Yang style has something of the feeling of 'killer energy' about it; it is more martial in appearance.
A spectator can see the applications of the movements when they watch the form.
(Master Xu Shu Song)

What are the martial skills (kung fu)?

In combat, tai chi chuan uses evasion, stickiness and sensitivity rather than brute force.
The muscles remain relaxed at all times and the body moves as one whole unit (neigong).

There are many tai chi chuan martial skills in the syllabus, including:

1. Shuai jiao (take downs)
2. Chin na (seizing)
3. Jing (internal power)
4. San sau (fixed sets)
5. San da (freeform combat)
6. Form application
7. Weapons
8. Self defence

Even though many of these skills are common to different styles of kung fu, a tai chi chuan student must perform them in a tai chi chuan way.
The application of tai chi chuan always follow the guidelines presented in the Tai Chi Classics.

What are the benefits of learning tai chi chuan?

Tai chi chuan is not just about combat.
Daily practice offers a wide range of benefits that will affect your everyday life:

• Get fit
• Stay calm
• Feel balanced
• Increased stamina and endurance
• Stress-relief
• Gain functional combat skills that rely upon intelligence rather than brutality
• Off-set the effects of aging (e.g. sarcopenia)
• The release of deeply-held muscular tension   
• Boost energy
• A way to use millennia old Chinese wisdom in everyday life  
• Meditation
• An unusual form of strength
• Emotional composure in the face of confrontation and crisis
• Philosophical study involving some of the most influential books ever written 
• Cultivate confidence and resourcefulness

A-Z of tai chi

Notes, lessons and reflections.
This is a small sample of Sifu Waller's teaching and insights:

http://www.newcastletaichi.co.uk/A-Z.htm

What does Sifu Waller teach?

• Baguazhang
• Chin na
• Meditation
• Neigong
• Qigong
• Shuai jiao
• Tai chi chuan
• Taoism
• Weaponry
• Zen

Is tai chi easy to practice?

Qigong & tai chi for health movements are not physically strenuous and will not strain or tax the body.
However, easy or difficult are relative to the individual.
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.

Tai chi chuan (martial art) is much harder to learn and requires a greater commitment to practice.
You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi chuan overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...

Why are your classes more expensive than the guy down the street?

Print off these pages:

1. The essence of the art
2. Chang treatise
3. Wang treatise
4. Wu treatise

Take the sheets to another class and ask the instructor to explain and illustrate/demonstrate each facet to you.
This will answer your question.

It is not about anger, it is about peace.
It is not about power, it is about grace.
It is not about knowing your enemy, it is all about knowing yourself.
(Bulletproof Monk)

Is tai chi easy to learn?

Everyone is different.
Some people pick things up quickly whilst others require more time.

A good tai chi school will have a tried and tested syllabus in place.
By systematically learning one skill at a time, the student gradually accrues information, gains physical awareness and increases the range and scope of their understanding.
But this does not happen overnight.
There is a considerable amount of information to learn. It must be revised, refined, honed and practiced thoroughly.

Who can study tai chi?

Qigong & tai chi for health can be practiced by pretty much anyone.
Fitness and age are not important.

Tai chi chuan (martial art) is not suitable for everyone.
If you fancy discovering the martial skills (kung fu) you need to be realistic in terms of expectations. 
We reserve the right to decline tuition:
• if we feel that a student is physically unable to study tai chi chuan safely• if an individual demonstrates the wrong attitude for tai chi chuan study 

Is tai chi just form?

Form is just 1 area of practice in tai chi.

8 areas of knowledge and ability provide a balanced comprehension of the art:

1. Qigong (energy/breath work)
2. Form
3. Pushing hands
4. Meditation
5. Theory & philosophy
6. Martial skill (kung fu)
7. Neigong (whole-body strength)
8. Instructing (optional)

A tai chi student should work towards competence in each of these areas and also uncover the essence of the art.

Isn't tai chi slow and boring?

Some tai chi exercises are slow, whilst others are not.
Tai chi chuan (martial art) training starts slowly and then speeds up as the student becomes more skilled.

A good class will always have a comprehensive syllabus in place; ensuring on-going development and access to new material.
The training challenges your mind with unexpected insights, skills and possibilities.
No two lessons are the same.

Is tai chi a martial art?

Originally yes; it was developed as a system of kung fu and was employed by the Chinese military.

The true science of martial arts means practicing them in such a way that they will be useful at any time, and to teach them in such a way that they will be useful in all things.

(Miyamoto Musashi)

In modern times tai chi is typically taught for exercise.Martial classes offering a complete range of skills are very rare in the UK.

We offer our students the option of practicing tai chi as a martial art.

Is tai chi just form?

Form is just 1 area of practice in tai chi.

8 areas of knowledge and ability provide a balanced comprehension of the art:

1. Qigong (energy/breath work)
2. Form
3. Pushing hands
4. Meditation
5. Theory & philosophy
6. Martial skill (kung fu)
7. Neigong (whole-body strength)
8. Instructing (optional)

A tai chi student should work towards competence in each of these areas and also uncover the essence of the art.

I want to learn tai chi as a martial art, why do I need to become a member?

Taijiquan is more difficult to learn than tai chi for health.
It cannot be approached haphazardly.
A clear, structured syllabus must be in place, along with a logical step-by-step teaching plan determining just how the syllabus is implemented.

Students who attend weekly and are willing to practice between lessons will find taijiquan to be a challenging learning experience.

Welcome

We offer a very high standard of tuition from instructors with decades of experience.There is a syllabus in place to ensure that the tai chi is taught in a consistent, structured, methodical way.
Students work towards a comprehensive understanding of tai chi, whole-body strength and the ability to use their body in an intelligent, healthy manner.

Have fun in a calm, vibrant, training environment; free from bullying, cliques and politics. The atmosphere is friendly, pleasant and relaxed.
Personal safety and individual wellbeing are important to us.

Is tai chi easy to practice?

The movements are not physically strenuous and will not strain or tax the body.

However, easy or difficult are relative to the individual.
It depends on memory, coordination, patience and how committed you are.
Also, there is the question of how fit you are to begin with.

You cannot reasonably hope to master tai chi overnight.
The art is very in-depth, with many levels of skill and achievement.
There is always more to uncover...

The perfect exercise?

In modern life, time is in short supply and a person wants to get the best possible benefits from any new endeavour they undertake. 
Harvard Medical School suggests that tai chi may indeed be the perfect exercise.

Tai chi offers a multi-layered approach to the cultivation of health, vitality and wellbeing.
The depth of study available within a bona fide system of tai chi is incredible; a student can quite literally explore the art for their entire lifetime and still discover new mysteries, secrets and skills.

As a martial art, taijiquan is unparalleled in its sophisticated biomechanics, diversity of combat skills and variety of application.

http://www.taichiunion.com/instructors/?l=waller