About T'ai Chi
FAQs

The Gift of the Snake and the Crane
One spring day about 700 years ago, Chang San-feng stood motionless in the woods, staring into the clearing before him. For hours he watched as a snake and a crane sparred.  Each time the snake struck, the crane simply waved its wings and danced out of the way.  When the crane attacked, the snake gracefully slipped aside and the bird struck only air.  Chang San-fen was deeply impressed by what he saw and, legend tells us, he used what he learned from the snake and crane to begin developing the art of T’ai Chi Ch’uan.
Now, whether or not you buy into legends, it is true that T’ai Chi Ch’uan (pronounced Tie Jee Juan) was developed in Northern China some 700 years ago.  At first, it was reserved for royal families because of the powerful minds and bodies that it created.   But around the year 1900, Yang Chen Fu broke with tradition and began teaching the art to the public in order to realize his dream of strengthening his people and his country.

Moving Meditation
There are four basic styles of T’ai Chi Ch’uan: Chen, Sun, Wu and Yang.  Each is named for the family that developed it.  Full Circle T’ai Chi uses a style called The New China Form (sometimes called Chen Synthetic) that is a synthesis of all four families’ styles.
At Full Circle, we practice T’ai Chi for its preventative and therapeutic benefits.  Sometimes called moving meditation, T’ai Chi is effective and appropriate for people of any age.
Unlike martial art programs that rely on physical strength, T’ai Chi focuses on developing power through relaxation, flexibility and mindfulness.

Improve body, develop mind
T’ai Chi is based on the Taoist idea that the mind and body are one.  We experience this when we react physically to emotional situations.  When we cry at a wedding, laugh at a joke or become tense in heavy traffic we are having a physical reaction to our emotions.   We experience the connection between our mind and body constantly.
T’ai Chi is based on the fact that this connection works both ways.  We can and do have emotional reactions to our physical movements.  As we practice the movements of T’ai Chi we are working the mind through the body.  When the body relaxes, the mind relaxes.  If we are physically balanced, we are mentally balanced.  If we are physically open, we are mentally open.  If we are physically connected, we are mentally connected.  If we move with purpose, we will think with purpose.

A New Way
Psychologists have told us that we have two possible reactions to stress: “fight or flight”.  Traffic, kids, bills, the boss . . . the list can seem endless.  Since most of us are under stress daily, we are almost constantly in “fight or flight” mode.  Whether we choose to fight or run, our unthinking, instinctual reaction to incoming stress can be to relax instead of tensing,  If we relax physically we will be relaxed mentally.  If we can think clearly we can then choose our reaction to stress!  This is a radical departure from the norm for most of us and it starts with the simple movements of T’ai Chi.

Limitless Energy
The New China form taught by Full Circle has 88 movements, or postures, which take about 10 minutes to perform.  A complete workout, including the opening and closing Chi Kung or breathing exercise, takes as little as 1/2 hour.
T’ai Chi keeps the body and the life energy, what the Chinese call “chi”, fit.  It raises the metabolism and benefits the cardiovascular system.  It promotes muscle strength, control, coordination, relaxation and peace of mind.  And, after practice, you feel relaxed and energized instead of exhausted.  The psychological and physiological benefits are far reaching.

Join us!
Click on the Classes tab for more information.  Questions are welcomed and encouraged.

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FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions about T'ai Chi

Is there any special equipment needed?
No.  You don’t need any special uniform, belt or equipment.  Just loose clothing and comfortable shoes.

Do you have to be athletic to learn T’ai chi?
No.  Absolutely anyone can learn.  You can’t be too young, too old, or too uncoordinated.  T’ai Chi teaches coordination, balance and smooth, gentle movement.  T’ai Chi works for everyone.  The only people who do not benefit are those who do not practice regularly.  You progress at your own pace.

How long does it take to learn?
It takes several months or longer to learn the 88 movements of the New China Form.  However, many people begin to experience the benefits in just a few weeks.

Does T’ai Chi have any medical applications?
T’ai Chi has proven beneficial for people with chronic illnesses, pain and tension.  Tai Chi is particularly valuable for the musculoskeletal system.  Studies show it can minimize and prevent flexion deformity of the spine, improve skeletal muscle strength, limb coordination, joint range of motion and balance.   Improvement in muscle power and decreased incidents of stumbling and falling have also been documented.  T'ai Chi is also beneficial for increasing flexibility of the lumbar spine.   It helps align the body’s structure and harmonizes breathing with body movements.  This keeps the thoracic cage mobile and respiratory muscles strong.  Circulation increases and blood pressure frequently lowers.  T’ai Chi has also been demonstrated to be effective with many orthopedic conditions and fibromyalgia.  There has been work done with early Parkinson’s disease and head trauma patients which shows promise.

 Is T’ai Chi a religion?
Absolutely not.  Our practices use the Taoist philosophy of harmony, relaxation and mindfulness.  These traits are compatible with and enhance all aspects of your life regardless of your personal beliefs or “Way.”

Is there a video available?
Yes!  Chi Gung in Ten Gestures.

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