Our Association
Taranaki Tai Chi Chuan Association
Established in 1985 and incorporated in 1991, Taranaki Tai Chi Chuan is a community-based, non-profit organisation delivering Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong classes, workshops and events throughout Taranaki.
Activities are gratefully supported by Toi Foundation through grant funding and are endorsed by the Sport Taranaki Community Strength and Balance programmes – Live Stronger for Longer: Preventing Falls and Fractures.
About the practice
Tai Chi Chuan & Qigong
Tai Chi Chuan
Tai Chi Chuan is a unique system of health, meditation and self-defence that originated in China over 1,000 years ago and is regarded as one of the treasures of Chinese culture.
Practised through slow, relaxed and flowing movements, Tai Chi Chuan helps develop flexibility, balance, coordination and strength while supporting healthy circulation and overall wellbeing.
The calming and harmonising nature of the practice improves concentration and helps release physical tension, mental stress and emotional fatigue. Through regular practice, students cultivate “chi” — the body's intrinsic energy, often described as a life force.
Widely regarded as a moving meditation, Tai Chi Chuan encourages harmony between body, mind and emotions, helping individuals respond to life with greater calmness, balance and awareness.
Known as a “soft” or “internal” martial art, Tai Chi Chuan derives its strength from relaxation and the cultivation of internal energy rather than muscular force. Today, it is practised throughout the world for enjoyment, personal development and its many recognised health benefits. A growing body of Western medical research has supported its value, particularly in improving balance and reducing the risk of falls among older adults.*
Tai Chi Chuan is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels. Progress comes through patience, persistence and regular practice. While it does not promise instant vitality or physical mastery, many benefits can be experienced within a relatively short time and continue to develop over a lifetime of practice.
* The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi, Peter Wayne, PhD and Mark Fuerst, Harvard Health Publications, 2013.
Yang Style
As a traditional Yang Style School, Taranaki Tai Chi Chuan aims to preserve the martial applications within each posture to maintain authenticity, deepen understanding, and honour the teachings passed down through previous masters.
Qigong
Qigong is a traditional Chinese system of coordinated breathing techniques with gentle movement and focused awareness that supports physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qigong is widely practised to promote health, improve balance and flexibility, reduce stress and support overall vitality.
Qigong is also an important foundation for many internal martial arts, helping to develop body alignment, relaxation, coordination and fluid movement.
Qigong is suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities and can be practised for health, rehabilitation, relaxation and personal development.
Practice methods generally fall into four main categories:
- • Dynamic practice — slow, flowing movements combined with breathing and gentle stretching to encourage the flow of energy through the meridians, while supporting healthy circulation of blood and qi (chi).
- • Static practice — holding specific postures to develop strength, alignment and internal awareness as well as Breathing Techniques.
- • Meditative practice — stillness and mindful breathing to calm the mind and regulate energy.
- • Assisted practice — exercises that may use simple aids or props to support learning and development.
Breathing Exercises
The practice of specific breathing techniques that support physical wellbeing, mental clarity and relaxation. Methods emphasise gentle breathing through the nostrils while directing awareness to the lower abdomen, incorporating practices such as Dantian breathing and reverse breathing to develop calmness, focus and internal energy awareness.
The Connection Between Tai Chi and Qigong
Tai Chi Chuan is a form of Qigong, expressed through a specific and flowing sequence of movements with roots in traditional martial arts.
Both Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong aim to cultivate and harmonise Qi — the body’s vital life-force energy. Many of the Qigong forms practiced are a part of the Chinese Health Qigong Association system, the association is affiliated to through the New Zealand Health Qigong Association.
What we teach
Tai Chi & Qigong Exercises
A variety of exercise sets for health and chi cultivation.
Chinese Health Qigong
- • Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade)
- • Mawangdui Daoyin Shu
- • Da Wu
- • Daoyin Yangsheng Gong Shi Er Fa
- • Wu Qin Xi (5 Animal Movements)
- • Yi Jin Jing (Tendon/Muscle Strengthening Exercises)
- • Taiji Yangsheng Zhang (Stick Form)
- • Liu Zi Jue (The 6 Healing Sounds)
- • Zhu Fei Gong (Strengthen the Body to Support the Lungs)
- • Bao Jian Gong 1 and 2
- • Ming Mu Gong (Eye Brightening Exercise)
Tai Chi Qigong
- • Shibashi 1 and 2 (18 Movements)
Tai Chi Exercises
- • Master Ma’s 6 Tai Chi Tsao
Welcome
Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong are suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels.
The Association welcomes all newcomers for a complimentary first class.