Tai ChiI've always been interested in martial arts of some sort, mainly thanks to TV programs like The Samurai and the many Bruce Lee films I've seen over the years. One of the martial arts that always kept coming back to haunt me has been Tai Ch'i Ch'uan. I can't remember the first time I saw the form demonstrated but I do remember thinking that it looked like something I could do. It's only since 1997, when I was recovering from major surgery, that I finally bit the bullet and started taking lessons in the art ...and I can certainly say it was well worth while. My recovery was accelerated significantly and I certainly feel more energized ...and my relaxed state of mind pervades more areas of my life than it did before I started practicing the art. These days, I attend a weekly class in Blackburn, held by John Yuen of the Blackburn Tai Chi Academy. I practice the square and round forms of the Wudang style at least every day, as well as doing some Taiji 18 Steps or 8 Treasures Chi Kung to vary my training routine. For some excellent information on Tai Chi Chuan in all its forms, be sure to visit The Taijiquan Home Page - Sifu Wong has created some great sites! In the medium term, I hope to start learning some of the combat techniques. Ultimately, I'd like to do some basic teaching and instil some of the passion I have for the art in other people. |
