Frequently Asked Questions
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What's New?
The most frequent request we get is "can you help me find a class or teacher of Tai Chi Chuan in my area?". Well, sadly, not always. If you are not in an area covered by one of our classes the best bet is to try our links page, especially the links to the Tai Chi Union of Great Britain and the Zhong Ding Association, all of whom have instructor lists on their Web sites and cover large areas of the UK and even parts of Europe.
The next most frequent request is "can you enroll me on this or that Middlesex University course or find my results etc. etc." No. You want the Middlesex University main academic site. Click here to go there.
What's the story behind the change of name from Middlesex to Yongquan? Click here to find out.
How do I contact a YMAA instructor?
Go to the Contact
Form, select the instructor you wish to contact from the dropdown list (default
- Webmaster) enter your details and message and click send but don't forget
to double check your e-mail address if you want a reply.
Can Tai Chi Chuan be used for Self Defense/Combat?
Yes! Though it is
necessary to learn it as a combat art in order to use it in this way and it
does take longer to be able to apply Tai Chi Chuan to combat situations than
some more straight forward arts. The advantage though is that Tai Chi Chuan
is far less reliant on: size, strength, speed and purely physical attributes
than other, more quickly learned, arts.
Is Tai Chi Chuan suitable for people of all ages and both sexes?
No. Though it is suitable for both sexes and for a broader spectrum of people than
most martial arts. Generally speaking Tai Chi Chuan is not suitable for young
children. This is because it is slow and complicated to learn, requiring years
of practice before anything really exciting starts to be possible. Indeed the
Chinese generally teach more external styles to children before teaching Tai
Chi Chuan. A better bet for young children is Judo. Judo is perfect for children
as it gives confidence, teaches safe falling with breakfalls (which is one of
the best ways to prepare for learning any martial art) and is ideal for teaching
spacial awareness and the concept of correct distance.
Tai Chi Chuan is suitable for just about anyone else. Though it is necessary to be reasonably fit and healthy, or at least be prepared to get that way, if you intend to learn Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art. It's always advisable to see your doctor before taking up a physical activity, especially if you know you have any medical condition which may affect, or be affected by, your practice and always tell your instructor about any medical problem when you start a class.
What is Chi?
Ancient Chinese is a somewhat 'slippery' language. That
is to say that single words often have more than one meaning or meanings on
different levels. In its most literal definition Chi means 'air' but it also
means 'the special or specially good rice you save to give visitors'. The combination
of these two definitions gives us the concept of something intrinsically good
within air. The term Chi in the martial arts is used to refer to the energy
intrinsic to the breath. In classical Chinese thinking this raw Chi is stored
in the Tan Tien (a point mid way between the navel and the pubic bone) and can
be transformed by special breathing exercises to make Jin (Jing, Gin) which
is a refined form of Chi energy that can be used to protect the body in combat,
allow more powerful strikes with less effort and promote good health.
What is Tai Chi?
The term Tai Chi is usually translated as 'Supreme Ultimate'
and is a major concept in the Chinese philosophical system Taoism. The Tai
Chi is represented by the interlocking fishes, often called the Yin Yang or
Yin Yang symbol (see below). The martial art is more properly called Tai Chi
Chuan, Chuan means fist or form and is the term given to styles of boxing
thus, translated, Tai Chi Chuan means Supreme Ultimate Boxing. A common misconception
is that the term Tai Chi refers to health styles and Tai Chi Chuan refers
to martial styles. In fact all styles of the movement are, or should be, called
Tai Chi Chuan. Another common misconception is that the word Chi in Tai Chi
Chuan is the same as the definition of the word Chi, used on its own as described
above, this is not the case. In this respect the Pin Yin or Mandarin Romanisation
of the Chinese terms Chi and Tai Chi Chuan (Qi and Taijiquan) is less confusing.
What is Yin and Yang?
The Chinese definition is 'the shady side of a
hill (Yin) and the sunny side of a hill (Yang)'. The implication being bright
and subdued light. These things are not absolutes. The shady side of a hill
is not pitch black, it contains some light and the sunny side of a hill is not
pure brilliance and may contain some shade. The concept displays the mutually
dependent qualities of nature. Nothing exists in isolation it is always balanced
by an equal and opposite force which it cannot exist without. A good example
of this principle is pedaling a bicycle. You cannot push down on both pedals
at once. As you lessen the pressure on the left side you can increase the pressure
on the right. Neither can you remove one side from the equation. For the right
to be full the left must be empty. To fill the left you must empty the right.
How often should I practice?
Ideally Tai Chi Chuan should be practiced
every day. Traditionally the best time is first thing in the morning, and there
are many sound reasons to follow this tradition, however if it is not possible
for you to practice first thing in the morning it's OK to practice at another
time. How long you need to dedicate to your practice depends on what you want
out of the art. If all you require is to maintain and improve your health twenty
minutes to half an hour a day is sufficient. If, on the other hand, you wish
to learn Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art you need to think in terms of an hour
or two a day (perhaps morning and evening) and two or three training sessions
with your teacher and/or peers a week if you want to make good progress.
There are, of course, many points in between these two extremes but, basically,
you get out what you put in.
What is Choy Lee Fut?
Choy Lee Fut is a Southern style fighting sytem based on techniques developed in
the original Shaolin Monatery before it was destroyed - some time between 1647
and 1732. It was founded in 1836 by Master Chan Heung, and named in honour of two
of his teachers Choy Fook and Lee Yau Shan - his other teacher was Chan Yuen
Wu, who was a devout Buddhist, so the final character in the name of the school
became Fut (Buddha).
What is Bak Hsing Choy Lee Fut?
Bak Hsing Choy Lee Fut was founded by Tam Sam (1873-1942). A student of Liu
Charn, he possessed a natural ability as a fighter and a fondness for sparring
and challenge matches. He travelled North and established his own school of
Choy Lee Fut at the Bak Hsing Kwoon in a suburb of Canton called Siu Buk. His
art became known as Bak Hsing Choy Lee Fut. 'Hsing' means family, or style, while
Bak means 'North'. Bak Hsing Choy Lee Fut is a fluid martial art that makes extensive
use of "dynamic stability" and very flexible footwork. It is practiced
mainly in Southern China, but derives from the martial arts traditions of both North
and South China.
What is Hsing-I?
Hsing-I is the oldest of the well-known internal arts of North China. The origination
of the art is traditionally attributed to the Chinese national hero, and martyr,
Marshal Yueh Fei (1103-1142). Hsing-I retains a heavy emphasis on methods appropriate
for use on the battlefield. Today the art of Hsing-I exists in two main variants:
Five Elements Hsing-I, which is based on the Five Elements of Chinese philosophy,
and Twelve Animals Hsing-I, which is based on the "Hsing", or hunting
and defensive characters, of wild animals. It is not uncommon to find both Five
Elements boxing and Twelve Animal boxing practised in the same school.
What is Hebei Style Hsing-I?
Hebei Style Hsing-I is the branch of Hsing-I handed down from Master Guo Yun
Shen (1839-1911), a student of the famous boxer Master Li Neng Ran. It has a
number of dissimilar sub-styles. Guo was a prizefighter who remained undefeated
throughout his career. In later life he taught many of China's most famous martial
artists, including Master Wang Xiang Zhai and Master Sun Lu Tang.
What is I-Chuan (Yi Chuan)?
I-Chuan is an Internal Martial Art developed by Grand Master Wang Ziang Zhai, a
student of Guo Yun Shen, and is based on the Nei Kung method Zhan Zhuang (standing
like a post) - a static Internal exercise - and a system of martial training to
develop martial skill, including elements of Hsing-I Chuan. It is also known as
Da Cheng Chuan (Great Achievement Boxing).