What isTaijiquan

Taijiquan is not a mysterious and bizarre magical art...rather, it is a self defense, exercise and health systerm that arises from the natural world.

~Wu Zhiqing

What is Taijiquan

T'ai Chi Chuan (taijiquan) is an internal Chinese Martial Art often practiced for health reasons. T'ai Chi is typically practiced for a variety of reasons: its soft martial techniques, demonstration competitions, health and longevity. Some of T'ai Chi's training forms are well known to Westerners as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world, particularly China. T'ai Chi has become an integral part of International Wushu tournament competition, and has been featured in several popular Chinese movies starring or choreographed by well known Wushu competitors such as Jet Li and Donnie Yen.

Researchers have found that long-term T'ai Chi practice shows favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced risk of falls in elderly patients. The studies also show reduced pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects. Other studies have indicated improved cardiovascular and respiratory function in healthy subjects as well as those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients that suffer from heart failure, high blood pressure, heart attacks, diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's may also benefit from T'ai Chi.