Wudang Five Immortals

TAI JI QUAN

"The unification and merging of Heaven and Earth, the Spirit and the soul,

intent, Qi, and the form, is the purpose of Tai Ji" - Li Shifu.

Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) is a special form of internal martial art, which means it uses passive martial arts movements aimed at cultivating our inner force and stillness. It is a passive and defensive martial art. Softness and gentleness are its foundation. Hardness and softness are an indivisible and integral whole:

"Hidden great powers;
invisible from the outside;
not leaving a trace;
thus it can be named Tai Ji;
- The Great Finite."

Tai Ji literally means 'extreme', and 'frontier' or 'limit', this is, an extremely immense but not infinite state, called the "Supreme Ultimate", which can be interpreted as the original state where Yin and Yang (the greatest forces of creation) were born, contained in Wu Ji, the infinite state. Tai Ji symbolizes the supreme harmony or balance previous to creation.

"Tai Ji born from Wu Ji, the Boundless Infinite;
the mechanism and workings of movement and stillness;
the mother of Yin and Yang." - Wang Zong Yue, Principles of Tai Ji.

The practice of Tai Ji Quan evokes the harmony of Yin and Yang, through movements that balance our two greatest existential forces. These movements are performed in meditation. By doing so, we strenghten our body, train our mind, increase and circulate our Qi (vital force), fight illness and disorders, achieve a superior vitality and wellness state, and connect with our Spirit.

"Use stillness to create movement;
use weakness to defeat strength;
use softness to overcome hardness."

"To practice Tai Ji, one must conform to the Dao of Yin and Yang, movement and stillness"- Li Shifu.

The principles of Tai Ji are basically the same as for Qi Gong (Chi Kung), as it is a practice that:

a) integrates body, mind and Spirit, b) coordinates breathing and awareness with the movements, postures and stances, c) circulates Qi and blood, promotes the accumulation of Qi, and prevents and fights off disease; however, Tai Ji practice is different in its form or implementation, strengthening the body substantially.

'Quan' means 'fist', refering to the martial art and discipline aspects. In practice, Tai Ji Quan entails performing a sequence of movements or steps similar to a martial art coreography, these coreographies are called 'forms' or 'Tao Lu'. There are many different kinds of Tai Ji forms, from diverse lineages and families.

"A martial art is many things. It is a channel for the evolution of the one who practices.

It is a form of reverence and ceremony. It is a tool to find the Spirit.

Its uses are infinite and limited by our own capacity only"- Lindsey Wei.

Two forms of Tai Ji are tought at the Five Immortals Temple: a Water style and a Fire style. Both forms are soft and dynamic, combining classic and powerful circular movements of Wudang with deep stances and fa jin of the Chen Family (power emission- fa jin- just in the case of Fire style). In both cases it is required to condition the body properly (Kung Fu style) and learn to meditate.

Li Shifu says: "the theories of Tai Ji are rather profound and mysterious. No other fist form theories can emulate or compare with Tai Ji's". According to Shifu, the practice and theory of Tai Ji embodies China's 5000 years of profound cultural background and history. The ancient founding fathers of Daoist sects passed down and spread Tai Ji styles over generations of serious cultivation.

To read more about the practical aspects of these disciplines click here, and about their relation with Daoism, click here

To learn more about Tai Ji visit the Five Immortals Temple's web site:

Tai Ji intro and Fire style Tai Ji
Water style Tai Ji

What is the use of Tai Ji on a daily basis?

USEFUL FOR EVERYTHING! Ideal for:

Reducing stress and anxiety, cultivating inner peace
Training the mind, improving focus
Learning how to breathe
Preventing and catalyzing healing of physical, mental and emotional illnesses/disorders
Accelerating physical rehabilitation, oiling articulations
Strengthening and tonifying your body,
substantially improving your posture and coordination

Detoxifying, Improving blood and Qi flow
Improvig sleep
Increasing your energy levels
Feeling empowerment

Ways of learning Five Immortals Tai Ji

I share the Water Style Heavenly Horse Tai Ji form of Wudang (Tian Ma Wudang Tai Ji Quan form). It is simply spectacular. The body conditioning is fantastic, you feel the strenght right away, as well as the flexibility and dynamism we can have if we are disciplined. You feel depth and joy. In any of the formats I teach, it is a flexible and dynamic practice, suitable for all ages and physical condition- adjusted accordingly.

"The characteristics of water are gentle and yielding. Water adapts to forms and shapes.

It goes along forces without will and flows accordingly. When water is in motion, it needs a path like the irrigation ditches to moisten fields. When water is motionless like in a deep well,

it is like a mirror, without ripples there is no turbidity.

Thus, for instance, during the practice of Water Wudang Taijiquan "- Li Shifu.

WEEKLY GROUP CLASSES

We use a reasonable time warming up, doing tonifying and stretching movements just like in the temple- these movements are the basis of Kung Fu training in Wudang, known as Ji Ben Gong (includes kicks and punches). Once our body is warm, our Qi is circulating more vigorously and our posture is corrected, we practice the movements of the Tian Ma form, and begin to give it shape. Depending on time and the group, we usually practice Qi Gong and meditation, and the practice of Tai Ji is stronger of softer.

INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP TAILORED CLASSES

Same content as weekly classes, tailored according to the person or group's need.

RETREATS

During the retreats I offer the same instruction as in classes but training more intensively. We also study theory (Daoism, Yin and Yang, Tai Ji and Traditional Chinese Medicine foundations) and practice Qi Gong and meditation. The purpose of the retreat is for the student to feel the Tai Ji practice deeply (stances, posture, breathing, strenght), and to learn the Water form fully. The retreat's pace is arduous but enjoyable, providing physical and mental order, as well as the necessary time and space for introspection and connection with oneself. The structure of the retreat may vary.

2021.