WaterWheel Tai-Chi offers classes in tai-chi, chi-kung, and other Chinese “internal” martial arts. For beginners, we highly recommend beginning with chi-kung classes. Chi-kung exercises and meditation act as the foundation for the all Chinese martial arts and health promotion systems, including tai-chi.
Since the tai-chi “brand name” is still more widely recognized in the U.S. than chi-kung, we offer beginning tai-chi courses through local continuing education programs, in order to “go with the flow.” Here at the studio, we prefer to begin with chi-kung, which we refer to as "tai-chi chi-kung" for the purposes of easy recognition in the class schedule and to distinguish these exercises from the closely related "tai-chi boxing" routines.
(also known as: ch’i kung, qigong, nei-kung, neigong, and dao-yin)
A therapeutic exercise system historically documented at over 2000 years old, Chi-kung has been called “the mother of the Chinese martial arts.” Ancient texts demonstrate that its practice was instrumental to the development of Chinese acupuncture. Although “chi-kung,” or "qigong," is a modern catchall phrase for a wide variety of exercises, the fundamental movements are seen time and time again in most training systems.
“Ch'i,” or "Qi," is a complex word that can mean something as simple as breath or as complex as the subtle animating force that indigenous Chinese Medicine perceives as responsible for health and vitality. And the term “kung,” or "gong," (as in "kungfu") connotes any well-developed, internalized skill.
Chi Kung exercises develop relaxed and efficient body alignment, well-integrated strength and movement, and mental awareness to promote the body’s innate self-maintenance and performance. In many ways, chi-kung is at the root of many of the health benefits ascribed to tai-chi practice. However, the wide variety of exercises allows more specific tailoring of practice to the individuals needs and many of the exercises are easier to learn than tai-chi. For many people, chi-kung may offer the most immediate opportunity to improve the way you feel on a daily basis.
Chi-kung can be divided into a number of categories. One method distinguishes “therapeutic,” “martial” and “spiritual systems.” However, the boundaries between these categories can be easily blurred.
Still, we do not teach any overtly “spiritual” chi-kung at this studio and make no claims to any
kind of transcendental “Truth.” All our practices are presented as grounded in the anatomical body.
Another manner of categorization differentiates the methods of practice (such as active/tranquil and internal/external) rather than the “goals.” Active chi-kung appears more like exercise and can range from gentle and to physically demanding. Some tranquil methods are recognizable as meditation techniques, however, the emphasis is usually on correct body alignment. Giving the mind a simple goal makes it easier to set aside distractions. The "internal/external" distinction is more challenging to pin down but can either refer to to active/tranquil division or to "soft" v. "hard" methods of training without resorting to esoteria. All of these methods are mutually supporting, and we teach them together. These methods are enumerated below.
Active chi-kung (tung-kung or wai-kung) develops skeletal alignment, flexibility, soft tissue integration and kinesthetic awareness through movement of the trunk and limbs.
Tranquil chi-kung (ching-kung or nei-kung) develops the same qualities but with a greater emphasis on meditative calm and core strength by holding stationary postures. The goal is to reach a comfortable and profoundly calm state that remains alert and active.
Respiratory chi-kung (tu-na) develops strong, relaxed and integrated action of the respiratory diaphragm with the thoracic and abdominal portions of the torso through relaxed breath-centered exercises.
Self-massage (an-mo) encourages relaxation and circulation in the soft tissue through pressing and rubbing different areas of the body.
Five Animal's Play:
Bear - Bird - Deer - Monkey - Tiger
Four-posture Tranquil Standing set
Hsing-i (xingyi) Nei-kung: part 1 - part 2
Transforming the Sinews and Channels
(also written as t'ai-chi, t'ai-chi ch'uan, taiji, taijiquan)
Tai-chi is a traditional Chinese martial art which has gained a worldwide reputation for its therapeutic benefits and graceful appearance. Equally a mental and a physical practice, Tai-chi combines methods of regulating body posture, breathing, intention and awareness for the development of strength, coordination, circulation, and acute sensitivity. The extended series of flowing movements seen in parks all over the world continues to be the centerpiece of the system but does not exclusively represent the art of tai-chi. The complete method includes a variety of stationary and moving, solo
and partnered exercises.
Tai Chi first won renown over a century ago for its effectiveness as a martial art. The term “tai-chi” is an abbreviation of the complete name, “t’ai-chi ch’uan.” The word “t'ai-chi,” or "taiji," refers to the interdependent relationship of the assertive and regenerative principles in Chinese thought, "yin” and “yang.” The word, “ch’uan,” denotes a Chinese boxing art, many of which have a long association with therapeutic practices. Thus, Tai-chi is a martial art designed to balance soft and yielding actions with forceful and aggressive ones, pivoting effortlessly between one and the other. An apt translation might be “fundamental-pivot boxing.”
While tai-chi is popularly associated with slow, gentle movement, it can be practiced in a more punctuated, forceful manner as well. Stylistic variations of Tai-chi are associated with various family names: Chen, Yang, Wu, Hao, and Sun. While somewhat different in practice, all styles embody the same principles. Generalizations about styles will always find exception and any style can be practiced moderately for health or more assiduously for self-defense. For a discussion on the health benefits of practice, see the chi-kung section above.
While acknowledging that most of our students are not seeking to be martial artists, we treat the self-defense principles in tai-chi as offering a widely applicable skill set for moving through life with grace and efficacy. We don’t offer any classes solely in “form.” One of the most common misconceptions about Tai Chi is that the slow movements are intended to make the exercise less demanding, where in fact the opposite is true. The slow pace is a training strategy to strengthen muscle and connective tissue, heighten body awareness, and develop a profound coordination at any speed.
At the WWTC studio, we currently provide instruction in Yang family tai-chi chuan.
Four sides (pinglujian) routine
"Simplified" Tai-chi (short routine)
Yang family long routine: part 1 - part 2 - part 3
Brush knee (partnered routine)
Four sides (partnered routine)
Four sides (push-hands routine)
Since the early twentieth century tai-chi chuan, hsing-i chuan and pa-kua chang have often been referred to as the “three brothers” of the Chinese martial arts. While there are other so-called “internal” martial arts in China, these big three are the most famous. In this context, “internal” refers to their emphasis on core strength, full-body coordination, and highly efficient movement as opposed to the “external” strength and speed of the limbs. Most of what is written about tai-chi and chi-kung above pertains to all three arts. The brief descriptions of the other two “brothers” below are intended to evoke a little of their individual flavor.
In our current schedule, we only offer Hsing-i and Pa-kua classes through private instruction.
(also written as hsing-i ch'uan, xingyi, xingyiquan)
Hsing-i (pronounced "shing-ee") is a development of traditional Chinese martial arts that emphasizes the development of clear intention, “i,” directly translated into active form, “hsing.” Like the famous shaolin boxing style, hsing-i is characterized by clarity and directness. Its movements are inspired by the spontaneous action of natural forces (water, wood, fire, etc.) and animals. It strongly emphasizes the practice of tranquil “standing stake” chi-kung practice, and in the 20th century, a derivative named “i-ch'uan,” or "da cheng ch'uan," was developed as a back to basics approach that promoted this practice almost exclusively.
For health promotion, Hsing-i practice deeply massages the body tissues. In self-defense, hsing-i is forthright, direct, and elegant in its simplicity, developing a tightly coiled and efficient movement style that attempts to overwhelm any incoming attack virtually head-on.
(also written pa-kua chang, bagua, baguazhang)
At an unknown date (possibly the mid-nineteenth century), the founders of pa-kua adopted a Taoist walking meditation method as part of a new system of Chinese boxing. Possibly the youngest of the “three brothers,” Pa-kua is just beginning to enjoy popularity in the U.S., quickly outstripping its elder bother, hsing-i, though not coming close to rivaling the popularity of tai-chi.
The name “pa-kua,” or “eight trigrams,” can be most simply deciphered as a reference to the eight point of the compass traversed during circle walking practice. But though pa-kua can most easily recognized by this circling method, as with the long tai-chi series, this hardly represents its entire training system. However, circling and spiraling movements do form the core of its training strategy to unify a flexible power of the spine with uniquely fluid footwork. More broadly, the term “pa-kua” connotes constant but systematic change and adaptability. In self-defense, pa-kua emphasizes supple and unpredictable change that evades and subverts any incoming force.
