Current Practice Focus

For the next few months we will be focusing on footwork and distance.  This will include two person forms, moving push hands and controlled sparring drills.

Cooperative and Competitive Practice

Most people do not associate internal martial arts with competition, however both cooperative and competitive practice can be useful for developing skill when it is used appropriately.

Cooperative partner practice is vital for developing skill in internal martial arts throughout all skill levels.  Two person forms and push hands are good examples of cooperative partner practice. Two person forms are just like other forms except they are done with a partner.  Both practitioners must not only execute their movement properly but must also match the other person's timing and distance in order to properly execute the form.  Though both partners are going through set movements this practice can be made more challenging by varying the speed and space in which the form is performed. 

Tai Chi Silk Reeling and Push Hands @ Grasslawn Park in Redmond. Rain or Shine!

We'll be going over basic silk reeling exercises and then some cooperative push hands tomorrow at Grasslawn Park in Redmond, WA from 10am - 11am.  Those interested in Xin Yi Dao can stay and learn the basics from 11am to noon. Hopefully, it won't be too wet but we'll practice anyway so dress appropriately.  Please RSVP using the meetup http://www.meetup.com/Redmond-Tai-Chi-Push-Hands-Meetup/

Tai Chi Silk Reeling and Push Hands @ Grasslawn Park in Redmond

This Saturday we'll be practicing at Grasslawn Park in Redmond from 10am - 11am.  We'll be goingover basic silk reeling exercises and then some cooperative push hands.  Those interested can stick around from 11am to noon for an introduction to Xin Yi Dao!  Please RSVP using the meetup http://www.meetup.com/Redmond-Tai-Chi-Push-Hands-Meetup/

Should you sweat when practicing internal martial arts?

Many think that internal martial arts such as Tai Chi should only be practiced very gently and working up a sweat or physically exerting yourself is discouraged.  While practicing very gently may provide some benefit, you can never gain a complete progress in any of the internal martial arts (or any martial art for that matter) by practicing this way.  "Internal" does not mean without effort or work.  Just like anything in life you must put in quality time and effort to get good at it.  Here are some reasons why you need to put some physical effort into practice and also why some may make this mistake.

Li Tai Liang Biography

Tai Chi Practice and Xin Yi Dao Intro Meetup Schedule for the Summer

For the rest of the summer, we'll be meeting in Grass Lawn Park for Tai Chi silk reeling and basic push hands from 10am to 11am.  If you're interested in learning about Xin Yi Dao hang around afterwards as we typically practice for another hour. Please RSVP http://www.meetup.com/Redmond-Tai-Chi-Push-Hands-Meetup/