© Copyright Kaizen Martial Arts Academy 2010

Classes incorporate:-

Combat Tai Chi Quan, Chinese Military Arts, Taoist Aikido, Kung Fu, Chinese Boxing, Sanda, Shuai jiao, Tui Shou, Dim Mak, Dian Xue, Quin Na, Qi Gong, Dao Yin, and much more.

Combat Tai ji Quan (Tai Chi Chuan)
The martial aspects of Traditional Yang Style Tai Ji Quan

Traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Self Defence is one of china's national treasures and taught to the military,
secret service and many elite fighters around the world.

"This is not the fluffy health art as adopted by the health industry."

An explanation

There are two derivatives of the word Tai Chi.

The first is Tai ji, (Tai Chi)
The second is Tai Ji Quan. (Tai Chi Chuan)
These are similar in name but not in nature.

Tai Chi translates to the supreme ultimate, Quan translates to Fist.  

The classic Western approach is to practise Tai Chi primarily as a health based system, this takes many of the exercises from the martial system of Tai Ji Quan and combines it with other exercises namely that of Qi Gong (breath arts) and callisthenics, and as a result many ill informed martial artists misinterpret the health system as trying to be a martial art. Tai Ji does not suffice as a martial art.

However with the addition of the Quan (Fist) element , Tai Ji Quan introduces a whole new dimension to the health side of this fantastic ancient art. While it still incorporates many of the health aspects the addition of the 'Quan' essence produces a highly effective art form that is integral in many of the Chinese Governments combat training programs e.g. The Police force, Military, Security Services and for many Elite fighters around the world.

Combat Tai Ji Quan (the Martial Art)

Tai Ji Quan yields a vast arsenal of principles that lead to the highly effective application of martial techniques and self development. These principles are very often missed by other high level martial arts.

It is said that the Martial Arts work in two directions, the external martial artist work form hard to soft and the internal work form soft to softer.

The ancient texts state that “The softest overcomes the hardest.” and this is regularly demonstrated in our classes.

True Combat Tai ji quan,  is a very complete martial art, with traditions and practice that go back centuries. Combat Tai ji Quan presents this fantastic art form in it's original martial form and purpose, with teachings in direct lineage from the original masters.

The modern variants of Tai ji that you may be familiar with are quite futile in the eyes of today's martial artists, due mainly to inadequate or ill-informed instructors, as well as its adoption by the health industry.

In Traditional Yang Style Combat Tai ji Quan, the practitioner will be able to identify their own strengths and weaknesses through the regulated  grading system. Please note this is not a Tai Chi form class. This is a formless class for highly effective street self-defence and personal development.

A Relaxed Environment

When you come to train with us you can be assured that you will be training in a calm, controlled and none aggressive environment.
Men and Women are most welcome. We understand that joining a martial arts club can be unnerving and some may feel apprehensive. Please note that you will need to demonstrate in classes and at gradings that you have the required standard of self control, safety and understanding of yourself and the art before you can progress further, this helps to assure that when you are training with others, and when others are training with you, everybody is having a fun training session in a relaxed, highly efficient and safe environment.

Instructor Training Policy

Our instructor training policy is to ensure a controlled environment for all our students. This produces a fun and non-confrontational environment.  Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and any unsupervised force or aggression will end in the student being asked to leave. This is not the environment for uncontrolled aggressive attitudes or actions. It is a highly effective training environment taught by highly qualified instructors with true historical lineage. You will benefit from training with us what ever your background or standard is.

Over 16s only
All Styles and Practitioner levels welcome.

Stances and Posture
San Shou/ Sanda (Free Hand Self defence)
Tui Shou (Push hands / sticky hands)
Throws
Take downs
Kicks
Strikes
Ward Offs
Evasions
Self defence from the ground

Chokes
Locks
Chin Na (Quin na)  Seize and Control
Dim mak (Compliance Points/Pressure Points strikes)
Dian Xue
Jings
Range Work
Counters
Five Element Fighting (Xing Yi)

Single and Multiple attacks
Chinese Boxing
Sweeps/Trips
Weapons defence
Fitness
Flexibility
Pad Work
Break Falls
Fa Jin
and much much more.