What is the Lineage of the Armenian Tai Chi Group ?
In pre-war years nobody referred to Tai Chi as a general term for the martial art we now practice. It was far more fractured. The various internal arts were distinguished by their geographical areas and family groups.
Although it seems likely that these different internal styles shared a common origin, the physical distance between practicing groups and the inevitable changes that occurred as the result of differing interpretations and experimentation, saw a wide range of styles develop.
In more recent times and with the homogenizing intent of the Chinese Communist Party, all the various internal styles have been cataloged under the umbrella of the three main internal martial arts. These are Baguaquan, Xingyiquan and Taijiquan ( Tai Chi ).
Yang Style Tai Chi - The Legendary Yang Cheng Fu
Within the scope of Taijiquan, some of the main family styles include Chen, Yang, Wu, Sun, Hao and Wudang. They share a lot of essential similarities but the differences are significant. If we were to use the example of football, the various styles would be like comparing Rugby League, Rugby Union and Gridiron. Lots in common but the detail is notably different.
Armenian Park Tai Chi Group, mainly practices Yang Style Tai Chi. This is the most widely practiced style of tai chi. We teach the Beijing 24 forms, which is a modified Yang Style form. We also teach the 37 & 40 Yang Forms.
Wu Style Tai Chi - Wu Jian Chuan
However, we are not a style-based school. Our approach is modern and interactive. We go on learning and love the concept of fusion. Tai chi is still an evolving art. The more we develop and change the more we respect the tradition. Tai chi has become very competition focused in recent years. This is not combative but gymnastic competition. While often impressive and beautiful in its presentation, the true martial skills of tai chi are almost totally disregarded.
Our belief is that an understanding of martial intent must be ever present when performing tai chi. Without this, the movements are spineless. Tai chi is not dance or gymnastics. It is a very unique way of aligning yourself perfectly with human physics.
Chen Style Tai Chi - Chen Fa Ke
We explore several tai chi styles in our classes. The techniques vary but the principals remain constant. Apart from Yang Style, we do a couple of Chen Style forms, one Wu Style and one Sun Style form. Perhaps our biggest influences in recent times is from the Taoist stream and its beautiful Wudang styles. Our Master in China is a Taoist monk from Wudang mountains.
Training with him has certainly shaped our current practice and immeasurably deepened our understanding of traditional tai chi. The picture at the top of this page shows Master Zhao Wei Dong with his students together with a group of Australians we brought over to train with him.
Even more recently, I have begun supplementing my Tai Chi knowledge by training on-line with Sifu Adam Mizner from Heaven Man Earth Tai Chi. He is a wonderful teacher and one of the most highly skilled internal martial artists I have ever seen.