Classical Tai Chi of Buffalo

New free classes for beginners forming, please see our "Live Classes" page for information:

Here's a link to what we will be using as a reference in our class: "New to Classical Tai Chi, start here"

Let's talk a little more about "Large vs. Small" or sometimes called "large vs. compact" for instance:   Pushing with the leg is a natural move in large forms. Pulling with the core however is a learned technique only developed in the compact form. Many natural moves also permeate compact as well so most students have difficulty keeping parts of the body stationary that should not move. Try the "sensing" lesson below. Feel for yourself what we mean by "natural" yet one can also learn to delineate and control what should be moving and non-moving with the Classical Tai Chi-Square Form, Round Form:

 Sensing Practice - Wu-chi / Wu-ji (stand with feet parallel)

 From Wu-chi, gently stretch down tailbone Slowly (stand feet parallel, toes front) gently lower (bend) your left knee moving your weight to the left foot (notice the upper body "naturally"turns to the right).

 Return to Wu-chi, now try the right knee, (notice upper body "naturally" turns to the left).

 Return to Wu-chi, now square the shoulders, feel the weight (naturally) move to the heels.

  Return to Wu-chi, slowly try to squat, most people, in the beginning, will feel the weight (naturally) transfer either to the outer edges or inner edges of the feet.

 From Wu-chi, raise one or both arms, un-stretch the tailbone, move your eyes to the horizon, try any and all movements and notice the pressure (naturally) changes on the soles of the feet, neck and the rest of the body parts.

 As we progress through the various position/postures of Wuji, then hopefully on to the Classical Tai Chi "forms", square form, round form remembering such things as the even displacement of weight on edge of the feet when it should be the soles of the feet, the involuntary turning of the body  just bending a knee when the body should be kept still, etc. The "natural" movements of the body become very important do they not? Can you now see the benefit and detriment that natural movement brings and how you can improve your movement for health and martial art by learning?

To learn about our online classes: https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/

In the meantime please take time to read the Blog:  The Classical Tai Chi Blog  (classicaltaichi.blogspot.com) written by Sifu James Roach was selected by Feedspot as one of the "Top 25 Tai Chi Blogs And Websites in the World To Follow in 2018".

 For information about our online classes only:   Contact Master Stephen Hwa at https://classical-tai-chi.teachable.com/ 

 Develop your health and strength with Tai Chi:  Internal Discipline is the most challenging aspect of learning Tai Chi. The central element of the practice dictates how a movement should be made from the internal core of the body—the abdomen and the back—not from the external parts of the body, such as arms and shoulders. 

Understand the Martial Arts Origin of Tai Chi: Tai chi is known historically as an internal martial art with a legendary reputation for cultivating neigong or internal energy and thereby achieving exceptional health benefits. Unfortunately, this art has been lost in most modern tai chi teaching. The origin of Tai Chi as a martial art is now covered with a 2nd, 3rd and 4th new online course at "Teachable". 

This discipline is essential to obtain the full benefits of Tai Chi. Without it, the entire logical structure of Tai Chi disintegrates and can no longer be considered an internal martial art. When the legendary Master Wu Chien Chuan taught Tai Chi to Grand Master Young Wabu, Wu taught him the methodology of cultivating neigong through Internal Discipline.

Wu learned the Tai Chi from his father who learned from the Yangs - without alternation. The Yangs learned the art from the Chens.  Internal Discipline should be a common thread when one wants to develop the full health benefits and to learn martial art applications of Tai Chi.  

 Taken in 2005, Master Instructor Stephen Hwa, Ph.D. with his student and 1st certified teacher of Classical Tai Chi, Sifu Jim Roach.  

 Dr. Stephen Hwa Ph.D. is the 2nd generation disciple of the legendary Tai Chi Master Wu Chien Chuan, founder of Wu Style Tai Chi. Hwa learned from the 1st generation Master Young Wabu shown in the photo below. Sifu Jim Roach studying "Small Circle or Small Frame Tai Chi" with Dr. Hwa since 2005 and is Dr. Hwa's 1st certified teacher.  Sifu Roach was an "indoor" advanced student and 4th generation disciple of the Wu Family when he studied the "large frame" forms at the Academy in Toronto, Canada. Master Hwa was fortunate to be taught the advanced “Small Circle, or Small Frame Tai Chi Form” where every movement originates from the core of the body. Because of the depth and subtlety of learning this art in addition to the early Master’s desire to pass on this art to only a few selected students, few Tai Chi practitioners now know about these exercises. Yet, the ultimate objective of learning Tai Chi is to learn the totally internal Small Frame, while other "large frame" exercises practiced by most Tai Chi practitioners today are simply preparatory in nature. During his forty years of practicing and teaching this art, Hwa has been able to utilize his advanced scientific training (Ph.D. in Engineering) to deconstruct the art to come up with new teaching methods to break through obstacles in learning, so more people can learn these advanced movements quickly. He has written a book, Uncovering the Treasure: Classical Tai Chi’s Path to Internal Energy & Health, and created several DVDs about Classical Tai Chi available on his website at classicaltaichi.com