In stillness like a great mountain
In movement like a mighty river
Chill Hard.
Move Smart.
Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan takes its inspiration from nature and the world around us. It follows the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of life, and the way animals move and act. Just like trees, rivers, and creatures have their own flow, Tai Chi sees people as part of that same natural dance. One move leads to many—like ripples turning into waves. Guided by focus and intention, Tai Chi helps you tune into your body and mind on a deeper level. You learn to move with calm strength, whether you're on your own, working with a partner, or using traditional weapons. Over time, you start to build a quiet, powerful energy inside you—not from force, but from being relaxed, connected, and fully present. Without doing it, Tai Chi is just a concept. The real value is in the practice and the experience.
Tai Chi Chuan training skills
Don't fight the shadow, refine the form
 close handen |
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 broad sword kopie |
 partner exercises 2 kopie |
 Matthea-5815 kopie |
 Matthea-5750 kopie 2 |
 Matthea-5767 kopie |
 Matthea-5929 kopie 2 |
 Matthea-5995 kopie |
 Matthea-5737 kopie |
 Matthea-5732 kopie |
 Matthea-5753 kopie 2 |
 Matthea-5994 kopie |
partner exercises 2 kopie |
Tai Chi Chuan has its roots in Taoist meditation and self-defense, both of which remain an integral part of the teachings presented by the ITCCA today. Yang Cheng-Fu is remembered for saying, “Tai Chi Chuan is meditation in movement.” Through practicing the form, the mind becomes calmer in motion. The accompanying mental and energetic techniques support overall health and well-being. Training includes a range of distinct skills:
Tai Chi Chuan Long hand form -108
The Tai Chi Chuan form consists of three parts: Earth, Man, and Heaven. Learning the entire choreography typically takes around one to one and a half years. For beginners, we divide the form into smaller sections: Part 1 Form A – From the beginning to “Raise Two Hands” Form B – From the beginning to “One Hand – Ten Strokes” Part 2 Form C – From the start of the second part to “Cloud Hands” Form D – From the start of the second part to “One Hand – Ten Strokes” Part 3 Form E – From the start of the third part to “Golden Pheasant” Form F – From the start of the third part to “Return to Origin” Each posture in the Tai Chi Chuan form is, in essence, energetically complete. To prepare the body, students first learn how to find a balanced position by opening the joints (or meridians), both in stillness and in the transitions between postures. These positions are then tested with a practice partner to explore stability and balance. As training progresses, we test the “Internal Principles” and begin developing inner strength through dynamic partner work. Testing is done using a gentle, continuous push or pull. If muscular effort or resistance is required to maintain balance, the posture is not yet correct. More advanced practitioners eventually test energetically, where even the lightest touch reveals the quality of alignment and internal structure.
Six Internal Tai Chi Form Principles
1. Yin-Yang Form The training of the Yin and Yang form consists of 7 internal disciplines. Related to characteristics in body movement and structure, balance between yin and yang, mind and timing, all correlated with the breathing in- and out. This is the first and most important structuring of the form. 2 Chi-Form With the Chi-Form the direction of the spiral turn in the arms are practiced. With the Chi form the development of the vital energy (Chi) moving through the body and directed through the arms becomes evident to the student. 3 Center-Move All movements in Tai Chi Chuan are guided by the "Centre", the lower Dan-tien, which also is the mass center of the human body. With Centre move you learn to turn on this engine with a focus on the correct rotation of the centre in correlation with the specific application/action in the form. 4. Leg-Spiral in weight & Yin Yang Hand and leg spiral In the leg spiral in weight the vertical spiral movement in the lower leg is trained in connection with your centre establishing a greater balance. The Yin Yang hand and leg spiral trains the energetic expanding (big bang) relation between knee, hands and centre. 5. Yin Yang Hand and Neck-Spiral The neck spiral establishes a clear distinction between movement upward to the crown and downward in sinking energy with an energetic connection between the head movement and the hand movement. 6. Internal Breathing All previous described inner principles are supportive to the internal breathing, practiced in meditation (sitting and standing), the Daoïst Health Exercises and the form. Lot’s of time and exercise is required to first as it appears establish an outer whole body structure, corporal relaxation and physical balance. ‘You need first a teapot before you can pour tea’. The 6 Inner principles are for the advanced practitioners hereafter further refined with ‘secret principles’. ‘Secret’, meaning that those principles are not visible from the outside but manifest in an internal sensible own corporate relation between limbs and extremities or in relation to another person.
Daoist Health Exercises
The Daoist health exercises are a set of 24 repeated standing movements practiced with the eyes open. While rooted in the traditional principles of Yang Style Tai Chi, these exercises are similar to the more widely known Yi Jin Jing practices in China—ancient methods used to stretch tendons, develop inner breathing, and strengthen the body. The movements work to strengthen the tendons and sinews, increase flexibility in the muscles, and improve blood circulation, which helps nourish the bone marrow, brain, and internal organs. The entire body moves as one, rather than in isolated parts. Each movement is performed with intention—dynamic, yet calm and relaxed. By completing the full set, the upper body and spine are moved in all directions, and the body's acupuncture points are activated and energized.
Taoist Sitting Meditation & Self-Massage
The principles of body posture in Taoist sitting meditation are closely related to the upright alignment practiced in Tai Chi form and standing meditation. Taoist sitting meditation is a full-body experience that includes breathing practice in an awake, attentive state—seeking the point where movement becomes free from restraint, spontaneously present, and where a natural stillness arises. This state is often described as “emptiness.” Taoist self-massage supports this process. Through sensitive, guided touch, self-massage connects Yi (intention) and Qi throughout the entire body, bringing it into a calm and relaxed state. This practice is usually done while sitting. As the tissues soften and the body relaxes, the breath naturally becomes longer and deeper. When the body is tense, however, breathing exercises may feel forced, with short and shallow inhalations and exhalations. Relaxation and openness allow the breath to flow with ease and quiet strength.
Qi Kung, Ba Gua Qi Kung, Yi Kung
These exercises come from the inner tradition of the Yang family and were historically taught only to family members. They are designed to cultivate Qi (vital energy) and Yi (intention). Practice may be done in stillness or with subtle movements in the upper and lower body, always maintaining an upright spine. These methods are closely related to Zhan Zhuang (standing post), a foundational practice in various internal martial arts. They help develop awareness of central equilibrium and heighten sensitivity to tension or holding patterns in specific areas of the body.