For those seeking a low-impact and less strenuous experience in the martial arts, our Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes may be for you. Tai Chi, or in Mandarin Taijiquan, means "grand ultimate fist," and it is the most popular form of kung fu in the world. Each morning in China, people of all ages gather in parks and in parking lots to practice their Tai Chi. The benefits are numerous, from increased circulation and muscle tone to stamina, flexibility, and balance. Qi Gong is another "soft" or internal kung fu, and its focus is to cultivate, increase, and direct one's internal vital energy. Here at Shaolin Kung Fu of Central Texas, we combine Qi Gong with our Tai Chi instruction, and focus primarily upon the practice of baduanjin (eight pieces of brocade) and study of the two forms originated by Bodhidharma, or Da Mo (pictured at left); the yijinjing (muscle and sinew change classic) and xisuijing (marrow washing classic).

Classes begin with a light warm up, stretching, and then some Qi Qong warm ups and exercises. The remainder of the class centers on learning Yang style Tai Chi and, for those interested, their martial arts applications (while practiced today quite often as a "soft" martial art, the principles of Tai Chi are very effective for self defense, leading to its name as grand ultimate fist!).

Classes run Saturdays from 11:00 am-12:00 pm, and we are always happy to accept new students, as long as there is room (enrollment is limited to eight students). Click here to download brochure and enrollment form.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong