What is Tai Chi?

Tai chi is an ancient internal martial art focused on developing spiritual and mental energy or “chi” through motion and breath. In tai chi, which is a form of Kung Fu, martial applications and self-defense techniques are practiced as slow, continuous movements timed with the breath to center the mind and strengthen the body. While tai chi movements may appear simple, synchronizing body and breath in motion requires a great deal of mental focus and is conducive to clearing the mind of other thoughts, making tai chi a functional form of moving meditation.

To be a good martial artist, you need to be in the best of health. Qigong is at the core of improving and maintaining a high level of health. Qigong, pronounced chee-gung - literally meaning energy (qi) work (gong), is a series of movements and forms that use natural tension to generate and move chi throughout the body. Qigong and tai chi are usually practiced together giving you a complete system for health and self-defense.

The Science of Tai Chi

Many studies have been done over the years that show the benefits of tai chi to your health and well-being. The studies include such diverse topics as:

• longevity
• tension headaches
• bone density
• traumatic brain injury
• mood and self-esteem
• and much more

Tai Chi Classes at Lake Norman Tai Chi Center

Our classes are appropriate for adults of all ages and fitness levels and require no previous martial arts experience. You will receive personal feedback and guidance during each class according to your experience and skill level.

Curriculum highlights

• Fundamentals
  • Breathing techniques - the key to tai chi
  • Stances - how to position the body and establish a strong root
  • Stepping drills - how to move between stances
• Qigong forms and exercises
• Open hand (empty hand) forms, which are the slow, flowing movements that tai chi is known for
• Partner push hands drills, which are slow, moving meditations with a partner that encourage relaxation, sensitivity, and responsiveness
• Self-defense and martial applications
• Intermediate and advanced partner forms, weapons forms, and stepping

What happens in tai chi class?

Each class begins with a series of warm-up exercises to get the blood flowing and the joints loosened. After warm ups the class works together on a group exercise such as qigong, stepping, or zhan zhuang (standing meditation). After that, students work individually or in groups according to their experience level on their curriculum including forms, partner work, and martial applications. This structure allows the instructor to give each student personal attention and guidance, correcting as needed, giving insight into the movements, and instructing on what comes next.

Check out our schedule for class days and times.

Mastery Program at Lake Norman Tai Chi Center

When you demonstrate a level of proficiency as a novice tai chi student, you will have the opportunity to join the Tai Chi Mastery Program. As a Tai Chi Mastery student, you will:

• Explore an advanced curriculum including partner work, weapons forms, and applications.
• Attend the monthly Mastery class where we dive deeper into the curriculum and learn advanced forms.
• Study the other internal Chinese martial arts of Pakua and Hsing-i.

Other internal martial arts taught at Lake Norman Tai Chi Center

Not only is Lake Norman Tai Chi Center one of the few modern schools that teaches authentic Ch’ang style Tai Chi in the tradition of Great Grandmaster Ch’ang Dung Sheng, we also teach other Chinese internal martial arts.

• Pakua (pronounced ba-gwah) features circular techniques for navigating around an opponent.
• Hsing-i (pronounced shing-yee) is a linear art that features movement along a straight line.

Studying these arts together gives you a deeper understanding of the arts and how they compliment each other.

Read our blog for more information on internal martial arts.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and Meditation classes complement what we practice in tai chi.

• Yoga classes focus on aligning breath and mind through physical practice
• Meditation teaches us to be present in the moment while not succumbing to the “Wild Monkey Mind” that we all have.

Find more information on our Mediatation and Yoga pages