Tai Chi and Internal Arts at the Long Island Center for Yoga
World Tai Chi Qigong Day New York
Recently Shifu Teresa White and members of the Tai Chi/Qigong program attended
World Tai Chi Qigong Day in New York.
Click here to read a feature article
contributed by Shifu Teresa White.
Tai Chi (also Taiji, or Taiji chuan), is an ancient internal martial art from China that over that has become known as an exercise that improves overall health and well-being. Tai Chi can be said to create a great balance between strength and grace, beauty and power. At its heart it is a martial art and without understanding the heart of Tai Chi its benefits cannot truly be gained.
Several major styles, or families, of Tai Chi are taught throughout the world, the most common ones being Yang, Wu and Chen. At the Yoga Center the initial form taught is a Wu Style short form. The Wu short form is characterized by small, high stances and emphasizes large internal movements over large external movements. As a “small frame” style, Wu style is very accessible to a wide variety of individuals while maintaining the integrity of Tai Chi as a practice.
Regardless of style learned, the emphasis in class is placed on the principles of tai chi which are at its core: relaxation, balance, stances, whole body coordination, internal power, structural alignment. Overriding all of these principles is the necessity for the practitioner to calm the “monkey mind”. Only then can the body truly relax and engage correctly. If the mind is scattered, so is the chi.
Classes begin with a standing meditation and series of warm up exercises designed to emphasize different principles. The form is then taught in detail and practiced. Additionally classes may include push hands and martial applications, and, as students advance, more advanced longer forms and weapons.
The benefits of Tai Chi are too numerous to list here and a simple internet search on this topic will yield thousands of results. It cannot be emphasized enough that the benefits can only be realized with regular, diligent practice. Commitment to regular class attendance and practice at home is required of all students.
Important considerations before beginning Tai Chi or related classes or workshops: The practice of Tai Chi can at times be rigorous and demanding. If you have any medical or physical condition that may effect your ability to participate in these classes, you should bring that condition or conditions to the attention of the Yoga Center and/or the instructor prior to taking any class. If you are considering taking Tai Chi you should also be aware that part of the curriculum may include two person exercises such as push hands and, tai chi being a martial art, martial applications are sometimes be practiced by students and/or demonstrated. Any questions or concerns in this regard may be directed to any of the instructors.
Other Arts:
Baguazhang: In addition to Tai Chi, in more advanced classes students may also be introduced to the internal martial art of Baguazhang or simply “Bagua”. Bagua is an art that trains the body to continuously coil and uncoil as a unit while moving around a circle or, an opponent. As the term implies, it is a art developed around the Taoist philosophy of the eight energies of the bagua. Being a “cousin” of tai chi, bagua trains many of the same principles but emphasizes much more coiling of the body and leg movement. Although highly challenging, practice of bagua results in a great internal physical and energetic strength.
Shaolin Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu: This page would not be complete without a discussion of the art of Shaolin Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu. All instructors in this curriculum have their foundation in this traditional martial art. As an external art with roots in both Northern and Southern Shaolin styles, Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu emphasizes powerful stances, various kicks, strikes, sweeps, chin na and self defense applications. A full history of Shaolin Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu can be read at www.shaolinhungmei.org. The instructors at The Yoga Center honor our heritage in this system and incorporate it into the curriculum where appropriate to the student.
Please check the schedule page for current date and times of classes and the events page for any upcoming workshops.
Instructors:
Shifu Teresa A. White has studied Chinese martial arts on Long Island since 1993 having earned her black sash and awarded the title of “Shifu” in Shaolin Kung Mei Pai Kung Fu. Since 1998 Teresa’s kung fu training has included the internal arts of Tai Chi Ch’uan, and Baguazhang. Her studies have included training with world renown masters Laoshi Frank Allen and Tina Zhang of the Wutang PCA in New York, Chen Zheng Lei, Jiang Jianye and Michael Winn. Teresa’s background also includes studies and practice in qigong, taoist and zen meditation, pilates, yoga and bellydancing. Teresa is also a full time practicing attorney in Hauppauge, New York. She may be reached via email at twhite17@optonline.net.
Shifu Lawrence J. Sweeney has been teaching Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi on Long Island for more than thirty-five years. He earned the title of Shifu, meaning “knowledgeable father” from Ta Shifu Tonny Kho of Shaolin Hung Mei Pai in the late ‘70's, having been one of the first American students taught by Ta Shifu. Shifu Larry Sweeney then came to the internal martial and meditative arts in the early 1990's having studied extensively with such masters as Michael Winn of Healing Tao USA and Laoshi Frank Allen of Wutang PCA. His years of study and practice include Taoist Meditation, Qigong, Wu Style Tai Chi and Baguazhang, having been certified to teach baguazhang by Laoshi Frank Allen in 2004. His contributions to classes at the Yoga Center and skillful teaching abilities are cherished by instructors and students alike.
Shifu John Briscoe has trained in Shaolin Hung Mei Pai kung fu since 1993 and was awarded his black sash and the rank of Shifu by Shifus Larry Sweeney and Frank Matera. Shifu John has successfully added to his practice “Chi Running” - a method of long distance running which incorporates the energetic and structural principles of Tai Chi. John is an assistant instructor in the internal arts curriculum and has recently become instructor of Tai Chi at Saint Francis Hospital as part of their out-patient Cardiovascular program.
Links of Interest:
Websites of Interest:
Wu Tang Physical Culture Association:
www.baguanyc.com
Shaolin Hung Mei Pai Kung Fu:
www.shaolinhungmei.org
Tai Chi Magazine:
www.tai-chi.com
Healing Tao USA:
www.healingtaousa.com
Women’s Earth Energy Qigong with Tina Zhang:
www.earthqigong.com
World Tai Chi Day:
www.worldtaichiday.org
Into Mountains, Over Streams Journal: www.imos-journal.com