TCCA: The Art

Atlanta Journal & Constitution, '94

The ancient Chinese martial art known as T'ai Chi Ch'uan has developed over the centuries as the physical expression of the philosophy of "the Supreme Ultimate" in which opposites are balanced as yang and yin, firm and soft, power and the yielding of it. Millions of people worldwide daily perform the fluid, slow and gentle movements of the art. Of the five major styles, the Yang Long Form, taught at T'ai Chi Ch'uan Atlanta, is the most widely practiced today. It is quiet, smooth, rhythmical and continuously flowing; circular, yet directed; apparently placid, yet vital beneath the surface.

What is more fluid, more yielding than water?
Yet back it comes again,
wearing down the rigid strength
Which cannot yield to withstand it.
So it is that the strong is overcome by the weak.

Lao-Tse

As a martial art, T'ai Chi Ch'uan is extremely effective. The T'ai Chi Ch'uan practitioner subtly neutralizes and diverts the opponent's energy, using minimal force, and responds appropriately to whatever the situation requires. While T'ai Chi Ch'uan does not rely on strength, its practice promotes it.

T'ai Chi Ch'uan can become a life-long pursuit and an integral part of one's way of being.