History
A lot of the Tai Chi Chuan taught world wide today has a lack of martial understanding. Simply taught as a set of movements for relaxation, without the understanding of why you move a particular way, what certain moves represent, or how to set your mind, Tai Chi Chuan is no better than waving your arms softly in the air. Thanks to 9th Degree Grandmaster Henry Sue the essence of our Long Fist Tai Chi Chuan has been maintained. Long Fist is a more martial style of Tai Chi. Thus, we teach what the moves mean, the ways in which they can be applied, and how to use your Qi, posture, and sun ( focus ) to achieve the ultimate benefit from your practice.
We teach the Yang style short and long forms and weaponry. Once students are proficient in these they can progress to the much harder and more powerful Chen forms and weaponry. The extension of Qi is also taught through the weapon forms; the fan, Chinese sabre, and walking stick.
The accuracy of Tai Chi Chuan’s history is shrouded in myth and legend. Chang San Feng, an almost mythical figure, is said to have created Tai Chi Chuan after witnessing a fight between a snake and a magpie. Chang San Feng was a Wudang Mountain Taoist. The exercises designed by him were for the improvement of flexibility and softness within the body. Over time his exercises were joined together to make a flowing pattern, or form. The lineage from Chang San Feng leads to the famous Chen Village. From here a very martial based form of Tai Chi Chuan was practiced, and several other styles would sprout from this fertile ground. This includes the Yang style of the famous Yang Lu Chan.
Our school practices the many Yang style forms and has also Chen style Tai Chi. Our Grandmaster, Henry Sue, went to China in 1995 and practised with the current Chen lineage to bring back Chen style Tai Chi Chuan to teach to his students.
