“The five principles we practice are: relax and sink, body upright, separate the weight, waist as commander and beautiful lady’s wrist” said Michael David, President of the Association. Mr. David has practiced the Yang Style Short Form, as taught by the Association for nearly twenty years. And like most of the Association’s students, T’ai Chi Ch’uan has changed his life in countless ways. Mr. David tells of his more relaxed manner at work, increased health and vitality, plus increased balance and strength. David adds, “These benefits come subtly, like laying a sheet of paper on top of a sheet of paper. Over time, you find the way you sit, stand and move tends to change. You gain strength, balance, suppleness, stamina, and most of all, a more meditative approach to daily living.”

For centuries, T’ai Chi Ch’uan had been kept a closely-guarded family secret in China. But today, anyone with a sincere interest can learn the basics of the Form. If earnest practice is followed, students can learn several martial forms, as well as advanced refinements of the basic Form– all valuable for the remainder of any student’s life.
The Association’s Yang Style Short Form was originated by Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing, a supremely gifted master of t’ai chi ch’uan, painting, calligraphy, medicine and poetry. Benjamin Lo, one of the Professor’s senior students, has taught all of the Association’s current instructors. Though now eighty years old, Mr. Lo has strength, sensitivity and suppleness that have to be felt to be believed.

Yang Style T’ai Chi is characterized by slow, rhythmic movements of the body. The Form can be practiced at any age, requires no special equipment beyond comfortable, loose clothing and flat, thin-soled shoes. The Form takes about eight minutes to practice, once learned.