Above: Laoshr Damo affecting my Dan Tien with Taiji forces and teaching some of the Cardiff class Right: Practising a section from the form at fast speed

Daoist thought says that, in the beginning before creation there was Wuji or emptiness, from this emptiness came a spiralling force which created existence and gave rise to Yin and Yang, the duality in everything, the catalyst or motive force that created this happening was called the Taiji.

Quan means fist, so Taiji Quan can translate as ‘the boxing style that uses the motive force of creation’. The Yin Yang symbol that we all know represents this spiralling motive force, but it’s the moving symbol, as in the Lotus Nei Gong logo that is more relevant, as this signifies an active Dan Tien or energy centre.

This energy centre once moving fast, reels the Qi through us and connects us to Heaven and Earth, everything in the Cosmos vibrates and our aim is to bring a vibration force into our bodies so that we can use it for Martial Arts and Healing, without this spiralling force Taiji Quan is no more than a set of movements.

We practise the form slowly at first so that we can relax and condition the physical body and develop this energy, but eventually the movements are practised fast for use in a combat situation.

We also practise Toui-Shou or push hands, which is a sensitivity drill with a partner to test ones structure and later, more importantly, to test the strength of our energy. Without Toui-Shou practise Taiji Quan would be missing a very important element.