Tai chi is an ancient practice of combining slow, deliberate movements, meditation, and breathing exercises. It is not a fast-paced, fat burning workout, but it can improve blood circulation, alignment, and balance, and restore your energy. Tai chi consists of exercises equally balanced between yin and yang, which is why it is so remarkably effective.

The Tai Chi program at CIKA is wide ranging and varied, but predominantly consists of Yang Style forms. Now-a-days the quest for a balanced lifestyle has become more challenging than ever. Recent studies show a significant rise in stress and lifestyle-related diseases, highlighting the need for holistic health solutions. Enter Yang Style Tai Chi, a martial art that harmonizes mind, body, and spirit. Originating from the teachings of Yang Luchan, this practice offers a simplified form accessible to all ages and fitness levels. Through its gentle movements and deep breathing techniques, practitioners find a unique blend of physical exercise and mental relaxation.

Yang Luchan the founder of Yang style Tai Chi, brought the martial art to Beijing in the mid-19th century. Known for his skill, Yang transformed Tai Chi Chuan into a practice suitable for all, emphasizing softness and internal strength. His teachings, rooted in the Chen style, simplified the complex movements, making Tai Chi accessible. Yang's legacy, carried on by his family, particularly Yang Chengfu, has shaped Yang style into a martial art focused on health and self-defense, practiced worldwide.

The transition from Chen to Yang style Tai Chi represents a significant evolution in this martial art. Yang Luchan learned the Chen style, characterized by its explosive movements and low stances, and adapted it into a more gentle, flowing form. This new style, which came to be known as Yang style, maintained the martial art's essence while emphasizing continuous, smooth movements. The creation of the Yang style made Tai Chi more accessible, promoting its spread across China and eventually around the globe.

• Yang Style Tai Chi, a martial art deeply rooted in the Yang family's traditions, emphasizes the unity of mind, body, and spirit.

• Practitioners learn to channel Qi smoothly throughout the body, using movements perfected by Yang Chengfu to promote internal harmony.

• The practice involves a series of postures and movements, including the iconic Single Whip, designed to improve balance and mental clarity.

• Key characteristics of this style include gentle, flowing movements that contrast with the more explosive techniques found in Chen Style.

• Benefits of practicing Yang Style include reduced stress, enhanced flexibility, and a profound sense of peace.

• Principles such as simplifying complex movements help make Tai Chi accessible to beginners and valuable for advanced practitioners.

• In Yang Style Tai Chi, each movement flows into the next in a precise sequence, reflecting the martial art's philosophy of continuous motion.

• This sequence, whether in the Long Form with 108 movements or the more accessible 103 or 24 forms, teaches the practitioner patience and focus.

• Key movements like Repulse Monkey and Grasping the Bird's Tail are not just physical exercises but also lessons in applying softness against hardness.

• The sequence of movements is designed to improve posture and stance, enhancing physical health and mental well-being.

• Practicing the sequences allows individuals to deepen their understanding of Tai Chi principles, such as the importance of smooth transitions and maintaining a stable center.

• Tips for mastering these sequences include regular practice, focusing on the flow between movements, and seeking guidance from experienced teachers to refine technique and understanding.

Tai Chi Chuan, a martial art deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy, emphasizes fluid movements and mental tranquility. Originating from the Yang family, it has evolved into various styles, including the Wu and Cheng, each with unique characteristics. The Yang family's contribution to Tai Chi Chuan cannot be overstated, having developed a form that promotes balance, flexibility, and strength.

• Emphasizes slow, deliberate movements.

• Focuses on internal energy, or "Qi."

• Incorporates the principles of yin and yang.

The short form, a simplified version of the traditional Tai Chi form, is particularly popular for its accessibility and ease of learning. It allows practitioners to grasp the fundamentals of Tai Chi without being overwhelmed by the more complex, long forms. Teaching Tai Chi, therefore, often begins with the short form, guiding students through sequences that teach control, coordination, and the art of parry and fu (redirecting force).