Tai Chi Chuan - 太極拳

Tai Chi Chuan, or in pinyin, tàijíquán (太極拳), is a Chinese martial art that focuses on the use of relaxation and connection for combat as well as development of qi (氣) or life-energy/breath. I studied this art formally beginning in 2003 with Greg and Ching Brodsky who trained with William C. C. Chen. They teach Yang style form, modified by Cheng Man-ch'ing (Zhèng Mànqīng) who brought his "short form" to the United States in 1964.

I am still learning many things from my practice. I wrote an article in 2004 about some of the insights tai chi has given me in understanding stress. It was titled "Staying Rooted" and published in the Santa Cruz Sentinel, although their online version has disappeared with change in ownership.