Taipei City Government

The essence of Chinese martial arts exists at a profound level. Mastery comes not through overpowering strength, but through the embodiment of the Dao , most often translated as the“Way”or the“Path.”In Asia's martial-arts films you commonly see the hero performing incredible kungfu feats, fists flying in fury as he rolls through opponents one after another. Another miraculous feat is to seemingly turn flesh to steel after simple breathing exercises and meditation, acquiring the capacity to contend with powerful forces. Though seemingly beyond the realm of reality, these are not mere cinematic tricks and not as far from our everyday existence as you might think. In Taipei, many a fine martial-arts academy and sports center offers courses in Taiji Quan, Wing Chun, qigong, and other martial-arts style that will bring out the mettle and the miraculous in you!

Cultivating One's Moral Character and One's Spirit

The approach taken in Taiji Quan is that Dao can be acquired after mastering the skills .“Within one trains one's energy, qi, and mind; without one trains one's tendons, bones, and skin”. The genre has also incorporated a key Daoist precept expounded in the Yi Jing or Book of Changes—“Rigidity and flexibility in synchronicity, change when change is appropriate”. In Taiji, the avoidance of any rigid form or posture allows the opening of the mind's eye, bringing an expanded and strengthened circle of thought and comprehension. The beauty of Taiji lies in the grace and ease of the person performing the strokes in perfection. In the 700-year history of the school, this foundation precept has not changed.

A solid choice, should you be seized with the desire to take up Taiji Quan s tudies , are the varied courses offered by the National Tai Chi Chuan As sociat ion each season. They run from beginners' to advanced to elite, giving you the perfect option whatever your level of proficiency. Note that there are various branches within the overarching Taiji Quan umbrella; for example, at the Da'an Sports Center you can sign up for courses in Chen Jia-gou Taiji Quan , and the Xinyi Sports Center has a program in Zheng Zi Taiji Quan .

Another fundamental Taiji precept known to all adepts is“Yin and yang in balance, mind and qi in balance”, and should you wish to explore its meaning in depth the Xinyi Sports Center has established a program entitled “18 Movements of Taiji Qigong”. Designed as a simple introductory course, the rigidity of body and mind in place over the long-term is gradually adjusted via controlled breathing. This adjustment is effected from three angles, each of equal importance— posture, consciousness, and breathing. Over at the Nangang Sports Center is another worthwhile option,“Baduanjin— Health Qigong”. Baduanjin literally means“Eight Section Brocade,”a more understandable translation being “Eight Section Internal Energy Training.”Capturing the need of the busy modern individual for brevity and ease of understanding, the moves are simple and the space needed to practice can be small. Only a moderate time investment is needed each ses s ion, but the resul ts are substant ial , improving qi and blood circulation, meridian flow, and flexibility of the joints.

Beyond Taiji , Wi n g Chun is another excellent choice . A special character istic of Wing Chun is Chi Sau, often translated as“sticking hands,”referring to a sparring technique that requires acute sensitivity to the movements and power of an opponent, turning the opponent's strength against him, and making constant counter-adjustments while following the movements of the opponent. Defense and attack are part of a single system. If you'd like to get a closer look at the secrets of this system, the Neihu Sports Center offers beginner and intermediate courses. For a chance to study outdoors, head to the 228 Memorial Peace Park any morning; here, among others, you will find a master who formerly taught the guard force at the nearby Presidential Office Building the qinna technique, to which many foreign adherents come to learn.

Self-Discipline and Sociability — Rich Harvest for Young Martial-Arts Students

Training in the martial arts results in improved strength and overall health, and many modern parents have taken note of the positive results that the ancient arts have on their children. One is in the area of discipline, because youngsters must follow a strict routine and attain clear standards. And because of the need to study with others, a sense of cooperative sociability is also developed.

Taiwan's internationally famed dance troupe, Cloud Gate Dance Theat re , has also taken note of the benefits for youngsters in the area of suppleness and flexibility of body along with discipline of mind and will. Building a concrete kungfu foundation in the character of the individual helps youth both in the learning of various dance styles and various martial-arts styles. Cloud Gate has set up a special“Children's Martial Arts”study program for kids 6-9 year old, and a “Youth Martial Arts”program for youngsters 10-18. Through gradual yet systematic teaching and progress, emphasizing fun will deliver the necessary knowledge on basic movements and technique, the kids acquire a real affection for their training and for the multi-faceted world of martial arts.

Here's a great idea for you—get up bright and early one morning and head over to Da'an Park , Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall , 228 Memorial Peace Park, or pretty much any park near where you live or are staying. You're almost sure to see groups of folks—old, young, male, female—moving in synchronized movements, faces intense with concentration, lost in the world of their chosen martial-arts genre. Watch closely and you'll see the slow and smooth forms of Taiji, or the fast and precise moves of Wing Chun. The martial arts are a part of everyday life for many of the Taipei citizens walking by you each day—and when in Taipei, why not try life the local way?