WuDang

Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) is an ancient Chinese martial art well known for its superior health benefits and high level of effectiveness in combat.

At WuDang Martial Arts Center we are fortunate to be able to offer one of the most direct Yang Family lineages in the United States to the Founder of Yang Family Taijiquan, the great Yang Lu Chan. We are able to offer the "Large Frame" of Yang Chen Fu and the "Medium Frame" form of Yang Jian Hou.

Taijiquan forms are performed slowly and in a relaxed manner, which has the benefit of calming the mind and releasing the mental and physical tensions that our modern stressful lifestyles can produce. Studies have shown that the daily practice of Taijiquann helps to prevent stress-related diseases such as high blood pressure, digestive problems and heart disease. It is also commonly recognized as an excellent form of moving meditation.

Most know Taijiquan for it's benefits as a health exercise and there are many teachers who only know taijiquan in this way. This is due to the government of China outlawing the practice of martial arts during the cultural revolution. The Yang family began hiding the martial aspects of their taijiquan and tauting only the health benefits. As a result many students never knew that taijiquan was a martial art. These students began teaching another generation of students and the process repeated. Fortunately there were a few "inner door" students who received the full transmission of the martial art of taijiquan. As a martial art, Taijiquan is unsurpassed; using the theory of "four ounces of strength defeating one ton of force," one can repel an opponent without resorting to force against force. The opponent's own strength is used against him, while the Taiji practitioner uses only his internal energy or Qi.

* In the May 1996 issue of The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society a study confirmed that "the practice of Taijiquan produces measurable benefits in reducing frailty and falls in older persons and helps in maintaining balance and strength."