3 Internal Martial Arts – Tai Chi, BaguaZhang & Hsing Yi
Tai Chi, (TaiJi, Tai Chi Ch’uan), Pa Kua (BaGuaZhang), Hsing Yi (XingYi Quan), and are considered the 3 main Taoist Internal Martial Arts. They incorporate many types of trainings including exercises, forms (sets), breathing exercises (Chi Kung or QiGong), meditation, self-defense and weapons skills. Many of the same benefits derived from qigong can be realized from regular practice of these exercise methods.
Tai Chi, Taiji, T’ai Chi Ch’üan, is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for both its defense training and its health benefits. The term Tai chi (translates to the ”Supreme Ultimate”) refers to a philosophy of the forces of yin and yang, related to the exercises. Though originally conceived as a martial art, it is also typically practiced for a variety of other personal reasons such as stress relief, physical fitness and achieving greater longevity and self awareness. As a result, many training forms exist, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims with differing emphasis. Some training forms of Tai chi are especially known for being practiced with relatively slow movements. Chen, Yang and Wu are all styles of Tai chi.
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Bagua, Baguazhang, Bagwa, Pakua, Walking Meditation or “walking of the circle” are all names for this style of Kung Fu training. Translated to English is “8 trigram palm”. Bagua is an internal developing style similar to Tai chi and Hsing Yi. Tai chi is often considered to be the softest, Bagua somewhat harder and Hsing Yi the hardest style of the three main internal styles. Hard and soft refer to the control applied to the various movements practiced. Bagua develops stability in motion amongst many other things. Cheng, Chung, Emei, Sun are all styles of Baguazhang.
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“San Ti Shi” is Chinese for “Trinity Posture”, also known as the “3 Elements
Form/Posture” or “3 Body Posture”.San Ti Chi is the fundamental posture used in Hsing Yi Chuan (Xing Yi Quan). Hsing Yi is one of the 3 major internal martial arts along with Tai Chi and BaguaZhang. The “three bodies” refers to the three phases all together; heaven-earth-and the human being. It corresponds to the head, hands, and feet in Hsing Yi. These phases are again divided into three sections; spirit-mind-body.
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All three styles have many overlapping benefits such as:
- Calming of the mind
- Focuses thought
- Strengthens and relaxes muscles
- Can be practices as “Moving Meditation”
- Attention to body alignments
- Cultivates internal energy (qi)
- Develops the physical body from the inside out
- Slow, medium & fast body motions
- Static as well as continuous movements
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Often we look to point the finger how others should be better. Another perspective would be to make ourselves better. Be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Set the example because this action alone can be contagious in a positive way.
Wisdom is a recipe of knowledge and experience obtained over time (age) allowing one to differentiate when is the correct timing to react or not to react. When to do, when not to do. Coming up to a stop sign, you really don’t care to stop your vehicle (your true feeling) but you do because it is the right action (the law) to stop. If a blaring fire engine were to suddenly appear in your rear view mirror, you might choose to move through the intersection and to a space clear of the oncoming 370,000 pounds of moving metal and water (correct action for this situation).
Learn how to maintain health, fitness and wellness with tai chi, gigong and other time-proven methods. Private, small or group instruction.
Take care of yourself because no one else should care more about you than you. Eat better, move more, stress less, be nicer. Be well!
.Jim Moltzan 407-234-0119
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