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Tai Chi Articles

Tai Chi Chuan is a rich, deep and varied art. Over the years I have written a few articles for Tai Chi and Alternative Health magazine (TCAH), a quarterly magazine with an international distribution. If you want to subscribe, contact the publishers by emailing enquiries@johndingacademy.com. In the meantime here is an edited selection of some of my articles:

Issue 42 - Setting Expectations For Beginners

This article is an attempt at setting your expectations on what can be achieved from the first few years of Tai Chi study. The areas discussed are as follows:

Issue 46 - Training Tips 1

This is the beginning of a series of articles designed to give you a wider perspective on your Tai Chi training. In Training Tips 1 I am looking at that which surrounds training with brief words about relationships in class, being clear about your goals, Read More...

Issue 43 - Yang Style Tai Chi Punch

In Yang style Tai Chi Chuan we avoid punching in a manner where the release of energy is focussed on the surface of the opponent’s body. Instead we deliver blows that penetrate and reverberate deep inside. In addition prior to the delivery of force we try to create a ‘total’ reaction in an opponent that involves their entire being – mind, body and spirit – becoming confused, disorientated and unprepared. Then, it is comparatively easy for the punch to cause the opponent to enter into a state of shock. Read More...

Issue 48 - Stillness and Wu Wei

Initially I thought that I would talk about how our 'beginners' understanding of stillness would be based on experiences prior to Tai Chi. With this in mind I decided that if I gave you an image of 'a rabbit in the headlights' or a child being shouted at to 'sit still and stop fidgeting' at the dinner table, you might say, "Yes this is stillness - in fact I often talk of keeping still or holding still". Unfortunately this state of stillness stops the free flow of energy Read More...

Issue 50 - Training Tips: Push Hands

Like anything in Tai Chi, pushing hands practice is a process. Most schools of Tai Chi, even those not teaching the martial aspects, will contain pushing hands practice designed to elevate your Tai Chi. Read More...

Other Articles/ News/ Press Releases:

Press Release: Grange Park News Issue 20 (Summer 2007)

Tai Chi Chuan is a holistic martial art seeking to use internal energy ('Chi') for good health, self-development and self-defence. To help realise the famous soft power of internal energy, the initial training concentrates on slow, relaxed, flowing movement. This makes it adaptable to many levels of health and fitness. Through this inclusive approach, Tai Chi has become regarded the world over as a fun and effective way to strengthen mind, body and spirit for young and old alike.Read More...

Reflections on learning Master Ip's Snake Style Form

The Snake Form course in Dusseldorf has been and gone. I was there, working hard and enjoying the company of a selection of my fellow instructors and Masters John and Alan Ding. So what did I think of it? Read More...

This page will be updated every so often with new articles.