Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi is a slow moving meditative exercise for relaxation, health and self defense. Daily Tai Chi practice  promotes better health and mental clarity, helps with balance, and circulation of the Chi (energy) and the blood and calms the mind through  

meditation. We have two components in Meditation, in Tai Chi Chuan terms  called Yin and Yang. The Yin meditation is the emptying of the mind of all thought, however still keeping the mind alert and not falling into a sleeping trance. The Yang meditation is the concentrated focus of the mind on something, which can be anything, (mantras, payers, etc.) or for the Tai Chi Student the straightness of the spine, the breath, the flow of the CHI, the root and the body movements.

• "The Taoist sage has no ambitions, therefore he can never fail. He who never fail always succeeds. And he who always succeeds is all powerful"   Lao Tsu
  

The Tai Chi Chuan movement and exercises are associated with Taoism. As early as 122 B.C. there is mention in the Chinese chronicles of  Taoist monks practicing exercises, which were referred to as tai-yin or Taoist Breathing. In the 5th century

A.D. the founder of Tai Chi Chuan, the monk Chang San-feng, was honoured by the Emperor Ying-tsung with the title of Chen-Jen (spiritual man who has attained the Tao and is no longer ruled by what he sees, hears or feels), which indicates that the practice of Tai Chi was associated with  Taoism. Lao Tsu (the father or Taoism) writes: "By 'doing nothing' one could 'accomplish everything', therefore "Tao abides in non-action yet nothing is left undone". The principles of yielding, softness, slowness, balance, suppleness, being centered and rooted as well as the appreciation of nature are the central elements of Taoist philosophy that Tai Chi Chuan has drawn upon in its movements. Some example of such movements are: "White Crane Spreads Wings", Grasp Sparrow's Tail", Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain", Cloud Hands, Brush Dust Against the Wind and so forth.