A short preview of Wong style Tai Chi Chuan.

 

Tai Chi Chuan ("Grand Ultimate Fist") is an ancient Chinese martial art greatly influenced by Taoist concepts and emphasizes Chi cultivation and manipulation. Its soft circular movements are generally performed in a slow, relaxed, and flowing manner. Special breathing, meditative, or visualization techniques are often incorporated as well. As a therapeutic exercise, Tai Chi increases overall vitality - while enhancing the circulation, flexibility, balance, mind-body awareness and stress management abilities.

 

As a form of self-defense, it provides very practical and effective combat applications. Tai Chi relies more on defensive and neutralization techniques rather than attacks, while using an opponent's energy against him/herself. It tends to avoid instances of force-on-force applications whenever possible, preferring "re-directive" blocks and parries for defense. Tai Chi also specializes in Chin-Na techniques and numerous leverage-based maneuvers. Kicks are precise and almost always executed below the waist, while the footwork is rooted but continuously in motion.

 

Although fist/punching techniques are seen, most of the hand work is comprised of open-handed techniques. While some Tai Chi styles are more combat-oriented than others, all styles possess inherent self-defense techniques.