The Components Of Tai Chi Chuan
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Hand Form
Training hand form cultivates the mind and has physical benefits. The slow gentle movements avoid the use of strength and overstraining the body. The movements help to keep joints supple and improve the function of internal organs. The breathing, in harmony with the actions is deep, allowing a greater intake of oxygen. Blood circulation improves, giving more nurishment to internal organs and muscles. |
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Push Hands Partner Exercises
There are a number of different partner exercises in The Wudang System. Some are static others involve footwork. All of the exercises are designed to improve co-ordination and sensitivity and in the case of the moving exercises agility.
This picture shows four directions pushing hands. This exercise helps to improve postures, stances, balance and listening skills |
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Competitve Push Hands
Push hands is a way of testing the effectiveness of our tai chi. The exercises train us to develop techniques to disrupt our opponent's centre of gravity. The exercises can be done in an informal class atmosphere or in competition . The two most popular typesof pushing hands: Fixed step when the feet must not move so the opponent is toppled by pushing or pulling strategies. Moving step push hands involves moving the opponent out of a target area.
This can be very vigorous and can involve throws and leg sweeps.
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Self Defence
The form was developed from fighting techniques. For the student who wants a full understanding of the forms it is necessary to have an understanding of the the application of the moves. These are demonstrated in class and tried out by most of the students.
Students wishing to develop these skills for self defence first need to become proficient at forms and competition push hands. Then follows intense training with highly skilled instructors. A few students follow in the master's footsteps and take part in San Shou competition. |
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Learning Tai Chi Weapons
The three weapons are sabre, sword and spear. Weapons provide aerobic exercice and develop strength and co-ordination, they benefit health and constitution. Each weapon cultivates different attributes
Sabre strengthens resolve Sword nourishes chi Spear cultivates wisdom |
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Reasearch
The cultural, historical and philosophical aspects of Tai Chi are a source of fascination for some. Those who have mastered translating Chinese and more specifically ancient Chinese are able to embark on research into the history of the art. Some researchers use modern research techniques to investigate the medical benefits. |
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Manchester Wudang Tai Chi Chuan
What can you learn?
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Short hand form
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Long hand form
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Advanced hand form
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Chi Gung
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Partner exercises
- Sabre form
- Spear form
- Sword form
- Conditioning
- Fixed step push hands
- Restricted step push hands
- Moving step push hands
- Form applications
- Tai Chi Theory
Internal Training
There are two aspects to the internal training in The Wudang System
Qigung
Xian Jia Ba duan jin Qigung
This set of health exercises consists of massage and slow repetitive movements.
These exercises can be done by anyone but they are particularly useful for improving circulation and flexibility in frail people.
Nei Gung
Nei Gung translates as internal work. This is considered to be the essence of Tai Chi, it supplements and improves forms. These 24 exercises are only taught to inside the door students. The movements have been described as meditation combined with exercise though only the final exercise is purely meditation. They involve either holding set postures or repeating set movements. Traditionally they were done whilst chanting the Tai Chi Classics. The exercises are designed to increase health and strength and improve the body co-ordination.
Nei Gung is taught by Dan Docherty by arrangement with the instructor
Conditioning
Nei Gung is a essential conditioning for people competing in san shou[ chinese fighting] and [sui shou] chinese wrestling. When training for competition it is essential to practise techniques with a partner but it is also necessary to supplement the training with aerobic exercises using weights, pads and mats. The exercises are designed to increase speed, stregth and stamina without damaging joints and straining muscles. Many non competitive students find these exercises beneficial.
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