Bath Tai Chi

THE LI STYLE T’AI CHI FORMS
Within the Li Style there are two main forms: the Classic T’ai Chi Form and the Fast Form or Flying Hands. The Classic Form has 140 moves and becomes progressively more difficult as you move through the form. The Fast Form is a test in central core strength and expression as the moves are quick and should be seen as effective to the finger tips. At 180 moves, it is very dynamic and fluid.

WHAT IS LI STYLE T’AI CHI?
The Li style is a very traditional form of T’ai Chi similar in its size and frame to the Wu style. The various T’ai Chi styles evolved in the different Chinese families that developed them to suit the physical characteristics and lifestyle of the family. However all styles of T’ai Chi embody certain basic principles which ensure effectiveness as a martial art and maximise the health benefits of the movement.

The constant observation of these principles ensures that the body is always properly aligned so that the movements use and develop the natural range and articulation of the joints without force or impact.

WHAT IS CHI SHU AND SHUAI JIAO?
These are the close combat sections of the Li style arts.

Chi Shu: In some people’s eyes Chi Shu looks very similar to the Japanese art of Aikido. When utilising the joints and control of balance, the Chi Shu practitioner is able to execute controls, throws and takedowns. It is also very free-flowing and non-confrontational but Chi Shu can have a devastating effect on an opponent when performed correctly!

Shuai Jiao: Much closer contact is needed in this art than in Chi Shu. It is a form of Chinese Wrestling. The throws and takedowns utilise hips, shoulders, arm and leg sweeps to a great effect. The practitioner is taught to use the whole body rather than relying on his/her strength. Good posture is paramount in this art; arm locks, shoulder, leg and head locks are also part of Shuai Jiao groundwork.

WHAT ARE K’AI MEN AND TAO YIN?
These two types of Chi Gong exercise are the ‘crown jewels of the Li-system’. They generally promote health and well-being but can also be selected to help individuals deal with a variety of particular issues, whether related to health, mobility, fitness or calming the mind and spirit.

K’ai Men may be translated as ‘Open Door’ and these exercises are sometimes called Taoist yoga. Each exercise takes a particular aspect of the practitioner’s physical capability and explores its range in a short sequence of movements co-ordinated with the breath. This opens the joints, increasing flexibility without straining, and thereby strengthens not only muscles but also tendons, ligaments and bones. The opening of the joints improves the circulation and promotes relaxation and well-being. The exercises also allow the body to practise maintaining proper alignment while moving, which is of great value in the Form.

Tao Yin is translated as ‘Respiration Therapy’. These exercises use breath to relax and balance the body systems and thereby promote good function. Each has an evocative title e.g. The Five Lotus Blossoms, Light the Earth’s Fire, The Serpent Creeps down the Mountain, which adds an imaginative dimension to the practice.

These exercises can be adapted to suit the ability of the practitioner, even those with significant disabilities. Their action creates a gentle improvement in the range of movement without any stress or straining. As such they are beneficial for all age groups and ability levels and, when properly adapted by our Instructors, particularly suitable for those for whom high impact or aerobic exercise would not be recommended.

BCCMA | British Council for Chinese Martial Arts An invitation to join our growing membershipCheck you have a valid BCCMA membership online today.Check your BCCMA Membership Today COMPETITIONS BCCMA Sanda Fight Night 8BCCMA National WuShu Kung Fu Championships (Sparring and Taolu)BCCMA National Junior Qingda Championships (5-17 years)BCCMA Nationa...

WHAT IS FENG SHOU?
Feng Shou is the Li style version of Kung Fu. It is an internal system, utilising all the principles of T’ai Chi posture and control. Feng Shou is generally translated as ‘Hand of the Wind’; you do not see the wind – you only see its effects.

When this beautiful Art is expertly performed the various techniques: ward-offs, parries, evasions, strikes, kicks, locks, throws and controls, follow one another forming a continuous flowing movement.

When properly executed in this way the movement is deceptive as the system is a highly effective martial art. The motto of the Feng Shou system is “The Softness of a Butterfly’s Wing but with the Hardness of Steel”

Feng Shou is ideally suited for semi-contact and full contact sparring competitions.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS EXPLAINED
👉🏼More support, more opportunities, more fun!
👉🏼Membership of the TAO gives you huge advantages beyond the local club:

👉🏼Your local instructor has continuing training, support and supervision to give you a richer and safer experience.

👉🏼Every student poses new challenges to an Instructor – if they need help they have the Technical Director to advise them.

👉🏼Your progress is regularly assessed (free of charge) and these assessments are independently verified by the Technical Director to ensure our TAO quality standards are of the highest.

👉🏼You have additional training opportunities to help you progress.

👉🏼Full days of training on our weekend courses with senior instructors give you the time to develop your skills.

👉🏼Training fees for members are substantially cheaper.

👉🏼Our residential courses are available in the UK, France and Germany. These courses are for members only and allow you to train in beautiful surroundings, undistracted by everyday responsibilities.

👉🏼You may purchase specialist training merchandise, not available to the general public.

👉🏼The TAO has a steadily extending library of print and DVD resources to help both students & instructors.

👉🏼The TAO can supply members with martial arts clothing and equipment at competitive prices.

👉🏼Join our family. TAO members come from various walks of life and may have very different outlooks. However they come together because of a mutual interest and through the shared experience of training they form bonds of friendship.

👉🏼We are run by our committee for our members; you can attend the AGM and have your say in how we are run.

Taoist Arts Organisation; Fan Competition Form This is Li-style Tai Chi as practised and taught within the Taoist Arts Organisation There are various clips on You-Tube demonstrating the movements of Li st...

TAOIST PHILOSOPHY AND THE LI FAMILY ARTS (from TAO website)

Taoist philosophy developed in ancient China. Taoist practices were designed to help individuals find their own connection with the Tao (or way). As part of this, the Taoists developed practices to promote health and longevity.

Within that ancient Chinese culture, a significant step in achieving longevity was to survive attacks and battles. The Taoists evolved various defensive martial arts, which are powerful and highly effective although the practitioner remains relatively soft and flexible, moving like water or wind. Arts of this type are described as internal martial arts. Internal martial arts benefit the health of the practitioner being less likely to lead to injury than external systems, which are aggressive and more physically stressful for the body. The practice of internal martial arts can improve fitness, strength and promotes good health.

The Li system of Taoist Arts was developed in China and remained an exclusive practice within the Li family until brought to this country by Professor Li Kam Chan in the early part of the last century. He taught it in London but only to other Chinese émigrés. After his death Professor Chee Soo continued to teach Li style until his death in 1994. It was Chee Soo who first introduced the system to westerners.

It is bank holiday Monday so no class. Next week we are back in the park.

I hope you all had a lovely Easter. We are back tonight. Some of us went to the TAO Easter residential and had a great time. A Kai Men from this year's Easter school is on today's agenda.

Bath Tai Chi is currently enjoying a seasonal break. We are back in the New Year. We start again on 8 January 2018. Happy New Year.