The Tao Chi School

Neigong T'ai Chi Chuan is the inner practice of the myth of the creation of the universe.

It is carrying yin, embracing yang and harmoniously combining these forces to the core of one's being.

Or, perhaps, it is simply the sound of the flowers.

T'ai Chi (or “Taiji” in pin yin spelling) refers to the perfect balance of the complementary relationships of the universe—Yin and Yang. It is based on the premise that the soft overcomes the hard—the snake's fluid yielding movements conquer the straight jabbing darts of the crane, or soft water overcomes hard rocks.* The black-and-white Yin-Yang symbol, familiar to many people as a representation of harmony, is traditionally known as the T'ai Chi.

The practice of T'ai Chi, considered an advanced form of Ch'i Gong, involves a series of movements that gracefully flow into one another. The exercises are gentle and fluid, energetically opening every part of the body equally. One’s legs eventually become so strong that they support the torso effortlessly, allowing the body to become completely relaxed.

The health benefits of regular T'ai Chi training have been extolled by Taoist practitioners for centuries. It is traditionally believed that T'ai Chi practice strengthens one's bones, tonifies one's organs, and revitalizes one's spirit, thereby promoting health and curing illness. T'ai Chi's deeply calming effect is also an excellent means of stress relief.

*The practice of T'ai Chi has also been used for martial purposes, and as such is generally called T'ai Chi Ch'uan (or “Taiji Quan” in pin yin), meaning “supreme ultimate fist.” However, at the Tao Ch'i School, the harmonious and health-promoting practice of T'ai Chi is our exclusive focus.

What is T'ai Chi (Taiji)?