Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan)
Tai chi chuan is an "internal" martial art which some describe as a moving meditation. It makes use of the concepts of "Yin" and "Yang" and the flow of "chi." In addition to its martial applications, it promotes health and improves flexibility and balance. The different styles (Chen, Yang, Wu, Wu/Hao, and Sun) were developed by different families in China.
An overview of taijiquan (Wikipedia)
Taichido.com: by Mark Allen and Gary Robinson, variety of information on tai chi and chi kung (qigong)
Tai Chi Healthways site: Master Jesse Tsao's site. Many video clips illustrating different styles
Everyday Tai Chi: introduction to many aspects of tai chi
Tai Chi Page: Hsing-I Martial Arts Institute
Tai Chi for Life Online Magazine
Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern Health and Fitness
Yang Style
I studied Yang style tai chi chuan with Sifu Stan Claunch and practice
the 24-form simplified (or Peking version) Yang Style.
Here are some links that provide information on this style of Tai Chi.
Official Yang Style Tai Chi Website: by 4th and 6th-generation Yang descendants
Yang Tai Chi Page: Little Mountain Tai Chi Club, Vancouver, B.C.
Peter Lim's Taijiquan Resource Page
Canadian Yang Style Tai Chi Page: from Atlantic Canada, disciples of Master Lee Shiu-Pak
Simplified Yang Style Tai Chi Set: Mike Garofalo's site, shows 24-form set with names of forms and pictures
Tai Chi Forms and Movements Page: Tai Chi Academy, Sunnyvale, CA; compares Yang, Chen, and Wu styles
Video demonstration of Yang 24-form set beautifully done (from taiji.de site)
Wu Style
I have recently begun to study the Wu style of tai chi chuan, which differs from the Yang style in being more upright and having less expansive moves. Following are some web sites that deal with the Wu style.
International Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan Federation
Wu Style Tai Ji Quan Form Site
European Association for Traditional Wu Tai Chi Chuan
Video demonstration of Wu style tai chi (Master Jesse Tsao)
Tai Chi Sword (Jian)
My most recent venture in tai chi is studying the tai chi sword form using the straight sword, or jian. Here are some links describing this form.
The Taiji Sword: by Peter Lim
Tai Chi Chuan Sword Form: Stanford Tai Chi and Wushu Club
Tai Chi Sword Page: Academy of Tai Chi and Wu Shu
The Tai Chi Sword Form: Chebucto Community
A video of the Yang sword 32-form
A video of the Wudang sword form (Master Jesse Tsao)
Here is a demonstration of the Chen sword form. Note that the Chen style incorporates faster moves than the Yang style.
Other Tai Chi Weapons Forms (I don't do any of these.)
Here's an interesting form using a fan
Chi Kung (Qigong) and Taiji Exercises: breathing and stretching exercises
Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade (video)
Another video of Eight Pieces of Silk Brocade (Master Jesse Tsao)
Eight Pieces of Brocade (description)
Eight Section Brocade (Michael Garofalo's description and instructions)
Tai Chi Silk Reeling (Master Jesse Tsao)
This page is maintained by Conrad Shiba. Last modified on 03/30/08.
Contact me at cfshiba00 "at" adelphia "dot" net.