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 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.
T’ai Chi training 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.
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.
