Tai Ji Quan

From an outsider’s perspective, martial arts in general appear to be a very “external” activity. But nothing could be further from the truth. All styles of Chinese martial arts have elements that are both “internal” and “external,” however some focus more on one than the other.  The arts of Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan), Xing Yi Quan (Hsing I Chuan), and Ba Gua Zhang (Pa Kua Chang) ­­are considered “internal,” focusing on the use of meditative practices and full body coordination. Each of these internal martial arts emphasizes specific characteristics that give them a unique flavor and appearance. All three styles include training in empty hand forms, weapons forms, two person drills, self­-defense applications, free fighting techniques and power development. At the U.S. Kuo Shu Academy, you can benefit from instruction in any of these arts.

Tai Ji Quan @ U.S. Kuo Shu Academy from USKSA Videos on Vimeo.

Learn Tai Chi at our Owings Mills or  Marriottsville locations

Both our Owings Mills and Marriottsville locations offer a complete program in traditional Tai Ji Quan, more commonly referred to as simply “Tai Chi.”  This low-impact program is just as compelling and sophisticated as the kung fu program, which is an “external” focused art.

New students start their journey in Tai Chi Chuan by stretching and learning warm up exercises, breathing exercises (called “chi kung” or “qi gong”), and pre­arranged sequences of techniques which we call “forms.” After developing skill in the beginner level, students start to take on paired exercises (called “pushing hands”) to develop specific skills and learn weapon routines. Later, some students elect to participate in the school Daoist meditation curriculum, in order to develop a deeper experience in these Chinese arts.

Tai Chi Chuan emphasizes yielding to the oncoming force, neutralizing the attack, and then counterattacking. The forms are done very slowly and are essentially a moving meditation. At the beginning of this program, students learn with Yang style Tai Chi. Other styles available include Chen Pan Ling and Ancient style. Additionally, students are trained in Qi Gong, pushing hands exercises, free fighting, various weapons (broadsword, straightsword, long staff, spear, large broadsword and straightsword two person sets), and Tai Chi Chuan two-­man set.

Benefits of Tai Chi – Moving Meditation

There is increasing evidence of a wide array of health benefits for practicing Tai Chi.

• Decreased stress, anxiety, depression
• Improved mood
• Improved aerobic capacity
• Increased energy and stamina
• Improved flexibility, balance, and agility
• Improved muscle strength and definition

Tai Chi may also help with:

• Enhancing sleep quality
• Enhance the immune system
• Help lower blood pressure
• Improve joint and other chronic pain
• Reduce risk of falls in older adults
• Improve overall well-being
• Improve heart health

Develop a way of life through Tai Chi Chuan

In the background of our instruction, we emphasize the philosophies expressed in the Tien Shan Pai Motto “Virtue, Wisdom, Humility, Martial Arts in Owings Mills.” Students are expected to exhibit these qualities both inside and outside of the school.

U.S. Kuo Shu’s Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan) program includes the following elements:

• 楊氏太極拳 Yang Shi Tai Chi (Yang Style)
• 陳泮嶺太極拳 Chen Pan Ling Tai Chi Chuan
• 太極刀 Tai Ji Dao (Tai Ji Broadsword)
• 太極劍 Tai Ji Jian (Tai Ji Straightsword)
• 先天太極劍 Xian Tian Tai Ji Jian (Pre-Natal Tai Ji Straightsword)
• 太極槍,桿 Tai Ji Qiang, Gan (Tai Ji Spear, Staff)
• 太極拳對練 Dui Lian (Tai Ji Two-Person Set)
• 太極拳推手 Tui Shou (Tai Ji Push Hands)
• 太極拳自衛術 Zi Wei Shu (Tai Ji Self Defense)

At first glance, these elements may sound intimidating, but our Tai Chi instructors at both U.S. Kuo Shu locations gradually introduce new elements as students learn, gaining confidence and mastery in each.

Start your journey in Tai Chi today by calling U.S. Kuo Shu Academy at 443-545-5566 in Marriottsville, or 443-394-9222 for our Owings Mills location today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and are excited to introduce you to the beautiful art of Tai Chi.

Be sure to check out Xing Yi classes too!