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The Hutchinson System of Integrated Mind Body Therapies
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Tai Chi & Health
The History and Development
of
Tai Chi Chuan

In legend Tai Chi Chuan began with a Taoist Immortal, but its recorded history began in the Chen village. As a family style the secrets of this martial art were guarded until the art was transmitted to Yang Lu Ch’an, who created the Yang style and who popularized the art.

Following his training in the Chen style, and a rumored stay with a unnamed Taoist mountain sage, Yang Lu Ch’an went to Beijing where he earned the nickname “Yang the Invincible” and a teaching post to the Imperial Family and their elite imperial guards. Yang Lu Ch’an and the following generations of his family would train the founders of all the later styles of Tai Chi Chuan.
 
The Hutchinson System uses a version of the Yang Style.
One Root
Two branches
Tai Chi Chuan as an art has two interrelated aspects martial and civil. The martial aspect focuses on the development of fighting skill, while the civil aspect focuses health development. Like the “Taijitu” symbol Tai Chi Chuan when done properly contains both aspects.

In Imperial China the martial branch was most popular but following the Chinese Communist Revolution the standardized style of Tai Chi in China was simplified by Yang Cheng Fu (Lu Chan's grandson) for easier teaching and learning and emphasizing the health aspects.

Today it is possible to train with teachers who have had experience with several different styles and who focus on each of the branches at different levels. Choosing a teacher for this art should center on your own goals and what the teacher offers in experience within the art.
 
Older Styles that predate Cheng Fu's version contain more of the the balance between the two branches of the art.

 Tai Chi Chuan

 Moving in the Principles

Tai Chi Chuan belongs to a subset of fighting arts known “Internal” Martial Arts, and is distinguished by initially focusing on developing skill in principles of movement, body alignment, and sensitivity. Hard Martial Arts focus strength and speed in beginners. These starting points grow into each other so at the highest level there is no distinction.

An unusual feature of Tai Chi Chuan as a martial art is training in principles rather than techniques. Form training is designed to create movement skills that can be applied as strikes, throws, or joint locks all from the same starting point. Focus in the solo form is on developing sensitive, flowing, and relaxed movements not on combat.

Also two-person practice should focus on cooperative training in connecting with your partner in the initial stages. Later when these skills are applied in free form sparring a whole new level of control can be reached.

 

Developing Health

through Tai Chi Chuan

True exploration of the health benefits of Tai Chi Chuan may have began with Yang Chien-hou (Lu Chan’s youngest son) while he was training medical and philosophical community in Beijing and adding to the structure of the art. Western research has shown Tai Chi Chuan to have positive effects on cardiovascular and respiratory functions, balance in older adults, high blood pressure, heart attacks, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

Getting Started

 

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 Tai Chi Chuan in the Hutchinson System

The Tai Chi Chuan practiced in is a medium frame Yang Style long form that can be traced back to Yang Chien-hou (Lu Chan’s second son). Training in the Hutchinson System incorporates Mr. Hutchinson’s over a decade of experience of teaching Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong, Yoga, and massage with a variety of medical and exercises facilities. Emphasis is placed on developing a regiment that fits both the student’s goals and their lifestyle.