Tai-Chi/Qi-Gong (internal arts)
Most people think of Tai-Chi as a good exercise for health and a great way to develop peace and harmony. Although this is true, it is only one aspect to what Tai-Chi really is. Tai-Chi means “Supreme Ultimate Fist”, and there is a very good reason for this. Tai-Chi is one of the original forms of martial arts and is one of the most effective fighting arts there is.
Tai-Chi began as a fighting art and was heavily influenced by the book “I Ching” (book of changes), written by Lao Tsu (6th century), which taught Philosophy, psychology, the laws of dynamics, physiology, geometry, and health for longevity. The amalgamation of all of these disciplines formed the foundation of Tai-Chi.
Sensei Kim was taught Tai-Chi, Pa-Kua, Yi Chuan, Qi-Gong and other internal arts by some of the most famous internal arts masters in history, including Chen Chin Yuan, Chao Hsu Lie and Wang Xiang Zhay.
I am very fortunate to have been able to train under Master Richard Kim and now continue my training under his top students who continue to teach these arts. It is my privilege to pass along what I have learned from sensei Kim and his top students.
The style of tai-Chi we teach is a Yang style with a heavy Chen influence. This is because of the varied teachers Sensei Kim learned from. I remember Sensei Kim saying at a summer camp I was attending, “if you want to be a master, you must study all of the arts”. This is something Sensei Kim did throughout his life. He was trained in Karate, Tai-Chi, Aiki, Pa-Kua, Yi Chuan, Judo, Kobudo, and Boxing, just to name a few.
Qi-Gong
Qi is inherent in all things. It is the intrinsic energy of life, and when cultivated brings health in body, mind and spirit. However, the essesnce of Qi has a deeper secret to offer; it provides us with a path to knowing our true nature, our Buddha nature.
Cultivating Qi is simple but not easy. It is neither something that is learned nor is it something that can be taught. It takes patience, mindfulness and quidance to bring into your awareness that which is already there. I have found that guiding from a place of love and compassion enhances ones awareness, which allows Qi to flow more easily.
We are all one, and it is with this in mind that i approach my classes. Foe me, helping others cultivate Qi in themselves is tha same as cultivating it in myself. Qi is not exclusive, rather it is inclusive and to be aware of this is to realize the unity in all life.
Qi-Gong classes encompass both meditative stillness and meditative movement. The movements are not streneous or difficult, on the contrary they are free flowing and relaxing. As in Tai-Chi the movements enhance the fllow of Qi throughout the body.
Sensei Ed Williamson