Thirteen Dynamics Practical T’ai Chi Institute
In an era where T’ai Chi is often diluted into a mere slow-motion health exercise, the serious student must return to the root. True T’ai Chi is “Wu Kung”—a profound martial art birthed from the Wudang tradition and the legacy of our Founding Ancestor, Zhang Sanfeng.
Choosing the Thirteen dynamics T’ai Chi Institute is a strategic commitment to a methodology that replaces generic movement with a battle-hardened system of self-defense.
By committing to this “Practical” approach, you learn to prioritize intellect and technique over raw, unsustainable power. This is the path of the soft warrior—a methodology not just spoken of in scrolls, but proven on the blood-stained mats of international competition.
A Legacy of Proven Success: Why Choose This Lineage?
Training in an untested system is a strategic failure. Our lineage is distinct because it has been rigorously “battle-tested” in open public competitions, including the Hong Kong Festival of Martial Arts and international full-contact invitations. When you join this Kwoon, you are not learning a dance; you are learning a system that has consistently triumphed over diverse fighting styles in the most transparent of arenas.
A high-value T’ai Chi education requires a multi-faceted curriculum to transform the practitioner from the inside out. While our full heritage includes the eight items of “Inner Content”—including the Saber, Sword, and Spear—your foundational journey is built upon these five pillars:
- T’ai Chi Chuan (The Form): The foundational movements that develop flexibility and “moving meditation,” ensuring every joint is supple and every muscle is relaxed yet ready.
- Push Hands (Tui Shou): Here we develop Ling(Listening Jin). You learn to sense an opponent’s intention through touch, neutralizing force before it can land.
- San Shou (Application): Critical for actual self-defense. You will be taught the “着熟” (Zhuo Shu) method—practicing applications against a partner to handle “fierce attacks” with speed and precision.
- Fall & Throwing (Die Pu): Mastering the mechanics of balance and leverage. You will learn to manipulate an opponent’s center of gravity to bring them to the ground effortlessly.
- Internal Power (Nei Kung): The “capital” of the martial artist. Through the “Twelve Yin and Twelve Yang” exercises, you build physical resilience and “elastic force,” achieving the three levels of mastery: Internal-External Unity, Mind-Body Unity, and Heaven-Man Unity.
This comprehensive path is a privileged journey accessible only through direct enrollment and the personal instruction of the lineage custodians.
Mastery offers a return on investment that defines a lifetime.
Regular practice leads to “Internal-External Unity,” promoting a state where the mind and body act as one.
“Softness is the disciple of life; hardness the disciple of death. The stiff and unbending is the companion of death; the soft and yielding is the companion of life.” Lao Tzu – Tao te Ching
Our classes run on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9pm in addition to regular weekend workshops.
The Path of Advancement:
All beginners commence with Essential T’ai Chi Chuan to master foundational skills. Mastery of the Form and foundation Pushing Hands and self defence.
Advanced studies: Specialized training in Saber, Sword, and Spear for those who demonstrate the required dedication.
The “Closed-Door” Tier: Internal Strength (Nei Kung) instruction is reserved for students who prove their ethical and physical commitment to the lineage.
LocatioN
The London headquarters of the Thirteen Dynamics T’ai Chi Institute is moments from Camden Town tube station.
