More commonly known in the west as Tai chi and famous for its Yin/Yang symbol, Taiji Quan literally means "Supreme Ultimate Fist" and is a Taoist Internal Martial Art. There are different styles of Tai chi such as, Wu Dang San Feng Taiji, Chen style, Yang style, Wu style, Wu Yuxiang style and Sun style Tai chi. Taiji is one of the most popular martial styles practiced today by millions of people world wide and is very good for both health and combat.

There have been different stories on the origin of Taiji quan. The traditional legend goes that the wise man Zhang San Feng created Taiji quan after he had witnessed a fight between a sparrow and a snake. While modern Taiji originated from the Chen family Style during the 19th century and Yang, Wu, Wu Yuxiang, and Sun style Taiji can all be traced back to Chen Style Taiji.

Tai chi martial art is a very powerful art, for both internal power and longevity. Taiji Quan is a Martial Art, which embodies Taoist Philosophy and when Tai chi was developed, Martial Arts were very aggressive. Ones proficiency was measured by the strength and aggression of attack, In terms of Taoist principles of Yin & Yang this was a purely Yang conception of Martial Arts. What was revolutionary was the incorporation of the Yin element to fighting. In Tai chi one uses a balance between yielding and attacking. It is for this reason Tai chi is described as a needle in cotton or hardness concealed in softness. Taiji follows the simple principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft."

Clinical studies have shown that Tai chi can lower blood pressure, reduce nervous tension and benefit the immune, digestive, cardiovascular and respiratory systems and is all round good for keeping your body young and healthy.

Tai chi can be practiced for health benefits and to circulate Qi around the body and it is said that if you practice Tai chi as a Martial Art for ten years you would be an amazing fighter.

The training involves two primary features: the first being the solo form Quan (fist), a slow sequence of movements, which emphasize a straight spine, relaxed breathing, and a natural range of movement. The second being pushing hands for training stickiness and sensitivity in the reflexes. Through various motions from the forms used in concert with a training partner you learn leverage, timing, coordination and positioning.

At Rising Dragon we mainly teach Sun Style Taiji. Sun Style Info