Taiji Martial Arts

Higher Martial Arts. Deep-mind based training leads to Higher Martial Arts. Normal superficial-mind based training can never go beyond mere speed, strength and external technique. more...

Beyond Self-defence. Taijii is an art where the soft overcomes the hard, the calm subdues the aggressive and the subtle transcends the gross. Taijii Form develops internal strength, Pushing-hands develops sensitivity. Being externally relaxed while internally strong allows the possibility of resolving pressure without conflict. more...


Qigong (Chi Kung). Qi is a general Chinese term which covers both the air and all grades of energy in existence. This allows any training method, from calisthenics, through breathing exercises, to meditation, to be called Qigong. Most forms of Qigong are positive and useful even though much of it is no more than simple unrefined exercises passed on by inexperienced people and elevated to mystical heights by immature students. more...


Essentials of Elastic Power. Of the 5 muscle changes, contracting, relaxing and holding are obvious and used by all but the 2 hidden phases of stretch and un-stretch are too fast and too subtle to be sensed or controlled from the superficial mind. Zheng Manjing (Cheng Man-Ching) said: 'If you want to know how to use Taiji, then you must know the five elements.' All good old masters of Taiji understand these five types of strength which can be generated within the body. more...


Yang Family Classics - 40 Chapters Attributed by the Yang family to Zhang Sanfeng and known now as the "Forty Chapters". From the 20th chapter:
"As a martial art, T’ai Chi is externally soft, but internally hard, even as it seeks softness. If we are externally soft, after a long time internal hardness will naturally develop. Not consciously cultivating hardness, in reality our mind is on softness. What is difficult is remaining internally reserved, to possess hardness without expressing it, always meeting the opponent with softness. Meeting hardness with softness transforms the opponent’s hardness into nothingness. How to acquire this skill? When we have mastered touching, connecting, merging and following, we will naturally progress from awareness of movement to interpreting energy and finally spiritual illumination within the realm of absolute transcendence. If we have not reached absolute transcendence, how could we manifest the miracle of four ounces leading a thousand pounds? It is simply a matter of understanding the method of merging to the point of perfecting the subtle seeing and hearing."