Tai Chi Chuan

Tai Chi Chuan is a Chinese "internal" martial art. It's "internal" because in Tai Chi we use "intelligent force" (Jing) as opposed to "muscular force" (Li). For example, in some styles of martial arts, the practitioner is beaten about the abdomen with sticks. This has the effect of the "hardening" that part of the body and better enables it to withstand blows. In internal styles, similar results are achieved by exercises combining posture, movement and breathing.

Sifu Dan Docherty performs "Tai Chi Beginning style". Godfrey watches attentively.

Sifu Ian Cameron performs "kick out in a curve"

Tai Chi is characterised by the well-known slow grace of the hand form, a fluidly performed string of movements containing stylised combat techniques and methods of moving and displacing the body. The martial aspect comes in with the understanding and practice of the combat techniques contained in the hand form. "Tui Shou", typically translated as "Pushing Hands" is another way of training close contact techniques and displacements; it's also great fun! These are two person exercises, of which there eight formal methods, some auxiliary training methods, and the "real" Tui Shou: freestyle, where you try to outmatch your partner by making him/her lose balance. There are also competitive "tournaments" in Tui Shou, and increasingly space is being given to Tai Chi fighting, notably in Chinese full contact competitions. An alternative, but popular, implementation of Tai Chi combat methods is in self-defence.

Tai Chi Chuan also involves the practice of weapons forms and combat applications (which can be extended in real life to such objects as umbrellas, poles, or even books). There are three weapons : the straight sword (Jian, identified with the Dragon), the sabre (Dao, identified with the tiger) and the Spear (Quiang, dragon again). Finally, there is "Nei Kung" (internal strength) training, which is transmitted only to "inside the door" students.

I have been practicing the Wudang style of Tai Chi Chuan since 1984, when a student of Sifu Dan Docherty began in teaching in Brighton, UK. In 1989 I started training with Dan, and in 1991 underwent "Bai Shi" and became a "door person". In 1992 I came to Paris and set up the "Association de Wudang Tai Chi Chuan Paris", which I left in the capable hands of Patrice Becker and other students when I returned to the UK in 1994.

Sifu Dan Docherty performs "Fairy Damsel Throwing a Needle".

Patrice, Isabelle, Armelle and Michel created a club in Paris which has courses on Saturdays. I started teaching again in March 2000 and run a club with courses on Tuesday evenings. I have set up a website for the Wudang style in France : www.multimania.com/wudang/, or www.oocities.org/philbrow.geo/wudang/ if multimania is down for some reason.

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