects to consider whilst studying Tai Chi Chuan: The Forms, Pushhands and the Theory.
The Form:
The form exercises the body and reinforces the constitution. The movements of the form must expand naturally through the joints without strength and in a calm manner. They must also be correct and precise. The spirit must be relaxed and natural, without forcing oneself, it must be naturally at ease. The breathing should be calm and even. It should, however not be consciously controlled, but instead be left unrestrained, ‘completely natural’. Only with correct body posture can the movements and breathing be in harmony.
Pushhands:
Pushhands relates to application of the form. It follows the way of stillness and quietness using the subtle change between empty and full for its applications. It is concerned with both psychology and mechanics. In Pushhands the movements must be soft and fluid. The spirit must be relaxed and the postures correct, being straight and always centred no matter in which position. Only with a stable centre is it possible to expand or contract and advance or retreat correctly. When you learn to Pushhands, you learn how to neutralize. Never let the intention of attack enter your mind.
Characteristics in Pushhands are:
- Overcome hardness with softness.
- Meet the offensive with calmness.
- Beat the opponent with less strength but more skill.
- Retreat in order to advance.
- Circular movements.
Theory:
The theory of Tai Chi Chuan is a method to guide us in our practice. By bringing one’s experiences from practice together with the study of the theories from the old texts, one can only improve one’s Tai Chi Chuan faster. By bringing together the outside form and the inside feelings one can experience the theories through the form and feel them. One must go through these experiences to put Tai Chi Chuan into application.
André Oelofse will show you “The Way of Tai Chi Chuan”, on how to creatively blend the power of your mind with the movement of your body in a Way that is both efficient and enjoyable. This form of exercise will introduce you to the goal of attaining balance between your mind, body and spirit and will be encouraged to practice on a daily basis to obtain peace of mind.
Tai Chi Chuan.
The theory of Tai Chi Chuan is a method to guide us in our practice. By bringing one’s experiences from practice together with the study of the theories from the old texts, one can only improve one’s Tai Chi Chuan faster. By bringing together the outside form and the inside feelings one can experience the theories through the form and feel them. One must go through these experiences to put Tai Chi Chuan into application.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For more information/ bookings contact André Oelofse:
Body Technology Studio
14 Brownlow Road
Tamboerskloof 8001
Cape Town
Email; andre@bodytechnology.co.za
Mobile: +27 (0)83 527-5305
Telefax: +27 (0)21 424-0286
