The T’ai Chi Chuan means “the ultimate supreme”, a form of exercise considered to be so complete in of itself that nothing needs to be added to it. Chuan means “fist”, but it is the soft, open fist which embodies balance; harmony and holding yourself in your grasp. 

The T’ai Chi emerged in the 5th Century AD in the Honan Province of China at the Shaolin Monastery. There were 18 monks at the monastery and they were the founding fathers of the T’ai Chi. They were also referred to as Lohans and were revered in China. The form originated from Taoism, a world religion but not as we would visualise religion. It is a way of life based on the concept of flow and moving gently or gracefully in life without the need to use force. One of the most famous Taost monks was Lao Tsu who wrote the Tao Te Ching.

T’ai Chi is from the “inner school” of the martial arts, the arts of war based on slow movement, fluidity and flexibility. It is about the inner opponent and taking control of ones movements.