You may have heard something about T’ai Chi, seen people practicing it in a park, or watched it on a television special about China. You may know that it’s a slow-moving, graceful exercise that is intended to benefit your health. At advanced levels, it is a formidable martial art based upon relaxation, yielding and using the opponent’s energy against him.

T’ai Chi, when practiced regularly, is said to help with relaxation, concentration, coordination, flexibility, posture (spinal alignment) and both physical and mental balance or centering. If this sounds intriguing to you, then you may be interested in the St. Louis T’ai Chi Ch’uan Association, a not-for-profit organization that has been offering classes in the art for more than 30 years.

“The five principles of T’ai Chi are: relax and sink; separate the weight; waist as commander; body upright; and beautiful lady’s wrist,” Michael David, president of the association, said. David practices the Yang Style Short Form, which the association has taught for nearly 20 years. And like most of its students, T’ai Chi Ch’uan practiced there has changed David’s life in numerous ways. He tells of his more relaxed manner at work, improved health and vitality, in addition to increased balance and strength.

“These benefits come subtly, like laying a sheet of paper on top of a sheet of paper,” David said. “Over time, you find that the way you sit, stand and move tend 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 was a closely guarded family secret in China. But today, anyone with a sincere interest can learn the basics of the form. With earnest practice, some, if not all of the above benefits can be realized, which would be valuable for the remainder of any student’s life.

The Association’s Yang Style Short Form was condensed from the Long Form—mostly by eliminating repetitions—by professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing, a supremely gifted master of T’ai Chi Ch’uan. Benjamin Lo, one of his senior students, has taught all of the organization’s current instructors. Now in his 80s, Lo has strength, sensitivity and suppleness that must be seen 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 and requires no special equipment—just comfortable, loose-fitting clothing and flat, thin-soled shoes. The Form takes about eight minutes to practice, once learned.

To find out more about this discipline, call the St. Louis T’ai Chi Ch’uan Association at (314) 961-1355 or visit them on the web at taichistlouis.org.

Beginner classes start Sunday, September 5 and 12 at the Monday Club in Webster Groves.