Wahnam Taijiquan

Ancient Art Enhancing Modern Day Life.

Sifu Joan Browne

Recently, I was asked, what is the difference between Chi Kung, Tai Chi and Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan)?

The following explanation may help.

Chi Kung is the training of energy and mind using form, breathing and mind focus to generate energy flow. It is practised twice daily for good health, overcoming chronic illness, vitality, mental clarity, longevity and a deep sense of relaxation and spiritual joy.

Tai Chi is what we sometimes refer to as Tai Chi dance. Students learn beautiful form but have no concept of generating energy, combat application, internal force or mind training. Some teachers ask their students to pretend they are under water and flow with it to get a ‘sense’ of energy. So there is no direct experience of energy flow. It is a lovely class for those who just wish to have fun and meet new people but are not serious about training genuine Tai Chi Chuan.

Tai Chi Chuan (Taijiquan), in our school, is an Internal Martial Art. From the first moment, it is a training of energy and mind, so it is also high level Chi Kung.  Students go from a state of stillness (Wu Ji) to movement (Wu Wei). There is no need to practice some physical Chi Kung patterns to ‘warm up’. Taijiquan is Chi Kung but has combat application. Each of the movements in genuine Tai Chi Chuan is for self defence.

Wahnam Taijiquan is of course an Internal Martial Art and my respected Master believes that it is the closest to what Zhang San Feng practised in Wudang Mountain all those centuries ago, in the 13^th century to be exact.  He was a Taoist priest, who had learned Shaolin Kungfu in the Shaolin temple. When he went to Wudang Mountain, he composed Wudang 32 pattern long fist after witnessing a fight between a snake and a crane, and from there came a softer version of Kungfu, which later developed into Taijiquan. It is interesting to note that Zhang San Feng first learned Shaolin Kung Fu, then Shaolin Chi Kung and then meditation. He was the first to put all three together, hence the first Patriarch of Taijiquan. How lucky we are to have followed in his legacy.

Wahnam Taijiquan places emphasis on form but it is not the most important part. The important element is energy and mind training, internal force and combat application. It is from the internal force training and combat application that we attain the highest spiritual development contrary to many people’s perception.

Our combat training is systematic and fun. It trains the six harmonies of jing, chi and shen and feet, body, hands. Students attain great mental clarity, courage, personal development, character building, vitality, compassion, self defence and wisdom as well as fitness and good health.. All students are happy and laughing leaving a class, their hearts and minds are open and full of joy with a zest for living, compassion and kindness.

Wahnam Taijiquan offers a rare opportunity, even to those who have been practising just external Tai Chi forms to experience internal force and to apply their forms effectively against Boxers, Kick-Boxers and other Martial Arts. The combat training is not only NOT rough, but actually enjoyable. It is an excellent way to experience the Tai Chi Chuan principle that without being rough and using brute strength, combat is very effective.

Students do not just come on our courses to merely learn how to USE Taijiquan for combat, they leave the courses with the ability to APPLY Taijiquan for combat. There is a big difference between learning how to use Taijiquan for combat and still not be able to do so, and actually using Taijiquan for combat at the course.

Wahnam Taijiquan is a complete internal martial art. It is taught systematically helping students to realise its potential more easily. We do not wait for many years to learn internal force or combat application, they are introduced from Level 1 in a progressive manner. It is fun and it works.