What We Do

Traditional Chinese medical theory holds that there is a life force which animates the universe. This vital energy is called chi. Every living being embodies a tiny bit of this life force. When chi circulates, there is health and vitality. When chi stagnates, there is illness.

The chi resides in the lower tan tien, the "seat of heaven," a site in the subtle body close to one's navel. Chi gong is a deep breathing technique that awakens the chi. Chi gong breathing is coordinated with slow, gentle movements that facilitate the flow of chi throughout the human anatomy.

Chi gong is performed in a standing position, while tai chi chuan is performed in a series of flowing movements. The practice of tai chi chuan further facilitates the flow of chi.

After twenty minutes of our chi gong exercises, you are guaranteed to feel the flow of your life force.

The term "kung fu" comes from two Chinese words meaning time (fu) devoted to hard work (kung). In a word, kung fu means discipline. There are two types of discipline: external and internal. The external disciplines are hard, fast, powerful exercises that work the big muscle groups. The external disciplines are known as Shaolin kung fu. They are a perfect exercise for young people.

The internal disciplines are soft, slow, powerless exercises that focus not on the big muscle groups, but on the joints, ligaments, and tendons. They massage the internal organs. The internal disciplines are known as chi gong and tai chi chuan. They are a perfect exercise for adults.

At Tosa Tai Chi we start each class with a long set and a short set of chi gong. The long set exercises the entire body head to foot. The short set focuses on deep, complete breathing.

We then practice Eight Piece Brocade (Ba Duan Jin). We perform eight different exercises eight times each. Chi gong breathing is optional for Ba Duan Jin. The eight exercises are:

1. Support the Heavens. 

2. Bow and Arrow shoots the Eagle

3. Sun Moon Hands

4. Turn Head and Press from Behind 

5. Dragon Shakes his Tail

6. Bend at the Waist and Grab the Ankles 

7. Horse Stance and Punches 

8. Flap Arms like a Bird

We finish the chi gong portion of our class with Continuous Eight Piece Brocade. We perform eight different exercises only once but in a faster, more dynamic fashion. The eight exercises are:

1. Tiger Tears the Silk

2. Support the Heavens 

3. Flap Arms like a Bird 

4. Bend at the Waist

5. Sway Arms in the Breeze like a Tree

6. Return to the Center

7. Descending Postures

8. Ride the Horse

Chi Gong and Ba Duan Jin are excellent warm-up exercises for Tai Chi Chuan.

The practice of the internal disciplines dates back to medieval China. In the many centuries of its long history, tai chi chuan has seen four great families or styles emerge: Yang, Sun, Chen and Wu. 

We practice a private version of the traditional Yang style. 

In old China, masters of the Yang family taught the "public" style to anyone in parks and open places. They reserved the "private" style for members of their inner circle deemed worthy. The Yang masters taught the private style in the courtyard of their family compound.  

Dating back to the late 19th century, the private form of the traditional Yang style is one of the most challenging, dynamic and athletic styles of tai chi. Deep knees bends are juxtaposed with high positions that stretch the arm and leg muscles.

At first glance our style might seem too demanding, but at Tosa Tai Chi we strive for progress not perfection. We all work within our own body limitations. Tai chi is a gift to yourself, not a competition with others.

Master Yin was one of the first masters to bring this style of tai chi chuan to America. The founder of this private form had two main disciples. One was sent south, the other north to Beijing. Master Yin learned the style directly from this first generation teacher. It was an event that was to transform his life.

In Master Yin's own words, "At that time, a very famous tai chi chuan teacher by the name of Ahn Ding Bang was serving at a gymnasium in Beijing. I packed up all my things and traveled there to learn from him. Master Ahn's skill was most excellent and he taught tirelessly. I practiced diligently day and night. Fortunately, I caught the vision! My strength became full, and I became a different person than I was before."

Tosa Tai Chi practices the private version of the traditional Yang style. Learning it, you become the fifth generation of this form.