What is Tai Chi?

The short answer is that Tai Chi is a Martial Art, and an ancient Chinese exercise for health of Mind and Body.  It began in about the 5th Century in ancient China, where Shaolin priests were visited by a traveling Buddhist monk.  The Buddhist observed the way his new friends were neglecting their bodies and that they and that they were fair game for traveling bandits in the region.  The Buddhist monk introduced the Shaolin priests to Tai Chi for defense and for their physical improvement. 

Fast forward: Chen Wangting, who lived from 1580-1660, was trained in the military and further developed the fighting style of Tai Chi, based on his observations of the Shaolin.  In the early 1800’s, a man named Yang Lu-Chan learned this style from the Chens.  Working with Chen Changxing, Yang furthered the art and ultimately became the father of the Yang Family of Tai Chi, which is the slow, movement meditation style that we practice.  The original Yan Tai Chi included 108 movements, which was modified in the early 1900’s to become the short form or 24 form to teach those beginning.

Tai Chi initially was a form of self defense that has gradually evolved into a “meditation in motion” martial art form that utilizes gentle, flowing movements to enhance health in the mind and body.  It is an International Martial Art form, which means it focuses on unifying the body and the mind with the intrinsic energy, or chi, found in the body.  The fighting style of Tai Chi, Kung Fu, would be an external Martial Art, similar to more commonly known fighting disciplines such as Karate or Taekwondo.

Your Path to learn tai chi

The GVR Tai Chi Arts Club is a place where every GVR member is welcome to join a group of friendly, encouraging neighbors who are exploring the many benefits of Tai Chi.

Activity Schedule Overview

Explore our engaging  activities- designed to deepen your knowledge and skills of Tai Chi.  Beginners sessions allow you to learn the form and when you are comfortable you can work to continue the form in our experienced session. Our club activities occur regularly, ensuring ongoing opportunities for participation and a social community.  Although the days of the week and times for the club meetings are listed below, for precise information on these items please check the Calendar Menu item.

Note for Beginners:  The purpose of the Monday and Wednesday 2:00 sessions are to provide more personalized attention.  During these sessions a limited number of the form moves will be covered and will build upon the steps covered in previous sessions until the complete form is covered.  Once completed, the cycle will be repeated. 

Note for those new to Tai Chi:  If you are interested in learning what Tai Chi is all about, we periodically offer a one-hour orientation session that should provide ample information to help in deciding whether learning and practicing Tai Chi is right for you. 

The calendar on this site has more information on the Yang 24 form steps that will be covered in either the Monday or Wednesday 2:00-3:00 PM sessions, and the times and locations of the orientation sessions for those new to Tai Chi.

Please join us! 

 
 

Monday

Beginners 2:00 PM Experienced 3:00 PM

Desert Hills Fitness Room

Wednesday

Beginners 2:00 PM Experienced 3:00 PM

Santa Rita Springs Anza Room

Friday

Qi Gong Exercises 10:00 AM

Santa Rita Springs Anza Room

For more information:

 

  Contact:  Dean Curd at

gvrmartialarts@gmail.com