Presentation

The Art of T'ai Chi is rooted in Taoism and Buddhism. From the Taoist philosophy there is the notion of the constant interaction between the Yin and the Yang- the complimentary forces of the universal energy, Ch'i. The practice of the T'ai Chi enables us to experience
and understand this dynamic and in doing so helps us to maintain harmony in our daily lives. From the Buddhist teachings we have the notion of the Bodhisattva, the spiritual warrior dedicated to peace and the wellbeing of others. This archetype is at the heart of almost all the traditional martial arts that trace back to the teachings of Bodhidharma. Unfortunately, for many practitioners this archetype of the Bodhisattva remains merely a symbol, a notion belonging to another age. But for us the archetype is very much alive and crucially important in the confused times in which we live, and essential in the context of our training. In this sense for us the practice of  T'ai Chi is a path of interior transformation as well as an external practice, which allows us to explore the challenging process of going from violence to peace, from selfishness and egotism to generosity and kindness.

The term T'ai Chi Bodhisattva is not meant to refer to any school. It is simply a description that reflects the commitment we share. Our organization is not structured as a pyramid but is a network of those linked to the same central vision. In our way of teaching the "kalyana mitta" ( good friend on the path) replaces the traditional idea of a master. There is no question of reproducing an external, fixed model. Our approach is about accompanying, exchanging, supporting and learning together using the skilful means that are found in the art itself. The most important thing for us is to stay open and flexible as we travel the path of discovery, both in our capacity as teachers as well as students, and to be guided by the true spirit of the T'ai Chi and to maintain the beginner's mind.

Metta