The benefits of Tai Chi Chuan
Tai chi chuan teaches us to relax while moving. Today, it is practiced primarily to cultivate calm, reduce stress and as a wellness practice. It aims to improve concentration, coordination and balance, and to develop muscle memory.
“When I improve the quality of my movements, I improve the quality of my life.”
– Moshe Feldenkrais
While an athlete’s performance can gradually deteriorate with age, tai chi chuan practitioners often see their skills and performance develop over time.
The Yang style is the most widely practiced in the West. The form of Yang tai chi chuan I teach is more specifically that of the Dong family, which has evolved over four generations of practice and teaching. Master Alex Dong, with whom I have been studying for 25 years, is the fourth generation of tai chi masters in his family. He continues the family tradition while also creating new forms inspired by his own practice and teaching.
About tai-chi-chuan
The practice of tai chi chuan is believed to have emerged in the 17th century, but remained secret, meaning it was only passed down to family members. It became popular in the 19th century and diversified into several styles derived from the original Chen style. Today, tai chi chuan is practiced by millions of people around the world.
In short, tai chi chuan is a dynamic form of qi gong.
It combines an external aspect (yang), where each movement has a specific application in martial arts, and an internal aspect (qi gong, yin), where attention is focused on the present moment and inner sensations (kinesthetic sense).
The Dong Yin Jie Tai Chi Legacy School
Alex Dong belongs to the fourth generation of tai chi masters in the Dong family (spelled Dong in Mandarin, Tung in Southern China).
In view of conserving the heritage passed down from his great-grandfather, Alex Dong founded the Dong Yin Jie Tai Chi Legacy school. Expanding and evolving his own vision of adapting the practice of tai chi to our modern world he also founded the Alex Dong Tai Chi Educational Alliance. This organization’s mission is to establish permanent Dong-style tai chi centers around the world in order to promote health and well-being to the widest possible audience.
