Welcome to the realm of Five Winds Tai Chi Chuan, where ancient martial wisdom meets contemporary practice.
Our art comprises five fundamental pillars, each essential for a profound grasp of Tai Chi Chuan.
The Solo Hand Form
Tai Chi commences with the Solo Hand Form, an elegant sequence of movements that rigorously trains your joints and muscles. At Five Winds Tai Chi, we offer two hand forms:
The Square Form: Perfect for beginners, this form adheres to a fixed count, aiding newcomers in memorising and synchronising movements.
The Round Form: As you progress, the Round Form beckons with its fluid, unrestrained movements, unburdened by a fixed count.
Pushing Hands
Pushing Hands is where you'll cultivate sensitivity to your partner's movements. It's a two-person exercise that teaches you to absorb and redirect force, akin to a martial dance of balance. Our system offers eight styles of pushing hands, from the basic to the free-style, each enhancing your self-defence skills.
Self Defence
Every move in the hand form has a self-defence application. We learn to overcome hardness with softness, defying natural instincts to redirect energy rather than resist it. It's the art of letting your opponent have their way, strategically.
Discover the elegance and power of Tai Chi weaponry with the Spear, Sabre, and Sword forms. These traditional weapons not only teach self-defence but also offer unique exercise methods. They're more than martial tools; they're extensions of ourselves.
Internal Strength
Nei Kung, the treasure of internal strength exercises, improves health, circulation, and joint flexibility. For self-defence, a robust physique is essential. Our Yin and Yang exercises work in tandem to build both health and power.
Explore our world of Five Winds Tai Chi Chuan, where ancient martial wisdom and modern practice converge. Unlock the essence of Tai Chi through our combative approach, and embrace the interconnectedness of its elements.
THE FIVE-STEP PATH
Mastering Tai Chi Combat
In this crucial first step, we learn the language of touch.
It's about "listening" through tactile sensation, discerning force direction, and understanding an opponent's intentions. These skills are the foundation upon which all Tai Chi combat rests.
Tai Chi Chuan embraces the concept of maintaining contact with your opponent.
To do so effectively, we employ softness, sensitivity, and an unyielding commitment to the principle of soft overcoming the hard. A gentle grip, an alert body, and the ability to follow your opponent's movements are vital.
Combat requires instantaneous reactions
Tai Chi mastery means that your response is quick, before an attack gains momentum. It's about moving without thinking, a reflection of your training and the integration of Tai Chi principles. In the midst of action, stillness is your source of spontaneous response.
The soft conquering the hard
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Tai Chi combat, it's all about the principle of the soft conquering the hard. True softness is not weakness; it's being alive, responsive, and ready to move without tension. It's the art of doing just enough, using the minimum force necessary to respond effectively.
Once you make contact with your opponent, you must yield
Once you make contact with your opponent, you must yield, following their force, leading them into a void. This is not giving in; it's redirecting their energy, exploiting their weakness, and neutralizing their attack. Yielding is the essence of turning an opponent's strength against them, all sensed through touch and adherence.