White Cloud Martial Arts Academy
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Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi is a centuries old fighting system which has seen numerous transformations throughout it's long and colourful history, unfortunately, today it is being taught in classes throughout the West as little more than a low impact cardio exercise. Though it may be so that these gentle, turning and stretching movements can provide some relief from bad backs and other modern day maladies, hidden within these graceful, flowing postures is a truly effective system of combat. At the White Cloud Martial Arts Academy it is this aspect of Tai Chi Chuan which is taught, with postures stripped down and their real implications laid out for students to see and apply.
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The forms, slow and gentle to the casual observer, are done in such a way as to allow the practitioner to concentrate on what is happening within their own bodies; that their balance is exactly where they want it to be, that their weight is distributed where it is needed and is moving in time with the rest of the body. The end result is that when a fist hits, the whole body hits with it.
Tai Chi for Health
Along with the Tai Chi Chuan class described above, the White Cloud Academy also offers a Tai Chi class for those who are not martial artists and are only practicing Tai Chi for it's health benefits.
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This does not mean that two different things are being taught.
Just as there are countless people up and down the country learning boxing just to keep fit with no intention of ever fighting in a ring, so you can learn Tai Chi without needing to apply it in a martial context.
The difference isn't in what is being taught but only in the intentions of the student learning it.
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Whether you are learning Tai Chi Chuan as part of our Kung Fu syllabus or learning just Tai Chi for health at White Cloud you will always receive the same high quality, in depth teaching.
Nei Gung
This essentially refers to the large range of internal exercises that are taught alongside Tai Chi, they use relaxation and quietness combined with deep breathing to produce an easing of the nervous system thus stimulating and benefitting the whole body.
The student of White Cloud must be motivated to train body and mind in order to allow self adjustment and to develop self reliance hence invigorating and strengthening the constitution. Through numerous exercises - either moving or stationary; standing or seated - which link the breath and the muscles and so combine the internal and external aspects of the body the White Cloud practitioner can hope to promote longevity and keep at bay premature aging.
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Internal Energy, or Chi (Qi) can be developed by Chi Gung (Qi Gong) exercises. The aim is to balance the energy inside your body through specific exercises in co-ordination with breathing techniques which are soft and relaxed. Chi cultivation takes patience, persistence and the right amount of effort.
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A calm mind, and optimistic attitude, contentment, confidence and good health are some of the many rewards that are attainable for those willing to search. A good practitioner would be able to move their energy around their body at will. Everybody has Chi, or Life Force, from birth to death, it all depends on how we cultivate it in between.
People who cultivate Chi correctly are the complete package, as opposed to just external competence, which is regarded as an empty vessel.
The aspects of the internal arts which can be experienced at White Cloud include, but are not limited to: The 8 Brocades, 5 Element Chi Gung, Zhang Zhong, Shibashi and Meditation.
Tai Chi Forms
Whether practicing Tai Chi for health or learning the martial applications of Tai Chi Chuan, students at White Cloud learn two Tai Chi forms.
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First the 10-step Yang style form that is taught in Tai Chi schools around the world and shown here.
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Once this simple form has been mastered the practitioner will then begin to learn the White Cloud 108-step form, the first part of which is shown below.
