Cultivate energy flow for inner peace and internal strenght
Introduction
Tai Chi Chuan is all about reducing stress, boosting your health, and enhancing both your mind and body.
Originally a martial art, today, Tai Chi Chuan is mainly about nurturing your health and building inner strength.
You'll find that circular movements and internal energy are at the heart of Tai Chi's powerful techniques.
And the best part? Tai Chi Chuan is for everyone—no matter your age, gender, or fitness level.
Training Components
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Meditation
Meditation helps you connect deeply with your inner self and develop a calm, focused mind. This connection is key for maintaining balance, fluidity, and the smooth flow of energy (Qi), which are essential for executing Tai Chi with precision and fully experiencing its benefits.
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Qigong
Qigong is a traditional Chinese practice where you use coordinated movements and breathing techniques to cultivate and balance your body's vital energy. By enhancing the flow of Qi, Qigong can help you maintain health, boost vitality, and support your body’s natural healing processes.
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Chen- and Yang-style Forms
Practicing forms enhances your physical conditioning, boosts energy, and strengthens the mind-body connection. It acts as moving meditation, develops martial skills, and fosters spiritual growth. By harmonizing Yin/Yang energies, Tai Chi promotes balance, health, and well-being, helping you feel centered and vibrant.
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Pushing Hands and Martial Applications
When you practice pushing hands (Tui Shou), you develop greater sensitivity, balance, and the ability to respond to external forces while staying stable. This dynamic partner exercise helps you internalize Tai Chi principles, sharpening your reflexes, timing, and application of internal energy while preparing you for martial applications.
Core principles and fundamentals
Begin your Tai Chi journey by immersing yourself in its foundational principles, starting with the essential eight energies: Ward Off, Roll Back, Press Forward, Push Downward, Pull Down, Split, Elbow Stroke, and Shoulder Stroke. These energies form the fundamental building blocks of every movement in Tai Chi, guiding practitioners through a practice that is both profound and deeply rooted in Eastern tradition.
As you embark on this path, you will start by learning the essentials, regardless of your goals, whether they are focused on health, meditation, or martial arts. Here is what you can expect:
Relaxation: You will learn to relax your muscles and release tension, facilitating the natural and unobstructed flow of your body’s energy (Qi).
Alignment and Posture: Proper body alignment and an upright posture are crucial for balance and the efficient flow of energy. You will be guided in maintaining this alignment throughout your practice.
Rooting: Developing a strong connection with the ground, or "rooting," is fundamental in Tai Chi. You will learn how to maintain stability and balance, which are key components of this practice.
Mindfulness and Intent (Yi): Tai Chi integrates the mind and body. You will cultivate focused intent and awareness, ensuring that your movements are led by a calm and directed mind.
Continuous Movement: The practice emphasizes smooth, flowing motions. You will be guided to move in a seamless and uninterrupted manner, embodying the continuous flow that is characteristic of Tai Chi.
Breath Control: Coordinating breath with movement is essential. You will learn to use deep, diaphragmatic breathing to enhance relaxation and support the circulation of energy throughout your practice.
Energy (Qi) Cultivation and Flow: Tai Chi involves directing and cultivating internal energy (Qi) through the body’s meridians. You will explore these techniques to promote overall health and vitality.
Yin and Yang Balance: Achieving balance is central to Tai Chi. You will work on harmonizing opposing forces, such as hardness and softness, and speed and stillness, to achieve a state of equilibrium and fluidity in your movements.
Martial Application: For those interested in the martial aspects of Tai Chi, you will delve into the practical applications of each movement, learning how to integrate these principles into effective self-defense techniques.
Integration of Mind, Body, and Spirit: Tai Chi Chuan is a holistic practice that unites mental focus, physical movement, and spiritual awareness. This integration will be a key aspect of your training, enriching your practice and your overall well-being.
Through Tai Chi, you are not merely learning a martial art—you are embarking on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery. Whether your focus is on enhancing your health, deepening your meditation practice, or mastering self-defense, Tai Chi offers profound benefits. Together, we will explore this ancient art step by step, ensuring that your practice is both meaningful and rewarding.
"I have practiced Tai Chi in China and was impressed about its positive impact on me when you practice it right. There are many places where you can find teachers that show you the series of slow and gentle movements, but Tai-Chi goes far behind learning the movements, you can make it a way of life! So, I was looking for an authentic Tai Chi experience near Basel. I was deeply impressed when I practiced with Maarten for the first time as he lives and breathes Tai Chi! His movements and techniques are extremely smooth, precise & authentic! He is a great leader who teaches the movements and techniques very precisely, and he shows how to combine this with controlled breathing to achieve a meditative state of mind."
— ANTONIO N, STUDENT